WORCESTER and District Riding Club (WDRC) has once again won the BRC senior style jumping qualifier held in Malvern.

The Worcester club has brought the national trophy back to the city five times in recent years and is hoping for similar success next month at Lincoln, when they compete against area winners from all over the UK at the British Riding Clubs National Championships.

Worcester’s winning jumpers were Vicki Hancox on Dunnaire Duke of York – with 109 marks the second placed individual as well; Leanne Bennett on The Magician’s Nephew, with 107 marks fourth placed individual; Gina Halford on Oreo One, with 104 marks fifth individual; and Megan Pountney on Farmer’s Surprise.

Another Worcester team was placed third in the competition: Leanne on her second ride, Foxes Troy, placed individual third with 107 marks; Ali Tate on Lady of Athenrye placed sixth with 102 marks; Karen Richardson on Jasper; and Gina Halford on her second ride, Trefeinon Six.

The club’s novice show-jumping team was also in the rosettes, taking fifth place, and Beth Evans was sixth individual in the intermediate show-jumping.

WDRC chairman Alison Harris said: “Our team manager and strong competitor Jess Viney broke her collarbone the day before the competition and another competitor’s horse suffered an injury but luckily Jess managed to find replacements from among our enthusiastic membership and we are now looking forward to defending our championship title.”

The following day, more club members competed in the local Mercian League’s showing show.

With every rider placed and the teams placed second and fifth, the club stayed top of the league table – however, there are still several competitions still to go.

Alison Tate was second in the working hunter class and Leanne Bennett sixth. Charlotte Harris was second in the veteran class and Kate Webberley fourth.

Leanne Bennett was third in the mountain and moorland class and Liz Willetts fourth. Mel Taylor was third in the riding club horse class and Joyce Brown sixth.