National Convention rider competition winners

British Dressage and title sponsors Harrison Clark Rickerbys are delighted to announce the winners of the National Convention demo rider competition.

With an amazing standard amongst a vast number of entries, our panel have elected to choose not one, but three winners to take part in the Convention demonstrations on Saturday 23 November. Congratulations to Chanell Murray, Katrina Hall and Samantha Turpitt – find out more about our three winning demo riders below.

Starting with Saturdays Preliminary session with top rider/coach Michael Eilberg, Buckinghamshire based Chanell Murray will be joining us with her own nine year old palomino Indian Summer. Chanell and ‘Pearl’ are trained by fellow local lady Jayne Turney and credit a varied work routine, including pole work, jumping and an annual trip to the beach, as an important part of their training alongside regular lessons with Jayne. The combination have qualified for both the Regionals and the Petplan Equine Area Festivals Finals in just their first season of affiliated competition and are aiming to break the 70% at Novice level this season.

Our journey will appeal to grassroots riders who don’t have flashy warmbloods but still want to be competitive!

Katrina Hall and her vibrant veteran King of the Street (18) are proof that a little dedication goes a long way. The duo have earned regular appearances on Eastern Region teams and contested the Petplan Area Festivals and Area Festival Championships and the Veteran Associated Championships. RDO Katherine Perry said, “Over many years, Katrina has progressed through BYRDS and into Seniors, and in that time has worked with her tricky horse to bring him up to Advanced Medium level. It would be great for Katrina to get the chance to show off herself and her cheeky horse at the National Convention as I think many people would relate to the issues she has to deal with, and would take inspiration from the fact that they have come so far.”

I would love to show that dressage horse come in all shapes and size and that you do not need to have a flashy warmblood to have the basic scales of training in place to go up the levels, along with hard work and determination anyone can get there.

Making the journey from Scotland to join us at Addington Equestrian, Samantha Turpitt brings her eight year old mare Bali Dancer to complete our competition winner trio. Samantha has never ridden past Advanced Medium level and has dreamt of a tailcoat since her days competing with British Eventing. Her current aims are to ride at the Winter Regionals at Medium Silver and Advanced Medium Silver before continuing to put in the hours of training towards securing the movements for Prix St Georges. Samantha’s coach Jean Stephen praised her ‘100% commitment, perseverance and intelligent riding’.

I want to show it’s possible to be a success as an amateur on a budget! I have no arena, Bali cost £2500 as a two year old, I have produced her myself and I work full time.

Katrina and Samantha will be sharing Saturday’s first Medium level session with dressage and eventing legend Chris Bartle FBHS.

Congratulations to our three competition winners and thank you to all those who entered! With just one month to go, the plans are in place for the most exciting National Convention yet, watch this space over the coming weeks to find out which riders will be completing the line up.

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