last updated on August 16, 2010 13:11

Nottinghamshire based rider Darryl Thickitt won two classes at the Frys North East Regional Championships, scoring the highest mark of the show with 71.98% in the elementary open on the Jazz gelding, Warlocks Charm. Darryl then went on to take the advanced medium open on the dark bay Dutch mare Tinea Field (pictured) with 67.37%.

Darcas Lever made the long trip up from Cheshire to win the prix st georges with the British bred Jellybean B. The chestnut by Goldstern B has been a model of consistency and has won twice at regional level in the past as well as on the Premier League circuit, with Darcas bringing her up through the grades herself.

The Moodys’ Gunthwaite yard provided two of the show’s winners courtesy of Hannah Moody riding Caluna and Emma Gallagher with Andy Lykkegaard. Caluna, an eight-year-old Belgian bred, came from a show jumping yard as a just backed youngster and has been competing premier league small tour this season. Her error free test scored 64.91%. “She has not done a huge amount,” said Hannah, “but she is a lovely mare and I’m looking forward to moving up the grades with her.”

For Emma Gallagher this will be a first trip to the Summer Nationals. Her ride Andy Lykkegaard, the May Sherrif gelding, was bought four years ago, “for a small horse he has huge paces,” said Emma, “he does have his moments and can do a great line in rapid reversing but he was a fantastic find.”

Steph Robson and her five-year-old part Connemara won the preliminary. Tina’s Gold is by Gold Hill, a son of Marius, out of a TB/connemara, Steph buying him as an unbroken and untouched three-year-old. “I went to his breeders and I must have looked at a hundred horses from yearlings upwards and he just caught my eye,” said Steph who has broken him in and brought him on herself, “I was worried he might not grow big enough but decided even if he didn’t he would do for my daughter,” said Steph, “but he is 15.3hh and I am quite small so he’s perfect.”

Sixteen-year-old Laura Woodcock won the novice restricted with her Brightwell’s Sales purchase Whisper. Laura is trained by Hannah Esberger-Shepherd, a veteran of the Brightwells Sale and it was she who advised the Woodcocks. “I was looking for something to move onto after my pony,” said Laura, “Hannah rode her first and then I had a sit. She was very different to what I had been used to, much more movement but she had a lovely temperament and we ended up buying her,” a decision that has more than paid off with a win at the Winter Regionals followed by a second at the Winter Championships earlier this year.

Here is the full list of winners:

Centaur Biomechanics Preliminary
Steph Robson and Tinkas Gold, 69.09%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Laura Woodcock and Whispers, 69.64%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Calum Whitworth and Ramazotti III, 70.24%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Katy Hurst and TK’s Toyboy, 68.23%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Darryl Thickitt and Warlocks Charm, 71.98%

Haygain Medium Restricted
Lara Dyson and Cyden Perplex, 66.4%

Haygain Medium Open
Melissa Chapman and DHI Work of Art, 69.82%

Martin Collins Advanced Medium Restricted
Emma Gallagher and Andy Lykkegaard, 68.33%

Martin Collins Advanced Medium Open
Darryl Thickitt and Tinea Field, 67.37%

Jeffries Saddlery Prix St Georges
Darcas Lever and Jellybean B, 66.93%

Bates Saddles Intermediate I
Hannah Moody and Caluna, 64.91%