Whitaker hoping Mill River will be one for the future

The bay filly is the double of Peppermill, says Jan, and has been named Mill River.

This is also the first foal for the show-jumping dam Poshrat, whose sire is the famous stallion Stanhopes Diddicoy.

"Everyone was very excited about it here," said Jan. "To have the first foal of a major show-jumping stallion born here in Yorkshire is a thrill and both mare and foal are fine. We were all delighted, including John, who hopes the filly will have a show-jumping career ahead of her."

Peppermill, owned by Rebecca Stones, has been ridden by John Whitaker for the past four years.

It has been a very successful partnership which has included winning the Grand Prix in San Patrignana and in Rome and winning the 90,000 Grand Prix at the 2009 Global Champions Tour in Valencia.

Peppermill has been the anchor in 17 Nations Cup teams in the last three years and was part of the British team at the Beijing Olympic Games. The pair had a break from competing last year when Peppermill's exuberant jumping caused John to fall and break his ankle.

He rates Peppermill as one of the best horses he has ridden and they are now aiming for the World Equestrian Games and the London Olympics.

RIDERS at grassroots level get a chance to compete at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials for the first time next week.

The event attracts the world's top riders and this year, the Mitsubishi Grassroots BE90 and BE100 Championships will be run alongside the main event.

British Eventing has run the existing series for five years and wanted to take it to a new level. A total of 170 riders have qualified at regional events.

The dressage and show-jumping sections will be held where the steeplechase course used to be, while the cross-country course will go out into the park via the lake, Huntsman's Close and the Quarry.

"The newly-designed 3,000m-long course will provide riders with a real sense of achievement on completion," said a spokesman for British Eventing.

THERE will be a chance to see the horses and find out more about the work of the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre when the charity holds an open day on May 9.

The centre has been at Whinney Hill, a former dairy farm, at Halton near Lancaster since 2006.

The open day, between 11am and 4pm, will include displays of riding, a parade of horses and other events as well as stalls, trade stands and a bouncy castle.

The centre relies heavily on donations and costs around 1,500 a day to run. Tickets are 5 and 3 for concessions and can be bought at the gate on the day. For more information call 01524 812649 or go to www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk.

THE Pope's visit in September has meant a change of plan for British Dressage.

Huge crowds are expected to descend on Coventry airport on September 19 to welcome him and the nearby Stoneleigh Park has been designated as a coach park.

Many of the roads in the area will also be closed for the weekend. Consequently, the National Dressage Championships, planned for that weekend at Stoneleigh, will be held a week earlier – September 9-12.

Nichols drives on to capture his place in Windsor's National Championships

MEMBERS of the North Eastern Driving Trials Group enjoyed their first outdoor event of the year in fine weather at Escrick Park, York.

Fifty drivers from Yorkshire and beyond took part in 12 classes, which included two qualifiers for the National Championships to be held at Windsor in September.

The winner of the Novice Horse qualifier was Steve Nichols, from Thirsk. Steve and wife Janet won the dressage phase by a good margin and despite competition from Halifax's John Wilkinson, who won the marathon phase, Steve kept his lead to win through.

Results

Pre-Novice: Jodie Dick, Richmond. Novice Pony: Anne Hampshire, Ossett. Novice Horse: Penny Hartley, Bingley. Intermediate Pony: Birgitta Kronqvist, York. Intermediate Horse: Graham Heath, Louth. Open Pony: Glenys Ellis, Wakefield. Open Horse: Patti Atkinson, Durham. Pairs: Chris Hillman, Cumbria. Tandems/Teams: Pat Cooper, Wetherby

NQ Pony: Emily Ham, Brecon. NQ Horse: Steve Nichols, Thirsk.

CW 24/4/10