Claire books her place for majors

LOCAL showjumper Claire Shepherd has plenty to look forward to after qualifying for two major championships.

The 26-year-old mother of two will be competing at the Royal International Horse Show and Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championship.

Claire, who runs Foxdenton Riding School and Livery Yard, Chadderton, will be off to Hickstead in the summer after qualifying for the Winter B&C Championship. She claimed her place at Ingliston, Scotland, on her No 1 horse Tannique.

First, however, will be April’s final of the Blue Chip Winter series at Hartpury Arena, Gloucestershire, in which she has qualified for five classes on three horses - Tannique, Volmer and her exciting new eight-year-old Sally Anne.

Shepherd’s most recent success in a Blue Chip qualifier was with Sally Anne, a 15-hands dark bay, as they won the WoofWear novice event at South View, Cheshire, a class which had 65 starters.

Sally Anne, seen as having great potential, is owned by Rachel Tobin and Shepherd has only recently been handed the ride on her.