South Essex Insurance Brokers Elementary Restricted Winter Championship
Christine Cockerton with Fiji Reef, 69.29%

Amateur dressage rider Christine Cockerton from Bardfield, Essex headed a field of 20 national finalists to win the South Essex Insurance Brokers Elementary Restricted Winter Championship. Riding her own Fiji Reef, an eight-year-old German-bred gelding, she was awarded with a score of 69.29% to take the class.

“It’s feels brilliant to win,” said Cockerton “It all went right today, he was fantastic in the test - I really didn’t expect to do so well!”

Cockerton, who bought Florestan sired Fiji Reef as a two-year-old and has backed and educated him herself said: “We’re both developing now. He’s more in front of the leg and when he goes well, he really comes up with the goods.”

Cockerton, a chiropractor, trains with Kaye De Graaff at Blugate Hall Dressage, Braintree.
 

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Music Freestyle Championship
Matt Frost with AMD Usual Suspect, 72.11%

Partnered by AMD Usual Suspect, a nine-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Jazz out of a Don Schufro mare, Matt Frost won the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Music Freestyle Championship. Their test, choreographed to dramatic and powerful music impressed to score 72.11%.

“I was thrilled to win today - I am so happy with him,” said a delighted Frost. “Winning is a relief too. I have such a good team around and I want to do well for them.”

A technical glitch at the start of the test did not put them off their stride: “There was a problem with my music CD - it started skipping and went blank on the third movement so we had to start again using a spare we had at hand,” explained Frost, “I was really pleased as he kept his head - he was super.”

“The horse got lit up in the PSG freestyle Friday night so I’m very happy that he kept it together today.”

Describing AMD Usual Suspect, Frost said: “He’s a very flamboyant horse with a lot of character; always into everything though he’s very willing and tries his hardest to focus on me.”
 

Albion Medium Open Winter Championship
Jo Barry with Vivaldi V, 72.07%

Jo Barry rounded off her winter championship in style, producing another assured performance with the striking black Vivaldi V to lift her third title of the week, the Albion Medium Open Championship. The pair maintained their perfect strike rate to head a 27 strong class and win with 72.07%.

“I can’t quite believe it” said a delighted Barry “This week has been an absolute dream and to take a third one is amazing! We were a bit wobbly warming up today and then Carl [Hester] appeared and just his presence seemed to help. He’s been a huge support.”

Barry was quick to praise the gelding she part owns with Lady Hope; “Vivaldi has been wonderful and given his all each time out; he just rises to the occasion. He has a super temperament and his consistency is such a strong point. Everything just felt right today.”
 

Petplan Equine Preliminary Area Festival Championship
Claire Rollitt with Woodstock II, 70.91%

Ifracombe based amateur dressage rider Claire Rollitt scooped a national title at the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships. Held alongside the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury Arena, Gloucestershire, these championships showcase some of the best competitive dressage in the UK.

Riding her own horse, Woodstock II, a seven-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Optimist, Claire Rollitt from Ilfracombe in Devon sealed victory in the Petplan Equine Preliminary Area Festival Championship with a score of 70.91%.

“I was thrilled to hear my score for the second test!” said an ecstatic Rollitt. “In the first round he was a little tense as he’s never been asked to perform a test in an arena with another dressage competition running alongside. Our second test was much better and I knew we couldn’t have done any more.”

Rollitt, who trains with Sarah Cheetham, said: “He had to have some time off recently as he’s had a tooth root abscess. This meant he was back in work for just four weeks prior to the championships. It says a lot about him that he’s come here and been so good.”

“He enjoys his work, has a lot of natural ability and also a very sane mind,” explained Rollitt, “I work full-time as a veterinary nurse so it’s very much a matter of team work. My parents are a huge support and help. As well as helping to look after Woody they hack him out whilst I focus on the schooling.”