Summer Regional Championships: Bicton Arena

The midway point of this year’s Summer Regional Championships has been reached following the conclusion of a thrilling three days at Bicton Arena in Devon (19 – 21 July).

Winner of the Backinaction Preliminary was the local combination of Carmen Shah (39) and PBW Mullagh Murphy, an Irish-bred nine-year-old owned by Jemima Dart. The talented pair won with a score of 70.40% with second-placed Josie Mackenzie and Vinisaurous scoring 70% exactly. “I can’t believe we’re going to the Nationals,” said a delighted Carmen on Facebook. “Thank you so much to Jemima and Julie Dart for letting me compete him, Murphy is such a star.”

Not one, but two riders chalked up a spectacular double of wins – Somerset’s Danielle Rhodes and eventing dressage rider, Dannie Morgan from Hampshire.

Danielle Rhodes, who’s based at Kingfisher Equestrian near Castle Cary where she’s established a livery and competition business, secured two tickets to the LeMieux National Championships for owner Denise Kersley. In Thursday’s Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver she rode Jannick, a striking seven-year-old Pinto cross Friesian gelding to win the class with 71.85% ahead of the Welsh pony stallion, Moelview Prince Consort with Sam Roberts in the saddle, second (68.95%).

The following day in the Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver, Danielle rode the celebrated Traditional Gypsy Cob, Tiger Tim, to victory with a fabulous combination personal best of 73.28%. Tiger Tim, now 13, was the 2013 Novice Restricted Champion with his former rider Alysia Matravers. The stallion’s success in dressage is testament to the versatility of the traditional cob, and he’ll make a very welcome return to Stoneleigh in September.

Dannie Morgan (Pictured) meanwhile won the TopSpec Medium Gold (72.57%) and Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver (71.84%) – both with Lisa Morgan’ Knoxx’s Figaro, an eight-year-old Dutch-bred Jazz x Krack C gelding. “Fig is double Regional Champion,” said Dannie. “He was amazing today to win the Advanced Medium Silver on 71.84%. [I’m] So pleased with him considering he has only done a handful of Advanced Medium tests.

“Thanks to the team at Bicton Arena, [it is] such a beautiful venue that has brilliant surfaces and such friendly team.”

The Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold is always a highly competitive class, typically awash with exciting young prospects. The regional round at Bicton was headed by Sadie Smith aboard Carl Hester’s five-year-old chestnut, Imhotep, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, Everdale. Sadie and ‘Pete’ earned a score of 74.14%.

One winning combination at the FEI levels was Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat who claimed the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges with 69.21% and in doing so secured their place at the National Championships for a fifth consecutive year.

British Dressage thanks the team at Bicton Arena and all involved for a successful Regional Championships. Congratulations to all qualified combinations and to everyone who took part.

Regional Champions

Backinaction Preliminary
Carmen Shah with PBW Mullagh Murphy, 70.40%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Danielle Rhodes with Jannick, 71.85%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Sadie Smith with Imhotep, 74.14%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver
Danielle Rhodes with Tiger Tim, 73.28%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Bryony Goodwin with Hawtins Soave, 72.40%

TopSpec Medium Silver
Stephanie Sweet with Dolle Jung, 69.73%

TopSpec Medium Gold
Dannie Morgan with Knoxx’s Figaro, 72.57%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Dannie Morgan with Knoxx’s Figaro, 71.84%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Mark Forrest with Bonita VI, 72.15%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Jess Bennett with JB Dukaat, 69.21%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Gemma Maddocks with El Paso Van Overis, 67.54%