Becky Moody took an array of horses to East Yorkshire to contest in the Port Royal Summer Regional Championships (7 – 9 August 2015), claiming an impressive three tickets to the LeMieux National Dressage Championships out of the six that she had a shot at.
Riding Melissa North’s seven-year-old British-bred mare, Santa Tropez HFD, Becky stormed to victory in the Nettex elementary open with an assured performance, earning a score of 73.07% - an impressive four percent above second placed, and Becky’s second ride, Joanne Cooper’s six-year-old KWPN gelding, Eureko with 69.95%. However due to the class size, both of Becky’s rides have qualified through to the finals at the Stoneleigh-based championships.
After tasting success, Santa Tropez went back for a second bite in the TopSpec medium open, earning another nationals ticket with an solid 70.59%, just two marks behind the winner, Paul Hayler and fellow British-bred, Argentus – owned by Lucy Diamond – who scored 71.53%.
Although a few costly mistakes in the TopSpec medium open prevented them from reaching their true potential, U21s star Alex Hellings and Sonia Baines’ 14-year-old Dutch gelding, Uvender V made up for it in the Equine Construction advanced medium restricted topping the leader board with a strong, 68.86% in just their fifth advanced medium.
“Uvi and I have had a day of two halves today at the regionals,” stated Alex from her Facebook page. “In the medium open we seemed to mistake trot for canter in half of the trot work, which was unfortunately very costly. However extremely pleased to win the advanced medium restricted, qualifying for the national championships.”
There was also an U25s revolution in the Nettex elementary restricted, with BYRDS riders claiming the top three places. After a fierce battle, it was 21-year-old Lauren Noble who came out on top by just one mark. Riding her own seven-year-old British bay mare, Heartbreak, she scored 70.63%, qualifying through to their first national championships. Narrowly, in second place and also gaining a spot in the final was fellow 21-year-old Bea Burnham with her own six-year-old mare, Azara , whilst 24-year-old Zoe Haigh claimed third with her own seven-year-old Santano gelding, Ceejay.
Claiming the highest score of the competition and this year’s summer regional championships was Vanessa Worthington in the Dodson & Horrell novice open. Equipped with her own Medoc-sired mare, RS Maradonner, she scored a massive 78.16% to not only win the class but also achieve a personal best.
Finally, it was Laura Newton who won the Equine Construction advanced medium open with her partner of two years, Pamela Johnston’s 11-year-old son of Rubiquil, Zebrano (pictured). The pair scored 69.52% to take the class and the qualification ticket.
“Woo hoo!! Nationals here we come!!” exclaimed Laura via her Facebook, “won the advanced medium at Port Royal Regionals on Kiwi with just over 69% and fifth in the medium with just over 70%. Lots of work to be done between now and then … cracking open some champers tonight.”
For full results, click here.
Results
BackinAction Preliminary
Section a: Amanda Iceton with UK Gold, 72.24%
Section b: Rebecca Crow with RJT Bright Penny, 73.65%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Karissa Willingale Mawson with Southburn Summer Breeze, 69.25%
Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Vanessa Worthington with RS Maradonner, 78.16%
Nettex Elementary Restricted
Lauren Noble with Heartbreak, 70.63%
Nettex Elementary Open
Becky Moody with Santa Tropez HFD, 73.07%
TopSpec Medium Restricted
Sarah Fitton with Florenciana IV, 68.99%
TopSpec Medium Open
Paul Hayler with Argentus, 71.53%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Restricted
Alex Hellings with Uvender V, 68.86%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium Open
Laura Newton with Zebrano, 69.52%
Fairfax Saddles PSG
Julie Yardley with Die Fee, 68.20%
Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I
Tracy Tomlinson with Undercover, 68.64%