Festival Focus - Brook Farm

Brook Farm, 28 – 30 July hosted our musical Area Festival! Pop, classical and hip hop tracks were played over three days to get the judges tapping their feet to award riders with those all important places to the championships.

Petplan’s picks! 

With their partnership spanning over 16 years, Katrina Hall and her New Forest pony King of the Street are pleased to be heading to another championship together this time at Advanced Medium Bronze. The gelding is now 22 years old, so in the run up to the Area Festival Katrina was determined to keep him fit and supple, “He knows his work at his age, so we do lots of hacking and suppleness exercises.” Starting their journey back at Prelim they have worked together through the levels, now training with Becky Moody and Jill Day. As a freelance groom, rider and BDCC Level 2 Coach, Katrina just loves working with horses and is proud of all their achievements through the years.

Talking about their test Katrina said, “My test was the best test we could of achieve together everything was perfectly in the markers and to the best of my pony’s ability. My highlights are our changes and extended canter.”

Winning the Elementary Silver with 71.81% on her gelding Royal Willian, Charlotte Fogel fits riding around working full-time in London. “I started riding when I was five but was forced to sell my pony when I left for university. Then I lived abroad and started work so horse riding naturally went on the backburner for several years.” Starting her dressage career only four years ago on another horse, which sadly had to retire after only doing a handful of tests, Charlotte went on the hunt for a new dancing partner last year. “I was introduced to William through a good friend, and the rest is history!”

The 12 year old, 17.2hh dark bay, Oldenburg gelding is the perfect consummate gentleman Charlotte told us, and rather suits his regal name. Competing in their first Area Festival back in January, where they placed seventh in the Novice, they were “absolutely thrilled” to win this time as its been a dream for Charlotte. Making the step up to Elementary a few months ago Charlotte was over the moon to see their score at Brook Farm, “I wanted to cry! My goal was to stay calm and to produce a clean, accurate test. I was particularly pleased with the fluency and balance of the test we delivered. He really tried for me and when I watch videos back from the beginning of our journey, I am absolutely thrilled with how far we have come together as a team.” Only being able to train evenings and weekends, they work on being as consistent as possible and having a plan each time they ride.

“To qualify for an Area Festival is already such a big achievement but to compete at one of these events is just incredible, you really get the feel for what it’s like to compete in a bigger atmosphere. It’s a fantastic experience and you meet so many great people along the way,” Charlotte said about her experience. They are now looking forward to their first championships together. “It’s a wonderful memory that will stay with me forever.”

It's been a busy twelve months for Jade Philbin who is now no stranger to competing with her thirteen year old gelding Star Cruising; a top ten placing at Team Quest, competing at four Area Festivals and the Petplan Equine Area Festival Winter Championship, Prelim Champions at the Cavago Thoroughbred Associated Championship as well as regional teams. Coming together as a partnership in May of last year they have loved every second they have had, “Rusty really is the best part of every single day for me, he is my world.”

This was the first of four tests for the pair this season and what a way to kick off the summer, “My test felt like it flowed well, he felt rhythmical and consistent. We always try to be as accurate as possible but Rusty is thankfully a seasoned pro in the show ring and makes it very easy for me, so I put on a big smile, remembered the route and just enjoyed myself.” They also then came third in the Novice Freestyle Bronze. “I rang my trainers Leanne Wall and Gail Ridgewell to tell them to good news!”

Owning this ‘orange love muffin’ is “nothing short of a daily pleasure, he’s the most loving and kind soul and will often be found giving me cuddles over the stable door,” Jade told us. Before the Area Festivals they focused on hacking after an already busy season, “I knew we knew what we were doing so I knew he would benefit from hacking up and down the hills of Meopham enjoying the sunny weather.” Also picking up a few test riding lessons with Craig Messenger, Char Lassetter and Leanne Wall a week before the show.

A week later headed off to Speedgate where they came second in the Prelim Silver and Novice Freestyle Bronze, finishing off their Area Festival tickets. They’re now plan on enjoying what’s left of the year in their regional teams and activities before heading off to the championships and Cavago Associated Camps later in the year.

Brook Farm Winners  

Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze

Holly Rogers and Calcourt Florentine, 76.25 %

Petplan Equine Preliminary Freestyle Bronze  

Carolynn Jackson and Free Flight, 71.39 %  

Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver 

Jo Mair and Kilbrien Chris, 70.42 %

Petplan Equine Preliminary Freestyle Silver

Louise Thompson and Presley II, 68.15 %

Petplan Equine Novice Bronze

Jade Philbin and Star Cruising, 69.58 %

Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Bronze   

Rachel Moore and Djaikeh, 73.33 %

Petplan Equine Novice Silver 

Nicky Tyrrell and Petplin Jessica, 70.97 %

Petplan Equine Novice Freestyle Silver  

Louise Thompson and Romanno Danteno, 73.33 %           

Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze

Nicky Tyrrell and Petlin Jessica, 67.65 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Bronze  

Hannah Wyatt and Menai Sparkling Delight, 71.60 %

Petplan Equine Elementary Silver   

Charlotte Fogel and Royal William, 71.81 %          

Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Silver 

Rosie Coulson and Ballynagilly Damien, 71.79 % 

Petplan Equine Medium Bronze 

Sarah Hillier and Winnetou Apache, 65.81 %        

Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Bronze   

Zanna Saville and Just Look At Me, 64.33 %            

Petplan Equine Medium Silver

Jodie Smith and Amber V, 68.77 %     

Petplan Equine Medium Freestyle Silver  

Jodie Smith and Amber V, 69.56 %

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze 

Katrina Hall and King of the Street, 67.39 %

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze  

Sandie Gibbs and Gomez Gold, 69.00 %  

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver

Ella Garfoot and Impulz DE B, 69.19 %     

Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver  

Samantha Brown and Rochester I, 67.89 %                            

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze

Toby Stephen Bancroft and Donnerstag III, 65.15 %

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze   

Sue Clement and Wesley CJ, 65.50 %       

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Silver

Samantha Louise Collins and Geneve, 68.48 %

Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Freestyle Silver

Shelley Ellen Reeve-Smith and Garfield VDW, 69.79 %      

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Bronze 

Mandy Brown and Keystone Rumour, 65.39 %

Petplan Equine Intermediate I Freestyle Bronze 

Jane Von Seelen Hansen and Missy II, 66.33 %

Petplan Equine Inter I Silver

Shelley Ellen Reeve-Smith and Foxtrott, 65.29 %