Festival Focus - Beacons Equestrian
We were in Wales for the second to last Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival of 2023! See who was successful in gaining the last few tickets to Hartpury from Beacons Equestrian, 18 – 20 February.
Petplan’s picks!
It was a bittersweet moment for winners of the Medium and Advanced Medium Silver, Sam Whyley and Daybreak Dancer as this is their last year at the Petplan Equine Area Festivals. Sam spoke on social media to say, “The championships will now be my last ever as I look forward to a summer season of Premier Leagues.” The seven year old mare has been with Sam for three years where they have taken the time for her to mature and get stronger. “We had a great day, finishing on good scores and all clean changes but I am excited for the summer,” Sam said on social media. Going on to say, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Area Festival series it’s helped me massively in my journey to Grand Prix, I sincerely hope to get as much enjoyment from it as a coach as I have as a rider.”
Another rider moving through the Petplan Equine Area Festival levels is BD coach Shelly Harriss, based in west Wales with her 18hh gelding Wallstreet IV. It’s the pair’s second time at the series having previously competed in the Regional Championships from Novice to Advanced Medium. “I’ve owed Walle since he was a very gangly seven year old and I’ve trained him myself. He’s a great character and definitely keeps us all entertained on the yard,” Shelly told us. Also running an equine transport company Shelly loves working with her gently giant, “He is a great work horse, his energy and enthusiasm is endless. He seems normal size to me now but then next to everyone else in the warm up he’s quite big.”
It'll be their second time at the championships after competing in the Prix St Georges Bronze last year, “Walle is very consistent competitor; he has really good halts, canter pirouettes, extended paces and he also loves the tempi changes. His power and enthusiasm throughout the test are quite magical!” Having lots of success on previous horses in the Area Festivals, Associated Championships and Regional Championships Shelly is very much looking forward to Hartpury on their future together, “We’ve already half qualified for Prix St Georges and Inter I for the Summer Area Festivals in both the straight and music classes; we love freestyle! We’re also looking to compete at Grand Prix this year so are currently preparing for that.”
Ten year old gelding Prestiges Golden Debut, owned by Bertie Alvis will heading to his first Petplan Equine Area Festival Championship with rider Claire Deuten, “I have ridden him since a four year old and predominantly he is an eventer, but had a rocky journey! He went to Burghley as a five year old and has had various successes.” Running an event yard in Worcestershire Claire regularly competes in dressage and showjumping with her horses, “I have been to the championships before on another horse so am very excited to be there again this year! I am also hoping to get a wild card on my other horse Lord Flashheart.”
After their first attempt at a championships ticket didn’t go to plan, “Teddy did a lovely test at Solihull but unfortunately he spooked and then jumped the skylight on the floor - after all he’s an eventer!” the pair took the win in the Elementary Silver with 68.04%. Going out in the jumping ring only a few days before Teddy was feeling a bit fresh Claire told us, “I was probably a little more conservative than I was in my test at Solihull but it was a mistake free test!” They are now planning a full season of eventing after enjoying their time at the championships in April.
Beacons Equestrian Winners
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze
Terri Ellaway and Tagula Passion, 68.19 %
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver
Julia Karen Godden and Garties Mr D'Arcy, 70.28 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Sophie Lawson and Llanarth Magestic, 70.07 %
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver
Jacqueline Armitage and Flora Bella, 71.53 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze
Jordana Hughes and Ingres, 68.87 %
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver
Claire Deuten and Prestiges Golden Debut, 68.04 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze
Rachel Anna Corbett and Fairview, 68.14 %
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver
Sam Whyley and Daybreak Dancer, 67.65 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze
Amy Foster-Smith and Kimberley SHR, 66.11 %
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver
Sam Whyley and Daybreak Dancer, 68.89 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze
Natalie Passmore and Diago II, 62.79 %
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver
Shelly Harriss and Wallstreet IV, 64.41 %
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Bronze
Shelly Harriss and Wallstreet IV, 65.78 %