North & East triumphant at Equissage Pulse Para Home Nations

Beginning a week of success for North & East, their team of talented para dressage riders made an impression at Arena UK to claim the 2024 Equissage Pulse Para Home Nations title (28 – 29 June).

With five grades represented and eleven teams on the startlist for this year’s Equissage Pulse Para Home Nations, the scene was set for two days of thrilling competition at the Lincolnshire venue.

The contest for the team title would go right down to the wire, with three regions within touching distance of the title, and separated by just 1.59% at the conclusion. The North & West Versailles team was the squad to take the victory, with Sarah Suddaby (Hit Song), Jan Cummings (Rhonderful Dorrells) and Shirley Hart (Der Diamant) – pictured left to right, alongside List 2A Judge Lotte Olsen - delivering under pressure to secure a great achievement for their region.

The winning total was 423.43, 1.2% ahead of Scotland team, Some Like it Scot (422.23), made up of Kyla Mantilla Ross (Logantemple Blackjack), Lesley McNaughton-Wells (Roandale Saxon) and Margaret Lupton (Domino XI). Third place on the podium was claimed by Welsh quartet Draig Goch, with Elan Williams (BKS Brandini), Jessica Pritchard (Cochrane), Sara Bates (Socrates Hit) and Liz McBurney (Bangalore C) delivering consistent tests for an impressive team total of 421.84. 

The winning team riders also featured well in the individual ranks, with Jan Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells and Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song placing second and third respectively in the Grade III, and Shirley Hart and Der Diamant runners-up in the Grade IV. 

Outstanding individuals

The individual honours were shared between four nations, with riders from Scotland making their mark to seal two victories. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, who travelled from Dumfries and Galloway, achieved the highest overall combined score of 145.00 when winning the Grade I with two plus 70% performances, while the Perthshire combination of Lesley McNaughton-Wells and Roandale Saxon topped the Grade IV leaderboard. Lesley and the Dales x Gypsy Cob gelding, who she has owned since a foal, also won on scores comfortably over the magic 70% barrier. 

The Grade II Individual honours went to Jason Inchley and his 14-year-old British-bred Hanoverian mare, Rubin Ryella (by Royal Edition), from the South & West region; the North & East added to their haul with the 2024 Grade III title claimed by Lincolnshire rider Mark Griffin who posted an impressive 74.75% with his 18-year-old mare First Class IX; while Alice Begg did the South & East proud with a win in the Grade V aboard Gluckauf (by Grand Cru), with whom she enjoyed a double win at Wellington CPEDI2* a few short weeks ago.

“It was a fantastic competition with the top teams all very close, but the North and East victorious,” commented BD North & East Development Officer, Jo Byrne. “[It was] So lovely to see as the Versailles team were very consistent. Our Chef d’Equipe, Vicky Earnshaw, did a great job looking after everyone, and Mark Griffin from our Champ de Mars team also won the Grade III individual again."

Thanks go to Equissage Pulse, the title sponsor of the Para Home Nations, and to host venue Arena UK, under the dedicated management of Lauren Fogg.  “Arena UK was a fabulous venue for this event with the small and accessible footprint, both indoor arenas and great hospitality,” added Jo. “The results were very close at the top with every region and Para Equestrian Ireland represented.”

Results – top five

Team competition
1. North & East Versailles, 423.43
2. Scotland Some Like it Scot, 422.23
3. Wales Draig Goch, 421.84
4. South & East Chablis, 417.40
5. Wales Pen Draig, 413.02

Grade I Individual
1. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI – 71.05% - 73.95% - 145.00 (Scotland)
2. Clodagh Walsh and Chantal – 71.72% - 71.41% - 143.13 (Ireland)
3. Elan Williams and BKS Brandini – 70.00% - 72.40% - 142.40 (Wales)
4. Elan Williams and WSH Something Borrowed – 68.85% - 71.88% - 140.73 (Wales)
5. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella – 66.58% - 67.11% - 133.69 (South & West)

Grade II Individual
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella – 68.55% - 69.47% - 138.02 (South & West)
2. Deborah Marks and Cavalier Valoin – 65.69% - 65.00% - 130.69 (North & East)

Grade III Individual
1. Mark Griffin and First Class IX – 69.88% - 74.75% - 144.63 (North & East)
2. Jan Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells – 68.45% - 73.33% - 141.78 (North & East)
3. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song – 68.81% - 72.14% - 140.95 (North & East)
4. Jessica Pritchard and Cochrane – 68.69% - 69.05% - 137.74 (Wales)
5. Isabella Benfield and Cookies and Cream – 66.98% - 68.45% - 135.43 (South & West)

Grade IV Individual
1. Lesley McNaughton-Wells and Roandale Saxon – 71.91% - 71.31% - 143.22 (Scotland)
2. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant – 70.00% - 70.70% - 140.70 (North & East)
3. Frankie Buxton and Hera – 68.69% - 70.72% - 139.41 (North & West)
4. Sara Bates and Solo Hit 2 – 66.72% - 70.56% - 137.28 (Wales)
5. Ellie Hamilton and Twynmelyn Aderyn Du – 68.00% - 68.40% - 136.40 (North & West)

Grade V Individual
1. Alice Begg and Gluckauf – 69.82% - 74.91% - 144.73 (South & East)
2. Liz McBurney and Bangalore C – 68.93% - 72.77% - 141.70 (Wales)
3. Sarah Oram and Tamrik Captain Jack Sparrow – 68.37% - 70.87% - 139.24 (South & East)
4. Richard Newmann and Artist S – 66.25% - 70.48% - 136.73 (South & East)
5. Mark Colvin and Knocknacree Bertie – 66.92% - 69.71% - 136.63 (South & East)
 

FULL RESULTS

Photo © ATG Photography