News

Championships Round Up

The Arena UK Major Show Jumping Championships held on the 10th – 14th September were hailed a resounding success by competitors and spectators alike.

Laura Renwick leapt in to the record books on Thursday in the evening performance, competing in the inaugural Puissance built by Di Boddy in Arena UK’s international arena.  Over 13 riders contested the £6000 prize fund but only Laura, heartily encouraged by husband John, rode the brave grey Twister X for the final round,  scaling the massive grey wall at 6’11”. Ellen Whitaker riding another grey Ladina B   entertained a capacity crowd with more buck strides than canter as she negotiated each round of the ever increasing wall, finally ducking out at the last round.

Friday night’s SsangYong Ride and Drive Challenge drew maximum crowds caused great amusement as rider’s, having negotiated a course of show jumps, set off touring the SsangYong Kyron 4 x 4 through an obstacle penalty course of cones.  The class proved so popular with entries a qualifying round was held in the SsangYong All-Weather Arena 2 to limit the contestants to 15 for the final challenge in the International Indoor Arena.  Guy Williams showed his prowess at both riding and driving by winning the cash prize in a time that outpaced every one else.

Saturday’s Gala evening provided competition winners from both Horse Deals Magazine and the Grantham Journal with a night to remember.  Met on site by legendary Ellen Whitaker the winners were given a signed photograph of Ellen kindly donated by Equipics and also presented with a SsangYong goody bag of Arena UK grooming kits and Horse Deals magazines.  The good and the great were in full attendance with Jacky Wood, Michael Mac and Liz Edgar of the BSJA visiting along with local dignitaries’ the  High Sheriff of Lincolnshire,  Mr John Lockwood and his wife Judith, the  Chairman of Kesteven Council, Mr Mike Exton and the Deputy Mayor of Grantham, Councillor Ray Wootten and his wife Linda.  Over 70 invited guests attended the drinks reception and buffet prior to the Grand Prix including a delighted ex top international rider Jean Germany along with  Michael and Sandra Donovan of Horse Deals Magazine (with their daughter Bridgette still smiling having met her heroine Ellen Whitaker).  Geoff Billington once again proved what a great ambassador for the sport he is conducting a course walk prior to the grand prix which proved as ever both entertaining and informative.

Nothing was stopping Laura Renwick to enhance her bank balance by winning the highest prized national grand prix in the country of £24,000 with Laura taking the champions purse of £8000 on her great horse Limelight de Breve.

Earlier in the day the Horse Deals Young Riders Grand Prix was won in fine style by Mathew Sampson on Indy.

Sunday brought some fierce competition with over 400 competitors having their eyes on the fantastic SsangYong Kyron 4 x 4’s as prizes in the .95 cms and the 1.05 Grand Prix Championships.

Whittled down to the top 30 in each championship from the preceding competitions the delighted winners Leesa Long and Melissa Brewer met SsangYong Managing Director Paul Williams who offered them choices of colour and automatic transmission as an enhancement to their prizes.

The Arena UK Major Championship Show closed with a grateful thanks to the judges, course designers, and commentators who kept the show swinging till the end and a special thanks to the Army cadets who joined us over the week-end as arena parties.

The next major championship show is the KBIS British EquestrianBSJA National Amateur Teams and Veterans Championships incorporating the BSJA National Teams Championship on the 4th – 7th December – book now for the Charity Ball on the 6th – places strictly limited.

Arena UK Riding Club

Congratulations to all the members of the Arena UK Riding Club who competed at the Blue Chip Festival of Champions 26-28th of September.

Arena UK Riding Club acrued the most points and were the winning riding club taking the fantastic red rosette.

This is a great achievment considering this is only our second year.

Congratulations must go to Elizabeth Robinson, Kayleigh Twigger, Nicola Walsh, Sally Mchale, Lizzy Haughton-Hallam, Lauren Farrow, Ellen Cutler, Louise Graham and all the others who qualified through the riding club that made this result possible.

Arena UK Creates Business Partnership with Korean Giant SsangYong

In an exclusive deal with Arena UK for 2008 SsangYong will become the sole provider of 4 x 4‘s for show jumping competitions running through the winter 2008 season.

This Autumn SsangYong are to sponsor two competitions at Arena UK’s Major Grand Prix and Championship show on September 10th – 14th   where the winners will win either a SsangYong Rexton or Kyron 4 x 4 for a year and following on from that at the BSJA Amateur and Veterans Championships December 3th - 7th Championship Show competitors will have the chance to win in a Special Competition a SsangYong Kyron for a  year.