Deben Riding Club

Area 14 ODE

22nd June 2008

Poplar Park

Senior Team Report from Sue Westmore

The seniors did extremely well at the Horse Trials qualifier at Poplar Park to finish 6th out of 12 Novice teams, especially as the team had been reduced to 3 members after Abi Jacobs opted to compete at the Intro Regional Finals at Milton Keynes (which she won on her dressage score and is now qualified for the British Eventing Grassroots Festival at Aston-le-Walls in August, so definitely the right decision). With only 3 riders, there was no room for mistakes from Jill Hillyard (A Close Shave), Jess Mace (Mirati) and Marie Smith (Casty) and plenty of pressure to deliver solid performances. The cross country course had been reduced in severity from the very strong track last year, and it quickly became apparent that it was going to be a bit of a dressage competition. Unfortunately, all 3 horses were lit up by the proximity of the arenas to the cross country course and consequently did not achieve the very high marks they are each capable of. However, with them all going clear cross country and with not too many times faults on a tightly measured course, they put up a very creditable performance against some strong opposition.

Junior report from Debbie Mace

With three new members in the one day event team , Joanne, Joe and Charis and one old hand ie Posy, we started the day with lots of enthusiasm and a little trepidation.

With four fairly accurate tests we awaited the results, with Charis picking up only 30.0 pentalties. So far, so good, Next on to the showjumping, with three clear round and one four faults, we felt at this stage we were on decent form.

Finally the cross country, with karen situated in the woods where there were 2 or 3 difficult fences we awaited the outome. All came safely home, again with 3 supposed clears and one with only one stop, we thought we were in with a chance.

Next came the long wait for results, with plenty of Tippex on hand to alter the boards. All going well except for Charis's score not being up after everyone else's. Eventually it came up with an elimination, so off I went to find out the reason behind it. Apparently Charis had bypassed a fence, Karen saw her jump it and an objection was lodged. This was upheld as we had no photographic evidence to prove otherwise. So instead of being winners we came a very creditable 4th, with Joanne being placed 3rd as an individual.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Juniors for behaving so professionally when it was such a huge disappointment for them. Still we live to fight another day!!

We would like to congratulate Finn Valley who qualified and who also had a super team

Pictures to follow