Triple gold for Pony Team

British quartet Phoebe Peters, Isobel Berrington, Clare Hole and Rebecca Bell have made history at this year’s FEI European Pony Dressage Championships (5-9 August) by taking our first ever team gold medal in a close fought battle with Germany and Denmark. Held in Malmö, Sweden, the Championships also proved a very happy hunting ground for Phoebe (16) who took two further golds in the individual and freestyle sections riding her mum Tracy’s SL Lucci, giving Great Britain a clean golden sweep of medals.

The competition got underway with the team round on Thursday with debutante Isobel Berrington (15) acting as pathfinder with her pony, DHI Langar, owned by her mum Penny. A score of 70.615% gave the team just the start they wanted by breaking the magic 70% barrier. Second for Britain was Clare Hole (13), also making her team debut, with Rembrandt, who was in the team in 2011 and ’12 with owner Maisie Scruton. They kept Britain in the medal hunt with an excellent 71.718% to leave us in bronze position overnight.

Day two was over to the ‘veterans’ of the team; headed by Rebecca Bell (15) with mum Caroline’s Valido’s Sunshine who made their third, and final, team appearance. Rebecca put in a polished performance to score 71.077%, bringing a medal a step closer. Then it was down to our anchor-duo, Phoebe and Lucci. With two individual gold medals from 2013, a freestyle silver from 2014 and a bronze and silver team medal, the pairing has a great amount of experience but had set high goals for this, their final pony championships together. With amazing skill and ability, the duo simply blew the competition away with a score of 79.974% to promote Britain to gold, overtaking the Danish team. It was down to the final competitor of the class from Germany to know our fate. The calculators were out and they needed a score over 76.4% to snatch victory. 75.769% was the score and gold was Britain’s.

Overnight, Phoebe’s score was amended to 80.077% which made the final winning team margin 0.641% and took the first step to achieving her championship aim of posting three plus 80% scores.

All four riders qualified for the individual test and again scored well to finish top 15; Rebecca was 13^th, Clare 14^th and Isobel 15^th. But the top honours went to Phoebe with a stunning performance to add a fourth gold to her medal collection. The five judges were unanimous in their scoring to end on 81.39%, a new personal best for this test, and the only rider to break the 80% barrier. Another tick off Phoebe’s championship target.

On to the final test, the freestyle. All four British riders qualified but the rules only allow three to compete so sadly, Isobel had to sit it out with Langar. Clare scored 70.278% to finish 14^th overall with Rembrandt, a real credit to post three 70% plus scores on a team debut. Riding in her final ever pony championship test, Rebecca threw caution into the wind and scored a fabulous 73.925% with ‘Sunny’, which held the lead for much of the class, to finish eighth. Then the focus turned to Phoebe and Lucci; could they end their three year pony career on a high? Of course they could! Another test, another 80% plus score, another personal best and therefore another record score, and another gold medal. 85.825% was their final score.

The team performed beyond all expectations and the three golds were a great send off for team chef d’equipe Liz Mills, trainer Peter Storr and selector Sarah Pidgely, who are standing down from their roles. British Dressage Chief Executive Jason Brautigam commented; “The team and individual performances were nothing short of spectacular. These four riders met the challenge head on and rode with exceptional skill and flair, all while keeping a cool head and we could not be more proud of them all. Of course behind every performance is a great support team and while the riders have to perform in the arena, a great deal goes on behind the scenes to get them there. I’d like to thank the riders, their families, the grooms, the officials, sponsors and supporters who made this team possible. We’ll be very sad to see Liz and Peter go; their input over the years has helped the pony team to this status and it’s testament to their hard work that the team is now reaping the rewards. They’ll be hard to replace and I’m sure the pony squad will join me in wishing them well in the future.”

Phoebe told British Dressage; “I just can stop smiling! Lucci was absolutely foot perfect all week; any mistakes we had in our three tests were completely mine - he was with me every step of the way. The team atmosphere was the best ever which made such a difference to our confidence. The support team was amazing; the grooms worked so hard and Peter and Liz just kept us focused. It was simply the best week I’ve ever had!”

Equestrian Team GBR is supported by the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme; the British teams are very grateful to the support they receive from official Team GBR suppliers Dodson & Horrell, Equi-Trek, Land Rover, NAF, NuuMed, Point Two Equine, Tagg Equestrian and Toggi.

