A10 Showjumping 3rd December 2011 Team Report

Area 10's Winter Indoor Showjumping qualifier was held at the South of England Showground and hosted by Ardingly Riding Club. A superb venue with a lovely indoor school and with lots of space to park the lorries / trailers. The competition commenced at 8.30am on a very cold, crisp December morning. With Senior Jumping in the morning. Senior team members Ian Barnard, Dawn Fazackerly, Penny Weatherall and Emma Bartholomew. The event was very well organised, the course very tricky with a rather scary viaduct jump as the last fence, catching many horses and riders out. Our senior team excelled themselves and were placed 4th overall, Emma Bartholomew just missing out on an individual placing.

The Juniors Emily Williamson, Sarah White, Hannah Stephenson and Sydni Evans arrived midday for the Juniors team jumping in the afternoon. Sarah, Hannah and Syd making their debut for the club, Emily becoming a bit of a pro at these events!!! After two clear rounds and then two eliminations, the team were unable to continue. Never mind, there's always next year. A very cold day for me, made all the easier by the superb catering van that was there. I also spent part of the morning in the judges trailer assisting the scoring.. which was real learning curve !!! A long but productive day for the teams.

The chill of the winter morning didn't dampen the dressage teams' enthusiasm as we arrived at the South of England Showground on 4th December for the A10 Winter Dressage Qualifier. CBRC had entered 2 senior teams of 4, each rider completing either Prelim 18 or Novice 24. Thanks to Sara Hills, Helen Wolski, Chantal Lane, Liz Royou-Compton, Liz Murray, Abi McNally and Maria Willis for competing for the club. Unfortunately Stephanie Vickers had to back out last minute due to illness. Arlingly Riding Club had done a grand job in their organisation with the warm up in the large indoor arena, which then led into the two outdoor competition schools. Judging was tough and tensions were high, but all the riders did the club proud, all reaching percentages in the mid-50s and early 60s. One of the highlights of the day, or was it a comedy moment ..... Liz Royou-Compton deciding to wear her new boots for the first time on the day and having Liz M and Helen Stone wrapped around her legs hauling the zips up and then watching Liz R-C walking like Spot the Dog towards her trusted steed Logan to go off and do a lovely Prelim - it must have been the lucky boots as Liz came third in her class ... well done! On behalf of everybody in the club we would like to thank Julie Sinclair for her tireless efforts in getting the teams together and entering them into all the A10 events - it isn't an easy role and Julie always seems to have a smile on her face!