Over the course of last week, top dressage professionals, Richard Davison, Dan Sherriff and Hannah & Becky Moody hosted and judged the three training days for this year’s prestigious Young Professionals Award.
The high-profile award received record entrant numbers which were then whittled down to just 24 semi-finalists, who each attended one of the three training days held at a host’s yard. After an introduction from the hosts, the semi-finalists were treated to a yard tour (including risk assessment) before mounting their rides for a 40-minute training session.
The morning session also included a one-to-one discussion with the co-ordinators – BYRDS director, Janet Horswill and former Pony selector, Rachel Hillier – whilst the afternoon consisted of another training session with the host, however this time unmounted, concentrating on other equestrian skills.
One rider from each day was selected to go through to the final with three wildcards given once all three training days were complete. Once again, the standard of applicant reached an all-time high and at Dan Sherriff’s training day, the competition proved to be too strong as two of the three wild cards went to riders contesting there. Below is the list of semi-finalists, along with those selected for the final – which will be held at the Talland School of Equitation (2 March 2015).
If you would like to find out more about the Young Professionals Award, including the criteria for application in 2015, click here.
Results
Host: Richard Davison at Combridge Farm (6 October)
Finalist:
Ryan Todd
Semi-finalists:
Elizabeth Allen
Tyler Bradshaw
Lauren Darby
Saska Ingham
Georgina Swinglehurst
Devan Woodgate
Michelle Wright
Host: Dan Sherriff at Bayford Hall Farm (8 October)
Finalists:
Emily Harris
Joshua Hill (wildcard)
Rob Trobridge (wildcard)
Semi-finalists:
Emma Barnes
Emily Blount
Megan Clough
Benjamin Smith
Charlotte Ward
Host: Hannah & Becky Moody at Far Broad Oak
Finalists:
Greg Sims
Victoria Maw (wildcard)
Semi-finalists:
Paddy Cush
Lorna Hurst
Victoria Maw
Gemma Moss
Katie Richards