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UK and European News Updates:
Four Legged Friends 14 Years and Under Show
10th July 2010 - The Bodiam International Arena
The day dawned bright and early and with temperatures reaching 34 degrees the Bodiam International Arena Four Legged Friends show took place on the hottest day of the year so far!! Despite this, ponies and dogs from across the South East braved the heat to come and compete for some of the innumerable prizes on offer.
First up were the Best Rider classes with Lucy Farrant aboard her lovely pony Renne taking the Leading Rein 6 years and over red ribbon, closely followed by Georgina Porter on Halfway Pipit in 2nd. Best Rider 10 Years and Under was led by Molly Bartlett and Herbie with 2nd place going to Hannah Williams and Brandy. The third class, Best Rider 11 years and over, was a hotly contested class with a greatdisplay of rider proficiency and skill, First place went deservedly to Niah Selway aboard her beautiful Harvey Moon II after beating 7 others to the red ribbon with Rhianna Winchester taking the blue rosette.
Next up were Georgia Moore and Alfie who outs
hone all the others to win Condition and Turnout, not only braving the heat and wearing her show jacket to ensure she was correctly turned out, but obviously having spent hours cleaning and plaiting her beautiful bay until he sparkled in the suns hine, this was a red ribbon well deserved, they also then went on to win Family Pony, Well done Georgia! Isobel Le Pla had also put huge amounts of effort into her horse Franco to gain 2nd place.
Veteran Pony was won by Katie Farrant and Twinkle beating 7 others to the red ribbon with Tabitha Sternberg-Allen and her dun pony Knight taking the 2nd place slot.
With the weather getting warmer and not letting up, most of the spectators by this time we camped out under the trees watching what was going on, and a unilateral decision was made to run all of the Leading Rein and Pony Club classes concurrently to get both the children and horses out of the sun as soon as possible.
With this Lucy Farrant took the top spot in the Best Leading Rein Pony - Rider 6 years and ov
er, Katie Farrant won the Best Pony Club Pony 12.2hh and Under and Niah Selway took her second red rosette of the day in the Best Pony Club Pony over 12.2hh.
Finally the time came from the eagerly awaited fancy dress class and with Carole Witham and Judith Dawson, who had kindly judged and stewarded all of the equine classes so far that day feeling that a new view was in order, Vanessa Hahn from Germany was asked for her opinion with the judging of this exceedingly difficult class. After much deliberation the 'Hamish the Cow' won the day ridden by both Jack Dale and Harriet Bailey.
Running along side the horses was a novelty dog show kindly judged by Barbara Pointer who holds dog agility classes on site. Haslie Goodseel took first place in Most Handsome dog with her terrier Rufus and then went on to take the Prettist Bitch award with her other dog Holly. Jake Finelly won Best Handler 9 years and under with his gorgeous collie Willow as well as having the honour of owning the dog that the Judge would Most Like to Take Home.
As the day went on Matthew Williams and Bengie won Best Crossbreed as well as the Dog Most Like It's Owner class after entering the ring with matching blonde hair and neckachiefs!! Tabitha Sternberg-Allen won the Best Handler 10 years and over handling Daisy and Isobel Le Pla finished off a successful day aboard her horse Franco by going on to win Best Pedigree with her Chocolate Labrador Hallie and then taking the Fancy Dress with Black and White Collie Alfie who turned into the Amazing Alfrado to conjour up the red rosette.
A huge thankyou goes out to the judges and stewards who made the day possible as well as all the staff at Sterling who were roped in to help the day run smoothly. A final congratulations goes to all of the competitors and we hope to see you again soon.
European Affiliates Championships
30th June- 4th July 2010 - Givrins, Switzerland
Congratulations all round to Team Sterling and the rest of the British competitors who made the long trip to Switzerland last week to compete in the NRHA European Affiliate Championships and CS Classic.
Francesca Sternberg found herself sliding into the British Reining record books as the first ever British rider to break through the $200'000 lifetime earnings mark after placing her horses in the top 10 of the Non Pro European Affiliate and Non Pro CS Classic classes.
A huge congratulations also go out to Youth rider Emily Scott. After working exceptionally hard over the last few months preparing her horse, Enterprizing Footwork, with Caroline Lockhart and Sterling resident trainer Doug Allen, Emily found herself coming home as double European Champion in both the Youth and Rookie divisions with a 215 and 213.5 respectively. As if this wasn't enough Emily then went on to win the CS Classic Youth with a 210.5, the CS Classic Limited Non Pro with a 213.
