Scottish trainer and rider, Joanna Hamilton, rose to the occasion once more at the Scottish Winter Regional Championships at Morris Equestrian Centre (28 Feb – 2 Mar), collecting three regional titles and securing her place at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury in April.
Coming second in the Elementary Open Freestyle at the Scottish regional last year, Joanna and her partner in crime, Corchapin – a seven year old KWPN gelding by Negro, owned by Joanna and Lady Mary Hope – set their sights at improving on last year’s performance and bagging the regional title.
To the spectators delight, the GFS Elementary Open Freestyle turned out to be a fierce battle for number one, with the top five all scoring over 71%. However, the competition proved to be no match for the duo, who produced an impressive score of 74.68%, securing their place at the top and qualification ticket to the winter championships.
Competing together since 2011, Joanna and Corchapin, or ‘Colin’ as he’s known at home, have enjoyed great success at Elementary – including being crowned National Elementary Champion in 2013. Looking to replicate this success at Medium, the pair put their best foot forward and produced a dazzling display in the Albion Medium Open, scoring a solid 71.85% - a whopping 4% above second place, Hannah Guild and her own seven year old mare, Corienta (67.84%).
Riding on a high, Joanna and her faithful partner took to their last class of the week, the Spillers Medium Open Freestyle. Scoring 76.11%, the pair not only secured their place at the top and qualification to the winter championships, their mark was also the highest percentage of the competition; a fantastic result for rider, co-owner and horse.
Sharing her delight via Facebook, Joanna announced “Good boy Colin, mission Regionals successfully completed...now mission Hartpury and to get the trot to match up to his canter work - 5 weeks to go!!”
Fellow trainer, Jennifer Johnston, also had reason to celebrate after winning all four of her regional classes across the week.
Riding her own seven year old chestnut mare, MFS Caliana, Jennifer notched up wins in the Blue Chip Novice Open with 70.17% and the Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open with 69.90%. However, it was the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Freestyle where the pair really took over.
Together since 2012, this competition marks their third regionals as a combination – and what a way to end the week! Scoring a huge 75.37%, Jennifer and MFS Caliana claimed the first rosette, regional title and pass through to the winter championships.
Taking MFS Caliana home for a well-earned rest, Jennifer brought out her second and final ride of the week, her own 14-year old gelding, Donnergott. Riding in the crowd favourite NAF Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle, the pair pumped up the volume and put on a spectacular show, earning them 71.75% and winning the class, giving them the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of the crowds at Hartpury in April.
A final notable win is Debbie Murray and her own six year old gelding, Fancy Man MFS. Living up to his name, Fancy Man floored the judges in the KBIS Preliminary class to earn a score of 75.38% - a massive 5% higher than second place’s Eve Halliday and Lagardo.
For full results, click here.
KBIS PRELIMINARY
Debbie Murray and Fancy Man MFS, 75.38%
BLUE CHIP NOVICE RESTRICTED
Clare Hinchliffe and Cascento, 70.69%
BLUE CHIP NOVICE OPEN
Jennifer Johnston and MFS Caliana, 70.17%
EQUITOP MYOPLAST ELEMENTARY RESTRICTED
Sarah Duncan and Zander X, 71.51%
EQUITOP MYOPLAST ELEMENTARY OPEN
Jennifer Johnston and MFS Caliana, 69.90%
ALBION MEDIUM RESTRICTED
Emma Woolley and Warda Petronella, 68.56%
ALBION MEDIUM OPEN
Joanna Hamilton and Corchapin, 71.85%
CHARLES OWEN ADVANCED MEDIUM RESTRICTED
Katherin Tullie and Arctic Jazz, 65.44%
CHARLES OWEN ADVANCED MEDIUM OPEN
Lea Gray and Tiger Feet II, 62.24%
BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS NOVICE RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Jill King and AD Hoc Ribbeck, 70.93%
BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS NOVICE OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Jennifer Johnston and MFS Caliana, 75.37%
GFS ELEMENTARY RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Sarah Bosomworth and D’Artagnan IV, 71.79%
GFS ELEMENTARY OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Joanna Hamilton and Corchapin, 74.68%
SPILLERS MEDIUM RESTRICTED MUSIC FREESTYLE
Sam Turpitt and Busilus, 71.33%
SPILLERS MEDIUM OPEN MUSIC FREESTYLE
Joanna Hamilton and Corchapin, 76.11%
NUPAFEED ADVANCED MEDIUM MUSIC FREESTYLE
Clare Moore and Rendezvous, 73.22%
NAF MAGIC PRIX ST. GEORGES MUSIC FREESTYLE
Jennifer Johnston and Donnergott, 71.75%