Ilkley put in star performance

And one star act in particular is certainly due a well-earned cut from the action.

Ilkley’s Marilena Bannister, Tabby Bentley, Nicky Burrows and Rebecca Wolfenden helped the Ilkley and District team to glory in the Senior Team Showjumping event at the Great Yorkshire Showground last weekend.

But there was little time for Wolfenden to overdo the celebrations with the Ilkley ace having also been performing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this week as the leading lady in Guys and Dolls.

Busy Wolfenden had two acting performances last Saturday and a free day in her hectic schedule to turn her attentions to showjumping on the Sunday.

The Yorkshire star was at least able to enjoy one full day off – on Monday – but on Tuesday evening it was back to the West Yorkshire Playhouse where Ilkley & District Riding Association’s chairman Carol Dawson was among her fans.

Dawson was delighted with her team’s triumph last weekend as they went one better than last year – and also mightily impressed with the versatility of Wolfenden.

“I said to her ‘you were a star on Sunday for our club and a star on the stage,’” said Dawson. “She had a day off on Monday but after that it was back on the stage on Tuesday night and for the rest of the week. To come first was a fabulous result for our club.

“It is a fabulous competition, very competitive but a wonderful experience for the riders to be able to compete in the Main Arena.”

Wolfenden was on board Whitmore with Bannister on Corlande and Bentley on IIandian Gladiator.

Burrows, meanwhile, rode Currantarmuid Charleston as Ilkley beat off competition from 13 other teams in the senior section.

Each team jumped two rounds, taking the best three scores from each round.

The best six teams then went head-to-head in a jump off with Ilkley qualifying into the final jump off and finishing on a zero score and with the fastest time to take first place.

Hailing her other stars alongside Wolfenden, Dawson enthused: “Tabby and Rebecca jumped three fabulous clear rounds for us and certainly proved themselves to be valuable members of the team again this year.

“Last year we came second with a slightly different team, but Tabby and Rebecca were in the team then.

“We were delighted to go one better than last year.”

Holderness Hunt Pony Club are staging another pony racing day to be held at Beverley Race Course on Sunday, October 7.

The event is open to all pony club members aged 10-15 on January 1 2012.

Secretary Avril Russell said: “We are trying to promote the event, which in the past has had some success, but we would like to try and encourage more pony club members to join in both boys and girls.”

Wetherby racecourse are also staging a charity race meeting at Wetherby on Wednesday, October 17 in aid of spinal injuries.

The Rosemary Search-owned Opposition Buzz – known as Dodie at home – will be making a special appearance in the ring and people will be able to have their photos taken with him.

Olympic silver medallist Nicola Wilson will also be present and for more information contact Michelle on 01483 898786.

Graham Harland will hold a talk about horses’ feet on Tuesday, October 16 at Mid Yorkshire Golf Club, Darrington.

Starting at 7pm, Harland will perform a hoof dissection, demonstrating the make up of the hoof, injuries and how it performs.

There is no admission charge to the event and for further information contact Amy on 07808 141074 or email [email protected] for further details.

The countdown is well and truly on to next weekend’s Horse Of The Year Show 2012 at Birmingham’s NEC Arena.

Five days of top-class action and dazzling displays begin next Wednesday with the show running until a week tomorrow – October 7.

Among the Yorkshire representation is Osmotherley’s Samantha Osborne, who has qualified Stevey’s Lad for the South Essex Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship as well as Time Out in the Hack and Large Intermediate Show Riding Type classes.

Hoping to be a junior star is Oakenshaw’s nine-year-old Isabella Worthington who has qualified her Milford Mayfair for the Mountain and Moorland First Ridden.