BEWDLEY rider Abbie Garbett and steed Oscars Double Diamond were jumping for joy after taking the overall national individual title at the British Riding Club’s Animalife National Horse Trials Championships at the weekend.
The 20-year-old and her horse made a fine start when they won the dressage phase with 25 points.
This set the tone for a dominant display over three days of action.
It allowed rider and horse to take a good look at the steeplechase, road and cross-country tests and ensure she was properly prepared for the challenge ahead.
On Saturday, the dynamic duo completed the road, steeplechase and tracks phases within their allocated time.
They then again had to have Oscar inspected by a vet to make sure Oscar’s heart rate had recovered before going on the cross-country phase.
The pair had a fabulous cross-country round, negotiating the 20 challenging and technical obstacles and finishing within the allocated time and avoiding any faults.
That success kept her in the lead going into the dressage on the Sunday.
It was a long wait for Garbett and Oscar as being in the lead meant they were last to go on the showjumping phase.
Despite the penultimate rider producing a perfect round, it was not enough to deny the Wyre Forest rider, who rose to the challenge with a flawless display to secure the national title.
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