Festival Focus - Speedgate Equestrian
We were off to the beautiful North Downs for the next Area Festival at Speedgate Equestrian (10 – 12 February). We caught up with some of the riders who made their way there.
Petplan’s picks!
It was Tina Baseley who produced the highest score in the Prelim Silver with her PRE gelding Americano Arenas. The judges awarded them an impressive 74.17%, which Tina was thrilled with, “It was the icing on the cake, he’s not the biggest mover so our aim is always to have a really correct way of going and to be super accurate.” Buying the gelding as a four year old, unseen during lockdown from Sophie Marie Gooding in Spain Tina fell in love, “I saw him and knew I wanted to own him instantly. Bred by Yeguada Las Arenas and by Escribano XIII he’s not a typical baroque PRE but more a sporty type with long legs.”
It’s wasn’t plain sailing for the pair in the run up to the competition, with a four month unplanned break, “He had a virus in the Autumn last year which took several months to get over so our lead up to Area Festivals was less than ideal. He was off regular work from October to the New Year.” Aero loves a show, Tina tells us and he knows it’s his time to shine, “He is quite sensitive and this was our first Area Festival together. I was so delighted to feel him happy to be back out and feeling so good. To be back at a show with him was already a win for me.” The pair want to move up the levels to Elementary as well as have a go at Dressage to Music but first they’ll be off to Hartpury.
“Winning a sash was one of my bucket list items, so I was thrilled,” Caroline Baker told us about her Advanced Medium Bronze win with her stallion Zilver Actro. The pair have been together just over twelve years, after buying the four year old from a friends recommendation, “I set out to buy an older schoolmaster, but then a friend persuaded me to buy Arthur. I was really a deluded riding school rider so needless to say it's been a journey! We've both learnt a lot on the way though.”
Topping the podium with 66.97% they have had a few sets backs on their Area Festival journey. “We lost our arena to refurbishments just under three months ago so Arthur has had a lot of time off just hacking but we have been travelling to other yards to try and do some schooling,” Caroline told us. However, they both came out on form, achieving seven’s for their flying changes and an eight for their final halt, “We managed to out a good test!” They have moved up the levels together since 2016, starting at Novice and have achieved many podium placings, also attending the championships at Elementary and Advanced Medium. They are now aiming for Prix St Georges this year, “I’m excited to see how far we can go.”
Laura dabbled in some unaffliated classes late last year after her Connemara, Conobola Cascade had a field accident which put pay to their eventing season, “I decided to give BD a try to give us something to focus on over the winter. I planned to try for the Area Festivals but didn’t really know how we’d get on, having never done it before.”
Working full time, Laura fits riding around her schedule, “He did really well in a few outings and got his points for the Area Festivals for both Prelim Bronze and Novice Bronze,” Laura told us. Buying Conobola Cascade, also known as Peter as a confidence building four year old to do a bit of everything on, Laura was over the moon to win the Prelim Bronze on 71.60%. “We had a lovely day and everyone was really friendly and welcoming at a venue we hadn’t been to before. He was a total star in his test and clearly I couldn’t have asked for more, taking it all in his stride we had lovely consistent marks and comments from all his judges.”
They also come fifth in the Novice Bronze but it was the prize giving that Laura was most excited about, “I’m a big kid so the highlight was the sash.” They are back out on the cross country field soon but would like to get their points for the Summer Regionals as well as aim for Novice Area Festival in the summer. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the whole BD experience so far and aim to continue over the coming years and see how we get on.” Laura said and wants to encourage others to give it a go, “This series is great for amateurs like myself to have the opportunity to get to Hartpury as it’s given my confidence in my own ability such a boost!”
Sheepgate Equestrian Winners
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze
Jo Mair and Kilbrien Chris, 71.60 % & Laura Percy and Conobola Cascade, 70.83 %
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver
Tina Baseley and Americano Arenas, 74.17 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Maisie Morgan and Bright Rinco , 72.57 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver
Samantha Ann Smyth and For Freedom, 69.31 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze
Rachel Philo and Brynmelys Ranaldo, 68.82 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver
Gabrielle Botfield and Woodcroft Oscar, 70.54 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze
Abi Scott and Camarnaint Rambler, 68.04 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver
Natalie Chapman and Highbullen Farquhar, 68.87 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze
Caroline Helen Baker and Zilver Actro, 66.97 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver
Clare Louise Ashley and Pintofields Regal Hit, 66.37 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze
Lucyanna Westaway and AHI O Malley, 63.77 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver
Nichola Harrison and Lobke Van Het Urnenveld, 67.80 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Bronze
Claire Knowles and Singing Skyjacker, 63.04 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Silver
Shelley Ellen Reeve-Smith and Foxtrott, 60.44 %