Market Rasen horse and rider through to national showjumping finals

Georgie Marriott took top spot in Yorkshire.

Georgie won the first of this year’s Haygain Pony Discovery Second Rounds at Port Royal Equestrian Centre last week.

A total of 20 combinations travelled to the Yorkshire venue hoping to secure their place in this summer’s Haygain Pony Discovery Championship final, which will be held at the British Showjumping National Championships in August.

And with 10 places up for grabs, spectators were treated to an exciting competition.

Following the first two rounds of the class, just six competitors remained ahead of the final jump-off - and the win was eventually claimed by the only combination able to deliver a treble clear.

Fourteen year-old Georgie took the top spot on Murthwaite Boy Blue, a nine-year-old grey gelding owned by Liz Marriott.

This combination produced three fantastic rounds to finish with an immaculate treble clear in 33.62 seconds, a result which proved to be unbeatable.

Second place was taken by 13-year-old Toby Parsons from Weeton, Leeds, and he delivered the fastest four fault round in the final jump-off on board Rosegate Bagatelle, a 10-year-old skewbald mare owned by Sarah Parsons.

The combination was unfortunate to roll a pole for four faults, but their time of 44.87 seconds was quick enough for a top two placing.

Third place was secured by 15-year-old Katie Benbow from Goole, North Humberside, who rode Simon Benbow’s nine-year-old bay mare Candy Twist.

Katie and Candy Twist also picked up four faults and did so in 47.25 seconds.

Results – Port Royal Equestrian Centre, Haygain Pony Discovery second round: 1 Georgie Marriott and Murthwaite Blue Boy – 0/0/0 – 33.62 seconds, 2 Toby Parsons and Rosegate Bagatelle – 0/0/4 – 44.87 seconds, 3 Katie Benbow and Candy Twist – 0/0/4 – 47.25 seconds.