Kicking off Horse of the Year Show 2019 with a show stopping double clear was Surrey-based teenager Serena Kullich, age 19, who took the title of the British Showjumping Bronze League Champion. Riding her own 11-year-old grey gelding, Cooley River, the pressure was on as they were the final combination to go out of just three riders who made it through to the jump off.
Knowing that she had to go for a clear and go for speed to beat the time set by opponent Holly Johnstone riding Gogo Bantos, Serena flew down to the last fence to finish on 30.05 seconds. Speaking of her victory, Serena commented: “He jumped so well in there today. It’s been a difficult year juggling my A-levels with keeping up with training and there were only two qualifiers left after my exams. Luckily, we made it to Wales and West in June, just one week after my final exam, and that’s where we picked up our HOYS ticket.”
Serena has come a long way from riding her Shetland pony from the age of three, and on ponies she competed at Horse of the Year Show 2016 coming sixth in the Pony Foxhunter Championship. She continues: “When I was here last time, I wanted to go for clear which we achieved and we placed sixth, so this year I wanted to ride for the time as well and I can’t believe we did it! He is my first horse after ponies, and I can’t wait to aim for the Silver League with him next year.”
Horse of the Year Show is taking place every day this week through to Sunday 6th October at the Resorts World Arena, NEC Birmingham. Tickets are available in advance and on the door starting from just £34.00. Head to www.hoys.co.uk to find out more.
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For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2019, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
