Festival Focus - Myerscough College
We spent five days at Myerscough College, 19 – 23 July for their Area Festival! Riders showed off their best tests to win over the judges to get those all important tickets to the championships.
Petplan’s picks!
Back fresh into competition Emily Westwood and Rummaggio, were on top form to win the Novice Silver at Myerscough. After taking five years off while Emily competed her veterinary degree at Edinburgh University and having the sell their trailer so hacking was their own exercise, they are back with fruition, “It seems to have done him good though as he’s a lot less spooky than he used to be!”Now a fully qualified vet, Emily fits riding and competing around her schedule, “I’m an equine veterinary surgeon with my own practice in Warrington, which is especially good as I get to book appointments around my competitions.”
With another family member on the way, this Area Festival was extra special for the pair, “I’m currently five months pregnant and will keep riding for as long as I can. I wouldn’t have ridden Rum when he was five in my condition, however he’s older and wiser now and really looked after me.”
Their test went very smoothly and the pair were awarded a straight 70% by the judges. “He just knew his job and acted as ever the showman. I came out thinking that was the best he could have gone for me, and that would have been enough knowing that he tried so hard.” Emily couldn’t believe they had won, leading from half way through the pack it wasn’t too long of a wait to find out the full results, “We were constantly refreshing the results on HorseMonkey in the car park until the final results were uploaded!” The pair have only been back between the white boards in May and out of the nine outings they have done, they’ve won seven of them, that’s not a bad record! “I owe a lot to my trainer Matthew Burnett, who we’ve been training with for the last two months, as well as my horse!”
“To compete at an Area Festival was an amazing opportunity, the venue was beautiful and the classes were organised so well, with the standard of horses really high,” Emily stated about her experience. “It’s hard being a mum, having another on the way and running a business, but this series has allowed me to get back into championship classes at venues relatively close by.” They’re back out again in a few weeks to have a go at the Novice Freestyle but nonetheless they’re looking forward to their first championships in a few months.
Catherine Chalkly, highest placed Under 21 rider in the Medium Bronze with her part-bred Gypsy Cob, Bradwell Dun Deal are have a month to remember. They were part of the winning team at the Youth Inter-Regionals at the start of July and are now heading to two Area Festivals.
Starting their riding journey six years ago, after mainly being in the field and then joined British Dressage three years ago to begin their dressage career, “I love being part of BD Youth as everyone is so friendly and supportive, it makes me really proud to be a part of it.” In the run up to the show they worked with their trainer Gwyneth Lewis on suppleness and aids, “She’s excellent, as a judge and rider she can give both perspectives. She knows how to bring out the best in both me and Rolo.” They also so a variety of activities such as hacking and jumping. Catherine also works on improving herself outside of the saddle with Equi-Pilates exercises.
“The highlight for me was looking at all of the lovely photos and qualifying to get to the Area Festivals. I find the events scary as I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well,” Catherine told us. “However, I know it’s really important to stay relaxed and treat it just like every other competition.” They’re now heading to Alnwick in a few weeks hopefully to gain their lucky ticket to the championships as well as starting as a working pupil at Sheepcote Equestrian, where they hope to work towards Advanced Medium and their Medium Freestyle.
Myerscough College Winners
Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze
Eliza Cocking and Diamond Bertha, 70.97 %
Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver
Imogen Haworth and Just Wilhelm B.S., 70.35 %
Petplan Equine Novice Bronze
Charlotte Best and Paris IX, 69.10 %
Petplan Equine Novice Silver
Emily Westwood and Rummaggio, 70.00 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze
Emily Bailey and Don Romance, 70.34 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Silver
Elizabeth Jeffers and Belcanto Des Anges, 69.71 %
Petplan Equine Medium Bronze
Emily Entwistle and Elarieta, 65.98 %
Petplan Equine Medium Silver
Charlotte Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 68.04 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze
Helen Hopewell and Freshman, 64.23 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver
Jess Rawsthorn and Drummer V, 65.47 %
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze
Dawn Karen Grundy and Waverley Florisgold, 65.25 %
Petplan Equine Intermediate I Bronze
Dawn Karen Grundy and Waverley Florisgold, 65.64 %
Petplan Equine Inter I Silver
Angela Ellis-Dunn and Don Pfeffernuss, 55.83 %
© Becky Swallow photography