SW Donald Ducks dominate Equissage Pulse PHI

A bumper weekend of Regional Team competition was hosted by Keysoe EC in Bedfordshire over 10 – 12 May and for the first time the Equissage Pulse Para Home International ran alongside the Senior Inter Regional to give a busy weekend full of awesome dressage action.

Eight teams came forward with England strongly represented with two riders from Wales; two from the Northern Region, two from Eastern, both supported by CU Phosco, one from South West, one from Southern and then two were mixed teams.

Open to riders graded I to IV and in any section the teams were made of three or four riders with titles for the highest performances in each grade and of course the all-important team honours. 

In the battle for the team title, the riders from the south west proved tough to topple and a final score over two intense days, the foursome of SW Donald Ducks, Tom Dyer, Anna Mae Cole, Jemima Green and Jamie Winduss finished on 426.36, over 10% to the good of their nearest rivals, Southern Lanson.

Grade III Silver rider Tom Dyer rode Elsbeth Greenall’s piebald Henry XVII, who he partnered to win the Winter Championship title in March and their 69 and 72% plus scores were a vital part of helping the team alongside Anna Mae Cole with her own The Gingerbread Man VI, a new partner for the Newton Abbot rider this season.

Both Jemima and Jamie were top scorers in their grades which inevitably clinched the team result too. Jemima rode Clare Blaskey and her own Blue Chip Forever. Dutch bred by Johnson, the bay gelding competed up to Advanced Medium in able bodied before Jemima started riding him in March and they’ve already formed quite a bond with a number of 70% plus scores on their record toghether.

Grade I Jamie Winduss (17), who combines his riding with comping in wheelchair basketball, rode Alice Pearse’s Wonnacott, his winning partner at this year’s Equisssage Pulse Winter Championships. The duo have been competing together since November last year and are quickly gaining notoriety in the Grade I ranks. 

Victorious RDO Mandy Heath said; “The region is absolutely thrilled with the great success this weekend of all of our SW para riders. We were lucky to have some experienced team riders alongside some new members this year, riding at a Home International for the first time. Nick Rodgers has worked hard to encourage, support and help our riders and what an amazing job he has done. Congratulations – we’re delighted for each and every one of you!”

The Grade III champion was Sharon Kelsall, riding for the Southern Lanson team. She rode Valentino XVIII, who she jointly owns with Louise Latimer Smith. This is another partnership who are in the beginnings of their career together but they’re unbeaten this year in BD competition.

Kent rider Katie Radzik dominated the Grade IV with her two rides; C’est la Vie II in the Southern Lanson team and Lollipop in the Swales Rainbows (an amalgamation of riders from Wales, Southern and South West. It was with Joyce Wood’s Lollipop that she triumphed individually with C’est la Vie II, owned by Miranda Vivienne, in second.

Bronze Grade V rider Chloe Chadwick was the champion by a comfortable margin. She was riding in the composite team NWC Mergers aboard her own Inosent Flight and added a second individual title of 2019 to the one she earned at the Equissage Pulse Winter Championships.

Congratulation to all our riders, their support crews and the team behind the competition for a great few days where the camaraderie, sportsmanship and spirit was truly inspirational.

Teams

First - South West Donald Ducks, 426.36
Tom Dyer with Henry XVII, Grade III Silver
Anna Mae Cole with The Gingerbread Man IV, Grade II Gold
Jemima Green with Blue Chip Forever, Grade II Silver
Jamie Winduss with Wannacott, Grade I Silver

Second – Southern Lanson, 415.5
Katie Radzick with C’est La Vie II, Grade IV Gold
Rachel Collins with Finetime, Grade IV Gold
Sharon Kelsall with Valentino XVIII, Grade III Silver

Third – Eastern CU Phosco Shining, 414.19
Olivia Cornick with Ronaldo, Grade IV Silver
Eleanor Currington with Drunkeen Boy, Grade III Bronze (test 21)
Sophie Lingfield with Trust April, Grade I Bronze (test 3)
Mari Ackhurst with Lebensfreude, Grade I Gold

Para Individual Champions
Grade I
Jamie Winduss with Wonnacott, South West Donald Ducks (Silver)

Grade II
Jemima Green with Blue Chip Forever, South West Donald Ducks (Silver)

Grade III
Sharon Kelsall with Valentino XVIII, Southern Lawson (Silver)

Grade IV
Katie Radzik with Lollipop, Swales Rainbows (Gold)

Grade V
Chloe Chadwick with Inosent Flight, NWC Mergers (Bronze)

Senior Inter Regional report to follow soon.