Royal show compensation for Gemma and What A Day

GEMMA REED and her aptly named grey gelding, What A Day, had plenty to celebrate at the Yorkshire Sport Horse summer show at Carlton Husthwaite, near Thirsk.

There was just one hitch. Winning the Middleweight Hunter class meant they qualified for the Horse of the Year Show, which would have been a first for them.

Unfortunately, they will not be eligible to compete because Chris McGrann, who teaches Gemma, will be judging the class at HOYS.

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"I did want to qualify because it's good for the horse, I'm just disappointed we can't take part," said Gemma.

However, they have already qualified for the Royal International at the end of July in three classes, which Gemma is delighted about.

"I've been going to Chris for lessons for two years. He's really good and has filled me with confidence," said Gemma.

She was particularly pleased to have won the Middleweight class at the Yorkshire Sport Horse Show, as she beat the very successful Katie Jerram and Woodfall Indo, the 2009 Dublin Champion Horse.

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Gemma also came second in the Ladies Side Saddle class, another good result for What A Day in only his second side saddle competition. On his first outing at Hambleton Show he won the class.

Gemma, 28, who lives in Keighley, works full-time as an office manager and looks after the horse herself which she keeps with friends.

She bought him as a three-year-old and he is now seven.

"I just saw him and fell in love with him," she said.

Last year they won the Novice Hunter class and took the championship at the Great Yorkshire Show and were fourth at the Royal International in the Amateur Hunter class.

"I'm hoping for as good a season this year," said Gemma.

More than 100 riders from as far away as Oxfordshire and County Durham took part in the recent Endurance GB ride at Wharncliffe Chase.

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The ride was partly on the Trans Pennine Trail and in the woods on a very hot Saturday and a wet Sunday.

The honours in the long distance ride of 102km over two days went to Suzanne Chamberlain from New Mills in Derbyshire on Night Owl, who finished with a Grade One.

Yorkshire riders Anya Dawson and Ruby Two from Cleckheaton; Bev Corrigan and Zoe's Flight from Meltham; Jayne Young from Pocklington and Jill Glover from Catterick all achieved Grade Ones in the 34km and 40km classes.

Bev was part of the Holme Valley Riding Club team of four that qualified for the Endurance Great Britain Riding Club Championships in September. The other Holme Valley team members are Mark Corrigan, Barbara Glover and Alma Bramble.

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A large field also started in the non-competitive event on the first day, which was a fund raiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

A small group of riders took part in a TREC competition organised by the BHS Yorkshire regional committee at Wink House Farm on the Frickley estate.

The first day was warm and sunny for the orienteering section but on the second day rain made the course for the control of gaits and the obstacles a little slippery.

Winners of the Pairs section were Rachel Wilmott and Jean Oldham from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

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Wendy Wright from Derbyshire won the individual class with Emma Davison (Pontefract) and Liz Payne (Doncaster) in second and third places.

They were all competing and Level 2 and next year the organisers hope to put on a Level 1 competition to attract newcomers to the sport.

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