A TEENAGE showjumper from Berkeley has seen off professional riders from all over Europe to land the Hickstead Novice Stakes title at her first international show.
Ella Nutbeen, 15, triumphed on Aoife O’Hagan’s Blackmoor Penelope Jane, an Irish sports horse by the famous Irish stallion Seacrest.
“This was my first international show, so it was very daunting as I’ve only just turned 15,” said Nutbeen.
“Penelope is an exceptional little mare who has a big heart and will jump the biggest of tracks.
“She came over from Ireland last year and I was very grateful to get the ride on her.”
Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School pupil Nutbeen saw off 150 strong competitors to take the class in just her second show on Blackmoor Penelope Jane after taking over the ride from her sister.
Penelope is not the easiest of rides but she covers the ground extremely well and thanks to the help of her British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) coach Nicky Florence they have high hopes for her this year.
Nutbeen also had a fantastic show with her own horse, being placed in all her classes with Artisan II having only been together four weeks, and she is relishing competing at senior level.
“I have two very good horses at the moment so I didn’t feel nervous about going up against the professionals,” added Nutbeen, who has also represented Gloucestershire.
Her dedication to succeed sees her get up at 5.30am every morning to look after her four horses and with the help of KLB she is managing to juggle sitting her GCSEs while competing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here