Strong finish for Amy and Pardon at Roosendal

Roosendaal in the Netherlands proved a show of mixed fortunes for the five riders who travelled over.

Amy Woodhead (pictured) was our only young rider representative with her own Jonggors Weyden-sired stallion Pardon and they got stronger as the competition progressed. Having survived a hair raising trot up, Amy scored 66.798% with an exuberant Pardon in the Team test to finish 16th in a 27-strong class which featured a top level home contingent. In the Individual test, the climbed the ranks to finish tenth on 66.140% while the final freestyle test was two further placings improvement to eighth with 69.750%.

Erin Williams just had rotten luck. Ahead of the trot up, her junior ride Fleurie sustained a knock to the cannon bone and was too sore to compete. It was then down to her pony Dynasty to fly the Williams flag. In the team test, they posted 68.803% which gave them seventh place. The next day, while tacking up for the individual test, Erin discovered a large swelling in the palomino’s mouth. Vets were of the opinion that it was a wasp sting and the subsequent drugs given for treatment ruled her out of the competition. Both horses are reported to be fine now but disappointing none the less.

Erin’s fellow pony riders Ruth Hole (picutred) and Isobel Berrington weren't amongst the leaders but will have gained vital international experience at this large show against top German and Dutch combinations. With Bernwode Brokat, or Woody to his friends, Ruth scored 67.154% and 65.385% for 17th and 21st in the team and individual tests respectively.  In the Freestyle, the combination pulled out all the stops for 68.333% for 11th overall - a great end to the competition. Woody's owner Sarah Steggal was there to see the perfomance. “Woody loves his music – it brought tears to my eyes seeing him and Ruth smiling from ear to ear all the way through,” she said.  For Isobel, it was 33rd and 34th with DHI Langar on scores of 61.22% and 61.538%.

In the junior age group, Robyn Smith was our only representative after Erin’s withdrawal and she had two rides. With her mum Gail’s Foold UZ, she posted 59.009% and 62.675% in the team and individual tests. Her second horse, Waranos, is a new ride for Robyn, owned by Susan Fearis and this was their international competition debut. Scores of 63.198% and 63.158% left her in 23rd in both the team and individual tests.

Full results – click here.