Cavago Associated Championships: Dancing Draughts

Day two of the Cavago Associated Championships saw a powerful showcase of full and part-bred Draught horses heading down the centre line at Onley Grounds Equestrian.

Ruby Walker and Moylough Cruz (pictured above) managed to calm their nerves to be crowned Novice Overall Draught Horse Champions. 

Ruby brought Cruz four years ago as a just-backed project horse, after losing her previous horse in a lorry accident. “Our first two years were difficult,” said Ruby, “We struggled to bond and trust each other.”

Ruby was later diagnosed with PTSD from the accident, and since her diagnosis and starting treatment, their bond and relationship strengthened: “He’s quite literally held my hand through the years and has coaxed me through the trauma,  four years down the line and he is still with me and will not ever be going anywhere!”

The pair began competing with British Dressage in February 2023, and since then Ruby said, “Cruz has come on leaps and bounds.”

Heading into their Elementary test at the Associated Championships, the nerves began to creep in: “I let the nerves creep up on me as usual.said The first quarter of our test was a bit tense but after a breath, we both relaxed and ended with a great test.”  

The pair still earned fifth place overall on 65.589%, and the following day Ruby came back fighting with renewed determination for her Novice test. With the support of her coach Tessa Thorne and her mum, Ruby said, “Cruz warmed up 1000% better and I was riding with my head in the game.”

This was reflected in the score of 67.396% and after a nail-biting wait, after being the first to present, it was enough to keep them in that top spot! “I am tremendously proud of this horse for giving me his all and a little bit more to show the judges how we really can perform,” said Ruby, reflecting on her second test.

Ruby left the championships with a renewed drive, looking forward “to the beginning of new things” and feeling “grateful” for the support of those around her, especially Cruz.  “I owe golden boy my life and he owes me nothing! I really can’t thank this horse enough.”

Julie Payler and Josie Mack, her 13-year-old Irish Draught mare, came away from this year’s Associated Championships on an all-time high.

“I felt like I'd won at the Olympics!” said Julie describing the feeling of winning her first sash after securing the Draught Elementary Bronze Champion title with a score of 63.16%.

Finding out about the  Associated Championships was the reason that Julie first joined British Dressage in 2019. “I enjoyed competing alongside fellow Draught owners who like me, love the uniqueness of our breed and it provides a more even playing field,” explained Julie, summarising why she enjoys competing alongside horses of similar breeds.

After joining British Dressage in July, this only gave them a month to qualify but they managed to secure a spot. The pair then returned in 2021 to secure second place in Prelim Silver; Unfortunately, Julie’s ambitions to return to the Associated Championships for a third year were put on hold after she had to have abdominal surgery in Autumn 2022 and major spinal surgery in September 2023.

It was an amazing achievement for the duo to return for the 2024 Associated Championships, and Julie was even more happy to return as this year all the associations were competing together: “I could share the same show with friends with other breeds for the first time. There was a great sense of support and camaraderie.” 

Returning from a year’s break from the show ring, Gemma McClorey and her Former HOYS British ridden heavy horse winner, the Shire gelding Cotebrook Sgurr Alasdair, took the Associated Championships by storm as their incredible score of 71.03% made them the Draught Horse Preliminary overall champions. The combination has been together for six years since ‘Big Al’ was an unbroken three-year-old stallion. Speaking on Facebook following the Associated Championships, Gemma said “he really is the very best partner I could wish for.”

Charlotte Dorey and Deards Silver Bounce were the Draught Horse Part-Bred Preliminary overall champions with a score of 69.57%. After what Charlotte described as “Not our best start with our worst ever score in the Novice class,” the pair managed to pick themselves up and redeem themselves with a “foot perfect test” for their Prelim earning their place on the podium! “I’m not sure how many people can say they’ve managed to come first and last in the same day!” said Charlotte, posting on Facebook.

Another stand-out pair were Fiona Menzies and her handsome home-bred grey gelding Cullenbay Heaven who were once again double winners. Having successfully taken the Prelim and Novice titles in 2022, the pair returned this year to take the Novice and Elementary overall champion titles with a score of for their Novice and the highest score of all the Draught Associated Classes for their Elementary with 71.69%.

Congratulations to all competitors and their wonderful Draught horses. Thanks go to title sponsors Cavago and host venue Onley Grounds for their support of this outstanding event.

Draught Associated Champions

Draught Horse Preliminary
Amanda Bettle and Southwood Florenced (G), 69.57%    
Ruth Orrell-Harris and Balmoral Golden Silver (S), 68.79%
Gemma McClorey and Cotebrook Sgurr Alasdair (B)*, 71.03%

Draught Horse Elementary
Anna Davey and MdSandyhill Iron Man (G), 68.46%
Tina Guion and With Good Intention (S)*, 68.90%    
Julie Payler and Josie Mick (B), 63.16%

Draught Horse Novice
Anna Davey and Mdsandyhill Iron Man (G), 65.83%
Ruby Walker and Moylough Cruz (S)*, 67.40%
Sarah Manton and Pembroke True Blue (B), 64.90%

Draught Horse Medium
Tina Guion and With Good Intention (B)*, 67.94%    
David Molloy and Paddy’s Flight (B), 64.34%    
Louise Allen and Swilly Lad (B), 55.00%    

Draught Part Bred Associated Champions

Draught Horse Introductory
Helen Stephenson and The Bomb (B)*, 66.30%        

Draught Part Bred Preliminary
Gemma Jones and Temple Omega (S), 69.22%    
Charlotte Dorey and Deards Silver Bounce (B)*, 69.57%    

Draught Part Bred Novice
Fiona Menzies and Cullenbay Heaven Sent (S)*, 68.96%    
Flora Dent and Mister T (B), 67.92%    

Draught Part Bred Elementary
Sophie Smith and EMS Futura Estrella (S), 70.00%    
Fiona Menzies and Cullenbay Heaven Sent (B)*, 71.69%    

Draught Part Bred Medium
Amanda Bettle and Murphys Law x11 (S), 64.49%    
Abi Dean and The Finding Nemo (B)*, 66.40%    

VIEW FULL RESULTS
 

*Overall Champion 

Photos © KB Photography