Summer Regional Championships: Port Royal

The Northern Regional Championships at Port Royal were blessed with scorching weather and equally scorching competition to match (20 – 22 July).

Earning the highest score of the show was Stena Hoerner with Janice Oram’s six-year-old Seagry Tobias. The Totilas x Sandro Hit gelding earned a phenomenal 75% in the Childeric Saddles Elementary Silver after performing a sublime test piloted by former Eilberg pupil Stena. The trip to Stoneleigh will be a first for Seagry Tobias, known as ‘Toby’ at home, whilst Stena will return to the LeMieux National Dressage after a ten year break following her last appearance in 2008.

Stena is based in Conwy, Wales, with her partner Greg Sims with whom she runs GSH Dressage at her family home, Tremorfa Stud. Speaking about her win she said that she was “over the moon” with the way that Toby performed before adding that she earned her first ever 10, awarded for an excellent final halt, immobility and salute.

Also returning to the Nationals arena after a short break of three years is former youth team rider Natasha Leak. With her own eight-year-old Belissimo, Natasha was victorious in the TopSpec Medium Silver class scoring 70.05% to take home the spoils. Based at Willerby Hill Equestrian, Natasha has produced the chestnut gelding from Novice through to Medium alongside running a busy yard.

Natasha will be joined at Stoneleigh by her 2008 Pony European Championships team mate Amy Woodhead, who picked up two more wins at Port Royal to add to her Shearwater six-year-old semi-final title with MSJ Zonetta. Victoria Peace’s stallion Branduardi (pictured) earned his place in the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges starting line-up after winning his qualifier with 70.44%, whilst the star mare Zonetta returned to add another title to her CV, this time in the Childeric Saddles Elementary Gold class.

Speaking on Facebook Amy said, “Wow what can I say about this week at Port Royal regionals! The horses definitely did me very proud winning three classes - the six-year-olds, Elementary Gold and the PSG! And two five-year-olds both qualifying for the National Championships this year so so proud! Thank you to all the amazing owners of these fantastic horses and of course the team I have around me! Setting up on my own was the most terrifying thing I have ever done but it’s all down to the team that are always there to support me and make sure the horses are happy!”

Scoring an impressive 72.18% in the Backinaction Preliminary Silver competition was Sheffield-based rider Jordan Kavanagh with his own eight-year-old mare Fluer. Despite only being a partnership for a matter of months, Jordan and Fluer impressed the judges panel of Mark Ruddock, Tim Downes and Helen Bradley to win the class of 36 by almost three percent. The Youth riders were hot on Jordan’s heels and dominated the remaining qualifying places; Victoria Turner and Ceri Rogerson scored 69.54% and 69.48% to complete the podium.

Emma Haigh and Darryl Thickitt were the winners of the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver and Gold classes. Whilst Angela Sykes Brown with Happy Hope II won the Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver with Lara Dyson and Jazzed Up taking the win in the Gold section.

Congratulations to all of our qualified riders and regional champions. British Dressage thanks Port Royal EC for four years of brilliant competition, as well all the National sponsors for their generous support. 

Results

BackinAction Preliminary Silver
1st Jordan Kavanagh with Fleur, 72.18%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
1st Emma Haigh with Estelle, 71.05%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
1st Darryl Thickit with Faszination I, 73.15%

Childeric Saddles Elementary Silver
1st Stena Hoerner with Seagry Tobias, 75%

Childeric Saddles Elementary Gold
1st Amy Woodhead with MSJ Zonetta, 72.71%

TopSpec Medium Silver
1st Natasha Leak with Belissimo, 70.05%

TopSpec Medium Gold
1st Rebecca Hughes with Classic Goldstrike, 69.32%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
1st Angela Sykes Brown with Happy Hope II, 66.89%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
1st Lara Edwards with Jazzed Up, 71.23%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
1st Amy Woodhead with Branduardi, 70.44%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
1st Roxanne Shipley with Headmore Dream On, 65.53%

For full results click here.

To view photos from the event visit the Port Royal Facebook page.