INDOOR COMPETITON REPORTS
Well, the Oaks Driving Club moved
north. It was a great weekend, everyone mucked in and helped, the food organised by Andy K
so each night we had a real feast cooked by different people (no need for caterers). The
various ponies and horses all performed well. The weather was wonderful and that helps,
instead of the wind and rain we have had in past years. When the wind does blow at Keysoe
it comes in from the Ural Mountains. The local roads are peaceful so a short drive around
Keysoe is pleasant and quiet, except for other carriages. Most of the Oaks members came
away with a placed rosette, great advertisement for the Club.
Members competing:
Ian Collings Open Horse
Tina Graham Tandem
Barry Marshall Tandem
Tony Green Intermediate Pony
Jamies Williams Novice Pony
Kate Eyres Open Pony
Di Lewis Open Pony
Carol Lamble Veteran
Dee Reed Novice Horse
Not bad for our Club, well done to one and all.
Carol Lamble
What a fabulous result for the Howe
family. Granma Leonie Marshall took home the Veterans Cup. Daughter Sara Howe added the
Indoor Pony Four-in-Hand crown to her outdoor one. That must be a first, and granddaughter
Philippa Howe won the Indoor Challenge.
Elsewhere other Oaks members had a very good time, not quite covered in
glory but very well placed. Jamie Williams very nearly won the Novice Pony Championship, a
leg spasm causing him to go off balance and missing the D gate in the final obstacle. He
still came a very worthy second. No mean feat in that class. Our own galloping granny,
Carol Lamble, was third in the Veteran Class, Dee Reed sixth in a large Novice Horse
class, Tony Green fourth in the Intermediate Pony, Di Lewis fourth Open Pony. Last but not
least Ian Collings a very worthy sixth place in the Open Horse Class.
This year the Supreme Champion came once again from the Open Horse
Class. Phillip Reeves driving the Welsh Cob he bought from Paul Chambers last year.
Reserve was Nicola Blandin the Open Pony Champion
As for Katie Eyres, next time you see her don't forget to say
"It's red on the right" in the cones as well as the obstacles! She managed to
drive the wrong way and was unfortunately eliminated.
*****
Beauport Riding School - February 28 2010
It does not seem possible that this
is the last of the South East Qualifiers, so with a coveted place at this year's finals
there was a lot at stake.
Novice Pony
Dressage winner Jamie Willims 32.5 had to finish in the top three to qualify and with the
last cone down he had everyone on tenderhooks. Margaret Wooding was just behind 33.5 but
11 in the cones dropped her down. Jeni Longley and Linda Hamblen were equal 3rd 34.5. As
before, Ian Martin came up from behind to snatch victory 166.0, but Jamie hung on in there
to get 2nd place 169.5 and the qualification. Jeni was 3rd 187.5.
Novice Single Horse
Only the two this time, great friends Tim Whimhurst and Dee Reed. Dee being the clear
winner, dressage 33, cones 12 and final score 217.0. Tim dressage 40.5, cones 5 and total
227.5. Dee being the qualifier here.
Open Single Pony
Philippa Ellen and the smallest pony ended up with the best dressage score of the day 29
and the highest cones score of 9. Di Lewis, 31 dressage and 6 cones, put her foot to the
floor to take victory on 167.0. Tony Green with the only double clear round of the cones,
only 1 point behind 168.0 and Louisa Russell 3rd 38, cones 6 and total 190.0. Victory here
ensured Di's place at Keysoe. Tony was the intermediate qualifier.
Open Single Horse
Anthea Shipley was the dressage winner 29.5 and with only 2 time penalties in the cones
looked set for victory but a hiccup in obstacle 1 dropped her down to 3rd place 193.5.
Gemma Allwright 30 dressage and 4 cones was the winner 183.0 and the intermediate
qualifier. Ian Collings dressage 37, cones 5 and total 191.5 was 2nd and the open horse
qualifier.
Multiples
Sarah Owlett scoring her first victory this year dressage 34, cones 4 and total 198.0.
Barry Marshall and his tandem of charming Welsh A ponies, dressage 34.5, 6 in the cones
and total 246.5. Just behind in 3rd place Tina Graham dressage 38.5, cones 8 and final
score 274.5. Tina qualified the pony tandem class, Sara Howe team and Philippa Ellen pony
pair.
*****
Golden Cross - February 13 2010
Another big entry here today but
seven withdrawals helped the day get quicker. Also, with the better weather, Dick was able
to run the cones outside.
