Over 20 of the Island’s bravest took on infamous wall

The Island Equine Academy’s annual Puissance was held at Lake Farm last Friday and it proved a huge success both in terms of competitors and spectators.

Over 20 of the Island’s bravest show jumpers took on the infamous wall. The first class had a starting height of 18 inches and the second class had a starting height of 2ft 6. The first class was split into horse and pony sections and the second class was split between junior and senior riders however, they were run concurrently.

For the first round, all competitors were required to clear four fences. From round two onwards, jump two was optional but the triple bar and the wall had to be cleared in order for the riders to continue, both getting progressively higher until a winner was announced.

In Class 1, Alison Hill and Gemma Williams’ lovely Welsh pony, Tireve Triple Six were the only combination to clear both the triple bar which measured 1.30m wide and the wall which measured 1m and so took the win in the pony section. Alison was also awarded with a rosette sponsored by SPJ Improvements for the highest placed over 45 rider in Class 1.

Ryan Lacey and his lovely bay horse, Concorde Kerr took victory in a closely fought contest for the horse section of Class 1. They were the only combination to clear the triple bar which measured 1.60m wide and the wall which stood at an impressive 1.20m high.

Jess Withers and the very experienced Rio Maria looked confident from the beginning of Class 2 and Rio Maria’s experience showed. Jess and Penny, won the junior section of Class 2 clearing the wall which stood at 1.17m.

The winner of the senior section of Class 2 came down to the wire with the eventual winner being declared as Helen Cole and her lovely grey horse, Flynn. They cleared the triple bar which measured 1.65m wide and the wall which stood at a very impressive 1.38m high. Helen narrowly took the win from Georgia Headley-Ward and her consistent mare, Indira VH Exelhof Z. Georgia and Indi had looked strong throughout the competition and although they cleared the triple bar with ease, they just had a brick from the wall.

Helen was also awarded with a rosette sponsored by SPJ Improvements for the highest placed over 45 rider in Class 2.

Class 1 (Pony section):
1st – Alison Hill & Tireve Triple Six
2nd – Lily Lester & Le Prail
3rd – Freya Rann & Norman
4th – Eloise Atkey & Beauty
5th – John Waghorn & Chevvy
6th – Gayle Jackson & Just Joseph

Highest placed over 45 in Class 1 – Alison Hill

Results for Class 1 (Horse section):
1st – Ryan Lacey & Concorde Kerr
2nd – Issy Lester & TC
3rd – Bumble Pike & Lara
4th – Josh Early & Scu, Debi Morse & Cherry, Beth Murthwaite and Gracie

Results for Class 2 (Junior section)
1st – Jess Withers & Rio Maria
2nd – Georgia Carmichael & Coblet Cara
3rd – Amelia Morgan & Monty

Results for Class 2 (Senior section):
1st – Helen Cole & Flynn
2nd – Georgia Headley-Ward & Indira VH Exelhof Z
3rd – Jessie Vanassche & Da Vinci
4th – Kelly Read & Trevoulter Rumbles
5th – Ryan Lacey & Danto M
6th – Helen Short & Ellie

Highest placed over 45 in Class 2 – Helen Cole

Photography on the night was courtesy of Kev Cant.