Hartpury College in Gloucestershire (6 – 10 July 2016) was also the venue for the annual BYRDS A Squad Final. The nine highest placed A squad riders (below) from this year’s BYRDS Inter-Regional competition at Richmond EC, North Yorkshire gathered at the Festival of Dressage to contest in the championship ride off on the Saturday.
- Samantha Wuidart with her own Blue P
- Holly Colgate-Hardaway with Zoe Colgate-Sopp’s Dalvangs Lorenzo
- Emily Watts with her own Rascalini
- Holly Lucas with her own Abby
- Georgie Toole with her own Kissemmie Midnight Majic
- Lauren Sweetland with her own Westhills Wravall
- Emma Jones with her own Igor Du Banny
- Sophie Delia with Christine Delia’s Amur
- Rebekah Wintle with her own Dolce Vita IV
The afternoon saw the riders split into three groups with each rider starting out on their own horse. After ten minutes, the riders swapped horses once more and were assessed by Becky Moody to decide the top three going through to the final – one from each group – which took place during the Saturday’s gala evening.
Wales’ Emma Jones, Holly Colgate-Hardaway from the Southern region and North West’s Emily Watts – who also qualified through to last year’s final – were the three riders selected for the evening performance. There, they rode each other’s horse through a unique test, written specifically for the competition. Becky Moody judged the class, looking for the rider who showed the most effectiveness, tact, feel and empathy on all horses – and it was 17-year-old, Emma Jones who reigned supreme.
Emma was awarded a snaffle bridle, kindly donated by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, plus a £500 training grant and a rug and jacket courtesy of Tylers Horse & Country. Second placed Emily Watts received a £250 training grant and jacket, whilst Holly received a £150 training grant and jacket. All finalists also received a £50 training grant, rosette and certificate.
Huge thanks goes to Philip Cheetham and all at Hartpury College for hosting the final and allowing the ride-off to take place during the gala evening. Many thanks also go to Becky Moody for judging, Janet Horswill and Moira Lafferty for coordinating the day and ensuring all ran smoothly, and those who provided the winners’ prizes, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Tylers Horse & Country.