Summer Regional Championships: The Cabin EC

Scotland’s Summer Regional Championships took place last weekend at the Cabin Equestrian Centre in Aberdeenshire (4 – 5 August 2018).

West Lothian’s Jo Barry (40) enjoyed a successful show with three wins aboard her two up-and-coming rides – Hidalgo II who she co-owns with Lady Mary Hope, and Gordon Grainger’s Goofy La Perle (pictured earlier this year). Hidalgo II, a lovely looking chestnut by Rousseau and out of a Donnerhall mare, won the Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold with the biggest score of the show – 72.78% - whilst stable mate ‘Goofy’ won the Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold as well as the TopSpec Medium Gold. Jo and the talented Belissimo M son scored 72.03% and 71.26% respectively to take the two classes.

Carl Hester pupil Jo, who represented Great Britain at the FEI Pony Europeans in 1993 with the grey, Duntarvie Edward, has earned great respect as a prolific national championship rider throughout her career.

The popular Scot continues to make a determined recovery from a serious head injury sustained in a schooling fall in December 2014. Making a steady but sure return to fitness, she won her first national title since the accident - the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold - with Goofy La Perle at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships this April, and they’ll certainly be ones to watch at the LeMieux National Championships in September.

Clearly delighted with the performances of her two young rides, Jo took to Facebook to say; “Gold star boys! Scottish Regional Championships and three wins and a second. Goofy won the Elementary Gold & Medium Gold to gain direct qualification in both, and Humphrey won the Novice Gold and was second to Goofy in the Elementary. Humphrey adds Novice qualification to his 6yo Young Horse class and has his hooves crossed for a wildcard in the Elementary. Thanks to all at Cabin EC for doing such a good job. Nationals here we come!”

Ailsa Gilchrist (53), from Barrhill in Ayrshire, impressed judges Sarah Leitch (H), Debby Lush (C) and Sue Rowlands (B) with her British-bred 10-year-old, Westpoint Rasaldo (Westpoint Rasputin x Fulton). The chestnut gelding and his rider earned a score of 70.49% to win the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver ahead of Gillian Peters with Serafina IV and Shirley Melling with Duntarvie Antony who tied for second (68.52%).

Dundee-based Joanna Wilkie (45) and her Scottish Sport Horse Romeo XX, an attractive grey by Solaris Amourex, had the winning edge in the TopSpec Medium Silver with a score of 67.43%. “What a weekend!” she said via Facebook. “The lovely Romeo was a star at the BD Scotland Summer Regionals. First place in the Medium Silver Section! We are going to the Nationals! Also fourth on Saturday in a competitive Elementary Silver section with a solid test. Huge thanks to everyone involved.”

The runner-up spot was taken by Samantha Turpitt and Bali Dancer (66.89%), the combination who took the Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver with a super score of 70.52%.

Congratulations to all of the qualified riders and regional champions. British Dressage thanks the team at The Cabin Equestrian Centre and all involved for a successful Regional Championships, and the National sponsors for their generous support.

Regional Champions:

Backinaction Preliminary
Elizabeth Rose with Sallandt’s Station Master, 68.97%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Ailsa Gilchrist with West Point Rasaldo, 70.49%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Jo Barry with Hidalgo II, 72.78%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver
Samantha Turpitt with Bali Dancer, 70.52%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Jo Barry with Goofy La Perle, 72.03%

TopSpec Medium Silver
Joanna Wilkie with Romeo XX, 67.43%

TopSpec Medium Gold
Jo Barry with Goofy La Perle, 71.26%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Nicky Heale with Retanach Request, 68.99%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Sharon Lindop with Spielbanker, 64.91%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Fenella Ross with Creatzo, 68.60%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Katherine Tullie with Arctic Jazz, 63.90%