Tetrathlon/Triathlon

Ominous thoughts, Storm Kathleen approaching, precautions taken the evening before meant for a hectic start on Saturday morning for our Dry Triathlon at Ashwood Equestrian.  For those reading this unaware of what this is – it is a one day event comprising shooting, running and riding (omitting swimming) of a tetrathlon competition. With forty Albrighton members competing this is going to be a long post.  We had a variety of old timers who love this discipline, those who dib in and out occasionally and many new comers.  Our older members, Katie, Tessa, Gil, Seb, Tom and Esmie all performed well – stand out performance here – Katie (Open Girls) shooting 1000 points for the first time in a competition. Our biathlon boys Otto, George and Hamish ran and shot well as did Harriet, Ruby and Gillian.  Charlotte, Emily, Alisa, Elodie and Freya completed our Junior entrants with excellent results – Elodie coming 2^nd and Emily 5^th with a super clear round in the ride phase. our newcomer Henry was up against our pro Alex in the Mini Boys and despite a pole down for Alex and a clear round for Henry – both boys ran well but Alex proved the stronger shoot finishing  1^st and Henry  2^nd  – well done boys.  Mini Girls was equally strong for the A section and we had new member Holly up against our seasoned pro Emelia.  Both girls went clear in the ride phase but the more experienced shooter Emelia with a 980 shot put her in 3^rd place behind Darcey (Atherstone) and Eliza (CHS).  Commendation must be given to Darcey who ran the 1000 metres in soggy conditions in 3 mins 49 secs – well done Atherstone Hunt member. Our younger members who competed in the biathlon – Erin, Thomas, Elizabeth, Avi, Alfie, Rueben, George, Harriet and Willa all ran and shot or threw the bean bag (some with gusto!) and had smiley faces munching away on the Cadburys Cream Egg Easter Eggs as their prize with their rosettes.  Our Tadpole Girls, Kiera and Ava-Leigh rode beautiful clear rounds and finished with Kiera in 3^rd place and Ava-Leigh in 8^th place and Lillie came four in the B section jumping the height down.   Lastly our assisted or unassisted riders, Seb, Tilly, Ellie, Olivia, Evie,  Phoebe and Margot all rode brilliant clear rounds with Phoebe finishing 2nd, Evie 4^th and Margot 5th.  As the organiser, I try to make each phase as prepared as possible for my groups of volunteers.  Yesterday , the weather interfered but as they are all seasoned pros, they dealt with the challenges and obstacles they faced so the day ran smoothly with no major incidents.  Thank you James Quinlan, James and Vicky Plant, The Holman family, Sarah Markworth and our older members who helped with the younger members bean bag throwing.  Amy and Sarah for the run phase and another Amy, Phoebe, Kate, Sarah, Charlotte, Nicci, Jo, Paul, Kate, Rachel and anyone else I have forgotten.  Lastly to Rory, who organises the course and controls the day from the arena.  These events could not happen without all the army of helpers we have in this branch.  Thank you all for travelling from afar and competing – judging by their faces at prize giving, munching on their Easter Eggs with their rosettes,  I think the children all enjoyed themselves on the day.