REPORT
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Spring Hunter Trial |
20th April |
Sponsored by Allways
Couriers
The Spring Hunter Trial at Redlands
was once again a qualifying competition for the national BHS Cross-country Championship
which takes place in Derbyshire in September.
Despite so many early season
cross-country events being cancelled this month, careful preparation of the course and
sunshine on the day combined to provide good going for the seventy-seven horses taking
part in Pairs, Novice and Open classes and a great start for the 2008 season in the
club’s Diamond Jubilee year.
Alice Burgess (Ludo) and Charlotte Vile (African
Magic) won Pairs on June’s horses. Last to go, they had a clear round in the fastest
time of the class, just 5 seconds outside the optimum time.
Performances had improved in all
classes this year, with very few eliminations and far more clear jumping rounds, so timing
was crucial.
The large Novice entry was split. In
Section A three riders were within one second of the optimum time but where there is
equality of penalties, under Riding Club rules, those going too fast are placed below
those going too slowly. This left two juniors, Amy Hills (Armarni Warrior) and Millie
Simpson (Toby), in joint first place and Julie Hayward (Monnybrook If Only) third.
In Section B four riders came within
a second of the optimum, but again two were too fast. Another two juniors, Stacey Davidson
(Fielden Fielday) and Alice McCready (Picardy) won with Vivi Klenum (Ardgaineen Lass) and
Charlotte Gee (Ginger Ninja) joint third.
The clear cut winner of the Open was
Sara Roberts (Harry), who was also third on her other ride (Paddy). Second place went to
Peter Hayward (Dizzie). It was a good day for the Haywards, who come all the way from
Billericay, Essex, who took one of the BHS qualifications in each class.
Sevenoaks Riding Club is grateful to Allways Couriers of Dunton Green for their
continued sponsorship of this popular competition. June, Sara and George also want to
thank everyone who helped in the preparation and running of the day, as well as Kit
Thornton for allowing the course to run through his land and John Talbot for restoring the
ground with some timely rolling.
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