The Equissage Pulse Para Bronze and Silver Summer Championships and the British Dressage RDA Intellectual Disability Championships attracted a host of up-and-coming riders to Solihull Riding Club last weekend (31 August – 1 September).
Dorset rider Jemima Green enjoyed a show to remember with a decisive win in the Equissage Pulse Grade II Silver Championship aboard her KWPN gelding Blue Chip Forever (by Johnson). The months-old combination (pictured) posted a score of 72.71% to take the crown in convincing style.
Before taking up para dressage, Jemima (30) was head girl and second rider for a top event rider, as well as eventing her own horses, but that changed in 2015 when she sustained life-altering injuries in a serious car accident. She suffered a spinal cord injury leaving her paralysed from the waist down as well as severe abdominal damage, yet with an extensive rehab programme, Jemima is making great strides in her new sport. In their short time together, she and ‘Jools’, as Blue Chip Forever is known, have been bringing home lots of scores in the 70s and numerous wins.
Jemima took to Facebook to say, “[I] Had such a brilliant time at Solihull Riding Club for the Silver Championships. Blue Chip Forever was a star and scored +72% in the test giving us the win. It was so lovely to have Claire [Blaskey], Jools’ previous owner come and support us too.”
Former General Practitioner, Ursula Treadgold, and her 16 year old British bred gelding Tyler II were the resounding winners of the Grade V Bronze Championships on a score of 71.66%. Ursula, who was forced to retire two-and-a-half years ago after being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which leads to hypermobility, and a cerebellar stroke which affects her balance and coordination, has enjoyed a cracking summer competing in Para, Quest and regular BD competitions. The pair had a great round at the Sparsholt Summer Regionals in July to earn themselves a wild card for the BackinAction Preliminary Silver at the LeMieux National Championships next week.
The biggest accolade in the Bronze divisions went to Sharon Kelsall, from Ashford in Kent, with her Dutch bred gelding Valentino XVIII (River Man x Ulft). This fledgling partnership, with just five months’ competition experience under their belts, achieved an impressive 77.63% in the Grade III. Sharon, who is from Cornilo RDA Group, won a senior title at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury in July and has clearly formed a promising partnership with Valentino who previously competed at Junior FEI and national Small Tour level with young rider Merlyn Latimer Smith.
The Eastern region was well-represented with a win in the Grade IV Bronze for Georgina Maton and Desperaux, a Grade I Bronze title for Sophie Lingfield and Trust April, and the region’s Para Rep Joanne Dagley-Cleworth becoming Grade V Silver Champion.
Running alongside the Equissage Pulse Championships was the second ever running of the Intellectual Disability (ID) Championships which is held in conjunction with the Riding for the Disabled Association. A total of 29 riders came forward under the watchful eyes of para judges Sandra Smith and Sandra Edwards.
The RDA walk test got proceedings underway on Saturday. The first rider down the centre line, Jonathan Rigby riding Charlie, held an early lead with his 70.97%, to be later overtaken by Jess Chapman and Keano from Penni Wells RDA in Elstree. A whopping 73.05% was the score for the Hertfordshire combination of Jess and ‘Oreo’ who claimed the win ahead of runners-up Jodie Williamson and Drunkeen Boy.
The nine-strong walk and trot test was a competitive affair with an incredible five riders breaking the 70% barrier, however it was Danielle Morgan and the gorgeous dun gelding, Goldy, who had the winning edge with a score of 71.12%. Danielle has had a summer to remember, including a successful trip to Hartpury for the RDA Championships in July.
The final test of the day was the RDA walk, trot and canter test which drew a highly competitive field. Penni Wells RDA rider Georgina Maton (29) and her 11 year old Desperados son, Despereaux, scored an immense 74.21% to take the win, before adding to their tally with an Equissage Pulse Grade IV Bronze victory on Sunday.
British Dressage thanks the team at Solihull for running an excellent weekend of competition as well as Equissage Pulse for their generous support. Congratulations to all the championship winners and to everyone who took part.
Full results
Bronze Championships
Grade V
1. Ursula Treadgold and Tyler II, 71.66%
2. Chloe Chadwick and Innocent Flight, 67.61%
3. Caroline Hemitage and Geramiek, 62.73%
Grade IV
1. Georgina Maton and Desperaux, 67.37%
2. Linsey McLaren and Rockefeller, 66.12%
Grade III
1. Sharon Kelsall and Valentino XVIII, 77.63%
2. Thomas Dyer and Henry XVII, 73.19%
3. Veronica Bower and Game Over, 65.27%
Grade II
1. Jane Ogden and Fairview Romeo, 67.64%
2. Jacqueline Walker and Jack Daniels VI, 67.50%
3. Victoria Smith and Louis VII, 62.50%
Grade I
1. Sophie Lingfield and Trust April, 67.81%
2. Katherine Mannion and Ballingowan Lilly, 59.84%
Silver Championships
Grade V
1. Joanne Dagley-Cleworth and Michael Angelo, 66.32%
2. Karen Hale and Santa Sheva, 57.57%
Grade IV
1. Sara Bates with Tango VII, 67.24%
2. Deborah Hounsome and Bolencello, 66.56%
3. Alicia Griffiths and Aegrus Ophelia, 66.12%
Grade III
1. Sharon Kelsall and Valentino XVIII, 68.40%
2. Veronica Bower and Game Over, 66.50%
3. Thomas Dyer and Henry XVII, 66.10%
Grade II
1. Jemima Green and Blue Chip Forever, 72.71%
2. Jessica Phillips and Criminal Girl, 67.06%
3. Victoria Smith and Louis VII, 63.84%
Grade I
1. Gabriella Blake with Strong Beau, 68.00%
2. Jason Marques and Bobby VII, 66.37%
3. Alice Lundy and Ricardo’s Lucky Charm, 59.50%
ID Championships
RDA walk test
1. Jess Chapman and Keano, 73.05%
2. Jodie Williamson and Drunkeen Boy, 72.22%
3. Jonathan Rigby and Charlie. 70.97%
RDA walk and trot
1. Danielle Morgan and Goldy, 71.12%
2. Alfie Armstrong and Ruby, 70.62%
3. Ben Willdigg and Lady Beth of Dargavel, 70.37%
RDA walk, trot and canter
1. Georgina Malton and Despereaux, 74.21%
2. Jonathan Kemp and Zaldaltus, 71.71%
3. Annie Wordley and Brackenbank Flash Harry, 71.18%
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Equissage Pulse Para Bronze/Silver and ID Champs
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