Sisters in sparkling form as Northern Impulsion excel

The most recent was at the British Young Rider Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) Inter Regional competition at Keysoe College Equestrian Centre, which was won by the team Northern Impulsion.

The annual competition is organised by British Dressage and was well supported this year with 36 teams of young riders from across the country competing over two days.

Northern Impulsion finished on 25 points, 18 points ahead of Wales Teifi in second place. North West Gigolo were third and the Northern Collection team came fourth.

The members of the winning team were Millie Moncrieff, nine, from Harrogate; Harriet Walker-Smith, 12, from Derby and sisters Beth and Roxanne Shipley, aged 14 and 17, respectively, from York.

Beth and Roxanne both gained top three places on the two days. Beth’s performances won her the title of National B squad champion while Roxanne came second in A squad, which qualified her for the A squad championships later this month. She will be joined there by fellow Northern region rider Alex Hellings, who finished second in the A squad section.

The National C squad title was won by Harriet Walker-Smith riding John Boy George. Hannah Smith-Hilliard on the Medicine Man was placed fourth in the C squad championship and British Dressage newcomer Milly Petchell rode Murphy to take fifth place in the Fledgling championship.

“I was overwhelmed by the number of talented riders at the competition and felt very proud to be part of it,” said Sarah Huntridge, the Northern region’s dressage officer.

“I am delighted with the team’s success and thrilled that we now have three consecutive titles in the Northern region.”

Richard Davison, who has been selected to ride as an individual at the London Olympics, will be giving his popular dressage master class at the Horse of the Year Show in October.

Davison, who, at 57, will be Britain’s oldest athlete, will be riding the Countess of Derby’s 13-year-old bay gelding Artemis at what will be his fourth Olympic Games.

A European medallist, he has scored a number of international wins and placings with Artemis and finished fifth in this year’s Reem Acra FEI World Cup.

During his master class at HOYS, he will be training some up-and-coming horses and riders and demonstrating techniques that will help them improve their performances.

The summer fair organised by the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust’s donkey sanctuary at Eccup, Leeds attracted over 3,000 visitors last year.

The organisers of this year’s event, which is tomorrow, are hoping to make it even bigger and better.

The main attraction will be Galloping Acrobatics performed by Rosie Howard, a former member of the British vaulting team, with her two horses. The display is a mix of gymnastic, acrobatic and equestrian skills.

Other events include a karate demonstration and a fun dog show. Some of the centre’s donkeys will also be on hand to give cart rides. For more information, call 0113 261 9249.

Delighted to have Olympics Buzz back

THE past week has produced a roller-coaster of emotions for both Nicola Wilson and Rosemary Search.

As we reported earlier in the week, Wilson and Opposition Buzz, owned and bred by Search, will now be part of Britain’s eventing team at the London Olympics.

They replace Piggy French and her horse DHI Topper, who, following an injury, will not be fit to compete.

It was a surprise to many people when Nicola was named as a reserve for the team which includes Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Zara Phillips.

“We were gutted, I did expect we would be in the first time round,” said Rosemary. “But I feel so sorry for Piggy, to have both her horses lame, I can’t think of anything worse.”

Opposition Buzz has acquired quite a fan club and was being cheered on last weekend as he jumped the cross-country course in characteristic style at Barbury Horse Trials, where he finished seventh. “He did a fantastic show-jumping round and cross-country,” said Rosemary. “We have been so depressed and now to be so elated...”

Wilson and her support team at home near Northallerton have spent the past year preparing for Olympic selection.

“Not a single day has gone by without thinking about our preparations,” she said.

“He feels the best he’s ever felt and to be given this opportunity is an enormous honour and really has made a dream come true, having told myself it wouldn’t happen. He is a very special little horse with very big ideas and always tries so hard, we’ll definitely be ready.”

Raffi is getting back in the saddle after pregnant pause

IT has been an eventful year for one of the winners of the Country Catwalk competition at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The aim was to find would-be models who lived and worked in the countryside and the winners were Thomas Lund, from Malton, and Raffaelle Guy, from near Wetherby.

Raffi, 25, who is a keen rider, was also competing at the Great Yorkshire in the heavyweight hunter class. She plans to compete in the same class again at next week’s show, even though she is only just back in the saddle after the birth of her son, Jensen, who is nine weeks old.

Raffi’s main interest has been in show-jumping but one of the family’s horses, Jack Cole, turned out to be more suited to the show ring.

He has been produced for them by Magnus Nicholson, who also helped Raffi learn more about the techniques of showing. Next week, they will compete against each other in the ridden hunter section.

Barlow Show, which was cancelled last month due to Bakewell showground being waterlogged, will take place next weekend at the same venue.

The two-day show, which includes showing, jumping and dressage classes, is in support of the Barlow Hounds and is run by hunt members and supporters.