SPORT// EQUESTRIANISM
In the 70 cm competition, Harriet was one of the last riders
into the arena. Percy, her pony, looked very willing and raring
to go, but proved quite strong and difficult to check in the ring.
Although the duo did well overall, learning much from their
first major championships together, they were disappointed
not to be placed.
The 90 cm team of Hattie, Emma, Bea Nicholson and
Georgina Elliott were next to compete on Saturday evening.
They wisely used the warm up class to try out their turns and
to get a feeling for the indoor arena; thus several poles flew
and riders on occasion were lucky to keep their seat. With the
previous night’s experience behind them and lessons learnt
the team started well on Sunday morning. They secured 3
fantastic clear rounds outdoors, entering the indoor phase in a
very competitive position. There was all to ride for!
It soon became evident that the indoor course was challenging.
The distances between fences were awkward and although
there were turns to do, the emphasis had to be on going clear.
First in the ring was Bea, on Blue; they rode a confident round
and were unlucky to have several fences down. Everything
now rested on the remaining three members of the team.
Emma rode next – what a round it was too! After knocking the
first fence down she quickly picked herself up and ensured that
Stan cleared the remaining jumps. Her score and time secured
her 11th place individually; narrowly missing out on a ribbon.
A total of 4 faults at this stage was still good; a clear or even
a further 4 faults would, at this point, put us in pole position.
George went next and it was very tense. Clear up to the final
fence, the fence she had down the previous night – surely it
couldn’t happen again? Riding a nice line to the jump, we
watched with bated breath – it wasn’t to be, Eric dropped his
back legs and down went the pole.
Last into the ring was Hattie on Queenie; a clear was now very
much needed. Disaster struck, a fence down at the fourth and
the pair lost momentum; the usual ‘dead cert clear’ was not
to be! A team total of 20 faults placed the team 11th out of 21
counties; commendable but just out of the rosettes.
Both horses and riders were beginning to look tired as the
afternoon continued. We still had the 1m class to go but were
already one rider short as Mimi Jackson’s horse Daisy had
gone lame the night before the competition.
The courses at championships are always a step up from the
qualifiers and the 1m track was no exception to the rule. The
fences appeared large from the ground and on horseback too!
Georgina and Eric were first in for Pocklington. A gutsy round
and 8 faults was an excellent result. Hattie followed but neither
horse nor rider seemed at ease; disqualification followed. At
this point we took the decision to retire, everyone was weary
and it only seemed fair on the horses; they were obviously quite
fatigued after their long journeys and the heat, throughout the
weekend, had also taken its toll. Home beckoned!
As ever, an enjoyable weekend; some highs and lows, fantastic
team spirit and the knowledge that we will be back next year
but even stronger!
NSEA DRESSAGE
COMPETITION
EPWORTH
The Prep School and Senior School
competed together for the first time in a
Dressage Competition at the weekend.
Although it remained dry, despite heavy
rain during the night, the arenas were
66
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
rather soggy – grey horses soon looked
brown!
From the prep school, individual
placings went to Noah Marsh 1st in the
Intro C class closely followed by Emily
O’Gram in 2nd place. In the senior
school Izzy Rowley won the Novice
class, securing qualification for the
National Championships later in the
month. Izzy also won the Preliminary
7 class with Tilly Rumgay 2nd, Emma
Forsyth 5th and Georgia Byass 6th.
The dressage team of Tilly Rumgay,
Amelia Jackson, Bea Nicholson and Izzy
Rowley came 3rd narrowly missing out
on qualification for the Championships.
The team had several new horse/rider
combinations which showed great
potential for the future.