Phil Brown: Calm before storm ahead of anticipated debut international

Miss Brodie had her second run at Advanced level and Harry Robinson competed in the Novice, his second try at the level. Miss Brodie found this level of dressage a little exciting again and added a few moves of her own but she jumped fantastic rounds with just one down in the SJ and clear XC.

Harry Robinson did a nice dressage test, had a fence in the SJ and a steady clear XC as he is new to the level.

Sadly, I did not make it to Bramham as a competitor this year, missing out on qualification by just one penalty but, as always, I enjoyed a few days off as a spectator. It was great to see two Yorkshire winners in Nicola Wilson and Holly Woodhead, as well as my mentor from my working pupil days, Ruth Edge, picking up sixth in the CIC***.

The PC Area competitions are in full swing so I have been busy as team trainer for the Derwent Hunt branch. The Area dressage has been our most successful competition so far with all of the participating members taking home either a team or individual rosette. Our Novice team just missed out on Championship qualification by one place but Harriet Stephenson won her arena and has qualified as an individual.

As well as this, one of our Junior members, Lauren Mcnichol enjoyed a fantastic last competition on her pony Jack. She not only won her arena in the Junior competition and took a top-six finish in the Novice sections but won the Junior ride-off to become this year’s Area 3 Junior Champion.

This weekend we are competing at Skipton Horse Trials and the following month sees a potential first International for Harry Robinson in the CIC* at Great Witchingham. I have also organised days with SJ course training at Port Royal EEC on July 2 and XC training at Carr Farm Equestrian Sat 11th July.

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