Area Show Jumping - 11th July 2010 –Dyfnog Stud
The weather still held as Cheshire Hunt North travelled to Flint & Denbigh country for Area 5’s show jumping competition on Sunday 11th July – Dyfnog Stud was a new venue for us all. With two arenas running our ‘man of the day’ (David Llewellyn) was kept busy crossing between the two collecting rings to warm up and assist our competitors.
Newcomers – Gemma Dale/Ed was our sole representative here and jumped 3 fantastic clear rounds to finish just out the rosettes in 8th place. Fantastic for this new combination over a bizarrely filled filler mad course - there were a huge number of refusals and eliminations in the first round.
Novice – two teams were fielded here (Lions – Abigail Jones/Zhak, Annabel Carthy/Knockanroe Valley, Amy Hollinshead/EJ, Becky Thomas/Bramble and Tigers – Sharna McClelland/Patsy, Millie Darlington/Andy, Charlotte Brunt/Jay, Rozz Darlington/Rosie. Mixed fortunes here for our Tiger team which left Charlotte to ‘go for it’ as an individual, and for Rozz to further advance her young horse’s experience in the 2nd round. However, they were rewarded with third place in the Tack & Turnout competition. For the Lions they were on zero points after the 1st round and in with a shout as the 2nd round commenced. With the organisers adjusting the format of the competition by cancelling the subsequent jump-off round it made some interesting decisions to be made by ALL 1st round clear round competitors – to go for individual honours or ride for their team. For North team orders prevailed and the Lions jumped their hearts out and finished a brilliant 4th place (out of nearly 20 teams) and just out of the qualifying places. For Becky Thomas her day was rounded off when she won the Individual competition so will take a well deserved place at the Novice Championships. Well ridden girls and congratulations Becky!
Intermediate – our team of Katie Vernon/Blue, Georgia Drummond/Lady, Tabitha Ridley Thomas/Freckles, Emmie Davidson-Slack/Molly were our representatives here. The team were lying in a strong position at the end of the 1st round being the only team on zero points but again jumping to the revised formatand in an arena the size of a postage stamp compared to the Novice’s arena nail biting turns were not an option – however the girls were united as a team! Nerve and tapped poles held and they WON!! Draycott Manor and the Championships here they come. The icing on a missing ‘Pedley’ cake (Junior mounted games joke) was that Katie also won the Individual competition with Emmie finishing 2nd but due to qualifying criteria their entries were handed down BUT what a result for them – huge pats on backs for the girls and their ponies!
A fantastic day for Cheshire Hunt North – don’t you agree? Our thanks to David (Llewellyn) for his time and support. It was great to hand over your child and avoid the potential nervous grief from them. Good luck to those whose journey continues…
Footnote from Joan - What a fantastic day! Our thanks also to the Team Managers on the day, in addition to Pennie who was the branch representative.