A GLOUCESTERSHIRE showjumper claimed two titles at the Blue Chip Showjumping Winter Championships last week amid fierce competition.

Angela Thompson, from Chipping Campden, won the Blue Chip Joint RLF Power and Blue Chip Karma Performance titles.

The five-day competition, held in the state-of-the-art Hartpury Arena at Hartpury College, received a record number of entries this year.

Thompson was competing with over 80 other riders in each of the classes she won, against professional jumpers from across the country.

With qualifiers for the competition stretching back to last year, Thompson was pleased to have finished the winter season well.

“I was really pleased with the wins, especially as we got early draws in both competitions,” said Thompson.

“I was first to go on the first day Power competition which makes it tough as you have nothing to beat when you start your run.

“When you have so many other riders behind you, normally someone goes quicker, but thankfully not this time.

“After winning on the first day it was great to go on and do well on in the Karma a day later.

“It is a higher class with bigger jumps and is very competitive.

“There were good riders from all over the country on some great up and coming horses competing in the Karma, so it was great to win it.”

The wins were achieved on her horse Babette, co-owned by Tom Rimes and she was pleased with the runs it gave.

“She’s quick, careful and doesn’t waste any time,” said Angie, who acquired the 9 year-old chestnut mare by Matterhorn from Julian Mincher in November and almost immediately qualified for the Seib Winter Novice Championship and the Winter Grade C Final shortly afterwards.

Thompson went on to praise the Blue Chip Championships event, run out of local college facilities.
“The competition organisers did a super job,” she said.

"The Blue Chip Championships always has a super atmosphere and the indoor arena is fantastic at Hartpury.

"The courses are always built technical and are very challenging.

"You know you've done well when you've won or even got a place there.

"Hartpury is a great venue for the finals to be held and hopefully they will be there for many years to come."