REPORT
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Spring Hunter Trial |
22nd April 2007 |
The club’s Spring Hunter Trials,
sponsored by Allways Couriers, ran as a qualifier for the British Horse Society’s
“Cross-Country Championships”. Qualification went to the two highest placed Gold
Members in the 2ft 9in Novice and 3 ft Open levels and two pairs in Novice Pairs.
Over 80 horses and riders compete,
many taking part in more than one class. Twenty three Novice Pairs vied for placings in
the first class of the day and honours were divided between local and visiting riders.
Two twelve-year-olds took first
place. Emma Elliot (Bayside Lad) from Piltdown, East Sussex, teamed with Sophie
Widsor-Burrell (Celtic Cara) of Langton Green to put in a polished cross-country
performance. Second placed Peter and Julie Hayward (Dizzie and Midnight) from Billericay, Essex,
and third placed SRC members, Jan Ames (Sparky) and Ulrika Kelly (Daddy’s Girl) were
the BHS qualifying Pairs. They are looking forward to the finals in Derbyshire this
September.
 
The sixty-six entries in the Novice
class were divided into two sections. Section A resulted in a dead heat between two
members of West Kent (Sevenoaks) Pony Club. The youngest rider, ten year old Susannah
Jeffery (Alfie’s Biscuit), who is also a Sevenoaks R C member, and 14 year old Maddy
Dumbreck (Starfield Lola) both completed the course without jumping penalties and with
just 0.4 of a time penalty.
Section B was won by Emma Cottrell
(Prince), from Canterbury, who also finished on 0.4 penalties, just a second outside the
optimum time. The standard in both the Novice and Novice Pairs seems to be steadily
improving. Placings to eighth place in both the Novices sections were decided on time
penalties, with even more collecting clear jumping rosettes. Dressing played a part in the
Pairs results.
Julie Hayward (Midnight) and Carole
Cook (Budding Annie) were the BHS Novice qualifiers.
Twenty-four riders tackled the more
challenging Open course, of whom half went clear. As in the autumn, the majority of faults
and eliminations were incurred at the log-trakehner but it held no terrors for first
placed Ellie McLaren (Jack-In-A-Box) from Eridge Park. Second and third places went to
Sevenoaks R C members, Ulrika Kelly
(Daddy’s Girl), and Jo Thomas (Kruja Roslyn).
The BHS Open qualifications went to
Ulrika and Drew Davy (Merlin Himself).
 Many thanks go to organisers Sara Roberts and Sharon Swain for
providing a great day for everyone. As usual it was a struggle to get enough help and they
are very grateful to all who did give their time, including those who combined helping
with competing.
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