International rider and mum of two, Louise Davison, pumped up the volume and raised the roof at the North West Winter Regional Championships held at Myerscough College (18-23 February 2014), winning both the GFS Elementary Open Freestyle and Spillers Medium Open Freestyle.
Spectators searching for dramatics did not leave disappointed as the Spillers Medium Open Freestyle created a fierce battle for the top spot with Louise and her ride, Pat Ruck’s Sport Horse Centre Carilla, narrowly pipping Henry Boswell and Kate Byrom’s Retro Hit to the post by just half a mark (73.28%), stealing the regional title and NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships qualification.
Flying high from their win, Louise and the seven year old mare set their sights on the GFS Elementary Open Freestyle. Eager to defend their 2013 regional title, the dynamic duo not only stormed to victory but also claimed the highest score of the North West regionals – a whopping 78.91%
“Because I was the reigning North West regional Elementary champion, there was pressure to defend my title and improve on 2013’s result [76.03%] – and I’m so happy that we did it!” exclaimed Louise. “Carilla was completely amazing, the best she’s ever felt. She was wonderfully balanced and really connected.”
“Although she was a little spooky due to an incident in the working in arena, she still felt unbelievable.” She continued. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to ride a horse like Carilla, we have an amazing partnership and connection to the point where I just have to think it and she knows what I want. She’s the horse of a lifetime.”
Also moving to the beat of the music was Sarah Payne and Bruce Grant’s Sheepgate Bommel. Competing together since 2011, Sarah and the eight year old KWPN gelding secured their place at the winter championships an impressive four times over the course of the week.
The pair’s first win and golden ticket came in the Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open, devouring the strong competition with their score of 72.45%. Then, after putting on their dancing shoes, Sarah and Sheepgate Bommel locked down their second qualification in the GFS Elementary Open Freestyle (77.18%) coming second, narrowly missing out on the top spot, to Louise Davison and Sport Horse Centre Carilla.
Sarah and Sheepgate Bommel’s good run continued into their second day of competition with another win, but this time in the Blue Chip Novice Open with 72.93%. Their fourth and final championship qualification came in the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Freestyle, not only did the duo win their class – they also achieved their highest score of the week with 77.41%
Sheepgate Equestrian, highly acclaimed competition venue and where Sarah is based, tweeted their joy over her success, “Wow what a regionals Sarah and Sheepgate Bommel have secured their 3rd win and 4th ticket to the winters today, what amazing results.”
Another notable winner at Myerscough College was Dawn Grundy. Riding her own seven year old gelding, Rough Lee So Schufro, the pair notched up wins in both the Blue Chip Novice Restricted (69.48%) and Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Restricted Freestyle (75.28%).
For the full list of results, please click here.
KBIS PRELIMINARY
Section one
Judith Moss and Donners Dream, 72.12%
Section two
Jason Davies and Sunset Boulevard, 71.92%
BLUE CHIP NOVICE RESTRICTED
Dawn Grundy and Rough Lee So Schufro, 69.48%
BLUE CHIP NOVICE OPEN
Sarah Payne and Sheepgate Bommel, 72.93%
EQUITOP MYOPLAST ELEMENTARY RESTRICTED
Steve Garrod and Wyuma P.H., 67.92%
EQUITOP MYOPLAST ELEMENTARY OPEN
Sarah Payne and Sheepgate Bommel, 72.45%
ALBION MEDIUM RESTRICTED
Ellie Darling and Fix Up, Look Sharp, 69.23%
ALBION MEDIUM OPEN
Henry Day and Wajana, 73.11%
CHARLES OWEN ADVANCED MEDIUM RESTRICTED
Lucy Pincus and Sheepcote Doncalisto, 70.31%
CHARLES OWEN ADVANCED MEDIUM OPEN
Becky Moody and Carinsio, 74.61%
BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS NOVICE RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Dawn Grundy and Rough Lee So Schufro, 75.28%
BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS NOVICE OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Sarah Payne and Sheepgate Bommel, 77.41%
GFS ELEMENTARY RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Ann Hartley and Piqurant, 70.06%
GFS ELEMENTARY OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Louise Davison and Sport Horse Centre Carilla, 78.91%
SPILLERS MEDIUM RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Nick Bigland and Satisfaction III, 69.39%
SPILLERS MEDIUM OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Louise Davison and Sport Horse Centre Carilla, 73.28%
NUPAFEED ADVANCED MEDIUM MUSIC FREESTYLE
Henry Boswell and Retro Hit, 71.33%
NAF MAGIC PRIX ST. GEORGES MUSIC FREESTYLE
Maria Griffin and D.J., 76.04%