last updated on May 26, 2010 16:32

40 teams representing all eight British Dressage regions came forward to ride at the 2010 Senior Inter Regionals held at the College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe 22-23 May 2010. In a hard won battle Eastern Region successfully defended their title with their team from Eastern London heading the leader board a convincing 40 points clear of nearest rivals the Manhattan team from Southern Region. Third place went to the North West Eagles.

The Eastern London team (pictured), made up of Sian Sheridan, Charlotte Holes, Elenor Dimant and Laura Mansfield enjoyed their moment in the sun, collecting armfuls of prizes and trophies and doing the obligatory spraying of champagne over each other for the photograph. Charlotte also celebrated success in the medium with her 10 year old gelding Rockspring to win with 70.30%. The foursome now has their sights on the elusive Home International team title in October 2010.

There were some heady individual wins at the event too – Sarah Hall, 28 from Cranleigh in Surrey rode to victory for Southern region in the prelim class to score the highest percentage of the day, 75.91%, with Minna Ojalis’ five year old Dutch bred gelding Adonis II. Sarah, who works as a senior instructor at Oldencraig Equestrian Centre took over the ride just three months ago while Adonis’ owner takes time off to have a baby. “It was a new environment for him but he was brilliant, totally chilled” Sarah enthused “he gave me a super ride; the left canter circles were the highlight of our test, he just keeps getting better and better.”

In the Elementary it was a clean sweep for the host region with the East taking first, second and third in the most hotly contested class of the weekend. Champion was Jacqui Mutch from Braintree in Essex and the eight year old Negro gelding Vigo recording a personal best of 73.53%. Mutch fits her horses around a full time job as a business consultant in London and has owned Vigo since he was five, bringing him up through young horse classes. The championship was only their second competition back after a year off due to illness.

She commented “The whole weekend has been great fun, the atmosphere was really buzzy this year and having the support of our trainer and the team was amazing! It’s a lovely way for me to get back competing and I couldn’t have asked any more from my horse; he’s so powerful has a real spark about him, we scored a nine for one of our leg yields.”

List 3a Judge Pam Bushall who judged the 50 strong Elementary class summed up the weekend: “The inter-regionals was a great experience, full of amazing horses, some beautifully presented tests and lots of really impressive riding.” 

The Inter Regionals are the highlight of the competitive year for many of those taking part. Team selection takes place over the months before in the regions with places hard fought as word gets out about this unique competition. By 7.45am on Saturday, the first horse was trotting down the centre line, and tests from Preliminary to Prix St Georges level followed in all three arena’s non-stop until 8pm in the evening. 

Everyone is there for a good time, to ride their best and compete for their region. Rivalry is strong with camps springing up in the box park strung with flags, banners and bunting to mark their patch. Central region came best prepared with gazebos, flags, music, patio heaters, a fire and enough drink for the party to last well into the early hours of Sunday morning! 

If you would like to be considered for selection next year to be part of the action please contact your regional development officer for more information.