Hard task is finding a place to compete
Last updated 12:46, Friday, 12 September 2008
Finding a place to compete is proving a harder task than actually competing this year.
The list of cancelled shows and classes grows longer by the day. This week the show jumping classes at the Westmorland County Show were cancelled and the popular Ullswater Pony Sports won’t be taking place at Greenlands this weekend. This weekend’s horse trials at Hutton-in-the-forest have also been cancelled.
However, all is not lost, because Greenlands has decided to stage its own mixed BSJA show indoors instead.
That’ll make it two in a row for the Wreay equestrian centre which provided the venue last weekend for a successful and well-attended affiliated show.
It turned out to be quite a family affair in the Junior section with Beth and Amy Ion tying for second place in the 80cms Welcome Stakes on their ponies Funky Music and Perfect Puzzle.
First place went to Katherine Pickering on Silver Cherokee. Then the Junior Discovery was taken by Connie Moore on Jackdaw just ahead of Freddie Moore on Little Shamrock.
In the Senior section Nigel Springer was right on form, winning the British Novice on DHI Stonemaker and the 1.10 Open on Plassey Cavalier.
Weather notwithstanding, it’s been a good spell for Amy Ion, who was one of two local Juniors to reach the finals of their classes at the prestigious Scope festival.
She and Melissa McCarron did extremely well in the Junior Progressive competition – the class had a staggering 235 starters and in the preliminary rounds Melissa finished eighth on Miss Juno while Amy finished 13th on Perfect Puzzle. Melissa then went on to finish fourth in the Championship, while Amy had an unfortunate 12 faults.
Melissa also finished ninth in the Members’ Cup preliminary round and 13th in the Championship on KEC Bustino Clover.
Cumbria’s top eventer Ruth Edge got off to a terrific start at the Burghley Horse Trials, finishing the second day of dressage with a 6.9 penalty lead on 12-year-old Mr Dumbledore. It was the first time she’d ridden the gelding at that level and sadly she had to retire from the competition at the cross-country stage after a run-out at fence seven, the Land Rover bonnet.
Already well known on the eventing scene, Sophie Allinson has been concentrating on dressage this summer due to an injury to her eventer Dolly.
With her Welsh section D. Ferndale Warrior (or Bruno), she had a successful trip to Rowallan for the BD Scottish Petplan area dressage festival.
Bruno excelled himself in the Open Novice area festival in a class of over 20 combinations to score the only 70 per cent plus mark and win the festival class, which also qualifies the pair for the BD winter championships at Hartpury at Easter.
Sarah Mackenzie and her horse Ash came second in the Preliminary area festival while Liz Mather and Altoby claimed two fourth placings in the Open Novice and Restricted Elementary area festivals qualifying for Hartpury. Joanna Bancroft and Cool Diamond were ninth in the Open Novice area festival.
Crackenthorpe-based Sue Chappelhow really flew the flag for Cumbria at the UK Riders’ Dressage and ShowJumping Championships at Old Dalby at the weekend, winning the National Dressage Championship on Crackenthorpe Nightingale.
And even though rain, rain and more rain put paid to all too many shows, it was great to see the return of an old favourite to the local equestrian calendar. It hasn’t been seen since the 70s, but this year the Irton Church Gymkhana made a welcome comeback.
Those who took part say it was a smashing day, well organised, with lots of helpers, and generous prizes. Inevitably it rained, but competitors took part in showing, fancy dress, show jumping and games and more than £1,000 was raised for Irton Church funds.
GREENLANDS BSJA
Juniors
80cms Welcome Stakes: 1, Katherine Pickering, Silver Cherokee; 2equal, Beth Ion, Funky Music and Amy Ion, Perfect Puzzle; 4, Sophie Boyd, Mystic Bay.
Jnr Discovery: 1, Connie Moore, Jackdaw; 2, Freddie Moore, Little Shamrock; 3, Beth Ion, Boo’s Cruise; 4, Sophie Boyd, Mystic Bay.
Jnr New / 1.00mtr: 1, Melissa McCarron, KEC Bustino Clover; 2, Helena Pedrosa, Kind of Magic.
Seniors
Snr British Novice: 1, Nigel Springer, DHI Stonemaker; 2, Fiona Veitch, Tia Violeta; 3, Lauren Wood, Winter Willow.
Snr Discovery: 1, Ross Archibald, Artic Rock; 2, Willie Dunlop, Gold Orb; 3, Philippa Hick, Tornado X; 4, Amy Cowin.
Snr Newcomers / 1.10mtr Open: 1, Nigel Springer, Plassey Cavalier; 2, Lucy Tomlinson, Twice as Nice; 3, Christine Richardson, Lough Crew; 4, Kelly Shaw, Rosita II.
Snr Foxhunter /1.20mtr Open: 1, Jon Fletcher, Chemo Z; 2, Logan Creighton, Vivaldi IV; 3, Kelly Shaw, Rosita II.
IRTON GYMKHANA
Tack and Turnout 16 years & under: 1, Robert Cummings, Harry.
16 years & over: Pam Palmer, Milly.
Pony and Rider most Suited: Molly Simcock, Valentine.
Horse and Rider most suited: Jenna Fye, Blackie.
Lead Rein Jumping: Holly Simcock, Taz.
Novice Pony Jumping: Helena Stout, Whiskey.
Intermediate Pony Jumping: Charlotte Nicol, Wendy.
Open Pony Jumping: Josh Wareing, Roxster.
Rider & Groom Relay: Hannah Rae & Amy Johnson.
Pet Show: Kieran Mullen, Lobo.
Fancy Dress: Kieran & Laura Mullen as Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Show Jumping
Horse Novice: Hannah Rae, A Secret.
Intermediate: Robyn Napier, Westbrook Diamond.
Open: Emily Cottam, Diamond Seville.
Games: Fiona Ellwood, Kieran Mullen, Charlotte Nicol.
DIARY DATES
BLACKDYKE: Sunday September 14: Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage
GREENLANDS: Saturday 13 British Connemara Pony Breeders Event, Dianna Staveley 01387 373246; Sunday 14: BSJA Mixed Show Indoors; Monday 15: CFHN Evening Rally; Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17: Suzie Gibson Training – Contact Heather Metcalf, 016974 76786
KINGWATER: Sunday 14: Unaffiliated Dressage; Tests: Walk & Trot, P4. P14. N28. E44‘
