Ideal results at Combined Training Championships

For the second consecutive year the Ideal Saddles Combined Training Championships returned to Fieldhouse EC, Staffordshire, to conclude an exciting 2018/19 dual discipline series with a final of outstanding quality both inside the white boards and over the coloured poles (17 March 2019).

Sara-Jane Lanning enjoyed a spectacular Sunday with her two qualified rides Dreamcatcher III and Try Me Once, but it was the 18 year old Connemara x Irish Draught mare Dreamcatcher III (pictured) who exceeded all expectations to take home not one, but two Ideal Saddles Combined Training titles.

Scoring 79.14% in Prelim 2, Sara-Jane and Tina-Marie Nethercliffe’s ‘Gracie’ went on to produce a faultless round in the 70cm jumping section to claim the first title of the day by an astonishing four percent. Second place in this class belonged to young rider Sophia Marston with Solitaire, whilst Kirsten Darbyson and Rogaire Rua took third. In the Novice and 90cm class, another polished dressage performance for 77.50% from Sara Jane gave a healthy lead before the jumping round; the duo had a pole and an unlucky time fault this time but with points already in hand the win was all but sealed. Sara-Jane’s former Grand Prix horse Try Me Once showed his multi-talented side for second, and Helen Dutton claimed third spot with Rowangarth Rhydian, their flawless jumping round a sure highlight.

Moving up to the Novice ranks, Laura Fisher made the journey from North Wales more than worthwhile with a victory in the Novice 24 and 90cm class. On board her own Sam The Man Veldhoek, Laura posted a final score of 76.30% following a superb test and clear jumping round to earn the winners spoils. Next up for Laura and ‘Ozzie’ is a trip to the Winter Championships at Hartpury to contest the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships at Prix St Georges level – who said dressage horses can’t jump!

In the final class of the day, Ellis Morton and Elsinore ELS showed their class to earn a win in the Novice 34 and 100cm Championship. After taking an early lead with 70.34%, the duo held their nerve to produce a clear jumping round in the Fieldhouse indoor arena. Chester-based Ellis has enjoyed both successful dressage and eventing careers to date with trips to the Mitsubishi Motors Cup as well as the British Dressage Regional and National Championships up to Novice level. Click here to take a look at her prize giving and lap of honour, if there were prizes for this she would’ve scooped up that accolade too.

Derbyshire rider and Equine vet/dental technician Heather Urquhart placed just half a mark behind Ellis in second with her own eye-catching blue and white Crafty Wizard, whilst Kimberley Marshall and her lovely British-bred mare D Akieda claimed the final podium spot in third.

British Dressage thanks the team at The Ideal Saddle Company for their generous support of this wonderful series. Competitors were treated to amazing prizes as well as the opportunity to take a look at the Ideal range, a collection of outstanding saddles, girths and leathers for all types of horse and rider. To find out more about the Ideal range click here.

Thanks go to the team at Fieldhouse EC for another great championship event, congratulations to all competitors who travelled to Staffordshire to take part with a special well done going to our three champions.

Champions

Prelim 2 and 70cm
Sara-Jane Lanning with Dreamcatcher III, 79.14%

Prelim 18 and 80cm 
Sara-Jane Lanning with Dreamcatcher III, 75.19%

Novice 24 and 90cm
Laura Fisher with Sam the Man Veldhoek, 76.30%

Novice 34 and 100cm 
Ellis Morton with Elsinore ELS, 70.24%