ROLL OF HONOUR

The teams below make up the Championship roll of honour, recording the winners and host venues through almost 50 years of team chasing history.

Worcestershire, Upton Warren, 12^th April

The Worcestershire hosted the National Championships – supported by Goldsmiths Seeds and Your Protection Guaranteed - for the second time, in conditions that were truly ‘four seasons in one day’. For Team Ride Away I it was sunshine all the way as they retained their title with a masterclass of a round.

Charlotte Alexander led them away on Saphir de Rheu, their eventing experience useful over the tricky early log pit and onto a curving line into the water. Susannah Stanning sat tight to avoid a swim as Pitch It Up pecked off the bank. Then it was back to what they do best with the with Joe Stevenson, Susannah and Sophie Sheppard following their pilot on tightest of turns around the marker bale at the top and wiggling either side of the trees in the hedgeline. They made nothing of the drop hedge and wide open ditch in the centre of the course, and then on the return leg, more sharp angles over host Andy’s Shaw’s timber creations and a rousing gallop to the last hedge sealed the win.

“Saphy missed all last season after getting an infection from a cut, but he feels amazing,” said Charlotte of the 17-year-old Cheltenham winning chaser. “He’s so reliable in front and just eats up these hedges.”

Joe Stevenson reckons that his mount San Cassiano has won around 30 team chases and was delighted with his run on what will be his last championship.

“He’s 19, so he’ll finish in the autumn. He’s one thoroughbred that will be fat and happy in the field. He was trained by Ruth Carr whose family started the Ride Away team so he’s a big part of our story,” he said.

Pitch It Up led the team to victory last year and Susannah praised his versatility: “He’s happy in front or behind. We did have a couple of hairy moments – as well as the water, he fired me into the air over the second fence.”

Sophie Sheppard has formed a strong partnership with Balladeer Little Rock while his owner Sonja van Dijk recovered from injury. “Sonja will take up the ride again now,” she explained. “He sometimes struggles to keep up with the thoroughbreds but he was really on it today. I’d be happy to have another open horse if anyone has one they’d like me to ride!”

Wishful Thinkers had a real crack at taking the title, with Joe Neal giving them a great lead on Henry.

Zack Mallalieu got some powerful leaps from the grey Mayden Massini, ahead of a moonlighting Roddy Stanning on Gunfleet, but Guy Sankey’s mount declined at the water. With just three standing, solid jumping and some good turns secured the runner-up slot.

“We had a great round,” said Joe. “Henry’s a really good lead horse, very bold. Sometimes just a little too much, such as when we missed the turn at the top of the course.”

Beaglin’ Rascals Hop Idols tool the final podium slot, a great result for a truly scratch team who have been steadily climbing the ladder over the last two years.

Kate Mills and Holly Taylor shared the lead for much of the round, and after losing Lily Chandler at the water, they and Ellie Jefferson plotted a careful route around the hedges and timber, showing great teamwork.

“We had a plan which came together,” said Kate. “My horse De Ja Vu is homebred part warmblood. I’ve mainly evented him but have dabbled in team chasing over the years so to be able to target the championships has been brilliant.”

She added: “The Beaglin’ Rascals all owe a lot to our captain, Rachael McKenzie. She’s fantastic at putting the teams together and brings the most amazing picnic!”

Beaufort Boozers were the only other team to finish, with Dom David having to gallop on to catch up after a stop, and Josie Brown and Dalsown Supernova having an uncharacteristic tip-up.