Novice Pony
The biggest class of the day with ten entries. Jamie Williams once again the winner of the
dressage 23. Equal 1st with him was Jane Parsons 23. Hot on their heels Susanne Willis 3rd
25. However, 10 cones penalties dropped Jamie down a place and a very good round from
Susanne of only the 1 put her into top spot. Jane had a bit of a disaster with 23 and that
put her down to 8th place, allowing Linda Hamblen up to 3rd. In the obstacles it was that
flying machine Ian Martin who did the best obstacle round to finish 1st on a total score
of 157.00. Jamie, going as fast as little Denzil's legs could go, matched his total score
of 157.00 but in the event of an equal score it is the fastest obstacle score that counts,
so the red rosette went to Ian. Susanne had a bit of a senior moment in obstacle 2 that
cost her 7 seconds and finished 3rd 159.00.
Open Pony
Di Lewis and her old friend Charlie the cob did their best dressage test of the season to
score just 21, but 10 cones and 5 time dropped her down to 2nd behind Tony Green and his
pocket rocket Prince, 25 plus only 4 time. Philippa Ellen with the smallest pony of the
day 3rd, 28 plus 4 time penalties. Di Lewis getting a move on through the obstacles
recorded the best times of the day and came in 1st on 149.00. Tony "How many balls
can you knock off in one obstacle?" Green, desperately trying to keep up knocked 4
balls off in obstacle 2 and finished 2nd with 174.00. Louisa Russell just behind 3rd
181.00.
Open Horse
Two withdrawals left only four competitors but it was still a very good class. Bob Cox
once again led from start to finish, dressage 20.5, cones 6 and total score 158.50. Anthea
Shipley 2nd dressage 22.5 but 7 in the cones and some slower obstacle times dropped her
down to 3rd 174.50 and allowed Ian Collings to come up from 3rd to 2nd, dressage 29, only
the 1 in the cones and total 161.00. Christine Buckland, although having a good dressage
28.5, struggled with the cones course 30 and had a real senior moment in obstacle 1 to
finish 4th on 244.50.
Novice Horse
Another good class with six entries. Tanya Jupp was the winner by 0.5 points in the
dressage 27 from Ellen Littlechild 27.5 and Dee Reed 3rd 28.5. The cones scores were also
close, Tanya 4, Ellen 7 and Dee 8. So it was all systems go in the obstacles. Ellen
emerged the victor on 158.50, Tanya 2nd 182.00 and Dee 3rd 189.50.
Pairs
Katie Eyres out for the first time this season triumphed in all three phases, cones 6 and
a very good final score of 153.00. Sarah Owlett trying hard, dressage 29.5 and one of the
best cones scores of the day 1, but a blip in obstacle 3 kept her in 2nd place 186.50.
Helen Jupp with a horse pair came 3rd, dressage 30, cones 11 and total 197.00.
Tandem/Team
Three tandems and one team battled it out for this class. Barry Marshall emerged the
winner having led all the way, dressage 22.5 only the 1 time fault in the cones and a
total 206.50. In 2nd place Sara Howe with her team, dressage 22, cones 22 and a total
228.00. Tina Graham 3rd dressage 30, cones 15 and final score of 237.00.
*****
Duckhurst - February 6 2010
Sometimes these competitions can
seem like you are waiting for a bus (you wait for ages then three come along together).
Duckhurst 6th February, Golden Cross 13th February and Merristwood 14th February. All the
competitors aboard the first bus on 6th February enjoyed a very nice day. However, several
did take advantage of Dick's new format of the cones round and then the first two
obstacles. With no balls on the obstacles and thus no penalties to incur it was noticeable
how many times they had to re-rebuild.
Novice Horse
Tanya Jupp first the winner of the dressage 32.5 but 5 time penalties in the cones dropped
her down behind Tim Whimhurst 33.0 plus 1 cones penalty, the best cones round of the day.
Dee Reed third 33.5 plus 32 cones. However, some steady consistent times from Tanya gave
her the red rosette 214.50. Dee storming through the obstacles up to second 217.50. A
hiccup in the first obstacle put Tim down to third place 225.00.
Open Horse
A good class of eight competitors. Gemma Allwright with a very good 19.5 for the dressage
but 20 cones down and 10 time proved to be expensive. In fact, it allowed Bob Cox 28.0
dressage and 12 cones to score his second victory 173.00. Gemma second 178.50, Ian
Collings in third place throughout 32.0 plus 10 and total 184.00. Christine Buckland and a
rather sparkling Jack came up from seventh place to fourth place after the obstacles.
Multiples
Only two pony pairs. Philippa Foster first dressage 27.5, cones 8 and final total 178.50.
Sarah Owlett, out for the first time this year, dressage 31.0, 8 cones and second place
190.00.
