Shrewley showjumper Helm finishes as top qualifier

WARWICKSHIRE’S Julia Helm scooped top spot in the Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Second Rounds at Gracelands Equestrian Centre in Droitwich.

With the Dodson & Horrell National Amateur Championships, held at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool looming, picking up one of the 12 qualification places on offer in each class was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

The final jump-off of 16 eager horses and riders came right down to the wire as penultimate rider Helm, from Shrewley, produced an astonishingly fast double clear to cross the finish line on board her 17-year-old bay mare Helms Tolu in 28.59 seconds. With the final rider withdrawing, Helm moved straight into first place.

Isobelle Bradley carried over her good form from the 0.85m National Amateur Second Round to ride Charles Duncan’s 18-year-old chestnut gelding, Romero S, into second place with a double clear in 29.10 seconds.

Also showing her consistency from the earlier 0.85m National Amateur Second Round was Natalie Cull, from Malvern, who went into third place on board her 14-year-old bay mare, Vienne VIII. The pair posted a double clear in 29.89 seconds.