29 juni 2015
Sandringham CAI** and National – a great competition
All five judges agreed that Barry Capstick’s (IRL) FEI advanced horse pair and Anna Grayston’s (GBR) FEI advanced pony pair shone the brightest in the dressage, awarding 37.52 and 38.78 penalties respectively. Debbie Daniel, para-equestrian, and Lynda Christian, open horse, had the same consistency of placing from the judges and all proved themselves by winning their classes outright. Course builder Barry Hunter’s thoughtfully technical obstacles separated the best from the rest on Saturday and the sometimes underestimated Sandringham going was tiring for some on a hot humid day.
Dick Lane’s (GBR) fiery determination in the obstacles and precision in a demanding and unforgiving cones course kept him in the lead and he had a clear win over Pippa and Karen Bassett (GBR), FEI horse fours. An injured wheeler put Barnaby Bowman out of the running.
James Broome (GBR) and Folke Rohrssen (IRL) battled hard for second place behind Barry Capstick but James’ superior cones score just put him ahead to take it by 0.43 penalties.
FEI pony fours driver Sara Howe had a cool victory, leading in all phases. John Ripley’s consistency and single-figure cones score gave him the FEI advanced single horse title and the FEI advanced pony single title was similarly deserved by Rosanna Walters-Symons, earning just 0.3 penalties in the cones, with Robert Buck and Sue Mart close behind.
Amanda Nisbet and her Scottish-Swedish compatriot Louise Kaiholm traded places in all three phases in the open pony pairs class for Amanda to come out top by 3.64 penalties in a class of six.
A rare double-clear cones score went to local Emily Viller, 17, in her first season of BC national events, the only novice pony driver. Grace Smith, 15, won the novice horse qualifier. Tara Wilkinson, 18, took the strong open pony class by storm.
The 81 starters in the national and FEI classes were augmented by 48 in the separate club event: an important stepping stone for new national talent.
Fiona Powell