Two tandems and two teams formed the second part of this class. Sara Howe with an amazing
19.0 dressage plus 18 cones. Chris Orchard not that far behind 29.5 but those cones let
her down again with 43 penalties. Tina Graham really coming into her own with her tandem
31.5 dressage 11 cones and some very good obstacle times, gave her the lead 207.50. Sara
second 217.00 and Sonny Hillier, out for the first time with his tandem, third dressage
34.5, 6 cones and final tally 224.50.
Novice Pony
The largest class and the most competitive with the lead constantly changing. Nicola
Rogers the dressage winner 25.5 and only 4 cones was still in the lead, however with some
steady obstacle times she dropped down to third 191.50. Jamie Williams second dressage
26.0 but 10 cones and 5 time dropped him down to third place but with some fantastic
obstacle times he emerged the winner 165.00. Ian Martin, another with very good obstacle
times, came up to second place from fifth 176.50.
Open Pony
Last class of the day saw Philippa Howe and her old faithful friend Priceless see off all
the opposition: dressage 25.5 only 2 for the cones and the best final score of the day
144.50. Making it a really family affair and with her best result so far this year Grandma
Leonie Marshall second place dressage 16.0 plus 7 for the cones and total 156.00. Tony
Green, as always very consistent, third dressage 27.5, 8 for the cones and a total score
168.50.
*****
Royal Leisure - January 2 2010
The very first competition of the
new year got off to a good start.
Novice Single Pony
Jamie Williams took the dressage with a very good 28 and with only 1 for the cones looked
to be in a good position. Susanne Willis second 31.5 but 13 in cones put her down a couple
of places. Jane Sarsons third dressage 33.5 plus 11. Ian Martin in third place after
dressage and cones did some fantastic times in the obstacles to come up to first place on
174, the best score of the day. Susanne came back up to second 201.5. Jamie, trying too
hard, missed a gate in the last obstacle and dropped down to third 206.
Novice Single Horse
A good class of eight competitors. Ellen Littlechild led from start to finish, dressage
27.5 and a final score of 192.5. Tim Whimhurst second dressage 30.5, but he dropped down
the order. Andrea Scott equal third with Tanya Jupp 33.5. However, Andrea got 17 and Tanya
11 for the cones. That allowed Dee Reed 34 plus 6, with some good obstacle times to come
up to second 221. Andrea with her best result so far came third 239.5.
Open Single Pony
Leonie Marshall second best dressage score of the day 22 and the best cones score of the
class 7, had some steady obstacle times and dropped down to third 220. Tony Green with a
good dressage of 27 plus 9 cones proved uncatchable in the osbtacles and scored another
win 181. Cheryle Hurle third with a 30 dressage had to retire after the cones, allowing
Louisa Russell to come into second place 212.
Open Single Horse
Only three in this class. Gemma Allwright best dressage score of the day 21. Anthea
Shipley second 28 and the only double clear cones of the day. Anne Clarke third 33.5.
Despite a handicap of 14 for the cones, Gemma could not be matched through the obstacles
and scored a well deserved win 191. Anthea second 217 and Anne third 221.5.
Multiples
One tandem and two teams. Sara Howe the winner here of the dressage but 18 in the cones
and some steady obstacle times dropped her down to second 260.5. Tina Graham second
dressage 32 and with a brilliant cones round of only 2 scored a good victory with 227.
Chris Orchard once again last 39.5 dressage, 52 cones and a total score of 551.5.
Pairs
Two pony pairs and one horse pair. Philippa Foster yet another win, first dressage 31 and
first overall 224. Helen Jupp second dressage 33 but 18 in the cones and with her horses
some steadier obstacle times dropped down to third 234. That left Barbara Kingsley-Monks
third after dressage 35.5 to come up into second spot 227
*****
Beauport Riding School - December 6 2009
Well the weather man was right
again. Heavy showers in the morning followed by sunshine. The sensible people like Jenni
Longley and Donna Simmons stayed at home while the rest of the entrants got extremely wet!
However, the sunshine and the car heaters managed to dry out everyone.
Novice Pony
With only twenty-seven entries it was a leisurely 9.00 o'clock start for Abigail Martin.
However, it was left to the final competitor in this class to set the standard, Jamie
Williams – best dressage score 24, best cones 5 and a final score of 166.00. Ian
Martin with 14.5 points to catch up nearly did it, just losing out on 0.5 to finish second
on 166.50. Andy Knight maintained his third place throughout 201.50.
