26th September 2008
Local Rider Katharine Lewis rides in Pas de Deux Demonstration with Henry Boswell at BD National Championships 20th and 21st September
11th September 2008
Southampton rider takes top award at the British Para Show Jumping International Championships in Epping Forrest 15th - 17th August
Michael Loveridge of Winsor, Southampton (aged 19) is partially sighted and as such is unable to drive - a severe restriction for anyone living in the country particularly a young man.Michael took up riding for the first time two years ago when he was inspired watching the Young Riders compete in the European Trials at David Broomes equestrian centre in Wales. "I could do this", was his instant reaction. Within two months he had acquired a reliable first mount with the help of a loan and started learning to fall of with style! Competing at even a local show looked unlikely let alone a major championship. Perseverance and many days off work with bruises from falling off eventually gave way to local competitions where he was tempted to rename his trusty steed "four faults" due to never quite getting a clear round! A new mount was required.
Though a dealer contact he acquired a beautiful snorting grey horse called "Silver". Silver though beautiful had a dark past....The gelding turned out to be very sensitive and difficult to ride, rearing, spinning round and taking off with his rider. A big challenge for a new rider. After much patience and trial and error Mike eventually unlocked Silvers true potential. The horse was duly registered with the show jumping authority (BSJA) ready to start competitions. Word came back from the BSJA that this was not the horse we thought he was. Through his microchip number they had realised that he was not "Silver" but "Upper Class M" a well bred Dutch horse. With their help we traced the previous owner and found out that the horse had been considered dangerous to ride and after numerous "last chances" had sadly been sent to the knackerman to be destroyed!
Competitions were started and "Silver" never had a fence down. If they were not placed it was down to Mike's eyes letting him down not the horse. Going from strength to strength they were entered for the British Para Show Jumping International Championships in Epping Forrest 15th - 17th August (www.bpsja.co.uk). What a reward for both of them when they were awarded the top place in Mike's disability group.
22nd August 2008
Hall Place EC
Dressage
Carley Sullivan riding her mothers compact little cob 'Sprite' pipped Ellie Goddard to the post and won the open preliminary class at Hall Place Equestrian Centre. A surprising win as Carley usually just likes to jump!
Clare Chance, a trainee instructor from Hall Place won a section of the same class riding Chequille, a very attractive 4 year old trained by Centre Manager, Hailey Wilder.
The Preliminary and Novice standard Junior Regional Finalist was Courtenay Argyle From Whitchurch-on-Thames riding her own extremely talented horse Digby, by the stallion Demonstrator. This horse is so multi-talented he is a winner in the show ring, show jumping and dressage, always produced beautifully by the groom (mum!) Suzie Argyle.
There is now just over 4 months left in the annual rush for Rider of the Year - this year split into 2 top prizes for Dressage Champion of the Year and Show Jumping Champion of the Year. There are 4 more dressage events before Christmas and just 2 jumping shows - keep an eye out for the schedules.
Images - Carley Sullivan and Sprite, Clare Chance and Chequille, Courtenay Argyle and Digby
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events http://www.rpeevents.co.uk/
8th August 2008
Izzy Getz Bizzy
Isabelle McClelland from Emmer Green had a field day at Hall Place Equestrian Centre 'In House' show last week. Riding 12.2 Welsh
Section A, Rockstar, Isabelle won the first Dressage class and took two thirds in the Show Jumping. 9 year old Izzy has had Rocky (Rockstar) since Christmas and has lessons at Hall Place. She is a Pony Club member and is rapidly gaining all her interest badges. Big brother 16 year old Jack who jumps BSJA and keeps his horse at livery at Hall Place, had better watch his step, as little Izzy will soon be the number 1 McClelland rider!
All Hall Place riders are actively encouraged to compete at the regular events at Hall Place. Hailey Wilder, Centre Manager, is pleased for all the centres horses to do this - she stated 'This kind of diversity in the horses work keeps them fresh in spirit and mind, all of our horses and ponies regularly and successfully compete in our open shows'.
Hall Place has 12 more separate events planned this year and the show season finishes with the Christmas jumping show on 21st December.
Article by Sue Scanlan. Contact Emma Sumbler, Show Secretary at Hall Place Equestrian Centre 0118 9426938 or email info@hall-place.com
Images - Isabelle McClelland and Rockstar
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events http://www.rpeevents.co.uk/
28 July 2008
World Championship Rider and National Dressage Champion Roland Tong relocates to Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre, Stubbington, Hampshire
ROLAND TONG, just 29 years old, already has 18 National Dressage Championship titles, 12 Reserve Championships and 20 Regional championships, and has represented Great Britain at the Young Horse Championships CDI, in Sydney 2004. He is now based in Hampshire with Ben St John James at Crofton Manor.
Roland is partnering with Ben St John James, who runs Team Edge Dressage and they are moving to Crofton Manor, Stubbington, nr Fareham, in July 2008.
Roland Tong, along with his top dressage horse, Ultimo will be moving to Crofton Manor, together with Ben's top sport and dressage horses he has trained and bred. Ben St John James who has relocated from Exton Stud said, 'This is a tremendous boost to the sport, having a top class dressage rider and trainer based in Hampshire and we are working together to develop a first class dressage training centre here at Crofton Manor.'
Roland will be providing Dressage Clinics at all major equestrian centres in Hampshire, to include Little Leigh Farm, Crofton Manor, and Quobb Stables, as well as his regular clinics he holds throughout the country.
