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Your region update - January 23
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Welcome
2023 competition is well underway, and we had a fantastic night at Tankersley Manor Hotel and Spa on 7 January to celebrate achievements in 2022. We were joined by journalist Helen Scott who interviewed many of our prize winners. Read all about it here.
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Helen Scott reports
A capacity crowd, glammed up to the eyeballs, celebrated the achievements of 2022 at the British Dressage North and East Ball – and what a lot there was to celebrate.
Team success, triumph over tragedy, superlative coaching and performances, and being able to party with friends away from the shadow of Covid-19.
There was much celebration and dancing, but the serious business included awarding 21 trophies, shields and certificates to riders, rosettes and sashes to league winners and thanking committee members.
A special thank you was made to Vikki Hayton, outgoing chair after eight years, by incoming chair Sarah Farrand who picks up the reins this year. Vikki was joined by Lianne Martin, Sharon Weir and Claire Preston from BDHQ to present the awards.
Heather Bennett, a grade IV para rider, who squeezed in representing team GB at Keysoe between knee and spinal surgery was a popular winner of the Moira Richardson Equine Touch& VHT Bronze for overcoming physical challenges whilst continuing to compete.
“It was a horrendous year, and hard to keep my fitness between the surgeries, but that’s behind me now and I‘m determined to get back representing my country again,” she said “I’ve got a lovely string of horses to compete and I’m optimistic for a good year.”
Heather dedicated her win top the team who keep her and her horses on the road, groom Rachel Haggerston and physio Vicky Spalding.
Charlotte Cundall, who was awarded The Frizzell Trophy to a North & East region PARA rider having notable international success in 2022 on her horse FJ Veyron, also has her sights on a senior team place.
“I’ve been the bridesmaid on the squad, so I’m taking a deep breath and setting my stall for trying to achieve selection for the European Para championships. I have two lovely horses who are feeling great and we’re working really hard.”
Mark Griffin is a comparative newcomer to para dressage although he has been involved with the RDA (Riding for the Disabled) for a long time since he suffered a brain injury in a car crash 23 years ago.
He took the Sophie Wells Para Trophy, awarded to the highest overall individual % by a PARA rider at the Home International in 2022 on his and his wife Lisa Jane’s First Class IX (Indi)
“I started riding para dressage 18 months ago, and everyone has been lovely and supportive. Indi is amazing as both Lisa and I ride her and we’ve different disabilities, so she needs to understand two different ways of riding. We scored 71% at the home internationals and have qualified for the winter championships.” he said.
The first question 12-year- old Sadie May Feehan asked when she woke up in the High Dependency Unit was “when can I ride again?”
She’d been hospitalised with uveitis and type 1 diabetes after feeling very unwell at school.
“The inter regionals was only a week away and I’d been very poorly, but Mum said I could go,” she said “I have a port linked to a phone which tells us when my sugars are low and Mum could hear it bleeping in the warm up so she pulled me over to give me a glucose drink and I went in.”
“I have two lovely ponies to compete and this year I want to improve my marks and move up to novice.”
Sadie-May was awarded The Catherine Marshall Cup for a North & East Senior/Youth rider/horse or combination overcoming individual physical challenges in 2022 whilst continuing to compete.
Holly Scott, riding Phyllis O’Connell’s Lincoln LDS, achieved a 5th place at the national championships and a win at the Sheepgate U25s to win the Mount St John Trophy for the highest % achieved by a North & East Young Rider at the British Dressage National Championships 2022.
Lincoln, who is rising six, underwent colic surgery as a six-month- old foal, but is now flourishing.
“I joined BD Youth last year and I’m very keen to learn and move up the levels.” said Holly.
Becky Moody, who headed an enthusiastic table of riders and supporters, was awarded the Frontline Trophy for notable international success, having pulled off a clean sweep of classes at Hartpury CDI with Jagerbomb.
“I’m delighted to have won, and it’s a tribute to the team and the string of lovely horses we have to compete.” she said.
