Regional Championship at Aston-le-Walls

Hot on the heels of the JCB Championships and the fabulous Burghley successes, this weekend was the turn of all our 70 and 80 competitors who had qualified from this year’s Area competitions at the start of the summer.

This proved to be super exciting. Our 70 team of Silva Dungworth, Dexter Fox-Clipsham, Sophia Hollis and Willow Middlemass were one of only two teams to have made it through the first two rounds with a score of zero still intact. With these teams moving to a third round to jump-off for the title, a little suspense was added with a wait for Sophia peddling her bike back from her dressage test to hop onto her waiting pony. At this point, the Newmarket and Thurlow had posted a further three clears to remain on zero, whilst we were sitting on 4 faults after three riders, so a clear and a good time were required to steal back the victory – and that is just what we got.

A team victory at Regional Champs for this cool little quartet, and a fabulous top ten placing for Silva individually. Wilfred Campbell also jumping as an individual in this class, but a couple of unlucky poles saw him finishing off the placings on this one.

Silva went on to jump a further 3 rounds in the 80 show jumping competition, this time as an individual. Three more super clear rounds and finishing in a very credible 16th from over 100 starters – a brilliant day in the ring for Silva and Charlie!

Whilst the show jumping action was taking place, we had plenty of activity and success over in the dressage arenas on Saturday too.

First up were our 70 riders; Poppy Allen, Molly Gamble, Tabitha Bennett, Erin Greenwell, Willow Middlemass, Sophia Hollis and Etta Watson.

23 teams and over 100 riders battled it out for the honours and our girls did brilliantly.

With scores north of 70%, Tabitha, Sophia and Erin were placed 4th, 5th and 4th respectively in their sections. Sophia and Erin, joined by Willow and Etta took team 4th, whilst Tabitha, Molly and Poppy (the youngest member of our squad this year scoring a very smart 67%), took a very credible team 13th in the standings.

Moving up to the 80 class and a very twisty test. Another great performance from Tabitha for a 9th in her section. Not quite there in the team standings this time, but a lovely set of tests from Gracie Triggs, Sophia, Erin, Etta and Willlow – well done to all.

Our Burghley Wizards team of Wilf, Willow, Dexter and Jemima started the day as they meant to go on with dressage PBs in all directions! Followed by four double clears with brilliant riding across all three phases, this team could not be beaten and posted another fabulous team win!!! All four riders were in the individual line-ups too:

Wilf 2nd

Willow 2nd

Dexter 2nd

Jemima 5th

When your drop-score was a rider from a podium finish, you know you’ve had a brilliant team day out. Well done to you all!

It wasn’t quite the day for our Burghley Robin’s team of Sophia, Etta and Gracie. We all share in your disappointment when things don’t quite go to plan, but you will all have your day on that podium.

The rain tried to ruin the mood as the 80 team of Pheobe Hoyles, Pippa Hastings and Emily Griggs made their way through the phases. Once again, all posting fabulous dressage scores – Emily with a score of 25.2!

Phoebe, having picked up a few time penalties in the show jumping for being a little steady, showed us just how fast Pedlar is with a storming xc round – unfortunately for a few time pens in the other direction just knocking her out of a top ten finish. But a solid day for them and I know she’s looking forward to more stay aways.

It wasn’t to be for our 80 team in the end. With all three needing to complete for a team score and Emily’s horse deciding that perhaps not today, thank you. But we’ll all be back another day and we can’t wait to cheer you all on again!

A huge thanks to Laura Leicester and Camilla Murdoch for their unwavering commitment and support across the weekend. Many a PB achieved this weekend, and that would not have been possible without your help before and during the event.