Twelve leading Prix St. Georges riders provided the perfect entertainment for the Team Quest finalists in last night’s Moet & Chandon Invitational Freestyle. With £750 first prize up for grabs, it was a fabulous competition which combined experienced riders with their young stars, talented amateurs and a few up-and-coming youngsters. In a unique twist, the top eight scores from each of the day’s Team Quest tests plus the next four highest scores overall, were drawn to partner one of the PSG riders with the highest combined scores earning a prize for the Team Quest rider.
The vastly experienced Vicky Thompson-Winfield set the standard aboard the unusual palomino Artist with 68.71% from the judging panel of Felicity Scott (C), Judy Firmston-Williams (H) and Kim Ratcliffe (M). It was then the turn on last year’s victors, Becky Edwards with Dr Margaret Cox’s Ufano I. The Lusitano stallion was a picture to score 69.88% and take an early lead.
It was then then the turn of Baker Gardens Monty under Rachel Skeffington, who made his Grand Prix debut here at Bury Farm just a few weeks ago. The buzzing atmosphere got to Monty towards the end but it was a brave ride by Rachel to score 59.46%. Nerves were also an issue for Stef Eardley and the attractive Ruxton Pinacolada but there was glimpses of what’s to come to score 63.63%.
Next in was Julie Hugo-Ross with her striking black mare Alviva II. Their upbeat routine was a proper crowd pleaser and the judges agreed to produce an overall score of 69.96% to take the lead. It was the youngest in the competition, Anna Jesty who’s just 17, to take centre stage with Aquiro and again they captivated the crowd with their upbeat routine which the judges rewarded with 66.75%.
After a short interval, it was the turn of former British team rider Richard Barrett with Walid 4. Ever elegant, the crowd appreciated his clever floorplan which featured music from Les Miserables and it looked like they might rumble the leader board. 69.04% was the score which put them on the podium in third. Then it was the turn of Joanna Thurman-Baker and Highcliffe Apollo, part of this year’s British Young Rider European Championship team, who were polished throughout much to the appreciation of the crowd and we had our first 70% plus score, 70.08% to be exact, and a new leader.
The next rider to come into the arena was Annie Staines, who works as an Accident and Emergency nurse and was working until lunchtime, with her quirky Royal Standard. Again, the buzz of the Bury Farm arena was a bit much for the German-bred gelding but Annie didn’t hold back and 63.63% was their reward. Then on to Elder Klatzko with the British-bred Woodlander Little Richard, Petplan Equine PSG Area Festival Champions from last weekend’s event at Pencoed. Two judges awarded them 70%+ but a final score 69.08% put them fourth with two to go.
Becky Edwards then came in with her second ride, Don Archie, another British-bred in the field. These two have form having won the Magic PSG Freestyle at the Winter Championships and had there been a bookmaker on site, the duo would have been favourites. Becky’s clever choice of music shone through but a few mistakes cost them a podium finish sadly, scoring 69.42%. The final competitor was Lesley Payton-Gilbert with her next star in the making, Rob Roy II. Again, a great ensemble of music had the crowd inspired but the judges spotted a few minor mistakes to keep the score at 65.88%.
So the first prize went to Joanne Thurman-Baker, currently studying her AASE with Hartpury College, and the ‘family pony’ Highcliffe Apollo (Joanne’s mum Diane and sister Sam have also competed him) with a worthy performance. Second and happy recipients of £150 was Julie Hugo-Ross and Alviva II, who also won the Team Quest Po-Am challenge with her partner Sue Raby-Smith who’s competing with the Pink Fusion team. Sue won full BD membership for her and her horse, Ferndale Shannon for a year. Sue’s set her ambitions on competing in Novice Freestyle next season so she’ll be putting the membership to good use! Third were last year’s winners Becky Edwards and Ufano I. It was a great opportunity for the Team Quest riders to get a taste of top level dressage, and to music at that so thanks to Bury Farm, sponsors Moet & Chandon and the riders who took part for making it such an enjoyable evening.