Stonesby rider has eyes on Masters prize after impressive Houghton showing

Stonesby rider Willa Newton has made the cut for the second leg on a new CIC three star series aimed at showcasing eventing to a new global audience.
WIlla Newton aboard Lauries Laudatio 2 at  Houghton PICTURE: Adam Fanthorpe EMN-160306-114338002WIlla Newton aboard Lauries Laudatio 2 at  Houghton PICTURE: Adam Fanthorpe EMN-160306-114338002
WIlla Newton aboard Lauries Laudatio 2 at Houghton PICTURE: Adam Fanthorpe EMN-160306-114338002

The 26-year-old will compete in the second leg of the Event Rider Masters (ERM) Class at the Bramham Horse Trials in Wetherby, Yorkshire this weekend.

The ERM is staged over six legs at iconic British events where the world’s top riders will compete for the series title and a £30,000 first prize.

Newton, a former junior European gold medallist, will be competing at Bramham on her 16-year-old mount, Neelix, who finished 11th in the feature CICO*** (Nations Cup) class at the Houghton International Horse Trials.

She notched four double clears at Houghton to clinch an impressive tally of placings at the event which also included a third place on Lauries Laudatio in the CCI* class and fourth in the CCI**, on Caja 20, which was won by Pippa Funnell.

Newton said: “I was thrilled with my horses at Houghton and am so excited to be part of this fantastic new Event Rider Masters Series.

“I feel the training I’ve done in Germany has made a real difference to my dressage and that investment is really paying off.

“I have some really nice horses coming through and would love to be up there for possible team selection next year, having built the foundations this season.”

Other notable result performances also include two good wins at Richmond in early May.