Open Pony
Once again Leonie Marshall was invincible in the dressage, just 19 points but 10 time
penalties in the cones put her up to 29. Tony Green in second place 24.5 but 1 cone down
and 1 time penalty kept him in second place. Di Lewis dressage 28.5 and only 3 time
penalties put her into third place. So with only 2.5 points separating them it was all to
go for through the obstacles. Tony Green trying to gain some ground from Di totally
misjudged obstacle 4 and pushed the centre cube across and blocked gate E. He had not
realised that he could have put his groom, Sarah, down to open the gate up again, thereby
adding just 10 penalties to his score. Instead, not knowing what to do, he drove the D
gate and then went out of the obstacle thus incurring an elimination. After that drama Di
drove her last two obstacles beautifully and finished first on the best score of the day
156.50. Leonie second 187.00 and the galloping Carol Lamble third 189.00.
Novice/Open Horse
A combined class of two novices and three opens. After a gap of two years it was nice to
see Bob Cox taking up the reins again. He and a rapidly improving Tim Whimhurst were joint
winners of the dressage 32. Dee Reed was third 36. Three really good cones scores of only
the 2 penalties each for Bob, Christine Bucklind and Ian Collings changed the order again
and after the four obstacles it changed again, leaving Bob the winner first time out
181.00. Christine second 195.50 and Dee third 203.00.
Multiples
Only three competitors, one tandem Tina Graham and two pairs. Sara Howe got off to a good
start with 27 dressage but dropped to second after the cones. Tina second dressage 30.5
and Philippa Foster third 31. However, Sara's skill in driving obstacles was soon apparent
and she came into first place 198.00. Philippa second 202.00. Tina, having driven the
first obstacle faster than the others then slowed down to finish third 210.50
*****
Golden Cross - November 14 2009
Another record forty two entries and
gale force winds forecast kept Dick Carey thinking all Friday night. The result another
new shortened format for the competition. With the wind blowing so hard it was impossible
to run the Cones outside, and not wanting to stay until 6 o’clock. Dick came up with
this idea. Everyone did their Dressage, then the Cones course was set up inside around the
two obstacles. Each competitor then drove their Cones round and then immediately the two
obstacles. With no Rita on the doors it was down to Cheryl Hurle to keep the order and a
very fine job she did too.
OPEN PONY
Carol Lamble drew the short straw and made the 8.30 start and for once Twiggy concentrated
and got the equal best dressage score with Gemma Allwright 30.5. Tony Green was 3rd 33.5.
However Dick’s fiendish Cones course caused havoc with some competitors. Tony driving
really skilfully emerged the clear winner 102.50, Gemma 2nd 118.50 and Carol 3rd 122.50.
MULTIPLES
What a mixture. Two pony tandems, two pony pairs, one horse pair, and one pony team. Barry
Marshall driving his ponies on their first outing as a tandem took the dressage 30.5,
Sarah Howe 2nd 32.0 and just behind Tina Graham 32.5. Tina had the best Cones score and
went into the lead but Tommy thought that he knew better in the obstacles and she dropped
down to 5th. Philippa Foster driving some superb obstacles came up from 4th place to win
126.50, Helen Jupp with her horse pair 2nd 129.50 and Barry 3rd 137.50.
NOVICE PONY
A huge entry of eighteen competitors. Jamie Williams was the dressage winner with the best
score of the day but those dreaded Cones dropped him down the order to finish 4th 120.50.
2nd placed Nicole Rogers 31.5 also dropped out of the running. Jeni Longley in 3rd place
had a good Cones round and went into the lead. However newcomer Ian Martin with a good
Cones round and the best obstacle scores of the class just pipped Jeni for 1st place
finishing on 111.50, Jeni 2nd 113.00 and Susanne Willis, having had a senior moment for
five extra penalties in the dressage 3rd 116.00.
OPEN HORSE
Horse competitors are obviously not as tough as pony people as out of seven entries three
withdrew. Anthea Shipley scored the second best dressage score of the day 29.00 and kept a
clear lead all through 108.00. Ian Collings also stayed in 2nd place 113.00. 3rd placed
Janet Bettell- Higgins dropped down to 4th 155.00, leaving Christine Buckland space to
come up to 3rd 146.50.
NOVICE HORSE
Two more withdrawals leaving only the three entries. Tanya Jupp with one of Mother’s
pair won the dressage 33.00 but those Cones again dropped her down to 2nd. Anne Wrigley
2nd dressage 36.00 was the eventual winner 129.00. Tanya 2nd 137.00 and Helen Hughes 3rd
175.50.
Fortunately as the heavens opened at 2 o’clock and we were finished by 3 o’clock
not too many competitors got wet and most competitors were back home in daylight.
