41 teams from all corners of the UK came together for battle at this year’s Senior Home International at Arena UK, Lincs (3 – 5 October 2014). The crème de la crème of riders were selected to represent their region at the Northern venue and, despite a valiant effort from all, it was team Central – headed by RDO, Kim Moloney – who reigned supreme and made British Dressage history.
Central Charming Ladies (pictured) topped the charts with an impressively low score of 30 points, Eastern London came second with 36 points and North West Diamonds in third on 39. The scoring was based on the placing – the higher the place, the lower the score – with the lowest combined score from the top three team members winning the competition.
This monumental win for Central made BD history as it marked the first time a region has ever achieved ‘the double’ – winning both the Senior Home International and BYRDS Home International in the same year.
“I said from the beginning that we were going to win!” exclaimed an elated Kim Moloney. “Together, we worked so hard to achieve that podium finish – there was even a ban on alcohol and a curfew for all riders of 8.30pm, that’s got to show dedication!”
“The win was down to total team work,” she continued. “The atmosphere and team morale were fantastic, not one person rode their test without the whole team being there. We’re like one big family, so the title isn’t just for one team – although [Central Charming Ladies] were great! – it’s for the whole region.”
Kim also wanted to make a special mention to Central trainer, Stacey Munson, rider rep and ‘right-hand man’, Jane Imbush – who, according to Kim “makes cakes good enough for the Great British Bake Off” – and Horse of the Year judge, Jo Jenkins who came to support the Central teams and ensured all were turned out to perfection.
The winning team consisted of novice open combination Caroline Hawkins with Amanda Bacon’s seven-year Irish Sports Horse, Kilbawn Lad; elementary twosome, Sue Bullock and her own 18-year-old British-bred gelding, Lynwood Crofter; Jayne Turney and Joanne Jenkins’ 11-year-old bay gelding, Foxcourt Accold, who were competing in the medium; and contesting in the advanced medium were Rebecca Tilton with her own 12-year-old KWPN gelding, Valliant.
Notable performances came from Southern region’s Zoe Colgate and Deborah Knight’s eight-year-old Rhodium-sired mare, B Jazzmin, who not only claimed both medium titles over the weekend but also achieved the highest score of the competition with 74.49% in Saturday’s medium 73 – Sunday’s winning score wasn’t too shabby either, a solid 70.81% to earn first place.
North West’s Darcas Level shone over the weekend as she – equipped with her own and Iain Holt’s 12-year-old KWPN gelding, Valentijn WG – won both Saturday’s advanced and Sunday’s prix st georges with strong scores of 68.54% and 67.70%, respectively.
But it wasn’t all competition! The weekend’s event started with a bang as riders dressed to impress, representing their region during the opening ceremony. Highlights include a Northern – and very purple – unicorn, North West RDO Lou Jones wrapped in fairy lights emitting a turquoise glow and a pack of Eastern fairy dogs!
Photo courtesy of the Central region Facebook page.
Team Results:
1st Central Charming Ladies, 30 points
Caroline Hawkins with Kilbawn Lad
Sue Bullock with Lynwood Crofter
Jayne Turney with Foxcourt Accola
Rebecca Tilton with Valliant
2nd Eastern London, 36 points
Casey Parker with Eeyore DS
Carly Tredinnick with Chanel VI
Sian Sheridan with Keystone Dimaggic
Jodie Smith with Cinja
3rd North West Diamond, 39 points
Julia Tharratt with Lou Bega
Tori Peter with T-Jewel’s Indigo
Gilly Hinnigan with Donna Carlota
Jaine Bailey with Bonjohn
Full results: