Whitaker's birthday boost as ban lifted

Last year, at an event in La Baule, France, Whitaker's horse Tackeray tested positive for a prohibited substance.

He was suspended from competing for four months and, in accordance with BOA rules, he was automatically excluded from selection for Team GB at future Olympic Games.

However, the BOA appeals panel has now ruled that there were "significant mitigating circumstances" relating to the offence.

The panel noted that "there is no reasonable basis for concluding that Whitaker (or his groom) deliberately administered the prohibited substance, from which it follows that it did not enter the horse's body with any intent by either Whitaker or his groom to enhance performance."

Whitaker always maintained that Tackeray had been given the wrong feed container by mistake.

The lifting of the ban was especially good news as he celebrated his 50th birthday this week. The younger brother of John, he is based in Nottinghamshire and has represented Britain on four occasions at the Olympic Games.

A sponsored ride for charity is being held next weekend at Escrick Park by the North Eastern Horse Driving Trials Club. Organiser Sheila Hawking says the money raised will go to the Help for Heroes charity.

The course, which is about 16k long, is mostly along the park's extensive woodland tracks. Afterwards, drivers will have the option of going round some of Escrick's permanent obstacles.

For those who are new to driving but would like to have a go at competing this year, the club is organising two days at Escrick Park. At the PLAE days (play, learn, assess and enjoy), novice drivers will be able to complete the dressage test in a fully laid out arena, practice a cones course and enjoy a mini marathon course. The club's experienced drivers will be on hand to help and answer any questions. These days will be on Monday, April 5 and Sunday, May 2. The cost is 10 for members and 20 for non members. For more information call Jane Wilson on 01430 828133.

Entry forms for the sponsored drive next Sunday are available on the club's website, www.nedtl.co.uk.

MEMBERS of the York and Ainsty South Hunt branch of the Pony Club have been celebrating the news that they have been awarded a 10,000 grant from Sport England. The branch has around 100 members aged from four up to 22 who train and compete at local, regional and national level.

The money is from Sport England's small grants programme which has been set up to support local community sport projects which help people excel at their chosen sport.

The branch plans to buy show jumps and portable cross-country fences with trailers in which to carry them with half the money.

The remaining funds will be used on training opportunities for branch members, says committee member Maxine Forster.

Samantha setting her sights high

SAMANTHA Widd, 17, a keen event rider, had a successful start to the season, returning with three placings from Port Royal equestrian centre's recent dressage competition.

Samantha trains at her family's yard at Etton near Beverley and took three horses to the competition in preparation for their first outings this season.

With Tilly VI, who has little competitive experience, she took second place in the Preliminary Junior test with 62.2 per cent and then,

with the more experienced Fernhill Jelly Bean, she

took first place in the same class with a score of 67.7 per cent.

She followed this up with a second in the Novice test with her Dutch Warmblood, Splodge.

The pair have completed three successful seasons of eventing and Samantha is aiming for selection onto the British Equestrian Federation Regional Foundation programme.

She and Splodge will be competing in their first Junior Regional Novice competition of the season at Witton Castle next weekend. "We have our sights set high this year and I'm determined we'll get there," said Samantha.

She is studying for her A levels at Longcroft School in Beverley and is also taking a National Certificate in Sport at Bishop Burton College.