Festival Focus - Netherton

Netherton was the last Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival in January and it did not disappoint, find out who’ll be making their way to Hartpury in April. 

Petplan’s picks! 

We were off to Scotland for the next Petplan Equine Area Festival where Netherton welcomed combinations including Karen Campbell and Monstar who took home a qualification in the Preliminary Silver after placing second. The pair are still getting to know one another after purchasing the gelding in July of last year, “He was a green six year old who had not done much, so we restarted him and he’s been building up strength ever since with the help of Charlie Hutton and Gordon Dressage Group. We have gained so much confident and trust in each over in such a short space of time.” 

Karen is a full time sports massage therapist fits horses around her job, “He had only done six tests before coming here!” Mainly coming out for the experience Karen told us, “We didn’t have much preparation due to the weather but thought it would be good to come along anyway and see how he coped with the longer journey and bigger atmosphere.” Louis, as he’s also known as took it all in his stride and Karen was over the moon to be on the podium, “Those hours spent melting the snow on the arena with the hose running off the hot tap were worth it after-all.” They are now looking forward to moving up a level to Novice but first are planning their journey from Aberdeenshire to Hartpury. 

It was a great day out for stay-at-home mum, Zoe Archer with her nine year old half Clydesdale mare Summer Solstice XVI, “This was Sol’s first competition staying away from home and her first trip with her stable mate.”  The nerves kicked in the night before but Zoe told us that found support in the wonderful staff at Netherton, “The loan of a body protector prior to the arena walk, and fantastic support from all the people at the event especially the stewards and the group of ladies from Ladyley’s who I shared the stable block with, I did manage to trot down the centreline to do my test.” 

The pair showed some lovely movements in the test with comments from the judges saying, “We displayed a lovely partnership and super harmony,” to produce a 69.31% putting them on top of the podium in the Novice Bronze. The pair received a wild card two years ago to the championships but due to covid they were unable to go Zoe told us, “I am excited to be getting a second chance to go to the Championships this time at a new level.” It is onwards and upwards from here as they are currently working on the Medium movements at home, “The Area Festivals are such a great learning experience for both myself and the horses I would love to try to qualify again especially at Elementary Bronze. Also if I can become proficient enough, I would love to give a Medium test a try.” 

After having a taste of being on top of the podium in the Saracen Horse Feeds My Quest Open Novice Regional Finals last year Nicola Young and Texas Girl were determined to go all the way this year in the Area Festivals. “This is our third season in the Area Festivals, we placed fourth last winter and the summer one did not go quite to plan but I felt more prepared for this one both mentally and physically,” Nicola told us. After suffering a fall two years ago which left Nicola with a disability - Right Functional Upper Limb Disorder in her right arm, which affects her movement function and feeling, she now rides with looped reins, “I got back riding after six months off and Delight (Texas Girl) has been fantastic adapting to my new way of riding. I also ride with a sling which was modified by my orthotics for my right arm. It can be difficult at times, but it is our journey and the new normal for me.” 

The eleven year old Irish Sports Horse X American Paint mare has been with Nicola for eight years and has had her fair share of difficulties, “At five she underwent two separate surgeries on her right hind hoof as she had abscess which was infected the bone causing Septic Pedal Bone Osteitis. Then six months later she had a reoccurring lameness.” After being advised by the vets that her workload might change to just a happy hacker with some light schooling she has proven everyone wrong, “She came back to full health and fitness, and was a bit of a miracle to be back working, let alone competing and travelling like we are doing now.” 

They were second to last on the schedule but this did not stop Nicola from riding her hearth out with ‘one superstar mare’ she said, “It wasn’t the easiest of warm-ups but I knew she could do it so I just had to focus as we’d worked so hard in our training. She did a perfect square halt at the end and I could not stop smiling, I enjoyed it so much.” 
 
Training with Scott McCellan they are enjoying moving up the level together and are excited to see where they’ll go in the future, “I never believed I could win at an Area Festival and qualify for the Championships. We have a very unusual story and I am so proud of how far we have come as a “Team Diva” as my trainer calls us.” In the last year of their BD Youth journey Nicola would love to make the most of it, “I would love to hopefully compete at Inter Regionals, Home Nations and the Sheepgate Under 25 Championships. We’ll never get another opportunity so we’re working hard to get the scores.” Also planning on getting their dancing shoes on to compete in the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Freestyle at Novice this year too. Thanking her parents for their support as “it really does take a team.”

Self employed beauty therapist Sandra Macdonald took home the win in the Medium Bronze on her mare Faside Je T'Aime. Having own her since a two year old Sandra has had the wonderful experience of teaching her the ropes, “I started riding when I was three on a little Shetland pony, then when I was twenty six I brought my own, which I backed and produced through all of the disciplines, we still hack out now even though she’s twenty nine.” 
 
Known at home as Aimme, Sandra has worked hard with the mare, “She’s very sensitive which can make things a bit tricky at times, and she certainly keeps me on my toes! Travelling is also not her favourite pass time so getting to competitions and training clinics can be a challenge at times.” However this did not stop them from making the trip to Netherton, where they won the judges over on 67.60%. Sandra told us about her day, “She is terrified of other horses, so I don't get a chance to do any warm up at a competition. If it's too busy it just blows her mind, she gets so upset and worried. I am very proud and delighted to have won!”  

“It's great fun learning how to do all the moves & teaching Aimee at the same time,” Sandra said. “Area Festivals have been so helpful for us on our journey so far. We had never competed at British Dressage before and had heard lots of encouraging stories so it gave us confidence to go.”

Netherton Equestrian Winners  

Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze 
Nicola Young and Texas Girl, 68.06 %

Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver  
Jessie Alison Clarke and Bunteeichen Nivaro, 68.13 %  

Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Zoe Archer and Summer Solstice XVI, 69.31 %  

Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver  
Zoe Florence and Sweet Madness, 70.83 % 
  
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze  
Linette Cormack and Kynan S, 68.19 %
  
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver   
Rebecca Chalmers and Miss Schufro, 68.24 %
 
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze  
Sandra Macdonald and Faside Je T-Aime , 67.60 % 
  
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver  
Georgina Rachel Chalmers-Gray and Jekaterine, 69.81 %  
  
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze  
Julie Wattie and Golden Boy II, 64.57 % 

Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver  
Elisabeth Georgina Leslie and Kermit the Frog, 64.40 % 
 
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze 
Jade Whitelaw and Dauphin III, 65.34 % 

Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver 
Alice Pullem and High Fashion MFS, 65.29 %