Congratulations to the 11 CI BYRDS members who attended the Under 21’s Summer Championships on the 24th and 25th of July. The competition, which is held at Addington Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire, and run by List 3 judge Carol Hogg, is a popular event for many dressage riders under the age of 25, and so all the classes are heavily contended. Despite this, all of our riders came away with fantastic scores and strong placings.
A major “thank you” has be given to Mr. Andrew Tate who came to our rescue at the eleventh hour with the loan of his lorry. Without this kindness four ponies would not have been able to travel and compete.
The riders who travelled over to compete are Bethany Byfield riding “Deanhills Heaven Sent” and “Brwmstan Burdock”, Alex Baker riding “Essentially Alabanna”, Amy Schiessl riding “Mr. Mercury”, Charlotte Trigg riding “Essentially Worth It” and “Broadstone Dark Diamond”, Charlyanne McEvoy riding “Stylish Opposition”, Grace Nolan riding “Good Luck”, Hannah Bates riding “Essentially M&S”, Jasmine Wood riding “Le Caro”, Hattie Hemaya riding “Cool Running”, Matthew Brint riding “Benedictus” and Karrie Davies riding “The Swindler”. An amazing showing for a small island.
The team had a good start to Saturday with Matthew winning the Junior/Young rider sections of both the Prelim 10 and Prelim 13 with an average score of 70%. Charlyanne also came 4th in both of these tests. Hattie gained a 5th in the pony section of the Prelim 10, whilst Grace came 5th in the pony section of the Prelim 13. Bethany competed in the fledglings 9yrs and under section of the prelim tests, and gained a 3rd and a 4th on “Deanhills Heaven Sent”, and two 5th places on “Brwmstan Burdock”. Hannah won the Junior/Young Rider section of both the Novice 30 and Novice 27 with an average score of 73%. Jasmine unfortunately had to pull out of her first test due to flying back from a school trip in the early hours of Saturday morning but managed a credible 5th in the Novice 27. Alex, riding in the Medium classes, gained a 5th in the Medium 63. Karrie rode the PSG test and gained 2nd place, and also the Junior-Young Rider FEI where she gained 3rd place. Amy won the Junior-Young Rider FEI with 68%.
Saturday evening saw the strongly contested music Gala. Bethany and Heavens came first in the fledgling section with 71.29% riding to music from Mary Poppins, and also won the award for the best costume. Matthew also won his section with 75.28% riding to music from Gladiators put together the night we left Jersey by team trainer Tasha.
Jersey also had a win in the Advanced freestyle to music, with Amy Schiessl gaining 76.33% to an emotional medley. Grace, and Good Luck rode to the Lion King gaining good scores in the Novice freestyle to music for the second year in a row, whilst Bethany on Burdie, had a vocal performance (by Burdie) to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang;
Charlotte on “Broadstone Dark Diamond”, managed to ride to the compilation she put together the previous year using music from Grease; and Charlyanne had the most amazing blonde wig to ride to Madonna.
Our only Elementary was Hannah riding to music from Oliver Twist whilst Alex rode in the Medium freestyle with music lent to her by visiting trainer, Roland Tong; and Karrie gained good scores in the Advanced section with her Wham performance..
There was even more success on Sunday, with Bethany gaining a 3rd, two 4th’s and a 5th in the fledglings 9 years and under section of the Prelim 4 and Prelim 12. In the pony section of these tests, Grace Nolan gained a 3rd and a 5th, and Hattie gained a 3rd in the prelim 12. Matthew gained a 3rd in the Junior/Young Rider section of the Prelim 4, and an =2nd in the Prelim 12. Charlyanne won this section of the Prelim 12 with 66%. Hannah also won the Junior/Young Rider section of both the Novice 24 and Novice 28 with an average score of 72%, and Jasmine came 6th in both of these classes. Karrie Davies rode the Inter 1 test and came 4th, and then came 6th in the Junior-Young Rider FEI test, and Amy won the Junior-Young Rider FEI test with 67%.
All of the classes over the two days, excluding the Music classes, counted towards the challenge with the average score over the two days deciding the winners. Matthew’s success over the two days led to him being Junior-Young Rider Prelim challenge champion with an average score of 68.31%, and Hannah was Junior-Young Rider Novice Challenge Champion with an average score of 72.76%. The Junior-Young rider FEI Challenge Champion was Amy, with an average score of 67.25%.
The Team tests prize giving caught Jersey napping when it was revealed the Jersey team were third overall. This team consisted of Bethany,,Hattie, Jasmine and Hannah.
Well done to all who attended and I think that great fun was had by all despite, tears, tantrums, fun and laughter – and that was just the parents!
I hope you will all drop Carol Hogg a Thank you note for all her hard work and time spent organising such a wonderful weekend.