More Time in The Saddle With Avant!
A YOUNG SHOWJUMPER from East Sussex is enjoying more time to ride her horses thanks to the loan of an Avant machine.
20-year-old Mantha Hills from Hillside Farm in West Sussex won the Avant machine in a joint competition with Avant and Hickstead, and is making great use of the machine for running their regular family showjumping competitions and general stable chores.
“The Avant machine has helped so much with things like taking haulage out to the fields, moving pallets of bedding and moving jumps around, it's made life so much easier and quicker!” explained Mantha. “It's amazing what this machine can do – I’m over the moon to have won the competition.”
Mantha and her Mum Debbie have 11 horses and ponies at their stables in Coolham near Horsham, and have been running unaffiliated showjumping competitions for 17 years. The popular family shows have a “no elimination” policy, meaning that anyone having a difficult round always completes the course with help from the friendly staff at Hillside Farm.
Mantha also enjoys competing her team of all-bay showjumpers at BS Foxhunter level. Having enjoyed success as a junior rider, winning the Mini Challenge at the age of 4, and the 128cm 1.10m Grand Prix aged 10, Mantha became very ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome aged 14 and spent a lot of time in hospital while recovering.
Four years later, aged 18, Mantha was back in the saddle and came third in the National 1.15m Members Cup Championship while competing in the Main Ring at Hickstead. It’s great to see her back on top form and being able to enjoy more time riding with the help of Avant.
Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant UK, said he was extremely pleased to see Mantha enjoying the Avant horsepower.
“In smaller equestrian yards, the Avant 200 series is ideal, as it’s so manoeuvrable in areas where space is limited.”
Avant has extended its support of the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead for the 2017 competition season with a new sponsorship agreement recently announced.
The Avant Ring 2 will be officially in place for the duration of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, The Longines Royal International Horse Show, The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships and the All England Jumping Championships.
Over the season, Avant Ring 2 will see more than 3,000 competition rounds take place in both show jumping and showing disciplines.
Hickstead Sponsorship Manager, Simon Gaskin said: “We are delighted that Avant have taken up the sponsorship to sit alongside their status of Official Suppliers to the All England Jumping Course.
“Avant machinery plays a vital role in the operation of events at Hickstead, and the attachments are a real asset when setting up for the events.”
Added Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant UK: “We are very pleased to be sponsoring Ring 2 at Hickstead this year, and look forward to seeing the exciting competitions taking place in the Avant ring this year.”
Avant manufactures a wide range of compact, 4-wheel drive machines, which can be fitted with a very comprehensive range of accessories to make general maintenance and equestrian jobs, easy and less labour intensive.
For further information contact Avant Tecno (UK) Ltd on 01953 714896, email [email protected] or visit www.avant.co.uk
Photos: SnowVillage