The North West Rumba team returned home triumphant from the BYRDS Home International held at Richmond EC, N Yorkshire, where 27 teams came together for two days of hot competition.
The North West region sent four teams and finished with three of them in the top 10, with the winning Rumba’s talented foursome - Maddy Whelan, Emily Watts, Holly Watson and Holly Needham - pulling out all the stops to sail ahead and finish with a clear lead.
Twelve-year-old Maddy Whelan and her elegant British-bred seven-year-old 14.2hh Connemara/Thoroughbred pony mare Ode To Shannon, who train with Jackie Beaven and are aiming to contest their first FEI pony test at Sheepgate’s BYRDS Under 25 Championships in August, were also winners of the elementary pony section.
“We’ve only had ‘Lissey’ 18 months, but Maddy has already formed a special relationship with her -- they’ve qualified for the elementary open at this year’s nationals and we’re hoping for a wild card in the novice open too,” said her mother Lorna.
“Lissey’s got huge, spectacular paces, so we’ve taken it slowly, but she scored three 9s for her medium trot and canter work at the HI, so we were thrilled.
“Before we got her she’d only hunted and done a bit of Pony Club, so dressage was very new to her, but she’s taken to it like she was born to do it!”
Fellow Rumba team member, 18-year-old Holly Watson from Bolton, Lancs, who also won the novice young rider individual test with her five-year-old gelding Fürst Oskar, is enjoying her first taste of BYRDS teams this year and praised the team spirit and friendliness of this competition,
“We’ve all supported each other and I’ve made lots of new friends,” said Holly, who trains with Gareth Hughes and Clive Halsall. I also really enjoyed our team building session with the North West squad earlier this summer when we all went to Janet Horswill’s house and took part in an afternoon of team games with sack races and water fights, it was a great way to get to know each other!”
Fifteen-year-old Holly Needham, a member of the West Midlands Dressage Group, who has been involved with BYRDS since she was just five-years-old, also took the junior novice individual honours for NW Rumba, with her eight-year-old gelding Cruz.
The smart 16hh by Florencio , who also events at 2* level with Rosie Thomas, was found by Holly’s trainer Islay Auty three years ago and has successfully completed a handful of BE100s with Holly, who is hoping to go on to do junior trials next year.
“’Hamish’ is my first horse since coming off ponies, but although he’s got big movement, he’s very rideable, plus he’s got a lovely personality to match,” said Holly, who has also enjoyed a successful career in working hunter ponies, coming second at HOYS in 2012.
”Although we bought Hamish primarily to event, I love doing dressage with him as well and it’s helped improve our marks for eventing too.
“This was the second time I’ve taken part in the BYRDS Home Internationals, and I’ve loved every minute of it – the atmosphere is amazing and the people are all so friendly, I’d love to do it all again next year!”
North West’s RDO Lou Jones was delighted with all the region’s riders: “I’m extremely proud of all our BYRDS riders; their commitment and dedication to the region, the sport and to each other is outstanding. Their professionalism and team spirit throughout the competition was wonderful to see.
“I’d also like to personally thank all the NW trainers, parents and volunteers for all their help and support within the region, with a special mention too for our BYRDS rep Moira Lafferty, who works tirelessly to make this region and our young riders in it so special.
“This year’s win was very special for our region as we came second last year, so it made it even sweeter to get over the line and bring the trophy home.”
• BYRDS is the British Young Riders Dressage scheme, and is open to every young person under the age of 25 who would like to be involved in Regional training, competitions and camps. It is also a great way to meet new friends learn more about the sport.
To find out more visit our BYRDS pages
RESULTS
1. North West Rumba
Maddy Whelan (Ode to Shannon)
Emily Watts (Rascalini)
Holly Watson (Fürst Oskar)
Holly Needham (Cruz)
2. Irish Emerald
Rachel Coulter (Gorsehill Maya)
Tara Hayes (Bantiss Holy Joe)
Megan McGrath (Romano Frerejacques)
Roisin Winters (Rhos Royal Velvet)
3. Southern Lamborghini
Jersey Garrett (Penrherber Chaconne)
Freya Elliott (Combe Magna)
Merylyn Latimer Smith (Valentino XV III)
Izzy Chaplin (Taijdora)
4. Wales Tom Jones
Laura Fisher (Sam The Man Veldhoek)
Megan Roberts (Dreamgirl SC)
Sophie Williams (Ferrari)
Cerys Richards (Bryndefaid)
5. Southern Porsche
Lydia Rowe (Ellington)
Lilly Latimer Smith (Vazire)
George Williams (Benjamins Son)
Imogen Furness (Chinto MZ)
6. Wales Shirley Bassey
Fran Bradley (Baldovino)
Georgina Webb (Arcas)
Mia Ketcher (Colanau High Flyer)
Lucy Williams (Daedalus)
Individual results:
Novice
Fledgling: Cerys Richards (Bryndefaid) - Wales Tom Jones
Junior: Holly Needham (Cruz) - North West Rumba
Pony rider: Tara Hayes (Bantiss Holy Joe)- Irish Emerald
Young rider: Holly Watson (Fürst Oskar) - North West Rumba
Elementary
Junior: Melissa Dawes (Keystone Royal Chrystal) - Central Red Carnation
Pony rider: Maddy Whelan (Ode To Shannon) - North West Rumba
Young rider: Laura Fisher (Sam The Man Veldhoek) -- Wales Tom Jones
Medium
Junior: Lilly Latimer Smith (Vazire) – Southern Porsche
Pony rider: India Sheridan (DHI Smart Move) - Eastern Navy Blue
Young rider: Hannah Grummett (Quantos) - North West Salsa
FEI
1, Anna Jesty (Aquiro)- South West Individual
2, Lilly Latimer Smith (Vazire) – Southern Porsche
3, Pippa Kearns (Hesselteichs Dessert Rose) - Eastern Individual
For full results click here
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