National Awards for Young Herefordshire Rider

Ben Thomas-Cook, from Hereford, has had an unbelievable year not just because his young horse doing so well in show jumping but he started this year with being in a major blockbuster film. Since appearing as a stable lad in the Steve Spellberg movie War Horse, he has concentrated on his Show jumping and bring on youngsters to a very high level.

His horse called Bolgednewydd Andee (known as ‘Andee’ for short) has won the Premiere Champion at the Welsh Part Bred Performance awards. As well as bring home the Pioneer Show Jumper Award beating the other sections for Eventing (‘Gingindlovu’ ridden by Matt Ryan) and dressages (‘Cadifr Madie’ ridden by Miss S Parkes.)

Andees Breeder, Mrs Maggie Harris, was also asked to attend the awards as she would receive two awards won by Andee. She hadn’t seen the Andee since she sold him to Ben through Brightwell sale at Leominster in Nov 2011. She was very delighted to receive his awards and will be keeping in touch with Andee and Bens career now.

His joint owner with Ben is Mrs Jackie Hancock from Hereford. She was also delighted to receive the National Grade C BSJA champion and the British Show jumping Overall Champion. Upon receiving her sash and two beautiful trophies she said ‘its been the most successful horse she ever had the pleasure of owning, but with Ben and his ‘Mum’ Sara Thomas have put in so much hard work that the awards were so well deserved.’

Ben also won the Young Rider Award out of all the sections. Ben is currently being trained in Ireland by one of Ireland national trainers, Mr Paddy Quinland, who will take Ben’s with him to international competitions.

This year Andee achieved 22 double clears in affiliated competitions, 7 wins and £350 in BS winnings, he was place 4th at the the Nation Showjumping Scope Festival and won from 92 starters at David Broomes Event Center. Ben said ‘ he had not stopped learning this year and every time we asked him to jump bigger he just did, I think he loves it.!’ His Trainer, Sara Thomas, said ‘it sound like we done a lot with him but we haven’t hes just been so consistent and a pleasure to work with, we have bigger competition next year for him and lots of second rounds but hes having a rest until march he deserves it.’