Doug Allen also found himself placing both of his horses, Jacs Little Sunrise and Inwhizzable Juan, in the top 10 of the Open European Affiliate class with a 219 and 215 respectively. Tammy Greaves became Intermediate Non Pro Champion aboard The Magic of Whiz and made it into the top 10 of the Intermediate Non Pro and Non Pro class with her Palomino Stallion Jac Wonders Who, and with Francesca, Doug and Tammy's next stop being Kentucky for the World Equestrian Games this September, hopes are running high.
Full Report and Pictures coming soon!!
FEI European Reining Championships
7th - 11th October 2009
- Kreuth, Germany
A
n overview by David Scott.
All the team horses and riders having arrived safely at the showground, expectations were running high for a good result for both the Young Riders and Senior teams. What followed was a roller coaster ride and an eventual triumph over adversity.
By Wednesday all the riders had the opportunity to warm up in the main arena, which must have been a daunting experience for the international novices. Team spirit was high and the atmosphere in the Team GB barn was optimistic, with some friendly banter going on with our rivals.
Adam Heaton, our Chef d"Equipe, had all the formalities completed and the team ready to go. He warned that the next day, Thursday, would be critical i.e. the trot up and that it was a stressful experience. Little did we know at the time how stressful it would turn out to be !!
On the due day the less experienced team members practised the trot up and we then all proceeded to the designated area. The first of our horses to be sent to the holding pen was that of one of our young riders, Emily Scott's Enterprising Footwork, a huge surprise to all .The next of our horses consigned to the holding pen was Francesca Sternberg's, Lightnin Quik Chic, followed by Doug Allen's Jacs Little Sunrise. All three had a second trot up, all three failed.
Out of all the teams competing in the competion,four failed with three from team GB! There were some very controversial decisions and statements made but this is not the forum to dwell on them further.
So,with three horses out, the Chef d' Equipe had some reorganising to do.Luke Phillimore and Luv To Cut replaced Emily in the young riders team and the senior team with now only three horses, was arranged with Doug riding Just Gotta Shine, (affectionately known to all as Curly) and.Francesca joined Emily as a spectator. That evening there was a much more subdued atmosphere in the GB camp.
Friday,competition day, optimism had returned overnight and our young riders were ready. First to go was Anthony Iren riding Barely Whizable who posted a solid 204. Next came Luke with Luv to Cut with 192.5. With our two top riders to come things did not look too bad, the other teams scores not being high either. Our next to go was Josh Collins with Frozen Slide. Josh had a disappointing ride as we all know he can put in some high scores. 'Frozen Slide, normally so reliable and capable of a large score, did not seem to want to listen to Josh and as a result he posted a disappointing 196.5'
Lastly came Jessica Sternberg and Sashimi, who taking into account the level of scoring, posted a respectable 206. The scores throughout the young riders team competion were not high with the best score being 210.5 by Manuel Cortesi of Italy riding Arc Gold in Player.Germany took gold, Italy silver and the Netherlands bronze.
The next event for Team GB was the senior competition, The team was down to three riders and without Jacs Little Sunrise the prospects did not look great. The first to go was Tammy Greaves on Jac Wonders Who.Tammy scored, as it turned out, a very important 214.5. Next went Lee Rutter on Santa Cruz Whiz posting 216.5. Our third and last rider was Doug Allen on Just Gotta Shine who scored 215.5 Curly came through the experience now knowing that horse whisperers don't whisper! They growl and sometimes hiss!!! These scores were consistent which was to be secret of the team's ultimate triumph. Germany and Belgium posted some high scores in the 222 and 223 range With Germany taking gold and Belgium silver.The scoring pattern of team GB gave them bronze,the first ever FEI European Championship Team Medal for Reining.
Saturday being a rest day, the spun horses were at last released from "lock down" and exercised in the main arena. No sign of lameness,what a surprise!!!!
Sunday and Individual Competition day . The young riders had a very dissapointing day with the exception of Jessica, who got into the ribbons with 5th place. Well done Jessica. The high light of the youth individual riders took place in the Junior individuals with Anrea Lannetta of Italy scoring 219.5 to take gold and Luca Menzi taking silver with 219.
