Deben Riding Club
13th July 2008 Riding Test, Style Jumping and Combined Training
Thorne Court, Bury St Eds
Senior Team Report from Sue Westmore
What a difference a year makes – in 2007, horses and riders had to cope with monsoon conditions; this year, the Riding Test and Style Jumping qualifiers were held in sunny if slightly humid conditions. A bit of rain earlier in the week meant that the going was perfect at Tim Walrond’s beautiful Thorne Court, and although each competition was full to the gills, Louise Allen’s efficiency as organiser meant the day swung along well. The seniors fielded 3 teams in the Riding Test which is traditionally the club’s strongest discipline, and they all delivered the goods. The Red team, comprising Abi Jacobs on A Close Shave, Sue Westmore on The Footman, Sally Goodall on Arthur and Jo Errington on Laurel Lucas trounced the other clubs and qualified for Lincoln. The Black team with Sarah Gardner on Midnight Murphy, Abi Jacobs on Rainman, Sarah Gardner on Midnight Murphy, Katie Foreman on Bally Cotton Boy and Sally Goodall on Paddy came a very creditable 4th, especially as Sally and Abi weren’t riding their usual horses, and the Blue team of Jess Zampi on Nemesis, Marie Smith on Casty, Jess Mace on Partial Eclipse and Karen Greenfield also did well to finish in 7th place, as several of them were new to this competition. In addition to the excellent team placings, Sue Westmore won her arena for riding test 6, Abi was 5th and Jess Zampi was 6th, and in riding test 8, Jill Hillyard who was riding as an individual this year came 2nd, and Jo Errington came 3rd.
In the Style jumping, the Green team of Jill Hillyard on A Close Shave, Jess Mace on Partial Eclipse, Sue Westmore on The Footman and Marie Smith on Casty put in 4 solid performances to hold off the challenge of St Edmunds and so have also qualified for Lincoln. The Yellow team of Katie Foreman on Bally Cotton Boy, Kelly Duncan on Sineas Rainbow Promise, Rebecca Brooks on Artiste Elle and Jess Mace on Lorenzo also did well against stiff competition to finish 6th. Individually, Sue finished 4th and Jess on Partial Eclipse was 5th and then came 3rd on Lorenzo.
The combined training competition is not a qualifier, but is nonetheless important as the results contribute to the Area 14 Chairman’s Trophy. The Novice team of Katie Foreman on Bally Cotton Boy, Jess Zampi on Nemesis and Jess Mace on Lorenzo finished 4th, which was the same result posted by the Open team of Jill Hillyard on A Close Shave, Kelly Duncan on Sineas Rainbow Promise and Sue Westmore on The Footman who was also 6th individually.
All in all, an excellent set of results for the club, and a lovely competition to have ridden at. Now we’ve just got to save up for Lincoln……
Junior Report to Follow
Junior Team Report from Debbie Mace
On
a dry, sunny day, unlike the weather in 2007, what a superb competition
was in store for the Juniors of Deben Riding Club.
First class of the day was the Combined Training, this class combines a
prelim dressage test with a round of showjumping.
We entered two teams for this event, though not a qualifier, the results
would hopefully contribute to the Area 14 Chairmans Trophy at the end of
the year.
First to go were the Red team consisting of Grace Harbottle on Spot the
Difference, Isaac Mace on Partial Eclipse, Joanne Pare on Holsworthy
Amberlight and Joseph Mace on Abbeyleix Silver Prince. They all
finished on excellent dressage scores with 4 clear showjumping rounds to
finish a close run 2nd.
Black Team were next with Eleanor Marsh on Paddy, Rosie Munson on Barham
Hercules and Carrie Eve on Rich Relative in the driving seats who also
had super dressage scores but had a few problems in the showjumping and
were placed 4th.
Next event was the Style Jumping, which is marked as a style class over
showjumps and also on the flat. With the exception of Grace, none
of the other team members, Joe, Joanne and Rosie had ever ridden this
type of class. So with great attitude they set off at a cracking
pace to finish up the winners in the area and the qualifier. Grace was
placed 1st as an individual, Joe placed 4th on a borrowed pony, many
thanks to Stephanie Adamek for lending Harry to Joe, and Rosie was 6th
on her second string, Kindred Spirit.
Last competition of the day was the Riding Test in which we fielded 3
teams. A monumental task to make sure that everyone had their
numbers, saddlecloths etc and were in the arenas at the right time
wearing the correct tack. Gosh, I have them so well trained, no
room for errors here!!
Red Team comprising of Grace, Alice Hallows on Ruthley Wild Gwen, Joseph
and Isaac were placed 1st in the Area and 1st in the Qualifier.
Black Team were close on their heels, Eleanor, Joanne, Rosie and Carrie
were placed 2nd in the Area and 2nd in the Qualifier.
Gold Team made up of very young or inexperienced riders that have only
just started riding in team competitions were Alice Hallows On Bledridge
Thunder, Rosie, Annabel Burton on Lorenzo and Rohan Brooks on Larkholme
Lucky Charm finished a fantastic 4th in the Area and the Qualifier.
On top of these excellent team results followed a long list of
individual placings. Grace 1st, Rosie 3rd, Annabel 4th (fantastic
after Lorenzo tried to buck her off in the collecting ring) Isaac and
Carrie jointly 5th.
These results mean that we have 2 riding test teams and 1 style jumping
team qualifying and competing at the National Championships in Lincoln
in September
I would like to thank everyone for their support and commitment not only
to the club and myself but most importantly to each other, this shows
what team spirit and determination can achieve. Also many, many
thanks to Sarah and Mike Hallows for their invaluable training and help
on the day, we couldn't have done it without you.