*****
Royal Leisure - November 7 2009
The second event of the South East
series got off to a good start. With 41 entries the day was helped by being able to run
the Cones alongside the Dressage.
NOVICE HORSE
Ellen Littlechild got off to a good start with a 26.5 dressage score and despite a slight
hiccup in obstacle three maintained her lead 178.50. Tanya Jupp 2nd 34.5 had a cricket
score in the cones and dropped down to 5th. Dee Reed 3rd dressage 36 had a good cones and
moved up a place to 2nd 203.00, and a rapidly improving Ian Martin up from 6th to 3rd
204.50.
NOVICE PONY
Rupert Barnard started as he meant to carry on, best dressage score of the class 24,
double clear in the cones and the equal best total score of the day 168.00. Jamie
Williams, chasing hard, just 0.5 behind after dressage had 5 penalties in the cones, but a
hiccup in obstacle one cost him 8 penalties and he finished 2nd 179.50. Jeni Longley never
far behind 29.5 dressage, 11 cones and total 182.50.
OPEN/INTERMEDIATE PONY
Leonie Marshall driving a very accurate test had by far the best dressage score of the day
19 but those cones! And she dropped down to 4th 198.00. Di Lewis 31 dressage was helped by
only 3 time faults in the cones and the fastest obstacle times put her in 1st place
168.00. Tony Green in 2nd place chasing hard had two balls off in obstacle 3 and dropped
down to 3rd place 188.00, allowing Jan Warner to come up from 3rd to 2nd place179.00.
OPEN HORSE
Only three entries. Gemma Allwright winning the dressage 28.00. Stable mate Nigel Chandler
just 0.5 behind 28.5,and Ann Clarke 32. Gemma’s better cones round put her into an
uncatchable position and she won 187.00, Ann Clarke 2nd 191.00, and Nigel 3rd 235.50.
MULTIPLES
With only 3 points separating 1st-3rd this class was the closest of them all today. Elaine
Thompson took the dressage 29.0, Minta Winn 30.5 and Phillipa Foster 31.5. All three had
12 penalties for the cones. So it was all down to who could go the fastest through the
obstacles. Minta Winn emerged victorious 202.50, Elaine 2nd 206.00, and Phillipa 3rd
212.50.
*****
Beauport Riding School - October 11 2009
First event at this new venue.
Initial impression - lovely school but at the moment you need to be fit. The entrance is
down a really steep hill. The car parking is interesting; all the cars from the riding
school were parked in there, so not a lot of room. Best to take a car and trailer or small
lorry. Apparently they are hoping to extend the car park, and put a less steep entrance to
the school at the other end. Watch this space to find out. Dick had been watching the
scurry drivers at The Horse of the Year Show and as a result devised the most fiendish
Cones course ever.
Open Horse
Nice to see Mary Gillam back behind the reins again. Ian Collings driving his wife’s
horse Lizzie led the class from start to finish 205.00. Annalie Briden also maintained her
2nd place 235.00. Mary unfortunately dropped from 3rd to 5th allowing Christine Bucknall
to come up from 4th to 3rd 241.50.The higher final scores reflect the high cones scores!
Novice Horse
Dee Reed another competitor to win in each section finished on a score of 263.50. Newcomer
Ian Martin 2nd in each section and one to watch out for in the future 275.50. Andrea Scott
also maintained her 3rd place despite Ronnie taking exception to one of the obstacle
squares and removing it! 278.50. Tim Whimhurst was 4th 306.50.
Multiples
Only the two entries. Phillippa Foster driving Melody Bourner’s old ponies to her
first victory 249.00, and Tina Graham with her tandem, laughing all the way round, 2nd
292.50.
Open Pony
All the Open ponies had got the measure of Dick’s Cone course by now. Once again
Leonie Marshall had the best Dressage score of 23 closely followed by Di Lewis 24. Leonie
also had the best Cones round of only one time penalty, Di chasing hard with just four.
However Di’s bigger pony Charlie came into his own in the obstacles with by far the
best times of the day and she finished first on 169.00, Leonie 2nd 181.00 and Louise
Russell 3rd 202.00. The galloping granny Carol Lamble with Twiggy 4th 214 (note this
score).
Novice Pony
Andy Knight, also driving Twiggy, usually piloted by Carol, won all three phases to finish
on a score of 205.00. Jamie Williams in his first big boys’ competition 2nd 215.50
and Sarah Petitpierre 3rd 240.50.
Intermediate Pony
Last class of the day and worth the wait for Tony Green. Three 1sts on the scorecard and a
final tally of 191.00. Helen Bridges with her Prince said two days on the trot were too
much and he finished 2nd on a score of 397.00.