Flamstead Festive Show report

Monday 29th December was of course the highlight of the festive calendar because it was Flamstead’s Festive Show! The show was as popular as ever with every jumping class sold out and the fabulous introduction of a new fun ring.

Flamstead members were at the show in force with an incredible 66 rounds jumped by FPC members. This report is only the highlights, and apologies in advance that it can’t mention every round, but a huge well done to everyone who took part, it was fantastic to see how well the children rode, not only those established at a height and riding for the win but also the combinations stepping up heights and going for sensible confidence giving rounds.

The International Arena hosted to 40cm – 110cm classes, starting bright and early with the 40 in which, unusually, Flamstead couldn’t quite make up a team but were well represented in the assisted section by Freddie (6th) and Rory (7th).

Next up were huge 50, 60 and 70cm classes, these are heights in which our club has real strength and depth and we put forward an amazing 8 full teams.

The 50 started with a bang with Euan taking the win, followed by Isabel (5th), Mia (9th) and Poppy (10th). The “Nice” team of Poppy, Isabelle and Isabel took a super win with the “Naughty” team suffering a bit of 4-fault-itis to take a close 2nd. A special mention to Poppy riding her little pony Smartie in his first ever pony club show, who popped round like he had been doing it all his life.

Flamstead has been very dominant in branch competitions at 60cm this year and underlined that dominance with the teams taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places! Individually we took up half of the top-10 spots with Hugo (2nd and 3rd), Jess (4th), Kiera (5th) and Flo (9th). A huge well done to all of our 60cm riders, you make team selection at this height a headache but it’s a very nice headache to have!

The 70cm was the biggest class of the day and Zoe and her lovely pony Tom set the pace with a super fast round for 1st. Zach followed in 6th, Frank in 8th and Flora 9th. The Flamstead team of Frank, Emily, Jess and Flora finished a super 2nd, with the other teams in 3rd and 7th. A particular mention in this class to Jess H, Kiera, Emily, Maddie and their ponies who were all new combinations at this height and jumped beautifully.

Flamstead again had 3 teams at 80cm, the course builder put together a clever track with the faults evenly spread and several challenging turns. The Brandy Snaps team of Jess O, Jemima L, Frank and Flora was the best of the Flamstead teams in 3rd. Zoe again put in a super speedy individual round to be just beaten into 2nd individually by 4 hundredths of a second. Also flying the flag for Flamstead in the top 10 were Isabella G (6th) and Flora (8th).

Things then start to get serious from the 90cm class onwards, a class in which Penny was the best of the Flamstead riders with a lovely clear in 10th, hotly pursued by Jemima H in 11th. In the 1m it was incredible to be able to put forward 2 teams, with the Winter Wonders of Isobel M, Millie and Federica winning the class. Very well done to Federica, individual 6th, Millie (8th) and Molly B (10th). Finally the day drew to an end with the 1m10, it is incredibly unusual to be able to field a team at this height and it was wonderful to see the Flamstead team of Millie, Federica, Josie and Isobel jump to a well deserved win, with clears for Millie (4th), Federica (5th) and Josie (3rd) and just an unlucky 4 faults for Isobel.

Whilst the main focus of the day was the International Arena, a lot of fun was being had in Arena 1 with a 30cm class, pairs, ride and run and handy pony all running under the expert eyes of Juliet Hooper. Particular mention in the 30cm to Poppy (3rd), Imogen (6th) and Toby (8th). Zach and Freddie (with some super running from mum Hettie) won the pairs and Lyra also put on her running shoes to win the ride and run, hotly pursued by Mia (3rd). Lyra stayed in Ring 1 with her super speedy pony Marmite to come 2nd in the handy pony with Mia 6th and Imogen 10th. It was great to see this ring so well supported and we will plan on running it again next year.

A huge thank you everyone who volunteered their time on the day, we couldn’t run without you, with a particular thanks to Sarah and Vikki on the Secretary’s table, Donna, Jo and Georgie in commentary and scoring and Nicky and Karen on tack check. The organising committee of Katy, Rosie and Jules would love some help next year, please contact Katy or Rosie if you would like to join them.

A final thank you to our sponsors, RVC Equine, for the generous donation of prizes and beautiful rosettes.