So far this year we have yet again had some great results!

Unfortunately we were unable to put together a team for the Horse Trials, which were held at Rackham on 10th July. However, we did have 2 individual competitors, both of whom were on the team in 2009 & 2010. Phili Pickard & Spencer came 3rd overall in the Novice section & Anne Greenwood & The Earl of Rothko came 2nd in the Intermediate section, their first attempt at this level so a great achievement. As I write we were still waiting for the final results so I am yet to learn how close they both were to taking their retrospective sections & if either of them have again qualified for the National Championships.

Today, 16th July, the most awful weather you could imagine for competing at Ote Hall Farm for the Area 13 Dressage! The rain had already started by 7am when I left home & funnily enough finished at 3pm as the last test was being ridden, typical! Everyone were absolute troopers. This year we managed to enter 6 teams & 1 individual who was a junior, the first for over 2 years.

The London & South East team, consisting of Gaea Woolgar, riding Nez Cas De Ranville (Leaf), Susi Collins-Howgill riding Copperfield Teletubby (tubby), Petra Ingram riding Springmead Aberdare (Freddie) & Kath Learner riding Anam Cara (William) managed a well earned 4th place, with getting a 2nd overall, Susi stepping in at the last minute due to the original 4th team members horse going lame. Jane I hope Mac is recovering well at home. Petra, Susi, Kath & Jane Cook were also entered in the Senior Novice Qualifier & had to run as a team of 3 after Jane’s horse being pulled out. Again they earned 4th place, with Kath getting a 4th place overall.

This year we also decided to enter a ‘fun’ Senior Novice team, so those who didn’t want the pressure of being in a qualifying team, or whose horses aren’t vaccinated had a chance to take part. The team consisted of Sara Watson riding Charlie, Sarah Worrall riding Back Chat (Chatter), Louise Palmer riding Raskikh (Raz) & Liz Marlow riding Queen of Colours (Indie). They achieved a well-deserved 6th place overall. Considering they also had the worst conditions after going at the end of a full morning, the tracks in the arena were slippery; as well the arena being on a slope, they all did very well!

For the first time, that I can remember, we decided to enter a National Senior Riding Test team. The team was made up of Susi Collins-Howgill riding Tubby, Sarah Worrall riding Chatter, Petra Ingram riding Freddie & Kath Learner riding William. Jane was also entered for this team, so poor Sarah kindly agreed to take her place 3 days before! Petra & Kath rode RT13 & Susi & Sarah rode RT11. The team was 3rd overall & they were also all placed individually within their sections. Kath was 2nd, Petra was 6th, Sarah was 5th & Susi was also 6th.

Again we had a team in the Novice 22 South Coast Championship, which consisted of Kath Learner riding William, Liz Marlow riding Salsa Lady, Sue Beck riding Jenson & Anna Sampson riding Things Jacpot (Jac). The team was 1st overall with Kath winning the individual section with 70! Liz was also 2nd overall.

We also managed to enter a team in the Elementary 43 High Flyers Championship for the 2nd year running. Liz Marlow riding Salsa, Anna Samson riding Jac, Sue Beck riding Jenson & Di Grinyer riding Charlie managed to ‘squelch’ their way around the long arena for another team 1st! Liz was 1st overall, with Di in 2nd.

The highest mark of the day, as possibly the competition went to our junior rider Gaea Woolgar riding Leaf. She took part in the National Junior Riding Test qualifier as a individual & won with 72%

What a fantastic day we all had!

Thanks to all who also came & provided help on the day, Christine Supiot, Leila McCormick & Lauren Gould. Also a huge thank you to Julie Luckin who kindly gave up her whole day to stand in a chef de’quippe whilst Liz was competing.