Roland adds. 'This is a fantastic opportunity, as I now have 2 special horses to focus my training on, where Ultimo just won his first Prix St George class with 73% in June. He also owns a young horse who has enormous potential and co-owned by Sandra Kirkpatrick.
Roland has had his share of successful rides over the years, and is already being offered top grade horses to ride and train.
For more information please contact:
Tel Roland Tong on 07729 124 044 or email rolandtong@btinternet.com
Tel Ben St John James on 079120 17022 email:ben_james_@hotmail.co.uk
For further information on Dressage Clinics contact lozzie_lewisa@btconnect.com
05/08/08
Westside triumphs at Sparsholt College's Team Dressage Competition
Four riders from Westside Livery Stables in North Waltham, Hampshire triumphed over thirteen other teams to win the Celtic Prince team dressage competition at Sparsholt College in Winchester. The competition which was held over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd August involves each competitor riding a warm-up test and a team test each day - one rider at Prelim level, two at Novice and one at Elementary.
The competition came about when in 2006, the 'Sparsholt College Girls' (with a combined age of 245) missed winning BD's first Inter Regional Senior Squad Competition by only 1 point. Team members were Mary Johnston, Susie Little, Brenda Harman & Alison Russell. Celtic Prince (Sam) and Alison (combined age of 88) were complete stars winning both their squad tests. Alison lost Sam in 2007 through colic which is why Sparsholt's unaffiliated Team Competition is named after him.
Westside team members Phillipa Jones and Ernest were placed 1st in Prelim 17 and a 6th in Prelim 19. Louise Cole with Captain Cook received a 5th for Novice 38 and a 2nd for Novice 37 in the team tests. In the second Novice section Gemma Kirby with Little Leo was 3rd in Novice 38. Team Leader Nadine Gregory with Gregonne Moon Dancer, whom she also events, rode two consistent Elementary tests for a 3rd in E48 and 2nd place in E58.
Susie Little, who organised the competition said "Westside was so consistent, it really was well-deserved."
In the individual competition based on the two team tests, Westside's Phillipa Jones with Ernest were overall Prelim winners; Helen Vernon with Monaco Finale from the 'Half Pass'd It' Team won the Novice 1 section; Sandi Smithers with Pipers Hill from 'The Ladies 4 Turning' Team won the Novice 2 section, and Alison Jenden with Folds Mulbery from the 'The Allsorts' Team was the best of the Elementary riders overall.
The Celtic Prince event will run again on 1st and 2nd August 2009.
Team Photo L-R: Louise Cole, Pip Jones, Gemma Kirby, Nadine Gregory.
Photo 1 - Nadine Gregory and Gregonne Moon Dancer, Team Captain for the winning Westside team, and second overall in the Elementary. Courtesy of http://www.digitaldressage.co.uk/
Photo 2 - Alison Jenden, Individual Elementary Winner. Courtesy of http://www.digitaldressage.co.uk/
SPARSHOLT COLLEGE Celtic Prince Team Dressage Results 2nd & 3rd August.
Team Placings: 1st Westside, 2nd Half Pass'd It, 3rd The Ladies 4 Turning, 4th Chalfont Heights RC, 5th Pinkmead Ladies, 6th Fair Oak Fillies. Individual Placings: Prelim 1st Phillipa Jones & Ernest (Westside), 2nd Clare Warneford & Izzie (Chalfont Heights RC), 3rd Katie Gwyther & CoCo (Pinkmead Ladies). Novice 1 1st Helen Vernon & Monaco Finale (Half Pass'd It), 2nd Kimberley McDougall & Roos Leap (Fair Oak Fillies) 3rd Julie Chapman & Vladimere (Chalfont Heights RC) Novice 2 1st Sandi Smithers & Pipers Hill (The Ladies 4 Turning) 2nd Sarah Pook & Balfours Bay (Half Pass'd It), 3rd Jill Monnox & Rebus (Pinkmead Ladies) Elementary 1st Alison Jenden & Folds Mulbury (The Allsorts), 2nd Nadine Gregory & Gregonne Moon Dancer (Westside), 3rd Louise Ruffe & Condie Nightlight (HRRC Girls)
28th July 2008 Ref: SS/HPEC49
Talented Trio Triumph at Hall Place
Jack McClelland riding his own very handsome gelding Elliot triumphed over the girls in the Advanced Open jumping competition at Hall Place last Sunday.15 year old Jack from Emmer Green, trains with Buckle Goddard, the brother of Ellie and son of Nigel Goddard - a highly respected trainer and former top international show jumper. Kate Emmerson from Wargrave almost pipped Jack at the post and romped home to second place, leading Ellie Goddard who rode a very tactical round to bring her into third place with her beautiful mare Miss Cunningham.
200 competitors jumped at Hall Place on this windy but thankfully dry day. Hailey Wilder, Centre Manager and Course Builder had her work cut out with eight classes between 1'0 and 3'3, her innovative jump off courses sorting out the placings as not only speed but good 'route planning' was required.
There will be more jumping at the Annual Show on Monday 25th August, where there are also show classes for those who like to keep all four feet on the ground.
Article by Sue Scanlan. Contact Emma Sumbler, Show Secretary at Hall Place Equestrian Centre 0118 9426938 or email info@hall-place.com
Images - Jack McClelland with Elliot, Kate Emmerson with Oakhurst Crackerjack & Ellie Goddard with Miss Cunningham
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events http://www.rpeevents.co.uk/
