Ellie Davies from North Yorkshire is the latest NAF Shining Star
Friday 12 January 2024
Ellie Davies, from Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been awarded the latest NAF Shining Star accolade. Ellie, a member of the British Showjumping Cleveland and Durham Academy, was nominated for the award by her coach Danielle Quigley Cutter.
Thirteen-year-old Ellie currently competes one pony: Kiltra Molly, a 14-year-old mare whom Ellie has had since October 2022. “She came to our yard on sales livery and my trainer Krissie Yeoman said to my mum that she needed to buy this pony. As soon as I sat on her I fell in love with her,” remarked Ellie.
Following the news that she is the latest recipient of the NAF Shining Star Award, Ellie said: “I was so pleased when I found out I was the winner of the NAF Shining Star Award. I couldn’t stop smiling when I was told. I was so surprised; I didn’t even know I’d been nominated.”
Talking about what she most enjoyed in 2023, Ellie said: “I really enjoyed competing at the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Championships, Scope Novice Masters and being part of the Academy teams with Area 12a and our coach Danielle. I especially loved being part of the 90cm Midi team and I couldn’t believe it when we placed seventh individually out of over 130 competitors!”
Commenting on Kiltra Molly, who is known as Molly at home, Ellie said: “She’s a trotter and when I first got her she would just gallop at a jump. She had never competed before. At first, I had no brakes and couldn’t turn her but now we have just started jumping Foxhunter together.
“She’s such a great pony and loves to over jump everything. When I get nervous coming into a jump, she just takes over and it’s as if she says, ‘it’s ok we’ve got this’.”
Danielle Quigley Cutter, Cleveland and Durham Academy Coach said: “Ellie only joined British Showjumping in December 2022 and has achieved so many accolades within this time frame. Ellie is a keen academy member of Area 12A Cleveland and Durham and is always eager to develop, learn and improve herself and her pony.
“Ellie and Kiltra Molly gave an impressive performance at Academy Championships and had a fantastic attitude throughout the competition, coming seventh overall as an individual. Ellie was so shy and quiet at the start of the competition but by the end of the four days, she was a chatterbox. Ellie is a fantastic team player and always has a smile on her face.”
Talking about what she likes most about being involved with the Cleveland and Durham Academy, Ellie said: “I really enjoy the Cleveland and Durham academy training days. They are lots of fun and it’s nice to meet the others in my area who also love showjumping.”
Ellie and Molly have already qualified for the Pony Novice, Pony Discovery and Blue Chip Pony Newcomers second rounds and Ellie hopes to also add the Foxhunter second rounds to their achievements: “I would love to get my Foxhunter double clears. It would be especially amazing to get them all in the same year. I also really want to qualify for the Royal Highland Show and my dream is to jump at Horse of the Year Show.”
Lisa Field from NAF added: “Ellie is very deserving of this NAF Shining Star Award. Her commitment to learning from her coaches to help improve herself and her pony in such a short time is something to be very proud of. It is great to see Ellie becoming more confident through the Academy and becoming friends with her teammates. Well done, Ellie!”
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
For further information on NAF follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and rider stories or visit the NAF website at naf-equine.eu/uk
Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1
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