competition news
Blackburn and District contest Cheshire Shield by Carolyn Blunt, Press Officer
Blackburn and District branch of the Pony Club had several members competing in the Cheshire Shield Pony Club Eventing at Somerford Park in Congleton on Saturday 1st July, when classes included 80cm, 90cm and 1 metre.
Jade Varley has spent the last three months constantly studying for her GCSE’s, so she was more than delighted to be out competing again. She had spent the previous 2 weeks working hard to get per pony Lucy as fit as she could to give them the best chance in the 80cm class, which certainly worked out well for them! Jade led her section from the start with a 23.1 dressage
Emily Latham-Taylor & Roo
score, which was not only the best score in her section, but the best score of the entire day! A clear round show jumping and a very enjoyable clear across country secured them top place in their section and an opportunity to compete again at the regionals at the end of August.
Emily Latham-Taylor tells us about the day with her mare Roo, saying; “We didn’t get off to a great start as when I went to her in her stable that morning she had managed to pull a shoe off in the night! She hobbled into the lorry and luckily the farrier was brilliant and put her shoe back on as soon as we got there!”
Emily and Roo competed in the 100cm class and Emily recounts; “We managed to pull a lovely 28.5 dressage test out the bag which was the best in our Area 4 section and second best in the whole class. We had a really good clear SJ and then it was cross country time! I was a little bit apprehensive as although the course wasn’t necessarily big, it was quite complex with some tough questions at the beginning of the course. I was nervous but as soon as I got out the start box I knew she was up for it and I felt very at home out on the course. She dug me out in the first tricky question on the course and then after that she absolutely flew round! I
Jade Varley and Lucy
was over the moon with her. Unfortunately, we collected four pesky time penalties for going too quickly, which knocked us down to 3rd place and out of the qualifying scores by 0.1 unfortunately. However, I am very pleased with Roo as she performed at her best once again, having not had the greatest of starts to the day!”
Jade’s mum Samantha Varley thanked the organisers by noting how smoothly the event ran. “Considering there were over 300 competitors it ran almost perfectly to time and everyone was just lovely!” Let’s hope the sun shines again on Jade and Lucy at the regionals.
BEF launches Young Equestrian programme Do you want to run your own business?
The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has announced the launch of an exciting new programme to support athletes moving out of the youth development pathway and give them a transition plan designed to help them be retained in the wider equestrian sport network.
In collaboration with British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping, the Sport England funded cross-discipline Young Professional Programme has been designed to help support an individual’s personal development, career planning and enhancement so at the end of the 12-month programme they have a wider and well- adapted skill-set that builds their confidence for continued work to thrive and earn a living
www.theequinesite.co.uk in the equine industry.
Dressage rider Hayley Watson- Greaves says; “To learn how to run a business and manage the media at such a young age is fantastic and these are key parts of what will fund your riding at the end of the day. It is important to find out as much information as you can about these things as it is not easy.”
Open to ages 19-26, the BEF is looking to recruit high calibre and ambitious applicants onto the Programme. The structure of the Programme will hold up to eight core sessions delivered cross-discipline, with topics covered ranging from business management and business operations to media awareness, personal development and career enhancement.
Head of Pathways at the BEF, David Hamer, says; “We want to help transform what can be an uncertain period into a positive experience for these young people in a way that builds confidence, helps individuals to focus on what direction would work for them and helps build a future career plan. This programme will build on the great work that has already been done into this area by the Olympic Disciplines”.
Top riders from showjumping and eventing also agree. Showjumper William Whitaker said; “Our sport differs from a lot of others as you have to focus on your performance and your horses but also the running of your business and your online presence through social media. Any support
young riders can get for this is great for their development.”
Eventer Ros Canter added; “A lot of us come into eventing because it is our hobby and it is something we love doing but there is a lot of things to consider when you’re just starting out so I think putting in a solid business foundation in the first place would really help development in the future.”
Applications for the 2017 inaugural intake open Tuesday 1 August 2017, closing Thursday 31 August 2017; for further details on the Programme, visit the BEF website: http://
www.bef.co.uk/Detail. aspx?page=BEF-Young- Professional-Programme
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