Festival Focus - Rockrose Equestrian
Rockrose Equestrian, 8 – 10 July kicked off the 2022 Summer Petplan Equine Area Festival season! It was a wonderfully sunny weekend for riders in Scotland where they danced their way to gain places to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championship at Arena UK in October.
Petplan’s picks!
Rockrose Equestrian kicked off the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival season the first weekend in July with riders hoping to dance their way to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships in October.
Lorna Stewart and Isla took the win in the Elementary Bronze with 68.09%, after missing out on last year’s qualification. The pair also came second in the Novice Bronze with 69.65% and was a busy weekend for Lorna who competed her other horse, Corkhill Clerkenwell in the Prelim Silver.
Talking about her day on social media, “I had an amazing weekend on both my horses, it was Corkhill Clerkenwell first time at a Petplan Equine Area Festival, coming 9th in her Prelim as she was a bit tense. It was Isla’s third time competing in the Petplan Equine Area Festivals and she was just such an amazing mare, tried her heart out, delighted was a understatement.” The sun was shining for their first test at Elementary says Lorna, “Sunday was a hot day and I just wanted to get in the top twenty or get over 60%, well the shock when final results came in to say we’d won! I was so emotional as we’re so new to this level and I thought we had some very green mistakes, so dreams do come true.”
It was a winning weekend for Tracy Thirlwall and thirteen year old mare, Tapaidh Frankie (IRE) who took the title in four classes; the Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze and Freestyle as well as the Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze and Freestyle.Frankie, as she is known at home was originally a racehorse and came to Tracy after six months in the field “she decided racing was far too much hard work,” Tracy told us, “She has her own very strong opinions and can be quite naughty at times.”
Tracy wasn’t sure she’d make the competition due to having shingles she says, “I drove up on my own not knowing what was going to happen as she needs a lot of work before a big competition, or she makes her own entertainment and had missed a lot of work that week with me feeling so ill.” However, Frankie was on her best behaviour and came home with four sashes. Talking about their day, “she loved it at Rockrose Equestrian, it was such a lovely friendly venue everyone was so nice, and it was in the most beautiful setting.”
It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the pair, working with trainer Chrissy Havis their partnership has grown, “we used to come last at the Area Festivals as she couldn’t cope with the atmosphere of bigger competitions. It’s taken 18 months of playing music when I ride to get her to except the music, as she just hates loud noises.”
“It was just icing on the cake; I was so over the moon and rode around with the biggest smile and really enjoyed riding both freestyle tests. I love this little mare so much for giving me these opportunities to ride at these levels, I’m learning so much but do still occasionally feel like we’re “Winging” it,” Tracy concludes. To anyone wanting to give it a go she has this advice, “I hope we inspired people at the weekend that anyone can do it, you don’t necessarily need lots of money or an expensive horse, if you work hard and get the right help it can be done!”
Coming second in the Petplan Equine Prelim Bronze with an impressive 71.11%, Jenni Francis and DRB Thistledu Nicely were over the moon to gain their place at the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships in a strong class. Talking about their journey together so far Jenni told us, “I've owned my seven year old chestnut mare, Thistle since she was a week old. I backed and produced her myself, with support from some fantastic coaches and brilliant friends! This is our first year competing at British Dressage after the pandemic delayed the start of our plans to get out to shows.”
Jenni thinks the delay allowed Thistle the time to develop and grow, “she's a big mare and it's taken a while for her to mature, in both body and brain, but now everything is starting to come together!” Only picking up their dancing shoes in April, they didn’t have any expectations, Jenni said, “I was very worried about the weather as she can be a little laid back, especially in the heat. We weren't competing till 5.30pm and didn't have the opportunity to do the arena walk so I was a little worried about her spooking at the extra judge’s boxes!”
“However, I didn't need to worry, she strolled off the trailer like a pro, full of beans and after a short but good warm up, gave me the test of her life so far.” Jenni went on to say, “our first time scoring over 70% and what a time to do it! In the end being later on in the day was a good thing as it wasn't long to wait to see if we had qualified, which we had. There were a lot of happy tears from me and my friends, who have been so supportive, and I couldn't be prouder of my girl!”
Five year old gelding, Bandirran Gibbs trotted down the centre line for the first time at the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, ridden and owned by Alex Cocking. The wonderful 18hh Clydesdale took the win in the Prelim Silver with 68.13% and will be making their way to Arena UK in October.
Rockrose Equestrian Winners
Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze
Laura Welsh and Rolling Dolly, 72.57 %
Petplan Equine Preliminary Freestyle Bronze
Emily Havis and Stan Three, 71.02 %
Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver
Alex Cocking and Bandirran Gibbs, 68.13 %
Petplan Equine Preliminary Freestyle Silver
Carolyn Emma Mouat and Badger, 68.61 %
Petplan Equine Novice Bronze
Mollie Green and There Goes The Cash, 69.93 %
Farrah Cunningham and King Cotton Legacy, 72.22 %
Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Bronze
Shelley Allen and Kilronan Flash, 68.80 %
Petplan Equine Novice Silver
Katie Stephens-Grandy and GH Bob On, 69.24 %
Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Silver
Sarah Louise and Mclean Achillies FS, 68.43 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze
Lorna Stewart and Ilsa, 68.09 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Bronze
Ruth Sutherland and Mastermind V, 70.58 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Silver
Emily Sutherland and IOLSH Gold Illusion, 69.31 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Silver
Lynda Cardno and Eton II, 68.65 %
Petplan Equine Medium Bronze
Claire Marshall and Samuel II, 68.38 %
Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Bronze
Julie Wattie and Golden Boy II, 68.44 %
Petplan Equine Medium Silver
Ruth Darling and Islesman of Mendick, 67.70 %
Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Silver
Gillian Margaret Brown and Goruchel Peter Pan, 68.50 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze
Tracy Thirlwall and Tapaidh Frankie, 66.92%
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze
Tracy Thirlwall and Tapaidh Frankie, 68.83%
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver
Scott Mclellan and Daimler II, 68.97 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver
Julie Young and Bitsy, 68.50 %
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze
Tracy Thirlwall and Tapaidh Frankie, 62.35 %
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze
Tracy Thirlwall and Tapaidh Frankie, 65.88 %