Sussex event rider Emily Llewellyn in Gloucester and Beyond
International Eventing
Hartpury College played host to the 2011 NAF International Horse Trials. Set in the beautiful countryside of Gloucestershire, the College, whose international recognition began in 2006 put on a world class event; attracting the worlds top eventers.
This year saw the return of the Hartpury Horse Trials for the 9th year. Starting as a CCI* and CCI** event in 2002 and then in 2006, expanding to include CIC*** the Hartpury Horse Trials have gone from strength to strength, missing only one year in 2007 due to the great Gloucestershire floods. The International Hartpury Horse Trials has established itself as a firm favorite amongst competitors in the Eventing calendar; providing four days of outstanding equestrian sport, including a weekend packed full of top Cross Country competition, two days of dressage and two days of show jumping as well as a great social occasion for all. The Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse Series started the week off on Wednesday 10th August, providing enthusiasts with the opportunity to spot world-class event horses of the future.
Amongst the World’s best was Sussex based rider Emily Llewellyn riding Pardon Me II and Major Buck. Pardon Me II, her 
14 year old gelding, ridden and owned by Emily since 2006 had a superb Dressage round of 44.4 followed by a faultless clear round in the show jumping; putting her in 5th position for the final test of the Cross Country on the last day. Her other ride, 13 year old Major Buck came in 25th out of 66 after getting a respectable 49.8 and just 4 faults in the show jumping, an amazing success for a newly bonded team, having known each other for only two weeks.
Emily has achieved a great deal already and has an amazing eventing career ahead of her. Having graduated from Sussex University with a 2:1 in Business & Management Emily aims to maintain the same level of success with her riding, and is looking for new horses, owners, supporters and sponsors both of goods in kind but especially financial.
Emily has already completed three Badmintons, all with a top 25 placing as well as being best British U25 rider both years. In 2011 Emily produced a fourth clear cross-country on Pardon Me II. She has also been listed as a reserve for the Senior Championship Team for the last two years whilst still being part of the youth category, which shows her potential for the coming years.
Emily remains grounded by the hard work needed to be a successful eventer; some of that hard work has been rewarded by the support she receives from sponsorship deals, which she has managed to secure. A role model for brand awareness Emily Llewellyn Eventing is supported by Kingsland, Ariat, Albion, Atrium, Top Spec, Charles Owen, Haygain, ProLite, CGA, KBIS insurance, Roflexs, UK Sport funded World Class Programme, Eco ComfyBed, Green Stable bedding and Paxton.
Emily told the Sussex Newspaper, “Things are getting back on track having been a thin year for me. I feel that Pardon Me II is making great progress and I’m also getting on with my new ride Major Buck”.
Altho
ugh Emily failed to beat her impressive 2010 3rd position this year, having retired at the second water complex, she will now concentrate on her next major which will be the Burghley Horse Trials at the beginning of September, where she will be competing again on Pardon Me II. Congratulations to the other Sussex rider Francis Whittingham (GBR) who came 3rd on Mr Percival III in the CCI***.
Hartpury College, as a major venue, was established with an international status after hosting the 2006 para dressage championships. Since then it is going from strength to strength building its reputation amongst Britain’s top equine sporting venues. Top names from show jumping, eventing and dressage compete regularly here in Hartpury’s world class and superbly maintained arenas.
What I found out at this event was its close-knit intimacy, you get the feel of what its like to be on the riding circuit as a competitor and groom, parent, spouse or supporter. It’s been amazingly friendly this week and intriguingly amusing to be part of. The world of Eventing is tough, its brutal but its rewards, when achieved, are priceless. Congratulations to the CIC*** winners Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding and Bill Levitt (AUS) riding One two Many Nj for winning the CCI*** sections.
For more information of Emily Llewellyn, visit her website at http://www.emilyllewellyn.co.uk
Words by Julie Badrick
Images Jbadrick © IESportsMedia
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