Introduction to the 2014 National Championship

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But let’s get back to what this site is all about – the National Horseboarding Championships 2014! For the first time this year, we have split the teams into two separate classes that will compete within their own leagues, Novice and Elite. The Elite class features teams that have competed in the championships before and have extensive experience in horseboarding. The Novice class, however, gives teams who have little experience or who have never competed before, a chance to fight it out against those of a similar situation. There is also a different course for each class; you can view the diagrams here.

With this in mind, please let me introduce the teams registered so far in the Novice class for Round One. They are: Ambush, Blur of the Moment, Predator, Sunny Side Up, and UK Boarder Force. We’re really excited to have so many new teams entering for the first time this year and they have all been working really hard to build up their skills ready for Round One. Predators, in particular, have been using a very unique tool in their training in the form of a collapsible wheelbarrow (see picture to the right). Although this is not recommended by Horseboarding UK, it certainly raised a few eyebrows and helped their horse, Finni, to get used to towing. Top marks for creativity guys!

They’re not the only ones who had to get used to something new. Ambush have included a new boarder in their line-up and if their pictures are anything to go by, he is a pretty experienced boarder. But being attached to the back of a horse on that board is an entirely different ball game. We’ll have to wait and see how well they gel together.

Blur of the Moment is another team to watch out for as their boarder, Dan, is also very experienced (previously from Three’s a Crowd), although both horse and rider are fairly new to the sport.

Moving onto the Elite class, there has been a lot going on here too. The teams registered so far for 2014 Round One are: Dead Pigeon, Designated Drinkers, Do or Die, Ihorse, ICandy, Mad ’Atters and Norfolk ‘n’ Good. As you can see from that list, unfortunately Kauldren are no longer racing. And although it may appear that Bucks Fizz is also missing, in fact they have just changed their name to ICandy. 

The Elite teams have been very busy with their pre-season training, especially considering the tricky new element added to the Elite course called "the cross-over", which Ihorse were the first to try out and master. Despite this, a lot of teams have still found the time and been generous enough to work with the newcomers in the Novice class to help them find their feet. We do love sportsmanship here at Horseboarder Magazine, so well done guys! A special mention should go to Norfolk ‘n’ Good who hosted the East Anglian Training Day where lots of teams, both Novice and Elite, got together to practise and exchange hints and tips. A truly wonderful display of teamwork and togetherness.

But, this is still a competition, and Do or Die have certainly been getting competitive with their training regime and are making serious claims that failure is not an option this year. Dead Pigeon better watch out because it looks as though Do or Die “are coming” and are planning to take the National Champions title for themselves. Do or Die’s horse, Amba, has even been joining in with the competitive talk and has been heard claiming that she “eats Dead Pigeons for breakfast”. Tough words Amba, tough words.

Speaking of Dead Pigeon, we haven’t heard a lot from these guys since last year, other than the fact that they are continuing to enter their second team, Mad ’Atters, for the entirety of this year. Clearly they have a tactic in mind and are planning on gaining as many points as possible. Their Facebook page, however, seems pretty quiet and doesn’t reveal much about their training. Much like the Designated Drinkers who have decided to keep things hush-hush so as not to reveal any of their hard-practised secrets.

On the other side of that we have Norfolk ‘n’ Good who have been chronicling their progress for months now. They came on in leaps and bounds during last year’s championship, and now that they have had the chance to really refine and master their techniques, we have no doubt that they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

But whatever the teams have in store for us, this year is certainly looking to be the most exciting ever! So who should you put your bets on? Well, to be perfectly honest, we at Horseboarder Magazine haven’t got a clue! Everyone has been working so hard and are so determined that it really is anyone’s game, especially with the introduction of the new Elite course which has proven to be a challenge for everyone.

Looks like you’ll just have to come along to the shows and find out for yourself. Round One is only a few days away, on the 5^th and 6^th of April in the South Wales Game and Country Fair at Fonmon Castle, so get your tickets ready. For more information, click here.

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