The Fosters Trophy, awarded to an U18 rider having notable international success in 2022 went to Lauren Geraghty who represented team GB at the Europeans in Poland on WS Jackson.
She celebrated both the win and her 17th birthday at the ball.
“It’s great to have won,” she said “I’m looking forward to the next chapter in juniors so sadly WS Jackson is for sale so I can move onto a horse, but I’m still enjoying him.”
Jenny Martell’s catch ride on MSJ Gold Standard picked up The Leonidas Trophy for scoring 87.20 in the Young Horse semis at Port Royal.
“I was extremely lucky to be given the ride as Holly Woodhead was away eventing that day. She’s an extremely smart mare and either Holly or her sister Amy will take back the reins this year.”
Jess Griffiths had silverware and certificates on her table after a successful year with RS Furst Love.
She was awarded The Sir Oliver Silver Freestyle Bronze for the highest % in a Music Freestyle class Silver Section at the 2022 Winter Regionals, with a shade under 74%.
Jess, who danced to ballet music, competed at novice and elementary in 2022 and was never out of the top three. She’s also the youth representative on the BD committee, competed on teams, is a coach who has just started studying for level 4, and is looking forward to her wedding in the Autumn.
The Benjamin Rose Bowl awarded to the highest % achieved by a North & East Rider at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Finals 2022 was won by Lily Carson on Red Valentino SCS for scoring 72.99% in the prelim bronze.
“He’s a giant and it’s mine and his first season competing,” said Lily who is head groom, rider and also works in the office at Sue Carson Saddles since graduating from Hartpury.
Freya Percival won the award for the highest U21 score at the North and East Quest regionals with 74.11% on Houwdoe, who is now sadly for sale. “I trained him out of the field and he gave me the dressage bug – you couldn’t ask for more. she said.
Riders say training in North and East is second to none and Hannah Esberger Hancock was awarded the Equitrek Trophy for outstanding contribution to members development through regional training in 2022.
“I’m truly honoured to be given this award. I love coaching and watching riders’ growth and development” she said.
Cherry Elvin said she was surprised but delighted to be awarded the Gwyneth Lewis Lifetime Achievement Judges award for her contribution to judging in the North & East Region.
“I’m delighted to be giving back to the sport, and you learn so much being a judge,” said Cherry who began judging after a career riding and training BHS courses and has been on the circuit for 25 years.
“I try to be helpful and use clear terminology so its constructive to riders,” she said, which was backed up by a queue congratulating her. She also shares two young horses with Dan Greenwood.
And finally, the sport would be nothing without volunteers. Alys Ferguson, 82, stewards at every BD event at Alnwick Ford, and volunteers at equestrian sporting events every week, including eventing, Pony Club and point to point. She also had an impressive riding career in eventing and dressage. “The only sport I haven’t been involved with is polo,” she said.
She was honoured with the RDO Cup for making a significant contribution to the region and members in 2022.
