The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe, was the venue for this year’s Senior Inter-Regional competition.
Running over two days, 18 -19 May, the fixture was host to twenty six teams from across the eight BD regions - who were all proudly sporting their new regional team colours.
Selection panels from each region had picked teams to attend the competition based on specific qualification criteria, and each team comprised competitors across prelim, novice, elementary and medium sections. The competition was open to all riders, both able bodied and para, over the age of 18 years.
Each rider competed individually in two tests for the relevant section. Total individual points were then calculated by adding together the two scores.
Team rankings were calculated from the combined placings for all competitors within a team. 1st place = 1 point, so the lower the overall score, the higher the ranking for a team.
This year South Western team ‘Ridgeway’ (pictured) came out on top, with an overall score of 24, followed by Southern Sunrise and Eastern Beijing.
Traditionally, regions name their teams using a theme and this year was no exception with themes ranging from Olympic venues to cocktails!
Sharon Walker, Regional Development Officer for the South commented “As tradition demands each team is named after a cocktail, and these cocktails are produced & enjoyed at the evening get togethers!”
Inter Regionals are, although fiercely competitive, a great way for senior riders from across the country to get together and enjoy a lovely weekend of dressage in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
To find out more about next year’s Senior Inter Regional competition, and how you could take part, contact your Regional Development Officer.
Team Rankings:
1st South West Ridgeway; Helen James, Karen Martin, Suzanne Guilding, Sarah Prew. Overall score - 24.00.
2nd Southern Sunrise; Prue Weatherly, Caroline Church, Vicky Strutton, Edwina Phipps. Overall score - 27.7.
3rd Eastern Beijing; Michelle Wyatt, Claire Ackerman, Claire Lambert, Rachel Littlewood. Overall score - 32.9.
Individual Competition:
Prelim 15
1st Mandy Denley and Zhowbink, Northern, 71.74%
2nd (joint) Sue Kiernan and Wrekin Jack, North West, 70.87%
2nd (joint) Debby Dunleavy and Jet Set S, Northern, 70.87%
Prelim 19
1st Sue Kiernan and Wrekin Jack, North West, 74.09%
2nd (joint) Debby Dunleavy and Jet Set S Northern, 73.18%
2nd (joint) Emma Christmas and Hammerwood Wombat, Southern 73.18%
Leaderboard:
1st Sue Kiernan, North West, 326 points
2nd Debby Dunleavy, Northern, 324 points
3rd Mandy Denley, Northern, 313 points
Novice 37
1st Nicola Howell and Summerhill, Wales, 75.36%
2nd Catherine Workman and Frenchie, South West, 72.14%
3rd Karen Martin and Playwrite, South West, 70.36%
Novice 39
1st Karen Martin and Playwrite, South West, 71.38%
2nd Suzanne Guilding and Tyreos Gabyson, South West, 70.69%
3rd Fiona Stryjewski and Just a Little Bit, Scotland, 70.00%
Leaderboard:
1st Nicola Howell, Wales, 413 points
2nd Catherine Workman, South West, 405 points
3rd Karen Martin, South West, 404 points
Elementary 43
1st Prue Weatherly and Zinedin, Southern, 70.00% (collective 58)
2nd Claire Ackerman and Woodcroft Heinrich, Eastern, 70.00% (collective 56)
3rd Liz Mackay and Pablo, Central, 69.31%
Elementary 53
1st Claire Ackerman and Woodcroft Heinrich, Eastern, 71.76%
2nd Prue Weatherly and Zinedin, Southern, 70.59%
3rd Nina Prosser and Zorro, Northern, 70.29%
Leaderboard:
1st Claire Ackerman, Eastern, 447 points
2nd Prue Weatherly, Southern, 443 points
3rd Liz Mackay and Pablo, Central, 432 points
Medium 69
1st Amy Pennington and Haysden Woodstock, Southern, 70.30%
2nd Rebecca Tilton and Valiant, Central, 67.88%
3rd Vicky Strutton and Sound Barrier, Southern, 67.58%
Medium 73
1st Natalie Westgarth and In Abundance, Eastern, 70.88%
2nd Helen James and Zidane 42, South West, 68.82%
3rd Vicky Strutton and Sound Barrier, Southern, 68.53%
Leaderboard
1st Amy Pennington, Southern, 464 points
2nd Natalie Westgarth, Eastern, 458 points
3rd Vicky Strutton, Southern, 456 points