BD Winter Regionals: Morris Equestrian Centre

North of the border, Morris Equestrian in Ayrshire played host to the the sixth Winter Regional Championships of the season (23 – 25 February 2018). The three days of competition showcased high class dressage and thrilling competition as riders fought it out for coveted places at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships in April.

Twenty-four-year-old Jade Struthers ruled the Novice Gold categories, taking the Blue Chip Novice and the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle with Lindsay Moffat’s EV Amore Mia (Amourg x Samber). Jade and the striking British-bred six-year-old scored 72.59% and 75.28% respectively to maintain an exceptional competition record. With the help of trainer Jill Grant, Jade and black tobiano ‘Maria’ (pictured) remarkably remain unbeaten in all 14 of their competition starts so far, earning freestyle scores of up to 80%.

“I can't believe it - Maria won both the Novice Gold & Novice Gold Freestyle Regional Championship today,” said Jade on her Facebook page. “Thank you so much to everyone that makes this happen…It’s days like today that make it all worth it!”

Bridget Tate (19) who hails from Shropshire had a week she’ll remember for a very long time, achieving a spectacular hat-trick with her young mare Hawtins Werona. The pair won the Charles Owen Advanced Medium Gold with 71.32%, the Magic PSG Gold with 66.84% and the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold - their Mary Poppins themed freestyle was powerful, fluent, and rightly awarded with a super score of 75.83%.

Hawtins Werona is by Wolkentanz II out of a Sherlock Holmes-sired State Premium mare. The now nine-year-old chestnut, who is known as Rona, has been partnered by Bridget since 2016.

Representing the talent of the native breeds was the Derwen Gentleman-sired Welsh section D gelding Retanach Request and Nicky Heale who travelled back home to Aberdeenshire with a double – the Spillers Medium Freestyle Silver (70.61%) and the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver (69.06%). The charming liver chestnut ‘Rocco’, who stands just 14.2hh, is a consistently successful competitor. He’s competed at multiple national championships over his career picking up several regional titles along the way, as well as playing a starring role at the BD Native Championships.

A championships wouldn’t be the same without Jo Barry who consistently reaches and triumphs at the pinnacle events of the BD calendar. The 40-year-old who is based a stone’s throw from Edinburgh has amassed a sensational total of 14 national titles and 20 Scottish championship titles during her career. Here, she claimed the Equi-Trek Elementary Gold (72.40%) and the Spillers Medium Freestyle Gold (74.17%), both with Gordon Grainger’s exciting seven-year-old Goofy La Perle (Belissimo M x Jazz).

British Dressage thanks Morris Equestrian Centre, the Winter Championships class sponsors and all involved for a successful Regional Championships. Congratulations to all qualified combinations and everyone who took part.

Regional Champions:

KBIS Prelim Silver
Carla Milne with Hey Good Looking GK, 72.47%

Blue Chip Novice Silver
Dawn Gallon with Consult Ramiro, 68.02%

Blue Chip Novice Gold
Jade Struthers with EV Amore Mia, 72.59%

Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Silver
Emma Haigh with Ardwholihane Choco, 70.09%

Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Gold
Jade Struthers with EV Amore Mia, 75.28%

Equi-Trek Elementary Silver
Jade Whitelaw with Dauphin III, 74.06%

Equi-Trek Elementary Gold
Jo Barry with Goofy La Perle, 72.40%

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver
Samantha Turpitt with Bali Dancer, 72.82%

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold
Jennifer Johnston-Harman with Sugarplum Fairy, 75.38%

Albion Medium Silver
Clare Hinchliffe with Cascento, 67.84%

Albion Medium Gold
Jayden Brown with MSJ Top Secret, 72.25%

Spillers Medium Freestyle Silver
Nicky Heale with Retanach Request, 70.61%

Spillers Medium Freestyle Gold
Jo Barry with Goofy La Perle, 74.17%

Charles Owen Advanced Medium Silver
Scott McLellan with Lemiroff LS, 69.08%

Charles Owen Advanced Medium Gold
Bridget Tate with Hawtins Werona, 71.32%

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver
Nicky Heale with Retanach Request, 69.06% 

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold
Bridget Tate with Hawtins Werona, 75.83%

Magic Prix St Georges Gold
Bridget Tate with Hawtins Werona, 66.84%