Diplomatic approach by Wilson in preparation for Burghley test

No sooner do the members of our senior eventing team return from competing at the FEI European Eventing Championships, currently taking place in Germany, than they will be heading for Lincolnshire and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, which begin on Thursday.

Among them is Northallerton-based Nicola Wilson, who with Opposition Buzz has been the gold medal-winning team’s pathfinder for the past two years.

Before leaving for the European Championships in Luhmuhlen, Nicola celebrated retaining her Scottish Open Championship title for the third time at Blair International Horse Trials.

After winning the title in 2009 and 2010 riding Opposition Buzz, this year she rode his half-brother, Bee Diplomatic, to victory.

“I am thrilled that Bee Diplomatic is proving to be an exciting horse and a good back up to Opposition Buzz and obviously delighted for Rosemary (Search) who bred them both,” said Nicola.

Nicola and Opposition Buzz were seventh at Badminton Horse Trials earlier this year, while at Burghley she will be riding Bee Diplomatic.

There has been a record number of entries for this year’s Burghley Horse Trials, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, including nine former winners.

William Fox-Pitt already has five Burghley wins to his credit and has entered six contenders from his stable, including Cool Mountain and Neuf des Coeurs.

Yorkshireman Oliver Townend will ride his 2009 winning partner, Carousel Quest, and has also entered Imperial Master. Burghley will be the first four-star event for this horse.

Mary King, who won in 1996 with Star Appeal, will be taking Kings Temptress and Apache Source.

Laura Collett, who made her British senior squad debut at the European Championships, could do well with Noble Bestman and the experienced Lucy Wiegersma, with either Shaabrak or Woodfalls Inigo Jones, could also be a contender.

Zara Phillips, who was second at Burghley in 2003 with the recently retired Toytown, returns with the Irish-bred High Kingdom. Keep an eye open, too, for Beverley’s Gary Parsonage and Fernhill O’Dea.

British riders will face some strong opposition from overseas as many international riders are based in the UK preparing for the London Olympics next year.

Leading the New Zealand contingent is Andrew Nicholson, who must be among the favourites. The Spanish-bred Nereo or his full brother, Armada, could give Nicholson his third win here.

Eventing legend Mark Todd and Major Milestone could well climb up the leaderboard after the cross-country, as they illustrated at Gatcombe.

Last year’s winner, Caroline Powell, will be defending her title with the evergreen Lenamore and Blyth Tait, who won Burhgley in 1998 and 2001, will be making a comeback to four-star competition.

The German rider Kai Ruder, who won his first British title at Bramham Horse Trials in June, should be worth watching as will be the former French world champion Jean Telere.

Seeking a sponsor for tilt at 2012 Games

EAST Yorkshire Para rider Gerry Savage has been selected to ride at the European Para Dressage Championships to be held in Moorsele, Belgium next week.

Gerry, who rides for the Irish team, is hoping to achieve scores that will be good enough to keep her on the team for next year’s Paralympics in London.

Gerry was born in Dublin but has spent much of her life in Yorkshire. She suffers from a neurological disability that affects her balance and co-ordination and this year she has also been struggling with a back injury, sustained while working with her horse earlier in the year.

“If you want to achieve your goals, you have to forget your disability and work on your ability, together with a great deal of determination,” says Gerry.

Earlier this month, she returned to international competition in the CPED1 three star event at Hartpury and also rode in the RDA Championships at the same venue, winning both her dressage and freestyle classes with scores of 75.9 per cent and 77.8 per cent.

Now that she has stepped up a league, Gerry is in need of sponsorship as she has to increase her level of training. She will be expected to attend training camps, along with her horse, every couple of months in preparation for next year’s Olympics. She can be contacted at [email protected].

* THE RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield and district horse show is being held on Saturday at Hopton Horse Centre, Kirkheaton. Schedules and entry forms at www.rspca-halifaxandhuddersfield.org.uk.

Juniors lead the way with historic first triumph for Bramham Moor

THERE have been major celebrations for members of the Bramham Moor Pony Club recently.

Not only were they the only branch to qualify teams in the junior, intermediate and senior mounted games sections at the Pony Club Championships but the juniors became the first Bramham Moor team in history to win the national title.

The juniors were up against stiff competition, particularly from the Watkin William Wyn’s branch, winners on several occasions, and the Cheshire North.

The Bramham team comprised Anna Jessop, Amy Hunt, Emilia Proctor, Molly Robinson and Molly Beadle, who rode Cameo, Toffee, Rodney, Ralf and Lucky.

“They went into the last race with a narrow lead, needing to be higher than third to take the title,” said Claire Proctor. “The girls held their nerve, which is more than can be said for the parents and, in breathtaking form, won the race and therefore the championships.”

The Pony Club Championships host the annual finals for members in a number of disciplines including dressage and dressage to music, show-jumping, eventing,mounted games and polo-crosse. Other competitions include horse and pony care, centre equitation and a musical ride.

Over 1,800 Pony Club members competed in four days of events after qualifying through regional competitions.

Two teams from Low Fold Equestrian Centre at Little Lepton, Huddersfield took part in the centre equitation competition.

Chloe Mohan, Becky Oldroyd, Megan Roebuck and Nicole Mohan in team one won the tack and turnout section and fourth place went to team two comprising Helen Lockwood, Sarah Lockwood, Beth Hoddinot and Caroline McKee Wood.

Team one were also placed third overall and individual places were: 1, Megan Roebuck; 3, Becky Oldroyd; 7, Nicole Mohan; 10, Caroline McKee Wood.