Equestrianism By Gillian Fraser

Last updated at 14:57, Friday, 05 February 2010

One of Cumbria’s most promising young riders has qualified for the Pony of the Year Show.

Eight-year-old Charlotte Thomlinson won her place at the prestigious show by qualifying at Rowallan on Connies Bobby – in her first ever Premier Show.

She was first equal in the 11 and Under class, after a very testing metre-high jump-off course. Her next outing will be to Stainsby Grange where she’ll be competing her three ponies in the Tiny Tots class.

Charlotte’s success gave the family double reason for celebration. Her dad Nigel Springer has qualified for the Royal Highland show after competing in the Star Spotter for the Future class at Ingliston. He was partnered by Stormmaker, a horse he’s produced from a three year old, and was delighted with his performance in a very tough 1.40 jump-off.

Laura Askew and Itzabreeze were on top form at the latest unaffiliated show at the Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre in Dearham, winning the 75cm, Scurry and 85cm classes. Success in the horse classes was more evenly divided with Hannah Place, Linda Rome, Lauren McFarland and Jonnie Park all claiming red ribbons.

The Centre’s currently planning a special gymkhana as a way of showing support for popular local rider David Elliot who suffered severe injuries in a sledging accident on Christmas Eve. Details haven’t yet been finalised.

Anyone who might ever have thought of carriage-driving as a fairly sedate activity has clearly never attended a competition. The first in a winter series of three organised by Amanda Saville was held at Greenlands on Sunday. It was designed to give drivers the opportunity to get their ponies

going again after a winter break – in a gentle and relaxed competition with no pressure, but there were still some amazing and speedy performances.

The Junior Class was won by Megan Noble, who came first in all three phases of the competition with her talented Dartmoor Hill Pony, Flash.

Gordon Watson won the Novice class with his lovely Dales pony Matty – hotly pursued by Josh Hepple, who may suffer from cerebral palsy but is totally determined to qualify for the Indoor Championships in April. Josh is only in his second year of driving but regularly beats much more experienced competitors.

Overall champion of the day and winner of the Open Class was Ollie Dernie with her veteran Welsh cob, Prince. Ollie is almost unbeatable indoors – leading the entry in every phase and he certainly doesn’t let his advanced years affect his agility around the obstacles, or his precision and pace in

the dressage. Amanda Nisbet was a close second with a brand new pony,

Firefly, who had only arrived from an overnight trip from Devon the previous morning.

If you’re having a tack-room clear-out, or you’re on the hunt for a horsey bargain, a table-top tack sale’s being held at Allhallows Centre in Fletchertown on February 26 from 7 to 9pm with proceeds to racehorse rehabilitation and Help for Heroes.

RESULTS

Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre

Saturday January 30: 55cm Horses/Ponies: 1, Kerry Greer - Beacons Hollyoaks; 2, Ayesha Wise –

Falcon; 3, Laura Straughton – Leo; 4, Gemma Rawlings – Ziggy. 65 cm Ponies: 1, Ayesha Wise – Falcon; 2, Joanna Robley – Dooley; 3, Suzie Rawlings – Ziggy; 4, Joanna Robley – Sprinter. 65 cm Horses: 1, Hannah Place – Annie; 2, Pam Palmer – Meg; 3, Linda Rome -Maggie May; 4, Katie White – Wicky. 75cm Ponies: 1, Laura Askew - Itza Breeze; 2, Manon Hall - He‘s Just Jasper; 3, Joanna Robley – Sprinter; 4, Lauren Mcfarland – Audrey. 75cm Horses: 1, Linda Rome - Maggie May; 2, Katie White – Wicky; 3, Pam Palmer – Meg; 4, Laura Straughton – Leo. Scurry: 1, Laura Askew - Itza Breeze; 2, Emma Wise – Candy; 3, Vanessa Payne

– Daisy. 85cm Ponies: I, Laura Askew - Itza Breeze; 2, Lauren Mcfarland – Audrey; 3,

Manon Hall - He‘s Just Jasper. 85cm Horses: 1, Lauren Mcfarland - Miss Rolo; 2, Katie White – Kallie; 3, Laura Straughton – Leo; 4, Jonnie Park – Callie. 95cm Ponies: 1, Manon Hall - He‘s Just Jasper. 95cm Horses: 1, Jonnie Park – Callie; 2, Lauren Mcfarland - Miss Rolo; 3, Katie White – Kallie.

