West
Country Witheridge Hold Their Own
Witheridge
Riding Club have fun at The Festival
Having
successfully competed in our area Hunter Trial qualifier held at
Pontispool Farm in Taunton on Sunday 7th April, our Senior Open
and Junior Novice teams set off for the championships, held as part
of “The Festival of the Hunter” at Grange Farm, Peterborough.
This was quite an undertaking as it included a 500 mile round trip!
The teams were as follows:
Prize winning senior open team (from left to right): Natalie
Bucklar, Claire
Wilson, Carol Hayes, Rachel Davey |
Senior
Open
Rachel
Davey…..Fluta
Natalie
Buckler…By George
Carol
Hayes…….Dolly’s Button
Claire
Wilson…...De Beer’s Dominic
Junior
Novice
Laura
Sinclair…...Drayford Trinity
Alexandra
Barnett...Gogland Amethyst
Lyndsey
Cheffings...Midnight Gemini
Misty
Parks…..Little John
|
The
Senior Open teams campaign started with disappointment when Rachel
Davey’s horse, Fluta had to be pulled up on course due to an
injury. Carol Hayes and Natalie Bucklar lifted the Witheridge hopes
when they both completed clear rounds with just a few time penalties
between them. Claire Wilson, final team member, not only went clear
but also proved to be the fastest competitor of the day, completing
her fantastic round in the exact optimum time. It was later discovered
that Claire was the only competitor not to exceed the time limit
from 450 taking part!
The
superb efforts of the girls meant that not only did Witheridge take
the honours in the team competition but Claire also picked up the
individual prize, winning a sash, ribbon and a silver salver trophy,
the second national
trophy for the club. This proved to be a really exciting day for
Claire who, earlier that morning had also taken the Working Hunter
Championship receiving yet another sash and ribbon presented to
her by KBIS Insurance, sponsors of the show.
The
cross-country itself was up-to-height, technical in places and the
optimum time had been set at a very fast pace indeed . The ground
was undulating and the course varied, incorporating woodland and
many testing water
features. The main water complex involved a drop into water followed
by a jump in the water itself and then up a step to clear the obstacle.
This jump caused many problems to riders, especially in the junior
section but our team, not wanting to be outdone by the senior contingent
rode very well with Alexandra Barnett finishing
third individually on her home bred mare, Gogland Amethyst in a
94 strong section. Another one of our juniors, Laura Sinclair also
took part in the Novice Ridden Hunter Championship being placed
a creditable fourth in a class which was considered to be of a very
high standard.
Our
club would like to say a huge thank you to N.F.U. Mutual who kindly
sponsored the junior team, allowing them to have the team colours
of Emerald, Blue and Gold made up to match the seniors, meaning
we also looked the part. We are extremely grateful.
Claire
Wilson and De Beer’s Dominic
.
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