14 maart 2016

Innovative driving trials competition a hit

An innovative driving trials competition hosted by The David Broome Event Centre at Cricklands (5 – 6 March) proved a huge success with competitors who travelled from far and wide to take part. The format, based on British Carriagedriving rules with dressage judged to FEI standard, saw all three phases take place in a surfaced arena with dressage, in a 100m x 40m arena, taking place on the Saturday.

On Sunday morning competitors took part in the cones competition, laid out to BC National rules, and in the afternoon a ‘Combined Marathon’ featuring a course of two obstacles and ten cones driven once against the clock. Organiser James Broome explained: “We put this competition on as a pre-season training event particularly for those looking to compete abroad prior to the National season. Dressage was judged to FEI standard using National tests in order to give competitors a taste of International conditions.

Over 20 turnouts from Novice Pony to Horse Fours took part across 11 classes, the most competitive being the Novice Horse where Linda Hamblin beat Debbie Tatton by just 2.40 penalties while Vicky Brennan pipped Isobel Wesbroom-Warr by 4.14 penalties in Novice Pony. Adam Wylie took the Intermediate Horse as sole entry as did David Whitfield (Open Horse) and Philippa Howe (Advanced Pony). Philippa’s mother Sara competed two teams in the Pony Fours and husband and wife pair, Derrick and Sue Mayes both won their classes, Open Horse Pairs and Open Pony respectively. Derrick scored the best dressage of the competition with 55.40 with his new pair of Zorro and Victor, recently purchased from Angela Flanagan.

Lucy McGill won the Advanced Horse class ahead of Sarah Meredith and Marisa Pinnock headed the Advanced Horse Pairs with Karen Scott-Barrett in second. Pippa Bassett was the single entry in Horse Fours and was awarded second best dressage marks just behind Derrick with 55.43.

After the competition Derrick said: “James really put himself out to give us all a really good competition at what is a difficult time of the year to run a three-phase event. It is the first time in 20 years that I have driven all three phases on an artificial surface and the first time I have driven a ‘World Cup-style’ marathon and both Sue and I really enjoyed it.

“The large arena and perfect surface made it a real pleasure and the venue with electric hook-ups on hard standing parking meant we could use our electric heaters to keep warm. The stewards were charming and helpful; above all, James worked hard to see that we enjoyed ourselves. I hope he runs it again next year as we will certainly try and support the event.” Derrick’s comments were echoed by Sue Mart who came second in Open Pony: “It was absolutely brilliant, just what we needed for Fudge to give him some extra experience. The facilities were brilliant and James and his team were very accommodating. The competition was a good format that worked well; it was perfect.”