Posted: 7th October 2019 | Back to news feed
This year’s BRC TopSpec Dressage to Music Championships was a great success,
with almost 230 junior and senior riders qualifying to take part at Bury Farm Equestrian Village in Buckinghamshire.
These Championships allow competitors to ride from Prelim level up to our unique ‘Pick A Test’ class, which caters for those more experienced combinations wishing to compete at Medium and Advanced Medium level at a Championship. The judges were so impressed with the overall standard of horses and riders, with some fabulous music and elaborate floorplans demonstrated by the competitors over the weekend.
“It was a fantastic three days of competition and it was wonderful to see so many horses and riders enjoying themselves while competing for the top awards.” said Katy Mickle of TopSpec who are now in their third year of sponsoring these BRC Dressage to Music Championships.
The championships began on Friday with the Pick A Test, which consists of competitors riding either a Medium or Advanced Medium test.
The overall individual title was eventually awarded to Susan Lanz riding her beautiful, homebred mare Wellshead Foxtrot, scoring 69.33 percent. Susan, from West Somerset RC, rode her test to music from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Susan said: “Thank you very much, we had a great time, everyone was most helpful and friendly, I was thrilled with my lovely mare who tried so hard for me.”
Cotswold Edge RC member April Joynson riding her 12 year old, striking, skewbald gelding Bryntegllwynau Rocky Robin won the Elementary class with the highest score of the weekend, an impressive score of 75.87 percent. Meon RC riders Pippa Griffin riding Tolkien’s Trilogy and Kerry Tyrell riding Himoons Spellbound took home the Pairs championship title with a score of 69.7 percent, 0.1 percent ahead of the Ludlow & District RC pair Natalie Canning riding Archfield Romeo and Izzy Harris riding Croston.
Said Pippa: “This championship has such a supportive atmosphere, other clubs in nearby stables were unbelievably kind, we cheered each other on and went to watch each other- even though we hadn’t met until that day! It is such a great environment, all the buzz of a big competition in a friendly atmosphere.”
Tina Kazmi from Solihull RC riding Colour Me Aftersock won the Senior Novice with Points title, with an impressive score of 73.48 percent.
Tina said this about her test: “I love riding to music and Shedley loves his music too. We have to keep tweaking the floor plan slightly as he pre-empts the movements, knowing his music so well. This was the first time I rode the canter element in a test as I only devised it in my head on the Thursday night! I knew I needed to take a chance and it worked.”
Tendring Hundred RC junior riders Chloe Mason riding Glowan Dewi and Lucy Hinde riding Rhuban Prince took home the Novice Pairs championship title with a score of 75.24 percent. Their test included dramatic music from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Tess Hinde, Lucy’s mum said: “They were the only juniors in a class of 19 pairs and rode their two ponies Nebo and Freddie whilst wearing their revamped old school blazers! The girls have been practicing hard for the champs and their ponies love riding together, despite watching the test many times the real thing made both mummies cry, we were so proud! We would like to thank all the BRC team who make these Championships possible, I think we have attended most of them this year and thoroughly enjoy them all!”
One championship title was not enough for Meon RC rider Kerry Tyrrell riding Himoons Spellbook as they also took home the Senior Novice 0 Points title with another great score of 74.30 percent. Riding to music from the film Mission Impossible. With second place being awarded to White Rose RC rider Sophie Webb riding Glynawen Magic Star ending on a finishing score of 73.19 percent.
The Junior Prelim Dressage title went home to Warwickshire Hunt RC rider Megan Field riding her stunning, chestnut pony Gwithian Gallant, floating across the arena to Sia’s Chandelier, finishing on a score of 73.19 percent.
Megan added: “I had the most amazing day and I am so pleased to win, it is only the second time we have ridden to music! I love the music and it really suits my pony Freddie. I have owned Freddie for a year and a half and we have achieved so much in this time. He is only six years old and has exceeded my expectations already! We love dressage and he is a fantastic jumper too. Sadly I have outgrown him now and so this is our last year together, I wish he could grow with me too.”
There was an extremely close battle for the Junior Novice Dressage title, with first to go, Wessex Gold RC rider Morgan Kent riding Janet Stares magnificent, ten year old Dutch, chestnut gelding Kolsteins Don Amigo taking home the win with a score of 73.33 percent, riding to music from The Greatest Showman.
This year also saw the return of the Direct Entry Dressage classes, (which do not require any prior qualifications). Due to the increase in popularity of these classes, the classes this year were extended to include; Warm Up, Veteran Horse and Veteran Rider (at two levels), Cob Type Mixed, Retrained Racehorse, Cob Type, Native Type and Coloured.
“Once again we had a fabulous three days of competition; welcoming back our sponsor TopSpec. Another big thank you must go to our wonderful BRC judges and volunteers who without them these championships would simply not be possible,” said Rachael Hollely-Thompson, BRC Manager.
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