Thurman-Baker Clears Up Across the Board at the 2011 CDN Keysoe

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2011 CDN Keysoe

18 year old World Class Development rider Samantha Thurman-Baker from Henley-on-Thames proved that she can hold her own against both juniors and seniors at Keysoe Premier League, Bedfordshire 8-10 April.

The 2010 British junior team member is busy campaigning for her place on the 2011 squad and strengthened her case at Keysoe with wins in the FEI Junior Music Freestyle, FEI Junior Individual and FEI Junior prelim classes on scores of 71.75%, 66.97% and 67.65% respectively. Riding her own 16.2hh German bred gelding Highcliffe Apollo, Samantha impressed to take three out of the four junior classes they entered.

On her home-produced Cleveland bay cross Spring Pascal, Samantha stormed Friday’s prix st georges with a victorious 72.81%, almost 2% ahead of the second placed competitors. The youngster, who is primarily trained by her mother Diane was overjoyed with the result, “It felt amazing to win that class! It was a good test but he can be quite tense and I wasn’t sure which way the marks would go, I was so happy when I saw my score.”

Samantha explained that it hasn’t always been plain sailing with the ten year old British bred gelding, “When we first got him (Spring Pascal), we had to be really gentle with him. If I put too much pressure on him he would just bolt, but once he understands what you want from him he relaxes. He finds most movements easy now so the more you give him to do the better he is in the arena.”

Samantha and Spring Pascal narrowly missed out on the intermediate II when Vicki Thompson-Winfield and Papillon pipped them with a 0.61% lead. With junior selections on the horizon, the ambitious rider has also got her sights set on competing at grand prix level, “He scored over 69% in the inter II, so that’s a good indication for us but I haven’t competed at that level yet.

Peter Storr and Shiree Darley’s black stallion Vinducatch also excelled at the premier league with wins in the Jefferies Saddlery Prix St Georges (section 1), Music Freestyle Prix St Georges and Jefferies Saddlery Prix St Georges (section 2) on 69.21%, 71.50% and 69.82%.

Full list of winners at the 2011 CDN Keysoe:

5 Y.O. National Qualifier
Zoe Sleigh and Bequia, 7.44

6 Y.O. National Qualifier
Daniel Sherriff and Let’s Be Frank, 7.98

Prix St Georges (section 1)
Peter Storr and Vinducath, 69.21%

Prix St Georges (section 2)
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Spring Pascal, 72.81%

Grand Prix
Daniel Sherriff and Bayford Hall Dallaglio, 68.01%

5 Y.O. International Qualifier
Rebecca Hughes and Sirocco, 7.74

6 Y.O. International Qualifier
Daniel Sheriff and Let’s Be Frank, 8.28

Intermediaire I
Daryl Thickitt and World Surprise, 70.26%

Intermediaire II
Vicki Thompson-Winfield and Papillon, 69.65%

Pony Team
Erin Williams and Danny Boy B, 71.81%

Junior Team
Charlotte Ward and Percival S, 67.84%

Young Rider
Lucy Fallen and Nurejev, 69.61%

FEI Pony Kur to Music
Alexandra Snape and D.H.I. Lionceau, 71%

Junior Kur to Music
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Highcliffe Apollo, 71.75%

Music Freestyle PSG
Peter Storr and Vinducath,71.50%

Music Freestyle Intermediate I
Sarah Cheetham and Provender Galant, 67.75%

Music Freestyle Grand Prix
Belinda Skipper on Capetto Vestervang, 70%

Prix St Georges (section 1)
Henry Boswell and Urban, 69.65%

Prix St Georges (section 2)
Peter Storr and Vinducath, 69.82%

Pony Individual,
Erin Williams and Danny Boy B, 70.26%

Junior Individual
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Highcliffe Apollo, 66.97%

Young Rider Individual
Amy Woodhead and Pardon, 68.29%

Pony Prelim
Jade Ritchie and Principal, 66.71%

Junior Prelim
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Highcliffe Apollo, 67.65%