Next came the seniors.They were riding high and already had a medal in the bag. Under the circumstances they were not expecting a repeat. Doug and Tammy had good rides with 217 and 216 respectivley and Lee, picking up some hefty penalties,. scored 198.5 This event belonged to Nina Lill of Germany scoring 228 to take gold,.Rudi Kronsteiner took silver with 226 and Jurgen Pouls of Holland riding the veteran Tabasco Tari taking bronze with 224.
It was a championship of high drama for Team GB and to end with a team bronze was a fantastic achievement.As I said - a roller coaster ride The next Euro Championships are in 2011 and we look forward to same and hope they not be quite so dramatic.
As a footnote to those at the show and who are aware of the controversial statements made at the trot up, Enterprizing Footwork was yesterday checked out at the Milbourne Equine Vetinary hospital, including extensive X rays and given a complete clean bill of health, Makes you wonder does it not?
Garden of England International Show
July 2009
Once again the Garden of England Show was a resounding success. Following hot on the heels of the Youth European Cup as soon as the youth were on their way back to their respective countries the 118 International Show competitors were arriving.
The Indoor arena with its new very orange surface proven its durability during the cup classes and it was decided that subject to weather the reining would be held indoors and all other classes out. That worked very well until on Friday it decided to rain so we quickly moved the show indoors for the day and then as the weather improved moved the rail classes and halters back outside.
Everyone seemed happy with this except for Jonathan Vine-Hall who was half way through a Western Riding pattern when a B52 bomber came directly over the showground very low, I was told low enough that they saw the pilot had blue eyes. Jonathan is a regular and successful competitor and we have not yet found the culprit who arranged the bomber’s run at that time!!!
We had International competitors from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland. Austria, South Africa and Mexico. The competition was fierce in all classes and Chris Dalton hot from his successes in the Youth Euro Cup showed many of the adult competitors a clean pair of heels in many classes.
The CRI with 20 entries, judged by Lyle Jackson, was won by Doug Allen with Jacs Little Sunrise scoring a 71.5 with Lee Rutter on Lita Pocock’s Santa Cruz Whiz in second place scoring 70.5. Three horses tied for 3rd Pierre Barret and Julien Legrand from France and Francesca Sternberg with Smart A Little, who then went on to be a leading light with Francesca’s daughter Tabitha in the small fry classes.
The Open reining classes were small but full of quality, one of the judges thanked us for inviting him to come and judge reining of such a high standard. The Oakridge Quarter Horses $2000 added Lawson was won on the by Rudi Kronsteiner on Marco Franchini’s AB Lay Topsaillena with a score of 149, in joint second were Rudi again with Fabrizio Bevilaqua’s Star Spangled Whiz and Doug Allen on Jacs Little Sunrise both scoring 147.5 The $5000 added Lawson in show 2 was thrilling to watch Rudi scored an amazing winning 153 with Star Spangled Whiz and took second with Chic n Roost with 150.5. Doug and Jac were the last to go, they entered the arena as though the devil was on their tail showing the arena’s capabilities with a first stop that brought a gasp from all who saw it they scored a 149 to take 3rd place.
9 horses contested show 1’s Non Pro $2000 added Lawson which was won by Marc Verstappen on AJ Dunnit Smart with a score of 144 with Tammy Greaves and her palomino stallion Jac Wonders Who close behind scoring 143 and in 3rd place Francesca Sternberg also with her palomino stallion Just Gotta Shine with a score of 142, who then went on to take 2 Grand Championships in Halter. Show 2’s Collins Jewellers $3000 added Non Pro Lawson again had 9 horses competing. Francesca and Inwhizable Juan and Tammy with Jac Wonders Who tied for 1st with scores of 145.5 and agreed not to run off after a week of hard work for their horses. Andrea Castrucci from Italy was 3rd with MRH Chisum scoring 145.
The NSBA classes, which grow in popularity each year, were held in the outdoor arena. On Saturday the Open and Non Pro Hunter under Saddle were won by Val Nalbantian and her elegant grey mare Absolutelycaptivating with 2nd place being taken by Jane Wallace’s handsome black 3 year old Make Me Invited in the Open ridden by Tanya Rowe and in the Non Pro by Jane herself.
