Summer Area Festivals 25: Joyous winners

Petplan Summer Area Festival action took centre stage at Kingswood Equestrian in Staffordshire and Speedate Events in Kent to see out our next Area Festival fixtures in jubilant fashion. 

Lily Crompton and Four Ashes Wembley © Real Time Imaging 

Kingswood Equestrian  

Lily Crompton & Four Ashes Wembley did the double at Kingswood Equestrian (25 – 27 July) winning the Preliminary Silver with a great score of 69.68% and the Novice Bronze with another impressive score of 68.06%. 

The British-bred gelding impressed the judges in both classes, ridden beautifully by 13-year-old Lily, she spoke to us about her expectations heading into the Area Festival, “my ambition for the weekend was to get an under 21 qualifications, especially in the Novice as we have only just stepped up to it this year, to win was amazing and to win again on the Sunday in the Prelim Silver was just fantastic as he is only young.” 

Known as Woody to his friends, the five-year-old has been owned by Lily and her family for three years: “We brought Woody as a two-year-old as we were drawn to Caesar 171 off spring and wanted a nice quality pony that I could grow into. He came straight from the Four ashes stud, he was turned out in the field until he was three and was then professionally backed, turned away again and then finished off in the spring the following year. That was the year I could finally ride him and from then on with the help of my trainers I have done all the work myself.”  

Lily enjoys the opportunity to compete in the U21 section at the Area Festivals, and has many more years, reflecting on her experience of the day Lily shared, “Kingswood was a lovely venue to compete at over the two days. Saturday was the most nerve wracking as we were near the beginning of the class and took the early lead, so I had to sit and watch the scoreboard over the next two hours hoping I would maintain it and luckily, I did!” 

Sometimes the young pony can get a little overwhelmed in the bigger atmospheres Lily explained, “Woody has not always been easy though he used to find warming up with other horses and ponies really exciting and would throw lots of different shapes in the warm up wasting all of his energy for his tests. This year after taking him to more and more shows and clinics he really turned a corner going to the winter champs at Addington and the Premier league 5-year-old Young Pony class at Hartpury and of course that weekend where he didn’t put a foot wrong both days and managed a double win.”  

In preparation for the Area Festival Lily and Woody have had lessons with Jackson Black, Lily shared, “he has helped improved us no end and has even let me have a ride on his advanced horse to feel and learn how to ride the higher movements.”  

The two of them have a very special bond Lily told us, “Woody is very special pony to me as he is the first pony I have produced myself straight after being backed and know him inside out.” Describing his infectious personality Lily explained, “Woody is a very cheeky character almost like a mischievous child, always into things, tips up the wheel barrow, plays with his food bowls and likes to nibble people. He has also got a very big scopey jump on him and has now started to be introduced to XC and SJ now he is fully developed.” Looking ahead to their exciting future together Lily wants to continue working towards BE alongside her other pony and continuing to move up through the dressage levels to see how far they can go. 

Beth Sen and Culmore Spence

Speedgate events 

At Speedgate Events Summer Area Festival (08 – 10 August) Beth Sen and her gorgeous Dun Connemara Culmore Spence, won the Preliminary Freestyle Bronze with an incredible 71.02% as well as an impressive sixth place finish in the Freestyle Novice Bronze with 66.30%.  

Beth spoke to us about how she feels a week on from achieving these fabulous results, “it honestly feels so surreal! I always go into competitions with the mindset of let’s just try our best and try to stay onboard and between the boards so having a win was magical!”  

Leaving the arena with a smile after both tests, Beth shared, “I felt my Spenny had tried his best for me (and I’m also very relieved he didn’t have a spook at the judge at M!)” The duo danced between the white boards to Harry Styles Beth told us, “Equidance really helped me out and made my vision a reality - more than once! I have to really bite my lip through particular songs as they have sentimental meaning to me but I don’t think you can beat riding round to your favourite songs!”  

The summer season brings the music as well as the sun to the Area Festival series, with the growing popularity of the freestyle classes Beth explained why they are so fun to compete in, “I love with freestyle you can really make it your own and highlight your strengths. If anyone reading this is contemplating doing music classes - do it!”   

Beth has owned Spenny since he was just three-years-old and the now seven-year-old took everything in his stride on competition day, “he’s an oversized connie with a heart of gold to match his golden coat. He’s also full of surprises - you’ll never know what might cause a spook and he’s surprised us all with how chilled he is in big atmospheres!”  

The stewards play a huge role at the Area Festivals across the country, helping things to run smoothly, being a friendly face and helping hand to the riders, Beth shared, “I enjoyed meeting all of the stewards at the Area festivals - they were all so lovely and really helpful.” The series is a real showcase that dressage is for all Beth explained, “I have really enjoyed seeing people of all ages and horses of all breeds just doing their best.”  

Life away from the horses and the competition ring for Beth is all about spending time wit her son Max and partner Lee, as well as running her social media account and working for the NHS. Looking ahead to the future, the next big competition lined up for Beth and Spenny is the Summe Area Festival Championships, “I aim to practice to make sure I have my floor plan mastered and have a plan B and C just in case!”