Capitalising on the last of the warm weather, riders recently turned out in force for British Dressage at The Cabin Equestrian Centre, Inverurie.
Hosted in conjunction with Gordon Dressage Group, the one day competition drew riders from across the north of Scotland, with both affiliated and unaffiliated sections at all levels well subscribed.
While Suzanne Stephenson lead the way in both the prelim classes with scores of 67.8% and 68.64% on Little Tiger II, it was Sharon Lindop who headed the two novice classes open section on the five-year old Oldenburg gelding Speilbanker (Spielburg x Eskardo) imported via the Oldenburg Summer Auction in June 2014.
Stonehaven-based Sharon – an interim manager/business consultant in the energy industry – notched up 69.62% in novice 30 and 71.61% in novice 38. What is even more impressive is that Speilbanker has now been to three shows and secured novice open winter qualification in two outings.
She also went on to champion the advanced mediums on her other ride Sandhaven (Sandro Boy x Lancelot), nine-year old German gelding working at advanced medium and preparing for Prix St George.
Paramedic Nicky Heale – also based in Stonehaven – achieved firsts in both elementary 44 and 53 with 71% and 72.21% respectively on the six-year old mare Seramai (Scolari – Rhodiamant) owned by Verity Jenner. Seramai was bought over by Verity from her breeders Volker Dusche and Leonie Bramall in Germany.
Meanwhile, Oldmeldrum rider Rebecca Stephen and Haddo Riff-Raff dressage-stepped their way into the red rosettes in the open section, winning not one but two of the day’s medium classes scoring 66.13% in medium 71 test and 69.59% in medium 75.
Rebecca, who works as a freelance instructor and competition rider, has been partnering the 11-year old homebred pure Welsh Cob for the last couple of years on behalf of Eleanor Mennie. They have been competing successfully this year at medium level consistently scoring high 60%/early 70%.