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2022 Roll of Honour
Mount St John Salver
Awarded to the highest % achieved by a North & East Young Rider (25 and under at the end of the Calendar year) at the British Dressage National Championships 2022
Holly Scott riding Lincoln LDS Prelim Silver 72.01%
Sophie Wells Para Trophy
Awarded to the highest overall individual % by a PARA rider at the Home International in 2022
Mark Griffin Grade 3 riding First Class IX 71.02%
The Sir Oliver Silver Freestyle Bronze
Awarded to the rider with the highest % in a Music Freestyle class Silver Section at the 2022 Winter Regionals
Jessica Griffiths riding RS Furst Love Novice Silver 73.89%
Big Murph Cup
Awarded to the highest overall individual % by a North & East rider at the Draught Associated Championship in 2022
Kimberley Ainsworth riding Diamonds in the Rough XVI Prelim 70.09%
The Benjamin Rose Bowl
Awarded to the highest % achieved by a North & East Rider at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Finals 2022 (Regular Tests)
Lily Carson riding Red Valentino SCS Prelim Bronze 72.99%
The Magical Song Memorial Shield
Awarded to the highest overall individual % by a North & East rider at the ROR Associated Championship in 2022
Kathryn Pickering riding Pop the Champers Prelim Gold 70.73%
The Snainton Riding Centre Quest Trophies
Awarded to the highest overall individual % by an over 21 rider at the North & East Quest Regionals Championship in 2022
Avril Noble riding Bahkit 72.50% Prelim My Quest
Awarded to the highest overall individual % by an under 21 rider at the North & East Quest Regionals Championship in 2022
Freya Percival riding Houwdoe 74.11% Novice My Quest
The Leonidas Trophy
Awarded to the highest marks by a North & East Rider at the North & East Young Horse Semi Final 2022
Jenny Martell riding MSJ Gold Standard 87.20 6 Year Old
The Esberger Bronze
Awarded to a North & East region rider (under 25 at the end of the calendar year) having notable international success in 2022
India Durman-Mills riding Escade
The Fosters Trophy
Awarded to a developing North & East region rider (Under 18 at the end of the calendar year) having notable international success in 2022
Lauren Geraghty riding WS Jackson
The Frontline Trophy
Awarded to a senior North & East region rider having notable international success in 2022
Becky Moody riding Jagerbomb
The Frizzell Trophy
Awarded to a North & East region PARA rider having notable international success in 2022
Charlotte Cundall riding FJ Veyron
Chairs Awards - Vikki Hayton
To all regional committee members
Sheepgate Youth Trophy
Awarded to the most promising North & East BD Youth rider of 2022
(Nominee must be part of 2022 BD Youth published squad)
Lily Crisp
The Catherine Marshall Cup
Awarded to a North & East Senior/Youth rider/horse or combination overcoming individual physical challenges in 2022 whilst continuing to compete.
Sadie May Feehan
The Moira Richardson Equine Touch& VHT Bronze
Awarded to a North & East PARA rider overcoming individual physical challenges in 2022 whilst continuing to compete
Heather Bennett
Equitrek Trophy
Awarded to a North & East Region Coach for outstanding contribution to members development through regional training in 2022
Hannah Esberger Hancock
Chrissie Havis Shield
Awarded to a Tutor Judge for outstanding contribution to members development in the North & East Region in 2022
Richard Baldwin
The Hart Shield
Awarded to a Senior Team Member representing the region in year for outstanding contribution to Senior Teams in 2022
Hilary Janion
RDO Cup
Awarded to a North & East region volunteer making a significant contribution to the region and members in 2022
Alys Ferguson
Gwyneth Lewis Lifetime Achievement Judges award
Awarded to a Judge for their contribution to judging in the North & East Region
Cherry Elvin
Youth Rider League
Sponsored by Sue Carson Saddles
D Squad
Champion and the Patti Shield for highest points achieved – Abigail Hird 112 points
Sponsored by GB Bodybuilders (Horseboxes)
C Squad
Champion - Violet Hawkins 111 points
Sponsored by Sheepgate Tack and Togs
C+ Squad
Champion - Lauren Bone 109 points
Sponsored by McClarron Ltd Equine and Rural
B Squad
Champion - Jayne Sandiford 107 points
Sponsored by Hird and Partners (Sheffield Equine Clinic)
B+ Squad
Champion - Anna Harris 95 points
Sponsored by British Horse Feeds
A Squad
Champion - Anna Burns 92 points
Certificates for Riders Competing Internationally in 2022
 
 
Certificates for Riders on PARA Regional Teams in 2022
Certificates for Riders on BD Youth Regional Teams in 2022
 
Certificates for Riders on Senior Regional Teams in 2022
 
Finally -the handover and a warm welcome to our new Chair for North and East Region - Sarah Farrand
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Handbook and Rule Synopsis for 2023
The handbook for 2023 is now online, together with the 2023 New Rule Synopsis and Tack and Equipment guide.
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Your upcoming regional events...
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