South West on winning form at Wellington

The South West region is celebrating after taking home the team title at the Senior Home International supported by Saracen Horse Feeds at Wellington Riding in Hampshire (18 – 20 October 2019). A total of 146 combinations and 38 teams contested this year’s episode of the annual flagship event for senior regional riders.

The winning South West Daffy Ducks quartet of Katie Kneen, Danielle Rhodes, Natasha Rumble and Gayle King (pictured left to right) took home the coveted Senior Home International team trophy with a grand total mark of 413.05 after two days of incredibly close fought competition, with the team podium completed by Southern Bolinger in second (411.23) and Eastern Hendrix, third (408.32).

“I am delighted that the South West Ducks continue their winning streak with the Daffy Ducks coming up trumps this weekend,” enthused South West RDO Amanda Heath. “I could not be prouder.

“It’s been an incredible year for the region, with the South West Donald Ducks winning the Para Home International and the Youth Donald Ducks winning the Youth Inter Regionals. It finishes off the 2019 South West team competition season on an amazing high.

On behalf of the South West members and Regional Committee, we congratulate each and every rider who has represented the South West in 2019 team competitions.

Danielle Rhodes, who hails from Somerset, spearheaded the winning team’s campaign aboard Kim Gibson’s Sycamore Stirling, a five year old Westphalian son of Showmaker. The black gelding, who is known as Fred, produced a knockout Novice performance of 72.47% on day one followed by a solid 68.76 % on day two. This not only helped her team to victory, but also took the pair into overall second at Novice level.

“Wow! What a fantastic weekend,” said Danielle, who last year took the individual Elementary title with the well known Traditional Gypsy Cob stallion, Tiger Tim. “Fred exceeded all expectations. He was one of the youngest horses at the Senior Home International yet he behaved like an absolute pro for the entire competition. He's definitely a star in the making.

It’s been the most amazing couple of days - lots of laughter, great team spirit and a huge amount of support. Huge congratulations to the entire BD South West team. Also a huge well done must be given to Wellington Riding for working so hard to get the show running. It's definitely been a show to remember.

Dorset’s Natasha Rumble and Don Paccini, the winning team’s Advanced Medium combination, were on form for an overall individual fourth place. Natasha and the 18 year old Westphalian gelding, who is owned by Liz Rawlingson, scored 67.74% on day one followed by 70% to top the tables on day two.

“What a fantastic show!” said Natasha on Facebook. “Thank you to all the team mates for being so supportive and encouraging. Thank you also to Wellington Riding for holding a fab show and to Saracen Horse Feeds for being such generous sponsors.

“A great amount of effort is put in behind the scenes to make sure myself and Alfie are feeling and looking amazing! Thank you to Liz Rawlingson for being a fab owner and main cheerleader at the shows! Obviously, trainer Carol Parsons has given us great preparation for the show, and thank you to everyone else for the ongoing support!”

Katie Kneen from Dorset and her 14 year old Irish bred gelding, The Last Cavalier, representing the team at Medium achieved a fabulous top ten place, whilst Wiltshire’s Gayle King and Kingthistle Darcy, her gorgeous grey 12 year old, finished a creditable 18th in the Elementary.

Individual honours
Alexandra Ratcliffe from Lancashire, representing the North West Cosmopolitan team, did the North West proud with victory in the Novice individual championship on scores of 71.48% and 70.54% with her 11 year old mare, Shadana. “Oh my days what a weekend!” said an elated Ratcliffe. “So proud of super diva Shads for getting us selected to compete for the North West team but never in my wildest dreams did I expect her to go and smash it to win the overall individual with the highest overall percentage of the competition.”

The Elementary individual title belonged to Wales Total Eclipse of the Heart team rider Cethin Ravenhill, from Pembrokeshire, with her own and Alexander John’s Project Vilmar – a 17 year old bright bay son of Concorde. They were awarded an overall percentage score of 68.36, ahead of Lauren Russell and Fantastic Khan.

Medium honours went to the BD Southern region thanks to Katie Lawrence and Donaulied of the fourth placed Southern Lanson team. Katie and the Dankeschon x Jazz Rubin seven year old enjoyed a super successful weekend with an overall mark just shy of 70%.

Essex combination Jane Littlejohn and Urban Knight, from the Eastern Portobello Road team, claimed Advanced Medium honours. It was close fought class, however Jane and her 11 year old son of United were the sole combination to reach a score average of 70%.

The Prix St Georges was a competitive division, ultimately won by Southern Bollinger team rider, Holly Colgate-Hardaway with Zoe Sopp’s Dalvangs Lorenzo (by Bogegardens Laurino) who are in their first season at PSG. The Hampshire combination, who are no strangers to the big stage having won titles at both the Winter and National Championships, earned an overall mark of 68.51%.

Well done to all the riders who took part and congratulations to all the prize winners. British Dressage thanks the team at Wellington, Saracen Horse Feeds, and all involved for a hugely successful Senior Home International.

Team results – top three
1. South West Daffy Ducks, 413.05
Danielle Rhodes and Sycamore Stirling – Novice
Natasha Rumble and Don Paccini – Advanced Medium
Katie Kneen and The Last Cavalier - Medium
Gayle King and Kingthistle Darcy - Elementary

2. Southern Bollinger, 411.23
Kerrie Love and Penlove Aristocat – Novice
Suzanne Ashwell and Rhomantic – Elementary
Nicky Harrison and Lobke Van Het Urnenvelde – Medium
Holly Colgate-Hardaway and Dalvangs Lorenzo – Advanced

3. Eastern Hendrix, 408.32
Ruth Hurst and Penhaligon Rockstein – Advanced Medium
Zoe Kirkpatrick and Floriam TH – Elementary
Sian Sheridan and Ardie – Medium
Debra Stapleton and Fuego’s Funny Girl – Novice

Individual Results – top three
Novice Champpionship
1. Alexandra Ratcliffe and Shadana (North West Cosmopolitan), 71.01%
2. Danielle Rhodes and Sycamore Stirling (South West Daffy Ducks), 70.62%
3. Lauren Williamson and Vancouver LG (North West Mojito), 70.57%

Elementary Championship
1. Cethin Ravenhill and Project Vilmar (Wales Total Eclipse of the Heart), 68.36%
2. Lauren Russell and Fantastic Khan (North West Daiquiri), 68.19%
3. Stephanie Gaunt and Horatio IV (Northern Eclipse), 68.10%

Medium Championship
1. Katie Lawrence and Donaulied (Southern Lanson), 69.82%
2. Bertie Collyer and Fiasco II (Southern Taittinger), 67.61%
3. Gemma Zaremba and Ekko Falkenfürst (Central Duchesses), 67.47%

Advanced Medium Championship
1. Jane Littlejohn and Urban Knight (Eastern Portobello Road), 70.18%
2. Ruth Hurst and Penhaligon Rockstein (Eastern Hendrix), 69.62%
3. Madeleine Gardner and Whatapallaver (Central Princesses), 69.41%

Prix St Georges Championship
1. Holly Colgate Hardaway and Dalvangs Lorenzo (Southern Bolinger), 68.51%
2. Ben Smith and Faran (Southern Lanson), 66.81%
3. Diana Barley and Nirvana Celestial (Scotland Duke of Convention), 65.44%

Photo © Tanja Davis for Kevin Sparrow