Champion Pat proves age is no barrier

Leading from the front for North Ryedale Riding Club was veteran Pat Anderson at 66 years old!

Anderson formed part of a quality quartet that helped the Appleton Le Moors club scoop Hartpury’s Riding Club Novice Indoor Show Jumping Championships.

A fine weekend for the White Rose county was capped with East Yorkshire Riding Club also winning Hartpury’s National Dressage Championships.

North Ryedale became the first from Yorkshire to scoop the accolade in only their second visit to the competition with Jen Foster, Vicki Seller and Kayleigh Marwood also excelling in the saddle.

All of the team’s riders live within five miles of Rosedale Abbey – a small village in the North Yorkshire Moors – with team trainers Fiona Foster and Ann Sibsey also crucial to the Yorkshire club’s success.

Foster – mother of winning-team member Jen – has resigned from her role to concentrate on competing herself with last weekend’s event allowing the training star to bow out in style.

Daughter Jen is also the club’s membership secretary who said they were thrilled with their success.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for such a local club and it’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication to reach the title of national champions,” said Jen Foster.

“This was only the second time a North Ryedale senior team had qualified for the championships – and the only time a Yorkshire team has won at the finals.

“Team spirits were high all weekend, as we were just so excited to be at the championships.

“The horses all jumped to their best ability, which inevitably proved too much for the other 28 teams.”

North Ryedale’s quest for success began back in October when they qualified for the event at the regional stages.

The club – based at Hamley Hagg – beat 26 other teams after a fierce jump-off at Bishop Burton College.

Six months later came the national finals in which Anderson set the standard riding first.

Anderson, riding her own home-bred horse Starlight Temptress, jumped a double clear, setting the standard for the three younger members of the team, whose combined ages only make 65.

After the veteran’s zero score was matched by another nine teams, all was to play for approaching the second round with Seller next out for North Ryedale on board Marbles.

Seller also went clear and was followed by Marwood on Aurburn Rattle, who tipped the last fence.

The pressure was suddenly on for North Ryedale but inspirational Anderson then posted another foot-perfect round.

With only three scores allowed to count, the scales were tipped back in North Ryedale’s favour but they still needed a final clear round from Jen Foster and her reserve novice horse Ryemanor Iroco.

Everything went according to plan for the final representative, leaving her team with a zero score.

The high standard and pressure proved too much for the remainder of the opposition leaving North Ryedale champions.

Foster admits the success could not have been possible without the efforts of class act Anderson – nicknamed ‘Auntie Pat’ by her riding club.

“Pat has been at the championships on several occasions, both riding for other teams and travelling down as team mascot,” said Foster. “And after training several times a week, Pat and her home-bred horse Starlight Temptress were most definitely on top of their game.

“Pat also provided a caravan and lots of food to keep the team going over the weekend and we would all like to say thank you for her hard work and commitment to our team. It wouldn’t have been the same without her.

“We would also like to thank Fiona and Ann, our two team trainers. Fiona has now resigned from the post as she wants to take up the reins herself and start competing within the teams. But this was her last competition in charge, and she certainly went out on a high.”

North Ryedale’s junior team were runners-up in their competition.

Simply Smashing aims to be on the mark and atone in Grimthorpe

THE Grimthorpe Gold Cup will take centre stage as the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point season continues with the Middleton Point-to-Point at Whitwell on the Hill tomorrow.

A total of 127 entries have been received for a seven-race card highlighted by the four miles and one furlong Grimthorpe – the feature race of the Yorkshire season.

Twenty entries have been received for the afternoon’s showpiece, including Simply Smashing, who was first past the post last year only to be disqualified for missing one of the markers.

Among his opponents will be Elusive Swallow, who looks likely to relish the extended trip.

Admission to the course, which provides hillside viewing, is £10 per adult with under-16s admitted free to the course which is located on the A64 on the outskirts of Malton. There will also be home-made refreshments and trade stands.

On the eventing front, in-form Huddersfield ace Oliver Townend will look to continue his super start to 2013 at Weston Park in Shropshire this weekend.

Armada will head the Yorkshireman’s charge alongside fellow advanced performers Douglas, Imperial Master, Neo du Breuil and Outside Chance.

In the novice division, Townend will be represented by Ballaghmor Class, Cooley Q, Cooley SRS, Garrybritt Daisy and Royale Sam.

From there, Townend will move on to Sapey in Herefordshire next Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an appearance at Belton Park next Friday.

A new venue has been added to stage one of the 2013 qualifiers for the South Essex Insurance Brokers Search For A Star and the Racehorse to Riding Horse Show Championships.

Olney Ground Equestrian Centre in Rugby will stage a qualifier on Sunday, May 19 with the first 2013 qualifier being held on Sunday, April 28 at Osbaldeston Equestrian Centre in Blackburn.

All roads lead to the final of both championships at the Horse Of The Year Show at Birmingham’s NEC Arena which will begin on Wednesday, October 9.