An amateur event rider who almost retired from the sport has regained her confidence and returned stronger than ever, topping the league of a new British Eventing (BE) league.
Kathryn Bartlett and her homebred ‘T’ Biscuit [Tottie] led the Newcomer Opposition Beaten Percentage (OBP) League for July and August, a win that was all the better given that Kathryn came close to giving up.
“I evented Tottie’s mum but unfortunately crashed and burned at Badminton Grassroots BE90 in 2014 and really thought that I had retired and hung up my boots,” she said.
“We have had a steady start due to various reasons, but I am extremely lucky to have had a lot of support from some fantastic friends and trainers that have helped me to find a little bit of brave again and I am absolutely loving being back in the sport on Tottie, who I absolutely adore.”
The Grassroots OBP Leagues run across four sections: Newcomers/Returners, BE80, BE90 and BE100. The OBP score is a number designed by EquiRatings to highlight the most consistent combinations. It represents how many combinations you have competed against and what percentage of them you finished ahead of.
Prize money is paid out every other month to the person at the top of each of the leagues, as well as the overall winners at the end of the season.
Kathryn said she was thrilled to receive the Performance Bonus of £200, thanks to her OBP of 96.8%.
“I was surprised and absolutely delighted to receive the news that I had won a £200 pay-out in the Newcomer/Returner OBP League,” she added. “What a great incentive this is for grassroots riders. The money is very welcome and will be used to enter another BE event this autumn.”
‘Gobsmacked’
The BE80 OBP League winner for July/August was Dinah Smith. She said said she was ‘gobsmacked’ when she heard she had claimed the title with her 14.2hh gelding Culmore JJ. Their OBP was 97%.
“I am reminded daily how lucky I am to have JJ in my life,” she said. “He is awesomeness itself! A total star.”
The £250 prize for leading the BE90 OBP League during the July/August period went to Dr Katie Mathias and Lodor Carl [Carlos], thanks to their OBP of 98.2%.
“Carlos may be small but he is an all-round superstar! I know I’m very biased, but I wouldn’t change him for the world,” said Katie. “I think his BE record speaks for itself, as he’s incredibly consistent, so for this to be acknowledged with this prize is a real delight. I can share how great he is with everyone and I’m the luckiest rider to get to call him my own.”
Laura Ridout and First Touch received £300 for the BE100 OBP League. Laura was sitting second in the league with her OBP of 96.3% for July/August but as the current leader, Lola Graham and Djakota EB, had already been awarded a Performance Bonus this season, so the honour went to Laura.
To find out more about the OBP leagues, click here
