Tabitha rides to a 1-2-3 at championships

TEENAGER Tabitha Kyle took the top three places in the National 138cm Championship Final at the British Showjumping National Championships in Warwickshire.

The 14-year-old from Loughborough was among six riders from 18 starters who made it through to the jump-off on the first day of the championships at the NAEC in Stoneleigh Park.

Tabitha and her pony Playboy Van De Zoetewei finished in first place, but she also claimed second and third in the class with Mister Proper and Another Barney respectively.

She said: “Playboy was in first who is good in a jump-off, so I could put the pressure on the others. “Being in the lead meant that I could push [Mister Proper], who also went clear. “[Another Barney] is younger and less experienced, so I wanted to give him an easier round knowing the other two had gone clear, but he stepped up as well.” Tabitha and Playboy Van De Zoetewei last competed at Bicton, where they won all four of their classes.

The teenager also represented Great Britain at the Children’s European Championships in Lisbon where she won Team Bronze.
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Another Barney is younger so I wanted to give him an easier round, but he stepped up as well Tabitha Kyle