Festival Focus - Morris Equestrian
Scotland was next for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, where Morris Equestrian welcomed the hopeful riders hoping to make the trip down to Gloucestershire.
Petplan’s picks!
Five year old Spielrencio won over the hearts of the judges in the Novice Silver producing a test worthy of the 72.64% score. Owner and rider Mary Pearson couldn’t quite believe it and took to social media to say, “Hartpury here we come. I can’t put into words what this means to me, fudge has been so special for day one and just keeps getting better and better! He is the kindest sweetest horse ever.”
With one judge rewarded the bay gelding with 75.42% and nine’s, Mary was thrilled with her dancing partner. The pair first took to the dressage arena last year in the KBIS Young Horse classes where they made it to the Port Royal Semi-Finals. This year turning their hand to the Petplan Equine Area Festivals with thanks to her trainer Karen Dewar. “Thank you so much for everyone that makes all this possible for me! Especially my wonderful trainer who is always there for us no matter what, her support is so appreciated,” Mary said on social media.
Fiona Stryjewski and Devon B are no strangers to the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, with an impressive record of top five placings from Elementary to Prix St Georges over the last few years they were back once again ride down the centre line at Hartpury. “We were lucky enough to be Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival champions in the PSG music in 2021 which was genuinely more than I ever dreamed of. He has at least one sash at every level apart from Medium,” Fiona told us but there was one last level to completely their Area Festival journey.
Topping the podium in the Inter I Bronze with 65% Fiona was determined to do her boy proud, “For the test I went back to basics; we rode in the snaffle bridle and I took my spurs off to keep communication as clear as it could be.” Having a few mistakes last year at the Summer Area Festivals Fiona made sure they were not going to miss out this time, “I was absolutely over the moon to get the qualifying score for the Inter I and complete our Petplan journey. The now fourteen year old Dutch warmblood is loved dearly by Fiona, “He is a lovable pest! Though “energy efficient” he does enjoy learning new tricks.” The pair have loved the series as Fiona can fit the competitions around her full time job, “It’s been an amazing opportunity and the series is perfectly placed for us.” They hope to continue their training journey after Hartpury to learn piaffe and the one-time changes.
Ellis Siminster, who is based on the west coast of Scotland has only recently turned her hand to dressage after mainly focusing on working hunter and grassroot eventing after a new horse joined the family, “Derradda Rummy (aka Hummy) arrived just under a year ago and has been a total dream come true in every way. At the end of last season we decided to affiliate with BD for the first time & haven’t looked back!”
Their first Area Festival was a success with two wins in the Prelim Bronze on 72.57% and Novice Bronze with 70.07%. Ellis wanted to thank her support team, “They were grinning at the side of the ring when I finished my tests, it was such a super feeling and I am grateful to them for getting me this far.” It’s a busy year for Ellis as she has not only qualified for the Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships but Badminton Grassroots and HOYS working hunter qualifiers, alongside her wedding at the end of the year. Their aim to get to their dancing shoes on, “I also hope to try dressage to music at some point as it has been a real dream of mine for years!” as well as move up a level to Elementary.
Sam knew she had had brought a horse that was destined for the dance floor ten years ago, after buying Gibside Jacob to originally event he took to the floor like a natural, “I honestly didn’t have a clue what I was doing at first but the Area Festivals really appealed to me being an amateur rider and we haven’t looked back.”
First stepping their toes into the arena five years ago they have contested every level together, “We’re often the bridesmaids of the podium but we kept chipping away. We were very lucky to get a wild card at Novice but then covid and lameness struck so we couldn’t attend.” Sam then got a qualification last year to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships but it was around the time of her wedding so again it was not meant to be. Fast forward to Morris and Sam was very much looking forward to having another stab at the championships, “Morris is always a favourite venue of mine to travel too for the Area Festivals.”
The judges awarded them 67.74% in the Advanced Medium Bronze, a personal best at this level Sam told us, “The sash has literally eluded me till now and I can honestly say it was worth the wait, I think we’ve only done 4 tests so far. The whole test felt like I could breath, everything felt fluid and everything I asked for Jacob responded to, his changes felt secure and he loves doing his extended canter - we definitely try to channel Glamourdale.” Sam has the Prix St Georges in her sights now, “I have the tailcoat!” she said. “It would be a dream Jacob just seems to thrive off the harder work. Mostly I just love riding this horse and to see him shine in our winning moment has made my heart burst with pride.”
Morris Equestrian Winners
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze
Ellis Simister and Derradda Rummy, 72.57 %
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver
Niki Baxter and Penhaligon Donna Ricci, 72.71 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Ellis Simister and Derradda Rummy, 70.07 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver
Mary Pearson and Spielrencio, 72.64 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze
Stephanie Lynch and Journeys Atlas, 66.13 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver
Emma Fiona Bryson and Spartan Star, 70.59 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze
Lesley Mcnaughton-Wells and Leeshill Lord, 63.43 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver
Elizabeth Boyle and ICarus I, 68.77 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze
Samantha Eke and Gibside Jacob, 67.74 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver
Scott Mclellan and Daimler II, 67.22 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze
Joanna Wilkie and Romeo XX, 61.03 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver
Fiona Stryjewski and Devon B, 62.21 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Bronze
Fiona Stryjewski and Devon B, 65.00 %