Pictures - c Helen Revington

Results:

Rebecca Bell (15) from Faringdon, Oxfordshire with Caroline Bell’s Valido’s Sunshine (bay, mare, 14.1hh, 12yrs, s. Valido)
Team test: 71.718%
Individual test: 70.829% (13^th)
Freestyle: 73.925% (8^th)

Isobel Berrington (15) from Welwyn, Hertfordshire with Penelope Berrington’s DHI Langar (dark brown, gelding, 14.2hh, 19yrs. s. Lukas)
Team test: 70.615%
Individual test: 69.683% 15^th)
Freestyle: -

Clare Hole (13) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk with Maisie Scruton’s Rembrandt DDH (black, stallion, 14.1hh, 14yrs, s. Renoir)
Team test: 71.718%
Individual test: 70.439% (14^th)
Freestyle: 70.278% (14^th)

Phoebe Peters (16) from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire with Tracy Peters’ SL Lucci (brown, gelding, 14.2hh, s. Lukas)
Team test: 80.077%
Individual test: 81.390% (Gold)
Freestyle: 85.825% (Gold)

Teams:

Gold GBR 222.872
Silver GER 222.231
Bronze DEN 221.359

For full results: click here

New Chairman for BD’s Eastern Region

British Dressage is delighted to announce the Board of Directors ratified Lotte Olsen as the new Chairman of the Eastern Region last Monday (03 August 2015). Based in Blackmore, Essex, Lotte has been involved with dressage for over two decades as a judge, committee member and rider and will be well known to many in the region.

Lotte takes over Chairmanship from Rachel Hillier, who decided to stand down after five years at the helm of the Eastern Region. A career in finance and governance, coupled with her diverse dressage knowledge and experience, impressed BD Chief Executive Jason Brautigam and BD Chairman Penny Pollard during her interview. “Lotte brings many strong attributes to the role. To have a great grounding in finance and business will be a great asset to our Eastern RDO, Katherine Perry, and I’m sure that Lotte’s enthusiasm and leadership skills will help to develop BD in the region,” commented Jason.

Lotte was BD’s Finance Director for seven years, finishing her term in 2005. Her guidance was invaluable during the transitional period when we separated from the British Horse Society in 1998 and helped the fledgling company turn a surplus during her time in position.

Lotte describes her riding career as ‘enthusiastic amateur’ having ridden up to medium level. She currently campaigns ‘Eddie’, an Irish Sports Horse, owned by friends, and they’ve enjoyed great success having qualified for regionals in both winter and summer seasons this year. Being 17, Eddie, or Danewood Clover, is eligible for this year’s new series with the Veteran Horse Society which they’re looking forward to heading to the championships for at elementary and medium. Lotte is a list 4 BD judge and is a regular on the centre line across the region. She was also a Games Maker in 2012 for the Paralympics as a writer as well as involvement at Olympia CDI. As well as Eddie, Lotte shares her home life with partner Simon, two children Sophie (16) and James (13), five month old Poppy, a fox-red Labrador and Ben (the cat).

The role starts with immediate effect and Lotte is relishing the challenge ahead; “My aim will be to make sure that every BD member, current or potential, is kept fully informed about what’s going on in the region. Also that everyone has a fair and equal chance to participate in BD activities, and at a level that is comfortable for them as individuals. I’ll seek to provide my committee with effective leadership and, with BD’s strategic objectives at heart, build on the strengths of the Eastern Region,” said Lotte.

She summed up by saying; “I’m an open, honest and transparent person. Integrity and fairness are very important to me, so I hope the members will find me approachable with a listening ear. It’s my sincere wish that every member in the region should find their engagement with BD rewarding and fulfilling.”

Laura Tomlinson joins the party

1095 days (exactly three years) ago today, history was made by three outstanding individuals. After three days of close fought competition, Laura Tomlinson (then Bechtolsheimer), Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester climbed on top of a podium to receive Britain’s first ever dressage Olympic medal, and a gold one at that. Therefore, it’s with a great amount of excitement that British Dressage proudly announces that the golden trio will be reunited for this year’s ‘Best of British’ National Dressage Convention, held at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, 21 – 22 November.

Joining Carl and Charlotte who were announced a couple of weeks ago, Laura is the latest high-profile name to be added to the presenting panel and she’ll be focusing on small tour with ridden and coaching sessions. With her exciting string of young horses featuring Duvals Capri Sonne Jr, Unique VII, Polar Bear and Dolcevendy, Laura has built up a great reputation of producing rides as she searches for her next Olympic partner to fill the gap left by the retirement of her 2012 team gold and individual bronze medallist, Mistral Hojris.

Our legal helpline providers Harrison Clark Rickerbys have also confirmed their support of this year’s top drawer event. With some 350 employees at seven locations across the Midlands and London, Harrison Clark Rickerbys is one of the UK’s most respected law firms and with a dedicated equine department, is ideally placed to help BD members with their legal issues. “We’re delighted to be supporting such a prestigious event which this year will be show casing the wonderful British talent that we have within the sport,” commented Senior Associate and equine law specialist Alison Goodwin.

