The College Equestrian Centre at Keysoe, Bedfordshire, played host the eighth and final Summer Regional Championship of 2016 (12-14 August), and the competition was blistering as riders went all out to seize the last few remaining places for the LeMieux National Championships in September.
Ashley Jenkins, originally from Bristol but now based in Moreton-in-Marsh was the highest scorer of the three-day show. The 24-year-old assistant rider to Dan Greenwood was the clear leader of the TopSpec Medium Silver. Ashley rode Salsa Hit (pictured), his seven-year-old Samba Hit III gelding to achieve a super 74.80% - four percent ahead of his nearest rival. Ashley and his exciting young prospect, who were the unanimous winners in the eyes of all three judges – Jane McGarel Groves at C, Nikki Herbert at M and Lesley Burling at E - won the Elementary Restricted at the Nationals last year, so clearly they thrive on the big occasion.
And event riders certainly made their mark. International rider, Sharon Hunt, a member of the British team at the Beijing Olympic Games, was victorious in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver aboard event partner Veyga. Sharon and the 11-year-old bay gelding impressed with their harmonious and seamless performance. Whilst Sarah Parkes, who frequently dips her toes in pure dressage, won a section of the Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver with a strong 70.83% aboard Bocelli II. Bocelli, also known as Snip, is an attractive 10-year-old Dutch-bred son of Voice and is owned by Sarah’s partner - international event rider, Ben Way.
The winners
BackinAction Preliminary – section 1
Lisa Shotton with Cartyer Himself, 70.42%
BackinAction Preliminary – section 2
Joanna Cole with Beethovens Aria, 74.70%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver – section 1
Heidi Fellows with Half Moon Di Vinci, 71.22%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver – section 2
Sharon Hunt with Veyga, 71.28%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Amy Schiessl with Knoxx’s Figaro, 73.72%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver – section 1
Jayne Turney with Headmore Bassenthwaite, 70.68%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver – section 2
Sarah Parkes with Bocelli, 70.83%
Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Karen Head with Quatre Pieds Blancs, 72.08%
TopSpec Medium Silver – section 1
Cara Sweeney with Belissima, 72.73%
TopSpec Medium Silver – section 2
Ashley Jenkins with Salsa Hit, 74.80%
TopSpec Medium Gold
Jonny Clarke-West with Zick Zack Toftegard, 73.03%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Charlotte Freeman with Don Jeroen, 70.00%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Daniel Greenwood with Lukien Von Tespe, 72.02%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
Joanna Thurman-Baker with Highcliffe Apollo, 69.87%
Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Serena Pincus with Sheepcote Fantasia, 71.67%
For full results click here