Stepping-stone to success at college

As well as running their own affiliated horse trials, the college will be staging the Northern Area final of of the new BE100 Under-18 programme.

This was introduced by British Eventing last year and is designed to provide experience for riders competing against their own age group, while being both fun and educational.

It also provides a stepping-stone up to Pony selection or the Open Novice Under-18 regional programme.

The Hutton-on-the-Forest Horse Trials, which were to be the venue of the final, were cancelled due to bad weather and Bishop Burton was asked to step in.

“It’s fantastic to hear that we have yet again been awarded a high-profile competition,” said Kim Knightley, the college’s equine director.

The BE100 Under-18 event follows a number of other major equestrian competitions hosted by the college, including the 2010 European Pony Championships and most recently, a two-star International Para competition.

The horse trials will run on October 1 and 2 with the BE Under-18 event running alongside. Entries have closed for the horse trials but tickets for spectators will be available on the gate on both days.

THE Rockwood Harriers Pony Club has qualified for the mounted games Prince Philip Cup at the Horse of the Year Show for a fifth time.

This year the team will have the luxury of a horse box with accommodation provided by Equi-Trek, from Meltham.

The company supplies horse boxes to many of the country’s top riders, including John and Michael Whitaker, Oliver Townend and Robert Smith. Now the young Pony Club riders, who needed accommodation at HOYS, will be able to stay on site in the Voyager Excel.

Coach Alma Brambles said: “It’s exciting for the youngsters, up at 5am and back to bed at 11pm, during the gruelling week. Let’s hope it’s all worth it and wish our children’s team all the best.”

THE first of the qualifying competitions for the Nicola Wilson Indoor Equestrian Challenge final took place at Richmond Equestrian Centre. There were five classes, ranging in height from 65cm to 1.05m, where competitors jumped a mixture of cross-country and show-jumping fences.

The winning riders in each class were:

Class 1, Mr Bumble 65cm, Rhea Scott with Little Miss Bedrock. Class 2, Skiver Intro 75cm, Heather Cameron with Coco. Class 3, Annie Clover pre novice 85cm, Sheila MacDougall with Ron. Class 4, Bee Diplomatic novice 95cm, Alex Deighton with Mr Red Radish. Class 5, Opposition Buzz open 1.05m, Lucy Quigley with Peggy Brown.

Other qualifying competitions are being held on October 16, November 5, December 4 and 11. For more information go to www.richmondequestriancentre.co.uk

THE Therapy to Sport day, hosted by British Dressage Northern Region and Yorkshire and Cleveland Riding for the Disabled, is at Middleton Park Equestrian Centre in Leeds on Sunday, October 9. Speakers include team GB members Simon Laurens and Sophie Wells, who will demonstrate her winning Kur (dressage to music) performance riding Valerius. More information from organiser Cathy Burrell on 0791 2448732.

PONY racing takes over at Beverley racecourse on Sunday, organised by the Holderness Hunt branch of the Pony Club. There will be six races with the first starting at 1pm.

Entry for the public is free and there will be bookies on hand.

More information from Pam Ireland on 01964 550244.

Results

Nidderdale Show – Brood mare/foal at foot: 1, G Clough, Dothan Ruby; Foal-colt-filly: 1, G Clough, Laurel Bank Royal Butterfly; Yearling-colt-filly-gelding: 1, Miss A Stott, Batley Harry; Two-year-old-colt-filly-gelding: 1, K Downs, Milnerfield Emma; Barren mare-filly-gelding three years & over: 1, R Bedford, Hartcliff Lady Margaret, 2, Milnerfield Lady Ruth, 3, CA Wilkins, Oaklodge Laura. Champion: Hartcliffe Lady Margaret, reserve, Dothan Ruby.

Hannah has top prospect

TANTALIZE, a filly foal by the famous dressage stallion Moorlands Totilas, is tipped for the top.

Owned jointly by the Esberger and Woodcock families and Joanne Hobson, the foal was awarded an Elite premium, with a score of 9.14, at the BEF Futurity Evaluations at Keysoe.

The aim is to identify British-bred potential sport horses. Joanne bred Tantalize from Hanoverian mare, Delphi, by Dimaggio. Delphi was originally bought in Germany by Olivia Carter as a foal, with the intention of becoming a flagship brood mare.

But when Olivia’s circumstances changed, she gave Delphi to Hannah Esberger-Shepherd to compete. When Delphi retired due to injury, Joanne Hobson took over ownership.

Hannah’s mother, Pauline Esberger, said: “We are so excited about what Tantalize may go on to do. Hannah will in time break her in and compete her.”