RIDING CLUB
Success for riders from the south-west, a happy hacker tops the podium and a winning streak for a horse found tied to a lamppost as a three-year-old
BRC TopSpec Arena Eventing Championships, Aston-le-Walls, Northants
IT is testament to the commitment of British Riding Clubs (BRC) members that journeys totalling 200 miles or more are light work for a good day’s jumping.
There was a bumper turnout for the championship course, which included logs, ditches and a water jump. The final joker fence was a showjump Olivia, who works in HR for a medical company.
The top two finishers were joined in the winning team by Ashley Daniel (Robjan Ruby Mai) and Jane Valentine (Dollar Oats). They completed on a score of 3.2, almost five penalties ahead of Elstead Riding Club (RC) in second.
East Cheshire Combined Training Group also did well in 10cm higher than the rest of the course and incurred six penalties if dislodged.
East Cheshire Combined Training Group dominated the senior 80 championships, winning the team event and taking first and second individually thanks to impressive performances from Olivia Peck on 17-yearold Doonhill Jack and Nicky Waddup aboard her mother’s 12-year-old Connemara, Attymon Hill Member.
Olivia and Doonhill Jack, whom she’s owned from a four-year-old, were one of three combinations to finish on a score of zero in the 105-strong class, clinching the lead with the time closest to optimum. “I’m gobsmacked. He’s very cheeky and was being a nightmare in the warm-up so I was worried we wouldn’t get round but as soon as we started he had his game face on,” said the senior 70 after their team finished second 1.2 penalties behind Sid & Otter Valley RC. Natalie Eastwood riding
OVS Coum Bridge, fifth individually, Joanna Lee with Il Marinaio, Sarah Box-Adair aboard her home-bred Miss Inde-pendance and Millie Pring on Ardwholihane Clover made up the winning team, who headed back to the southwest knowing their long trip had been worthwhile.
From neighbouring Somerset, Equestrian Training South West’s Joanna Pitman and 21-year-old Allenbrook Babieca finished closest to the optimum time to win the 98-strong individual 70 class.
“He’s a brilliant horse. He does everything from riding club events to rounding up ponies on Dartmoor and hunting. He’s consistent and reliable and
