The Most Important Development in British Riding for 20 years

On 23 July the finals for the third National BHS Equitation Competition were held by the British Horse Society at the Markfield Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire. Prizes to the value of £4000 in training vouchers were awarded to the 21 winners who came from all over the UK (for full list see below). The Instructor of the winner in each class was awarded a trophy and a trip abroad.

In line with the British Horse Society aims, the competition is designed to:

• Recognise the importance of the welfare of the horse through the part played by correct riding.
• Broaden the base of British riding and identify talent.
• Give opportunities to young people to benefit from quality instruction in horse care and equitation.
• Provide a pathway for talented riders to progress to the national and international scene.

The judges were BHS Fellows Islay Auty and Claire Broad (jumping), and Sue Payne and dressage judge Barbara Amos (dressage).

Sue Payne said “The standard of flatwork has improved since last year, and we were particularly impressed by the consideration and care of the ponies, who were all extremely well turned out.”

Islay Auty said “The under 13s Riding School entrants particularly had some young children who showed a lot of determination and promise. The turnout was stunning and everyone involved has to be congratulated on the time and effort put into their ponies. The Competition is hugely valuable, but I do wish more riding schools would get involved. They would benefit so much, and would find it really enjoyable – it is such fun.”

Fun really was the order of the day, and even if many of the competitors found it nerve wracking and challenging, they also enjoyed themselves immensely.

The sponsor of the competition – The Elise Pilkington Trust - is delighted with its success. The competition is open to all riding schools so ask your riding school if you can enter now.

BHS Equitation Competition Final 2000

WINNERS

17YRS & UNDER - OPEN CLASS

1st Jonathan Bury, Pembroke, OVERALL WINNER 2000

Horse: Timbuktoo

Instructor: Andrea Beynon-Phillips BHSII

2nd Lindsay McCallum Albrighton, Nr Wolverhampton

3rd Emma LeButt, Ivanhoe Equestrian Centre, Smisby Road, Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire

Tel: 01530 413629

4th Georgina Reynolds, Creeting St Mary, Suffolk

5th Alex Postolowsky, Glentham, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire

5th Gemma Avory, Saltwood, Nr Hythe, Kent

13YRS & UNDER - OPEN

1st Jaime Short, Baildon, West Yorkshire OVERALL WINNER 2000

Horse: Little Miss Attitude

Instructor: Sarah Drake

2nd Salena Mastroianni, East Sheen, SW14

3rd Maja Berry-Robinson, Limes Farm Equestrian Centre, Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent

Tel: 01303 892335

4th Kory Holloway, Anslow, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire

5th Kirstie Pask, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan

17YRS & UNDER - RIDING SCHOOL CLASS

1st Hannah Titley, Comins Coch, Aberystwyth

Horse:Rhiwarthen Montgomery

Rheidol Riding Centre Capel Bangor Aberystwyth

Tel:01970 880863

Instructor: Miss Iola Evans BHSII,

2nd Lucy Minta, Needham Market, Suffolk

Riding School Newton Hall Equitation Centre Swilland, Ipswich, Suffolk

Tel: 01473 7856156

3rd Abby Marchington, Rushenden, Queenborough, Kent

Taylors Riding Establishment Minster on Sea. Sheerness

Tel: 01795 872203

4th Sarah Schofield, Croft, Warrington, Cheshire

Croft Riding Centre, Warrington

Tel: 01925 763715

5th Susie Cheyne, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Naval Riding Centre, Nr Fareham, Hants

Tel: 023 9237 9974

5th Sarah Wilson, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire

Witham Villa Riding Centre, Broughton Astley, Leics

Tel: 01455 282694

13YRS & UNDER - RIDING SCHOOLS CLASS

1st Holly Spring, Killigarth, Polperro, Cornwall

Horse: Splash

St Veep Riding Stables Lostwithiel, Cornwall

Tel: 01208 873521

Instructor: Jo Hoskin BHSAI

2nd Cassandra Milburn, Low Willington, Crook, Co Durham

Low Fold Riding Centre Crook, Co Durham

Tel: 01388 747313

3rd Lydia Beales Charlestown, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

Tops Riding Centre Blackshawhead, Hebden Bridge

Tel: 01422 843131

4th Joanne Penkywiz, Leigh, Lancashire

Croft Riding Centre Warrington Cheshire

Tel: 01925 763715

5th Laura Woodhouse, Baschurch, Shropshire

Prescott Equestrian Centre Baschurch Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Tel: 01939 260712