Championship Results
Riding for the Disabled Association; National Champion, Dressage; 2009.
Ria and I travelled, al
ong with my partner, to Hartpury on 9th July. The journey went well and Ria came off the box looking well. We were greeted by Kay, the Championship secretary. After welcoming us back she said that I should prepare myself to see the event programme! It turns out that my photo from last year is on the front cover (see News page)! Our competition was on 12th July at 09.50. Ria warmed up well and didn't seem spooky or upset so we went in to the arena and did our test. As you can see, our halt was good and I relaxed just a little. You can see more photos by clicking on the tab above.
There were three arenas side-by-side but we were the only competitors at the time so all eyes were on us. At the end of the test there was a huge round of applause and unbeknown to me Doug (the C'ship Chairman), Philip (Director of Hartpury Equine) and many others had come out from the offices to watch me ride. Thank goodness I didn't know beforehand! You can see more photos in the tab above, Hartpury 09.
After I finished my test Ronnie then told me that the first competitor of the day had scored 75%. "Ah well" I though - 'we gave it our best shot'. I'm glad I didn't know beforehand that we had to beat such a high mark. I think that it would have worried me too much. Anyway - after a short time (I was in the stables talking to Ria) Karen and Abi came down and told me that I had gone into the lead with 76.36%! Wow! There were still six or seven results to come in so it was a tense wait. Eventually there was just one result to be marked up and I still had the highest score so the worst I could be was second place and I would have been happy with that. The final result still hadn't been written up when we got Ria tacked for our freestyle test. We went and were judged for the 'tack and turnout' class then went to warm up for the freestyle. While in the warmup arena Ronnie came and told me that the final result hadn't been marked up as the competitor had withdrawn - so we had won the class and the Championship!! Hurray! We then scored 67.50% in the freestyle to finish 5th and in a final surprise of the day we got 92% in the Best Turned Out class to win that.
In the team competition the three highest scores of the competitors competing for a region are added together. The Northern Ireland riders, Abigayle Gill, Louise Greer and myself gained 6th place.
Northern Ireland Riding Clubs; Intermediate Champion, 2009
On 7th June I competed in the NI Riding Clubs Championships. My test was Novice 27 and I was somewhat surprised to discover that the arenas were in a field. I have never ridden Ria on grass before so I was very unsure about what to expect. She behaved very well - we warmed up well and went in to do our test.
All went well until the first canter - she had a little buck on the transition and then - when I did the 'give and retake' she just put her head between her knees and bucked down the long side! As far as I was concerned that was it - we wouldn't even get placed. There were some very good riders and horses in the class so I just hoped to get in the top six. The rest of our test went well though.
I was really surprised when the resutls were announced that we had won with 78.92%. We got a couple of nine's; one for the second 'give and retake' and one for the trot-walk-trot transition.
So - I am really pleased and I got a lovely fleece that will keep me warm on cold days.
Riding for the Disabled Association; National Champion, Dressage; 2008.
I qualified for the National Finals held at Hartpury Equine College in Gloucester by winning my class with a qualifying score in the Regional Finals held in Danescroft Equestrian Centre, Lisburn. Riders form all over the UK compete at these Championships. I was loaned a lovely 17.1hh horse called Just Joe and he behaved like a star all day. Sadly Joe has recently passed away, it's very sad - he helped so many people learn to ride and spent the last few years of his life in a wonderful home with all the love and care any horse could possibly want.
Joe was quite elderly so was unable to travel to Hartpury for the National finals. I was fortunate to be loaned a lovely horse, Jalisco, who enabled me to achieve a win in both my class and the Championship. More details about this fabulous event can be found here or clicking the Hartpury tab above. The prizes were awarded by Anthony Head, (wow!). I was presented with a bit of a problem when returning home as I hadn't expected the 'extra' baggage!
Thankfully EasyJet allowed me to take the cup into the cabin with me. I really did not want to put it in the hold!
Jaliscoe is a 16.2hh bay horse who previously competed at quite a high level before an injury forced his retirement from demanding competition. He was given to Hartpury Equine College and has been riden by Para riders of various grades as well as students in the College. He can be 'challenging' as he has learned that he can get away with being a bit lazy. I was able to ride him three times before the competition and he was very good for me - with the exception of giving a huge buck in the warm up area just before going in to our class! That worried me a bit but I took a deep breath and sent him forward to canter again and all was well.
Northern Ireland Winter Championships
3rd April 2010 at Danescroft Equestrian Centre
We competed in the Preliminary Championship and I was really pleased to come 4th, with 2nd in the warm-up class.
4th April 2009 at Danescroft Equestrian Centre
I was delighted to come 2nd in the Preliminary Championship with a score of 68.75%
In the Novice Championship later in the day we gained 61.61% but weren't placed.