Festival Focus - Speedgate Equestrian

Riders put on their jackets, polished their boots and perfect their floorplans to kick start the Area Festivals in August at Speedgate Equestrian (5 – 8 August).

Petplan’s picks!

British bred Westoak Midsommer claimed second place in the Elementary Silver with Gemma Dalton securing their place at the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships on 68.82 %. Known at home as Max the fourteen year old gelding bred by Westoak Stud has been with Gemma since he was a foal.

Telling us about their journey so far Gemma said, ”we recently returned to competing following a few years out due to having two children and the pandemic. This was our first area festivals since 2018 and we had a great two days.”

Gemma, who works full-time and has two children who are three and seven months old she was delighted to get on the podium, “As an amateur rider who has two horses as well as children under five I made the top three amongst professionals! I am exceptionally grateful for the team around us. Now I’m super excited for the Championships at Arena UK.” They also have their fingers crossed for a wild card in the Elementary Silver Freestyle where they can fourth with 70.06%.

It was a personal best for Double Agent and Avery Maude in the Inter I Silver, “I was absolutely thrilled with our result at the Speedgate,” where they came second with 69.16%.

“I was not expecting to qualify so that was an amazing surprise to come home with; we are so looking forward to the Championships,” Avery told us about their day. There was another reason to celebrate as it was the paid fifth anniversary, “I have had Double Agent for five years this week so it was a really lovely way to celebrate that. She is such a kind, willing mare and always gives me 110%.”

Avery loves the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, and she tells us why, “they’ve been an excellent way to learn the ropes at new levels whilst being able to experience a championship atmosphere. They enable a wide range of horse and rider combinations to compete across a range of levels which is just fantastic to see.”

A ticket to the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships has always escaped Amelia Ward since they started in 2018 and her two ponies Revue Star (Jasmine) Tireve What’s Wanted (Freddy) but now is their chance, winning the Elementary Bronze Freestyle in a one-two. Having owned Freddy from the start of her horse riding days, thirteen years ago he is now twenty seven year old and a well loved member of the family, Jasmine came along three years later.

It wasn’t plain sailing as just days before the big competition Jasmines saddle didn’t fit and a change of bit was needed Amelia told us, “it was only when I rode the day before that we finally found a combination of equipment we felt she was comfortable in to allow us to compete!”

Talking about their winning day, “I was over the moon with Fred’s straight but I think we were both a bit tired for his music as I forgot the floor plan and he added a medium canter that was not there. I had decided their music tests were not good enough for a top placing even though I was happy with them so merrily starting taking out plaits and packing up when I saw they had made all my dreams come true and come 1st and 2nd! The team at Speedgate were fabulous and gave me time to get them both ready so I could have photo on Jas but also photos of her and Fred together.”

It was a surprise for Medium Freestyle Bronze Tracey Simpson to win, “To be honest I went to the Area Festival with no high expectations as we're relatively new at this level. The heat took the wind out of his sails a bit in the straight Medium and was a little stuffy, so wasn't expecting much from our music. But the music seemed to lift him and carry him a bit and as usual he tried his hardest and pulled it out of the bag.”

Kilgreaney Samson, known at home as Sam came to Tracey six years ago after eventing pre-novice with his previous owner and breeder, “we've worked our way up from Novice to Medium. There were a couple of soundness blips en route – an inversely rotated pedal bones and changes in his hocks. But with good vet care and management we came out the other side. We're working hard at Medium!”

They have a busy future together as Tracey wants to enjoy him as much as possible, “we’re aiming for the  Cavago Associated Championships at Bury Farm, as his grandpa is Connemara. In the distant future I would love to nail changes and get a couple of Advanced Mediums under our belt.”

The beautiful Treliver De La Crème stallion made an appearance with Craig Messenger in the Elementary Silver where they won the class with 69.32% and also the Freestyle where they came second to qualify. Last years Novice Silver Freestyle Champion at Arena UK they are back once again to claim another title. Talking about the show at Speedgate Craig tells us, “It was a very well-run event with a fantastic supportive group of people. The days ran smoothly and lots of happy people and horses. I really enjoy competing at this level due to the positive atmosphere and people you meet at these events.”

Speedgate Equestrian winners

Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze 

Sophie Bevins and Fenmere Island-Jack, 69.03 %                                  

Petplan Equine Preliminary Freestyle Bronze 

Maisey Russell and Brigadier Badger, 66.39 %  

Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver  

Claire Gillanders and Casado, 71.88 %  

Petplan Equine Novice Bronze  

Stacey Page and Diamond Ace II, 68.82 %

Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Bronze  

Debbie Boylan-White and Kippure Smoking Gun, 71.02 %

Petplan Equine Novice Silver 

Tracey Jane Mitchell and Mr Hardcore, 71.18 %   

Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Silver 

Jane Lavington and Broadriver Caledonia, 73.24 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze 

Kirsten Good and Honalulu, 67.11 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Bronze 

Amelia Ward and Revue Star, 69.49 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Silver  

Craig Messenger and Treliver De La Crème, 69.32 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Silver  

Jane Lavington and Broadriver Caledonia, 73.33 %     

Petplan Equine Medium Bronze  

Sue Penny and Amingo, 68.24 %                

Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Bronze  

Tracey Jane Simpson and Kilgreaney Samson, 65.17 %             

Petplan Equine Medium Silver 

Megan Austin and Kingscarra Carrick Cruise, 68.82 %             

Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Silver 

Craig Messenger and L’enno, 70.50 %              

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze 

Clare Louise Ashley and Pintofields Regal HIT, 67.86 %               

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze 

Clare Louise Ashley and Pintofields Regal HIT, 71.72 %          

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver 

Kate Moisson and Welthausen’s Onour, 68.51 %

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver 

Kate Moisson and Welthausen’s Onour, 72.28 %           

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze  

Zoe Golding and Enzo SR, 67.01 %                  

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze  

Angela Fenn and Dun-Lin, 68.42 %              

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Silver

Paula Dawn Sherwood and Zepelin, 70.54 %

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Bronze  

Benjamin Headley Smith and Faran, 67.89 %

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Silver

Millie Gover and Kamil 'T', 74.56 %