Stars of the future heading to college

Last summer the college was the venue for the FEI Pony European Championships and next week a three-day international para equestrian dressage competition will be held there.

The CPED one and two-star event is for junior and young riders and is considered a vital competition in terms of development for these riders and those hoping to be on teams in the future.

For many it will be their first taste of taking part in an international competition.

British riders who have been involved in this competition in the past and who are now world and Olympic medallists include Sophie Christianson, Sophie Wells and Emma Sheardown.

Yorkshire will have its fair share of competitors, including Natasha Adkinson, from Bawtry, who is on the sport’s world-class development programme, Fiona Maynard, from York, Amy Franks, from Shipley and Heather Bennett, from Goole.

Kim Knightley, the college’s equine director, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the venue for this prestigious competition and we are looking forward to hosting and supporting these riders as they embark on their international careers.”

Amanda Bond, chief executive of British Dressage, said she was pleased that the event was being held in the North and added: “With a growing number of athletes in the sport, a quality event at this level is vital to ensure the riders get international experience in a supportive environment.”

The competition will run from July 22 to 24. For more information call 01964 553087 or go to www.bishopburton.ac.uk.

After competing at Bishop Burton, international para dressage rider Fiona Maynard will be taking some time out to do a demonstration at Sutton and Huby Show on July 31.

Fiona, who is partially sighted, will ride with her trainer in a Pas de Deux freestyle.

The aim is to try and make dressage appeal to a wider audience.

Laura Rafferty-Trow, from the Yorkshire Equine Business Forum, said: “We want the demo to make a big impact. We’re having upbeat music and lots of razzle-dazzle on the horses.

“We want to show that dressage is fun and it is entertaining.”

Fiona will be taking her two top horses to the show, Commanding Officer and United E.

The demonstration will start at 12.45pm.

For more information go to www.yorkshireequinebf.co.uk.

ENDURANCE rider Bev Corrigan from Meltham recently completed what she describes as a “monumental” ride over Exmoor.

“The Golden Horseshoe is the most famous endurance ride in the country with some of the most demanding terrain,” said Bev, who completed the ride on her horse, Zoe’s Flight.

“Having progressed from novice and open, we competed in the advanced category and completed 80km over two days.”

The success of the horse and rider is determined by strict veterinary examinations and they must complete the course within a certain time to result in an average speed. Bev completed the ride in 6hrs and 30mins with an average speed of 12.5kph, resulting in a gold award.

Riders travel from all over the world to take part in this ride and eventing champion Mary King tried it for the first time. She rode the first half, which she completed at 12.8kph, fast enough to be listed for a gold award had she completed the second day at a similar speed and clear of any veterinary penalties.

Wilson stays on course for Olympics

THE squad of six horses and riders who will represent Britain at the Senior Eventing Championships in Luhmuhlen, Germany in August was announced this week by British Eventing.

This is the last senior event in Europe before the London Olympics.

The squad includes Northallerton’s Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz and making her debut at senior level is 21-year-old Laura Collett riding Rayef.

Also selected are William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain; Piggy French and Jakata; Mary King and Imperial Cavalier and Polly Stockton and Westwood Poser.

Polly makes a return to the squad after taking a year off last year to have her son.

“I am so pleased that we have been selected as he (Opposition Buzz) been such a consistent horse,” said Nicola. “It’s just lovely for our whole support team at home.”

All six riders will compete as individuals with four riders selected at the event to compete as a team.

A NEW horse show is being held at the Northern Racing College, Doncaster on July 31. The event is a fund-raiser for the college and there will be a wide variety of classes.

These include traditional showing classes, both in-hand and ridden, including a class for ex-racehorses and unaffiliated show-jumping. Entries will be taken on the day.

For more information call Alison Harris on 01977 795450 or Sarah Walker at the Northern Racing College on 01302 861000.