BHB’s Summer Jumping Champion will be announced on Saturday week, the award celebrating the top performer in the code ahead of the forthcoming Winter Jumping season.

As the 2004 Summer Jumping season reaches a climax at Market Rasen’s Blue Square Equinox Meeting on 25 September, BHB will recognise the horse that has demonstrated an impact on Summer Jumping and contributed, through its performances, to raising the profile of the sport. This new initiative complements the Jump Racing Review, which pointed to the advantages of creating a greater distinction between the Summer and Winter Jumping seasons.

A panel of industry experts has drawn up a longlist of seven horses that fit the criteria above:

Horse Trainer
First Ballot David Elsworth
Mr Ed Peter Bowen
Montreal Martin Pipe
Numitas Philip Hobbs
River City Noel Chance
Sardagna Martin Pipe
Take The Stand Peter Bowen

A shortlist of three will be drawn up, with the connections of each to be invited to Market Rasen on Saturday week. A presentation will be made on the day to the winning horse, trainer and owner, and BHB Marketing Director Chris John will present the stable staff of the Summer Jumping Champion with a cheque for £5,000.

The industry panel was made up as follows:

Pip Adams – Market Rasen Racecourse
Chris John – BHB Marketing Director
Stephen Lambert – Stratford Racecourse
Pat Masterson – Newton Abbot Racecourse
Charlie Moore – Uttoxeter Racecourse
Sam Morshead – Perth Racecourse
Ian Renton – Worcester Racecourse
Phillip Smith – BHB Senior National Hunt Handicapper
Howard Wright – Associate Editor, Racing Post

BHB Marketing Director Chris John said: “Summer Jumping is thriving, and the 2004 season has witnessed some outstanding performances. As attention starts to turn to the prospect of an exciting Winter Jumping season ahead, it is great that we are going to acknowledge a Summer Jumping Champion, and I am delighted that BHB will be recognising the connections of the winner and financially rewarding the stable staff with this new initiative.”