Polo stars aim for the Summit in annual cup

Yorkshire sides will be battling it out over the two days in the Summit Cup tournament. Also on the programme this year is a Pro-Am tournament, when teams of beginners will compete against each other, each side supported by a professional player.

Teams will also be competing in the Charlie Phillips Cup over the weekend, so there will be plenty of action for spectators who are welcome to go along and take a picnic. Admission is 15 per car.

Tonight there's a Big Top themed fancy dress party at the ground which will include entertainment by members of Gerry Cottles' Circus. Polo will also be featuring at tomorrow's family day at Doncaster racecourse when members of the Vale of York Polo Club will be giving demonstrations.

"Polo can give ex-racehorses an excellent new career," said Paul Piddington of the Vale of York club which is based at Bawtry.

"They are clever, quick and athletic and they make perfect polo ponies."

Four teams from the club will be playing demonstration matches in between races tomorrow.

Eight-year-old Olivia Maltby from Doncaster took the overall supreme championships at the Lancashire Championships (BSPS Area 2B) held at Dilworth Bottoms, near Ribchester.

Olivia was riding the five-year-old part bred Dartmoor pony, Chagford Leon by Lechlade Quince out of Wendel Leonie, bred by Sue Lee and Tracy Potter from Sowerby Bridge and produced by Katy Carter who produced Leon's full brother Chagford Lewis last season. Olivia and Leon took the novice and premier league championships after winning the 128cm show pony sections. Olivia will be making her debut at the Royal International after qualifying at BSPS Area 4B, Grantham.

Georgia Butterworth from Ilkley won the Intermediate Championship riding the nine-year-old Fleetwater Xecutive which was the winner in Search for a Star in 2007. Georgia also won the 153cm show hunter riding Pendle First Light, both produced by the Hollings Stable.

Phoebe Borrowdale,14, a pupil at Queen Ethelburgas College, won the 138cm show pony and reserve champion riding Colbeach Elegance. Freya Cade scored a double championship with Westway Twilight Rose and Trannon Pippin, produced by the Emmerson family, Stokesley.

Claudia Pye from Skipton won the 148cm novice show pony riding the five-year-old Stanley Grange Illusive by the Australian bred sire Willowcroft Regal Bronze, bred by Jerome Harforth. Nina Dickinson riding Springwater Hilight.

Haywood turns injury into a springboard to success

FILEY rider Rowan Haywood, 17, is enjoying a busy eventing season following a setback last year when she broke her femur in a crashing fall at Burnham Market riding a young horse.

Determined to be back in action as soon as possible, Rowan was back competing again after 10 weeks but suffered another blow when her main horse became lame and had to have several months of box rest.

Both horse and rider are now fully recovered and Rowan is competing in as many Open International Under 21 events as possible, hoping to catch the eye of the GB team selectors. She has also moved up to CIC two-star level and is aiming to qualify for the championships at the end of the year.

"She has brought on her own horses – we have three at the moment – and worked so hard to get back riding again after her accident," said David Haywood, Rowan's father. So far this year in the OIU21 competitions she has entered, Rowan has finished in the top 10 on five occasions.

The West Riding Group of Endurance GB will be running its second competitive ride near Holmfirth on July 18.

The Last of the Summer Wine ride will cover some rugged Pennine terrain with spectacular views. Part of the route will be on the Trans Pennine trail between Millhouses and Dunford Bridge. There will also be routes of 20 and 15 miles for pleasure riders and these rides are open to non members. For more information call Julie Martin on 01484 681423 or 07742638973.

Are you a happy hacker and interested in developing off-road riding in your area? The BHS would like to hear from you if so and is particularly looking for volunteers in South Yorkshire. A get-together is being held in Penistone on June 29. For details contact Georgina Hartley on 01226 766458.

CW 12/6/10