competition news
ahead of Anna Bates (14) who rode Jolianna to second place for the Braes of Derwent South Branch, finishing on 73.21%.
Cambridge University student Katie hadn’t been able to practice as much as she had hoped, but she arrived at the competition thinking ‘just go and make it happen’ and this positive attitude certainly successful.
It was a 1st and 2nd for the Meynell Hunt in the Intermediate Individual Freestyle Dressage to Music competition. The win went to a surprised and delighted Chloe Naylor (13) who scored 76.67% riding Tulira Swallow. Chloe pipped Holly Clarke (13) who finished 2nd on 70.83% with Newoak Truffel.
Jessica de Lucy (12) won the Novice Individual Freestyle Dressage to Music riding Anri Sandstorm for the Tickham Hunt, finishing on a score of 74.69%. Runner-up was Suzannah Offley (15) and Cliffhollins Mystery came second for the Burton Cheshire Forest Hunt on 72.50%. A shocked Jessica, who was competing in Pony Club Dressage to Music for the first time, said: “To win feels unreal; I can’t believe it!”
Holly Clarke was back on the podium after winning the Pairs Freestyle Dressage to Music competition riding Gingerbread VI alongside fellow Meynell Hunt Member Lucy Robinson (18). Lucy rode Johnson Jazz and together they finished on 78.44% - over ten marks clear of East Cheshire’s Mary Goodridge (16) riding Annaghmore Gwenievere and Ciara McLellan (17) riding Ballstra Van De Cumul who took the runner-up spot with 68.13%. Holly and Lucy were amazed to have won. They said: “We’re a new pair as we’ve never competed together, so to come first is such as surprise!”
In the show jumping arena, Paul Thompson’s testing Open Grand Prix course asked all the right questions, and after two rounds just eight riders went through to the jump-off. Victory went to an ecstatic Frankie Carr (16) and Pipsqueek T riding for the West Lancashire County, who was over three seconds faster in the jump off than Katie Waldock-Smith (16) who took 2nd place riding Milo for the Enfield Chace Hunt Branch. Frankie is now aiming to qualify for the Open Show Jumping and Novice Eventing at The Pony Club Championships.
Day two welcomed both sunny
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skies and riders taking part in the Debut and Winter Series Show Jumping classes.
New for 2017, the Debut level proved popular with 55 entrants tackling courses of 80cm in height. Taking the top spot was Fran Lupoli (13) riding Benny’s Boy for the Mid Surrey Branch. Nothing could separate Saskia Moha (13, Bicester & Warden Hill Hunt) and Holly Clayden (15, York & Ainsty South Hunt) who finished joint 2nd riding Tiperonic and Jewel.
Fran, who has only had Benny’s Boy, or Ben, for three months, said: “It feels amazing to have won; I didn’t think we would even get to The Championships let alone win them!” Fran’s next aim is to be competing with Ben at 1.10m by the end of the year, and qualify for the Dengie Open Grand Prix Championships next year. Alice Burden (15) clinched the top spot in the Winter Series Show Jumping Championships for the East Hertfordshire Hunt. Alice and Neebro Moonshine went clear in the first round and rode a speedy, clear jump-off to finish in 26.00; just two seconds ahead of Royal Artillery Hunt (S.P.)’s Imogen Crossman (13) who was runner up riding Mac.
“To win feels amazing!” said Alice, “all my hard work has paid off and it was extra special for me because my pony had colitis a year and half ago and has been recovering ever since.”
“I am very excited for a Beach Ride with my Pony Cub later this Spring, as my pony was too ill to go last year,” continued Alice.
Lisa Wilson, Marketing Manager for Dengie, said: “Dengie is extremely proud to have supported The Pony Club Winter Championships for over 20 years. The standard of riding this year was outstanding, and the new Debut Show Jumping class gave less experienced riders a chance to get a taste of competing at a Championship. It was a pleasure to meet the winners, competitors, their families and of course the horses and ponies at the Dengie stand when they came to collect their goody bags or brought their horse or pony over for a nutritional assessment.” Lisa continued to say that Dengie are already looking forward to the 2018 Championships.
Full results for the all of the Championships and supporting classes are on the Pony Club website at
www.pcuk.org
The Way Forward Training opportunities within The Pony Club
Two members of Cumberland Farmers’ Hunt (South) Branch (CFHS) of The Pony Club took up an opportunity offered by The Pony Club to take part in one of eleven Talent Pathway Assessment days. Amy Veitch and Alex Towler, who have reached a specific standard to be able to apply, had a morning of Dressage and Show Jumping instruction from BHSI and Level 3 British Show Jumping Coaches.
Amy and Alex (pictured) have both gained their full Pony Club B Test and are now working on their B+ Test. Amy and CFHS Member Sally Braithwaite have also been training for the Lunging Test which they passed recently.
Alex and CFHS Member Tamar Miller are currently training for this exam and hope to reach the standard by the summer. At this level members can apply for direct entry to the BHS Stage 3 and Preliminary Teaching Test, both of which carry UCAS points for university entrance. CFHS is enabling its older members to develop their riding, coaching and stable management techniques with clinics planned with Master Coaches from British Eventing, Fellows of the BHS (FBHS) and British Show Jumping Accredited Coaches. In the past year members have had opportunities to train with Yogi Breisner, William Blane and Helen Griffiths.
Evie Toombes awarded 2016 Pony Club Hannah Francis Award
The 2016 Hannah Francis Award for Talent, Courage and Inspiration was awarded to ‘charming, positive and mature’ para-rider Evie Toombes, who was nominated by her Pony Club Branch DC for bravely overcoming the difficulties she has faced throughout her young life.
Fifteen year old Evie, a Member of the South Wold Hunt North Branch, was born with a form of Spina Bifida which affects her lower legs, bladder and bowel function. Despite this, she
continues to take part in Pony Club activities and educates other young people with bladder and bowel issues; mentoring them and encouraging them to have the confidence to take up activities. “Evie’s saying is ‘find a way – not an excuse’” her mum, Caroline Toombes, told us. “Evie’s condition means she is frequently in hospital, but she will make every effort to compete for her Branch,” said South Wold Hunt North Branch DC, Bethan Leather, who nominated Evie for the Award.
Evie is pictured with Pony Club Chairman Mary Tuckett. Image courtesy of 1st Class Images
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