Crowd-pleasers Alys Matravers and Tiger Tim were top scorers at the South West Winter Regional Championships at Kingston Maurward College, Dorset, 16-19 February 2014.
Alys and the nine-year-old traditional gypsy cob, a breeding stallion owned by Denise Kersley, scored 79.44%, the highest of the four-day show, to win the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle. Alys and the charming black tobiano also notched up two seconds – one in the GFS Elementary Restricted Freestyle and another in the Equitop Myoplast Elementary Restricted.
“I couldn’t have asked for such good results,” said a delighted Alys, whose freestyle compilation included tracks from Hawaii Five O, Mission Impossible and Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger. “Timmy felt really good. He warmed up very well though he did get a little upset with big horses approaching him as he’s only a little guy.”
Alys and Tiger Tim, who combines his dressage with a successful showing and stud career, can more than hold their own against the archetypal dressage horses. “It’s a nice that we can pull out the good scores every time we go out,” said Alys, “ And I feel there’s more in there too.”
“After the winter championships, we’ll try to qualify for the nationals then push up to medium level. It’s a busy time for him. The showing season kicks off after the winters so he’ll also have to get into ‘showing mode’ to try and qualify for HOYS!”
Hannah Biggs enjoyed a successful show with her Don Schufro seven-year-old, Don Caledonia. Hannah and ‘Archie’ won the Albion Medium Open with 71.22% and the Spillers Medium Open Freestyle with an impressive 78.22%. Hannah took to Facebook to say: “Champions! Archie rocked the arena to win the Medium music regionals with 78%! Bananas and bubbles all round!” Apparently, Don Caledonia is partial to bananas!
Another combination to post a double was Victoria Appleyard and Sir Willy, a 12-year-old German-bred black gelding owned by Anne Appleyard. They scored a strong 74.04% for victory in the Charles Owen Advanced Medium Open and 77.56% to take the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle. In the Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open, Jess Bennett and her exciting prospect, JB Dukaat, were the standout combination, securing the class with 74.74%. The powerful six-year-old KWPN gelding (Westenwind x Son of De Niro) has proven a consistent performer and could be a strong contender at Hartpury.
Matt Frost once again demonstrated the great partnership he has with AMD Don Rosso II, Dedi Leech’s nine-year-old son of Dr Doolittle. The pair scored 77.79% for victory in the NAF Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle and a coveted place at Hartpury.
KBIS Preliminary
Hayley Critchell with Febe, 73.21%
Blue Chip Novice Restricted
Charlotte McDowall with Felinmor Buddy, 71.61%
Blue Chip Novice Open
Sadie Smith with Spiridon, 71.09%
Equitop Myoplast Elementary Restricted
Annie Brooker with Likoto’s Luke, 72.86%
Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open
Jess Bennett with JB Dukaat, 74.74%
Albion Medium Restricted
Gary Caddy with Donna Charisma, 71.85%
Albion Medium Open
Hannah Biggs with Don Caledonia, 71.22%
Charles Owen Advanced Medium Restricted
Samantha Gualtieri with Sandro’s Dancer, 68.51%
Charles Owen Advanced Medium Open
Victoria Appleyard with Sir Willy, 74.04%
Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Restricted Music Freestyle
Suzanna Maunder with Camillus, 72.04%
Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle
Alys Matravers with Tiger Tim, 79.44%
GFS Elementary Restricted Music Freestyle
Annabel Whittet with Dior UKH, 72.24%
GFS Elementary Open Music Freestyle
Jacky Stolper with Calisto SVU, 74.04%
Spillers Medium Restricted Music Freestyle
Louisa Spencer with Armstrong II, 70.61%
Spillers Medium Open Music Freestyle
Hannah Biggs with Don Caledonia, 78.22%
Nupafeed Advanced Medium Music Freestyle
Victoria Appleyard with Sir Willy, 77.56%
NAF Magic Prix St Georges Music Freestyle
Matt Frost with AMD Don Rosso II, 77.79%
For full results click here