Festival Focus - Kingston Maurward
It was a showstopper at Kingston Maurward, 14 – 17 February with plenty of top scores and fantastic tests, we caught up with some of the combinations who made their way there.
Petplan’s picks!
Ruth Bishop topped the podium in the Prelim Bronze riding Graham Bunney’s twelve year old native gelding, Holmedown Red Sox. It’s been a long time coming for the pair after they have previously qualified for the last two championships but were unable to attend Ruth said, “We started affiliated dressage around one and a half years ago, qualifying for the Winter Area Festivals on his first attempt, then the Summer Championships but due to circumstances didn’t attend.”
Based in Cornwall Ruth made the drive to Kingston Maurward to hopefully get their third time lucky ticket to the championships. Bred by Wendy Bridges, Holmedown Red Sox known as Ruairi wasn’t backed until he was six year old and it was a year later Ruth got the ride, “We have mostly shown in Mountain and Moorland classes which he was very successful in, attending many. He also had a very successful in hand career before I knew him.”
They decided to take to the dressage ring as it suits Ruairi’s personality, “He's a get on with the job type of guy and doesn't enjoy the standing around and waiting that comes with showing. So dressage fits well!” Ruth backs native ponies for a living as well as a few shire horses recently, “But my love is with the ponies.”
Ruth was super pleased with their test but have a few things to work on before Hartpury, “My inability to ride a 15-metre circle without getting lost!” However Ruairi didn’t put a foot wrong, “ He walked around the arena walk like he's been doing it his whole life. For our first Petplan Equine Area festival I couldn't really expect any more from him.” They are now aiming to continue up the levels and hopefully try some dressage to music, “He loves a boogie to a good track!”
Rising eleven year old Gralyns Darcey has attended every Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships since Novice now they’ll be back but this time at Medium Silver with mum of three Danielle Whitlock. “She is a super mare to work with and has such a lovely work ethic,” Danielle told us. She fits riding around working full time as an organiser at Quob Stables and is “So excited to be attending Hartpury again this year.” Topping the podium with 72.25% the pair are currently working at Prix St Georges at home and Dainelle would love to wear her tails to a show, “ But first with spring fast approaching we hope to get out to some county shows side saddle.”
Commentator Denise Robertson took a small break at Kingston Maurward to ride her super cob Sally X in the Novice Bronze, “It was highlight of my week,” Denise said on social media. With the nerves taking over in the warm up the mare was there to support her through, “She felt great in the warm up, relaxed and responsive so we decided to go for it!” Aiming for a top ten placing the pair over exceeded expectations to place fifth on 69.95%. Denise took to social media to review her test, “We were first on and got through the test with no mistakes and it felt good. The medium trot’s felt great, she is getting so much stronger, and I came out of the test thinking a top ten place might be a possibility, but there was a long way to go.”
Sally sustained a leg injury a three years ago which resulted in an operation, where Denise was told their ridden career might not be a possibility. With the help of their trainer Kathryn Marsh they have since had a go at dressage to music and qualified for two Area Festivals, “My heart has just burst with pride for my little horse. A huge thanks to Kathryn for all her hard work in getting me this far and pushing me out of my comfort zone.”
Highest placed U21 rider Grace Blenkinsopp was determined to gain their ticket to the Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships, “We didn’t have a very positive test at Addington a few weeks ago, as Jet (Archangel I) decided to add a few additional moves in the test.” Having never been to Kingston Maurward before they made the two hour trip.
“My trainer, Ben St John James suggested giving Jet a much longer warm up, so that’s what we did and he felt much more relaxed,” Grace told us. This played through into their test where they were awarded 70.05%, “I was second to last to go in my class with the same combination being in the lead for most of the day, another U21 rider, so I knew what I had to achieve,” Danielle mentioned. With this being only their third Medium test she knew they had to pull out all of the stops, “Just a few weeks ago we were practicing our walk pirouettes.” The last rider Danielle Whitlock pipped them to the top spot but Grace was thrilled with the results, “All of our hard work had paid off and a week later getting second in the Elementary Silver Freestyle Regional Championships was the icing on the cake.”
Kingston Maurward Winners
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze
Ruth Bishop and Holmedown Red Sox, 71.46 %
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver
Sarah Davis and Winston Classic Gold, 73.82 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Daisy Winkle and Decandro Hit LDS, 72.15 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver
Sarah Perry and Kildare Tommy II, 70.56 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze
Olivia Van Grudgings and Pencarder Cry For The Moon, 70.44 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver
Amy Barlow and Stormhill Ultima, 71.32 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze
Victoria Homden and Olly, 73.24 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver
Danielle Sarah Whitlock and Gralyns Darcey, 72.25 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze
Helen Beaton and Frankisse II, 68.97 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver
Sally Hall and Falira, 65.47 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze
Susan Jane Lanz and Wellshead Foxtrot, 65.29 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver
Amanda-Jane Robb and Ruby Tuesday V, 64.22 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Bronze
Christiane Oakley and Keystone Walente, 66.52 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Silver
Ailsa Gunn and Force Ten Gale, 62.89 %