Jersey jumpers head for Hickstead

Sunday 28 August 2016

Think of golf and St Andrews comes to mind…cricket and Lords, rowing and Henley, horses and Hickstead.  

Six lucky riders from British Show Jumping Association Jersey are to fulfil their lifelong dreams and appear at the home of the sport for the All England Jumping Championships from September 1st to 4th.

Hickstead introduced the new national competition in 2011 and since then the show has gone from strength to strength.

One of the riders, Alison Rogers said the event is a must for all lovers of the sport as it allows riders to gain valuable experience in the legendary arena. 

“I was followed last year by none other than Nick Skelton, so for anyone who enjoys show jumping it is a chance to ride at Hickstead and also a chance to compete alongside the big names of the sport. It is a fantastic occasion.

“Competing at the All England Show will be fantastic – the atmosphere will be electric and the courses a new experience. We are all looking forward to being there.”

The six Jersey riders are all members of the BSJA Jersey Academy which was launched in June 2015 and is headed by international star Paul Crago. The academy was set up to train and help riders of all ages to enjoy and progress through the structured lesson plans.  

Mr Crago has been a GB Nations Cup member on several occasions and has also competed, with great success, across Europe and the UK, including London Olympia, the Horse of the Year Show and the Royal International Horse Show.

Flying the Jersey flag in Hickstead for Jersey will be Alison and John Rogers, Jo Patterson, Michelle Smith, Angela Hickinbottom and Helen Papworth.

Ms Patterson recently won classes at the St Lawrence Charity Horse Show and will compete at Hickstead on Tino, while Mrs Rogers, who is one of the academy’s coaches, will be on board Cupido. 

John Rogers will be competing on Basil Broom and Michelle Smith will be riding Killy Queen.

Angela Hickinbottom will be guiding Colwyn Odin around the technical array of jumps at Hickstead and Tawnmore Rock will be ridden by Helen Papworth.

Travelling to the UK as the squad’s back up team will be Daniel Drakes (official BSJA Jersey photographer), Topaz Robertson-Gay, JJ Rogers, Marj Papworth and Miro Afonso.