The Nunney International Horse Trials were staged at Southfield House recently and they were truly international, with more than ten nations represented.

The local riders featured to the fore across the board, with Stephen Heal, from Shipham, riding CG Eventing’s Quidam de Lux into first place in the BE 100 5-year-old novice class and the Ladybird Cup.

Shepton Mallet’s Harriet Fooks won a BE100 class with her own Smooth Talk. The BE100 Open Under-18 class was won by Lottie Adams, from Wells, riding her own Lex V.

Other riders from the area who were placed, included Dani Evans, from Woollard who was third in the Intermediate Section S, riding C Born Fresh Z owned by Gillian Bulmer. Milo Kennedy, a sixteen-year-old from Witham Friary, was placed fifth in the Open Intermediate Under-21 section U.

Phoebe Locke, from Glastonbury, the current Under-21 British Champion, was placed fourth in the CCI-S 3* at Nunney on Bellagio Declyange owned by P J A Capital. Phoebe won her British Championship at Houghton International in May, riding Union Fortunus. Phoebe said: “He’s a really exciting horse. He did a double clear at Tattersalls, and I’m aiming him for Blenheim.”

Nunney was also the venue for the Pony Club Area 14 competition with the Blue team – Bella Butterworth, Jess Rimmer and Alice Procter – heading to the championships following their win.

Hannah Francis was a talented event rider and established the charity, Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony, to fund research into bone cancer, particularly Osteosarcoma, and to provide Willberry’s Wishes to seriously ill people of all ages. The charity has granted over sixty wishes worldwide. Here at Nunney, Hannah’s closest BE event, a wish was granted to sisters, Rachel and Amy, from Rode, who were treated to a VIP day out.  

Rachel, who was also celebrating her 13th birthday, nominated her sister, Amy Hamilton, and the pair enjoyed a fabulous day, meeting top riders, including Kitty King and David Doel, enjoying a drive around the cross country, with time in cross country control, and lunch in the sponsors’ marquee. Amy was also shown organiser Bridget Parker’s Olympic gold medal. Bridget won the medal on Cornish Gold in Munich in 1972.

Amy said: “It’s been a lovely day, and so nice as you wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to experience something like this. Meeting the riders was fantastic. I love going to support my sister when she’s riding, and it’s been great to come here today and have such a special time.”

Organiser, Bridget Parker, was delighted with the competition, saying: “It was a fantastic three days. We were very lucky with the weather, and the rain we had gave us perfect going. The courses all rode very well. They were bold and asked plenty of questions, but we had no problems at all and the feedback has been wonderful.”

Rosie Sage