The western pleasure was also able to be held outside on the Sunday, the rain threatened but held off for the classes. Carrie Coles gelding Cee Ed Zip won both the Oakridge Quarter Horses Open and Non Pro, kindly sponsored by the Nalbantian family, ridden in the Open by Jessica March and by Carrie in the Non Pro. In the open 2nd was taken by Lee Rutter riding Mike Adams Kay Cee Dene and 3rd place went to Alan Payne and This Shieks Blazing. In the Non Pro second went to one of out International visitors Nicole Fuhrmann and Zips Radical Cuties and 3rd to Annie Gravett riding Hotrods and Harleys. The standard of these Hunter and Pleasure horses in the NSBA classes was exceptional and it was a joy to watch horses and riders of this calibre.
The Small Fry classes, always the hardest fought classes of the show, were hotly contested by 8 young ladies with the honours shared amongst them. The preparation before these classes and the concentration on their faces far out did the Open and NonPro reining competitors.
Circuit awards were well spread out. Open and Youth All Around HiPoint Chris Dalton and Hesa Classy Shadow Amateur Nicole Furhmann and Zips Radical Cutie Novice Amateur (sponsored by East Coast Circuit) Henrietta Campbell with Best Chex Yet Open Halter Stallion Caroline Barnes Smart n Spooky Nic Amater Halter Stallion Waralee Mr Montana owned by Douglas McGuire Open and Amateur Halter Gelding Annie Gravetts Hotrods and Harleys Open Halter Mare Adrian Brazier Whatta Fancy Blace Amateur Halter Mare Mike Adams Kay Cee Dene Showmanship Tammy Greaves with Zip in Harmony Huntseat Equitation and Trail Cee Ed Zip owned by Carrie Coles Hunter Under Saddle Jane Wallace’s Make Me Invited Western Pleasure and Horsemanship Chris Dalton and Hesa Classy Shadow Western Riding Evelyn Dash Arabis King Bee There was a special Reining Award, an elegant NRHA watch that was presented to the rider with their best 2 horses hipoint scores and this went to Lee Rutter riding Lita Pocock’s Customs Remedy and Santa Cruz Whiz.
The show started at 12.30 on Wednesday and finished at 7 pm on the Sunday evening, a BB Q and dance to a live band on the Saturday night gave everyone time to let their hair down. The sponsor’s tea, while watching the high quality reining, was also attended by Donald Sinden who has become a regular visitor after performing our arena opening ceremony last year. The new surface proved to be a hit with all the reiners and showed its capabilities with some outstanding stops from the top riders, reflected by the high scores given. With a little more preparation work this surface will also be ready for the top pleasure and hunter horses to show their paces in the near future.
Once again this show would not have been possible without the hard work of officials and helpers. Our 4 judges Lyle Jackson from Canada, Sylvia Katschker -Austria, Rick Lemay - Sweden and Jan Boogaerts from Belgium. Our tireless ring stewards Mick Carder and David Lloyd, who spend more hours on their feet during these shows than anyone. Rosie Coles, who religiously sorts and presents, along with our sponsors, the ribbons and awards. Emma Cawte, John and Abby Ayles, Dawn Berndt, Chris Valle and Terri Rogers who all dutifully manned and organised the collecting ring and gate, making sure all competitors were there for their classes and in the arenas in time. Simon Barnes and Jan Holmes who were in charge of stable management, man management (excluding Jane who is impossible to manage in any way or form) and generally keeping the show moving in a timely manner and ensuring all were fed and watered. Boris Kook who not only commentated excellently but sorted the scoring and resulting of the reining and NSBA classes. The Sterling barn staff who arranged stables and the supply of bedding and hay and were also on hand to lay out and clear way the arenas after trail and western riding. Michael for raking and watering the arenas (when Doug would let him near the new indoor surface). Jane Muir for being her usual grumpy self in the show office. Mary Lepla for all her hard work in the lead up to the show organising travel, accommodation, health papers, export licences and a million and one other things that no one else thinks about and then ended up in hospital going through a seven hour operation while everyone else was at the show enjoying themselves. Francesca and Doug for allowing everyone to invade their home and barns and arenas to have the best horse show in the country.
Finally a big thank you to all our sponsors without who it would not be possible to run a show of this level and quality.
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