More than 200 of the UK’s leading young riders converged at The College Equestrian Centre in Bedfordshire for the Keysoe Under 25s Show, 16 – 17 March 2013.
The mass of classes over the weekend offered opportunities for riders from eight to 25-years to put their winter training into practice. The weekend included BYRDS rider tests, which are judged purely on correct riding, and tests from prelim to FEI Young Rider level. This was the second running of the early-Spring event which has become a showcase of young talent within the sport.
Erin Williams (15) and Dynasty (pictured), Clare Williams’ nine-year-old German-bred mare took the FEI Pony Team in convincing style with 76.22%. Erin and the athletic palomino were the highest placed Brits in the Individual and Freestyle tests at the 2012 Pony European Championships and look to be maintaining that great form into 2013.
Aimee Witkin (16) and Kiara II, her 16-year-old Danish-bred chestnut mare, headed the Junior Team test just shy of 70%. This is the Hertfordshire rider’s first season in Juniors following a successful career in the Ponies during which time she represented Great Britain at the 2011 Pony European Championships.
The Young Rider Team test was taken by Olivia Towers (19) and Mercian Flyaway Wish, Elizabeth Towers’ 15-year-old black Weltmeyer gelding. Olivia acquired Flyaway Wish, a former ride of Matt Frost, two years ago. They stepped up to Young Riders in 2012 following much success in Juniors.
Saturday
FEI Pony Team
Erin Williams and Dynasty, 76.22%
FEI Junior Team
Aimee Witkin and Kiara II, 69.39%
FEI Young Rider Team
Olivia Towers and Mercian Flyaway Wish, 69.80%
Visualise Preliminary
Amelia Moncrieff and DST Don’t Panic, 66.09%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Hannah Taylor and Armagnac, 67.50%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Donald Fraser and Talland Rubin, 70.71%
Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Ruth Kennerley and Rio, 68.92%
Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Angus Corrie-Deane and Grayswood Orlando, 72.14%
Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Antonia Oakes and Princess, 65.00%
Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Maisie Scruton and Rembrandt DDH, 72.05%
Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted
Lily Hewitt and Zavier II, 65.94%
Suregrow Advanced Medium Open
Elspeth Day and Lilah, 72.70%
Fledgling Rider Test 1
Amelia Moncrieff and DST Don’t Panic, 62
C Squad Rider Test 1
Zoe Golding and George Eliot, 62.1
B Squad Rider Test 1
Harriet Walker-Smith and Jon Boy George, 63.6
A Squad Rider Test 1
Emma Bond and Kasteinhofs Vitus, 59.8
Sunday
Pony Freestyle
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Sunshine, 73.10%
Junior Freestyle
Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina, 71.30%
Young Rider Freestyle
Annastasia Neale and Romanze In Dur, 64.90%
FEI Pony Individual
Bethany Rose Horobin and Gigolo, 71.34%
FEI Junior Individual
Georgia Davis and Richmans Manta, 69.28%
FEI Young Rider Individual
Olivia Towers and Mercian Fly Away Wish, 69.54%
Visualise Preliminary
Lucinda Humphreys and Snip, 70.90%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Hannah Simkins and Don Carlos, 68.96%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Laura Jarvis and Contender, 73.10%
Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Becky Morris and Nevermind II, 73.12%
Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Laura Woodcock and Whispers, 73.43%
Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Antonia Oakes and Princess, 65.94%
Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Elizabeth Allen and Don Dellero, 62.89%
Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Maisie Scruton and Rembrandt DDH, 67.02%
Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted
Elizabeth Allen and Don Dellero, 62.89%
Suregrow Advanced Medium Open
Natalie Allen and Winston Jani, 69.47%
Fledgling Rider Test 1
Tia Quinn and Bookhamlodge Fantasia, 56.7
C Squad Rider Test
Holly Golding and Sherbert, 56.8
B Squad Rider Test
Bryony Lovegrove and Celton Ajax, 62.7
A Squad Rider Test
Phoebe Chatten and Cavallino, 59.7
For full results click here