A show is only as good as its presenters and we’ve put together a great duo. Your main host will be BBC presenter and dressage fan Lee McKenzie while BD’s Training Director Paul Hayler will provide his vast expertise. Lee is a presenter and pitlane reporter on BBC’s coverage of Formula 1. She was also a presenter at last year’s Commonwealth Games and is a reporter and interviewer at Wimbledon too. She’s been earmarked to front BBC’s Olympia coverage this year and will be a part of the equestrian team for Rio 2016. As an international rider, leading trainer and list 1 judge, Paul will support Lee to give the audience a great experience, ask those burning questions and get the thinking process underway.

Tickets are on sale now and excellent value at £50 for BD paid members and £55 for non-members for a daily ticket or why not make a weekend of it for £80 for members and £90 for non-members.

There’s still a number of names to be announced to represent para-dressage and riders at other levels so the two days are really shaping up as a not-to-be-missed occasion whatever your level of involvement in the sport. Tickets are already selling fast so book now through the BD website – via the shop or over the phone with Claire Carter 02476 698833.

Are you interested in Dutch Harness Horses

If you were ever thinking of buying or breedingb to a dutch harness horse for dressage....you have the right idea. They are a unique breed that has a lot to offer. This article explains everything you need to know.

Are Dutch Harness Horses More Than Just Driving Horses?

I was first introduced to the Dutch Harness Horse in 2005. I became a fan right away. Their conformation makes it easy for them to sit high in the bridle and their movement is elastic with a lot of animation. My first thought was wow what great dressage horses they would make. Why haven’t we seen them in the Dressage ring? So I did a little research and this is what I found.

First let me give you some information on their history. They were first developed in the Netherlands since the end of World War II. You can find them in the KWPN studbook which was founded in 1969. They were bred based on the native Groningen and Gelderland horses and they were mainly used to farm land or as transportation. With their strict selection procedures and a clear breeding aim enabled breeders to produce a refined, high-stepping horse which makes them stand out among other breeds. Their forelegs are typically longer than the hind legs which enables them to sit on their hind quarters and lift in the front. This is why they are so powerful, they have a active hind end and spectacular freedom in the forehand. These attributes are what made me become interested in the breed.

You can read the rest of this article here

Things to look for when selecting a horse and key questions to ask!

I found this article to be interesting!

Horse ownership is an exciting prospect! You are now at the point where you know that you have the means to support your horse, you have the knowledge on how to care for the horse, and you are able to ride. Now you want to own your own horse that will meet your riding goals and needs. When purchasing young dressage horses for sale you should always try to have a veterinarian do an exam or be with you especially if you are a novice owner. The veterinarian will be there working for you – not for the seller. Consider additional tests like x-rays to be performed by the veterinarian. Even if you trust and love the person selling you a horse – a pre-purchase veterinarian exam is still a smart idea. When purchasing a horse, there are two types of considerations regarding the horse: behavioral traits and conformation. Behavioral traits have to do with the overall attitude of the horse while conformation concerns the way he is put together. Ideas for “screening” your new horse are below, listed under these categories. Some aspects to consider: Behavioral Traits Look for signs of behavioral problems in the horse’s stall such as chewing, cracked/broken walls, “tracks” worn in the floor, paint scraped off the bars, grain or half chewed hay in bedding, and/or diarrhea. 1. Does this horse have a cribbing or wind sucking problem? If so, how is it currently managed? 2. Does this horse kick in the stall, and if so when and why? 3. Does this horse stall walk, paw or weave? 4. Does this horse grind his teeth on the bars? 5. Can the horse easily be haltered in the stall?

Here you can read the rest of the article http://animalscience.uconn.edu/extension/publications/factsheetpdfs/thingstolookfor.pdf

BYRDS Home International: North West on flying form

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

IMPORTANT: Mount Ballan regional championships

The British Dressage Summer Regional Championships are more popular than ever and the organising team would like to thank all riders for their continued enthusiasm and support for the sport.

With entries for the Mount Ballan Regional Championships now closed, the team have reviewed the final number of competitors and class sizes and, due to the high volume of entries received at all levels, the decision has been made to cancel all warm-up classes on both days. This decision has not been made lightly and was necessary to ensure that all qualified combinations could compete in their respected class(es). The warm-up classes alone would have required an additional 16 hours of arena time on Tuesday (4 August) and nine hours on Wednesday (5 August).

However, we understand that these warm-up classes are often used for arena familiarisation and, to accommodate this, we will be adding two additional arena walks. One will take place from 6 – 8pm on Monday 3 August and the other after competition finishes on Tuesday 4 August. Please note, these will be in addition to the arena walks already planned for the mornings of 4 and 5 August.

If you have entered a warm-up class, please ensure you visit Mount Ballan’s show secretary, Vanessa Guy, who will arrange a refund.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mount Ballan and the Summer Regional Championships – good luck!