DIARY DATES

BLACKDYKE: Sunday February 7: Unaffiliated Pony Winter Show Jumping. Sunday February 14: Affiliated & Unaffiliated Dressage with Rowallan/Scottish Farmer Novice, Elementary & Medium Qualifier and Pony Club Dengie. Sunday February 21: Unaffiliated Horse Winter Show Jumping. Sunday February 28: BSJA Senior Show

GREENLANDS: Saturday February 6: BSJA CANCELLED. Dumfriesshire Hunt Pony Club Team Show Jumping – rescheduled from January 9 – contact Merlin Dernie Sunday February 7: Unaffiliated Show Jumping – Winter Points – Horses

Monday February 8: CFHN Branch Pony Club – Evening Rally. Wednesday February 10: Suzie Gibson Lessons Contact Heather Metcalf 016974 76786. Thursday February 11: Evening Show Jumping. Saturday February 13: BSJA CANCELLED

Cumberland Foxhounds Pony Club – Show Jumping – Contact Sheila Brown 01900

604979

Sunday February 14: Unaffiliated Show Jumping - Winter Points –

Ponie<http://www.greenlandsequestriancentre.co.uk/Pony-points-schedule.htm>

Monday February 15: 11 am to 3 pm Eskdale Pony Club/5 pm CFHN Branch Pony Club – Rally

Tuesday February 16: CFHS Branch Pony Club – Rally arena 50/50. Wednesday February 17: Suzie Gibson Lessons – Tel 016974 76786 Heather Metcalf. Thursday February 18: David Wadge – Show Jumping Clinic – Ellen Jones 017684 83511 sparket@btinternet.com . Friday February19: Cumberland Foxhounds Pony Club – Sheila Brown 01900 604979. Saturday February 20: Wyndham Pony Club Team Show Jumping - Maureen White 01900 817666. Sunday February 21: NCPA Hairy Pony Show – Susan Brunskill 01228 670555

KINGWATER: Saturday February 6: Trailblazers Working Hunter Q. Sunday February 7: Trailblazers Showing Show.. Wednesday/Thursday 10/11 February: Yeb de Jong Clinics. Saturday February 13: Trailblazers SJ/Prizemoney. Sunday February 14: Yeb de Jong clinic.. Sunday February 21: Trailblazers/Dressage Points

Sunday February 21: Show Jumping Ponies (11am start) (contact Val 01768

866410 / 07980 674409). Sunday February 28: Trailblazers Showing Show (contact Ellen Jones 017684

83511 / 07787 570736 or Email: sparket@btinternet.com for further details

LAKELAND HEAVY HORSE CENTRE, DEARHAM: Saturday February 13: Unaffiliated indoor showjumping. Mixed.

CARLISLE RACES: Wednesday February 10:Afternoon Jumps Racing. NH. Monday February 22: Afternoon Jumps Racing. NH

CUMBRIA ENDURANCE: Sunday February 14: Three Lochs. SERC Galloway Pleasure/TrainingRide 16 - 24km. Sheila McConnell – Gass Farm, Glenluce, Wigtownshire, DG8 0PB. Tel: 01581 300392. Sunday February 28: Dalbeattie. SERC Dumfries Pleasure/Training Ride. Ride Sec: Christine Farrow, Old barn, Easton, Wigton, CA75DL Tel: 01228 576826 Email: christine_farrow@btinternet.com

TABLE TOP TACK SALE: Friday February 26:Allhallows Centre, Fletchertown. 7-9pm Refreshments and Raffle. In aid of TB Rehab at Lancaster and Help for Heroes.

First published at 14:14, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk