Bury Farm rounds off the My Quest Semi-Final season in style

The final My Quest Semi-Finals took place at Bury Farm, Buckinghamshire (17 – 18 October), where combinations competed for the last of the direct qualifications to the Quest Championships at Arena UK next month.

For 13-year-old Millie Kutluoglu, she exceeded all her expectations by taking home a first place sash in the U21 Preliminary 2, and finshing third in the Introductory 2 aboard Belinda Kutluoglu’s Broomells Desert Moonstone, who is known as Moon at home. Aboard her 19-year-old British Spotted Pony, Millie produced two ultra-consistent scores of 68.180% and 68.260% for the Intro and Prelim tests, qualifying her for the Quest championships for a second year in row. “I was so nervous before going into the prelim test”, Millie explained, “I kept getting the wrong canter leg, but we went in and Moon took the right leg each time so I was already on a highm, and then all the scores came through and I had won! Of course, I loved going through as an individual, but I was even more pleased that my team did so well. We got to do a lap of honour as we came third and Moon loved it! She cheekily broke into canter and did a little buck just to show everyone they should be very proud of her!” Millie also took part in the team semi-finals on the Sunday as a member of the Eastwell Eaglets Equipe, where she competed in the Introductory 4 to earn another consistent score of 67.210% and finish fourth individually, ultimately helping the team to finish third.

Talking about her journey with Moon, Millie told us that “she is a spicy little pocket rocket, and I was only six when I got her and had just started riding. She was perhaps not the ideal first pony, but she has definitely taught me a lot! After a few adventurous years where I fell off quite a bit as she spooked all over the place, we met my lovely trainer, Leanne Jackson, and discovered dressage. Learning to ride Moon properly and concentrating on flat work and control has meant that I don’t (well, hardly ever…) fall off her now – I just wish she could grow with me. I feel very proud of my pony Moon. She is 19, although you wouldn’t know it, and I feel she always tries to do her best. She really is one in a million!”

When talking about her favourite aspect of competing in Quest, Millie spoke about loving competing as part of team, going on further to explain that “I love riding and having so much fun with my teammates who have become some of my best friends. We are always happy for each other when we do well and there for each other when we don’t.”

In the Open category, Elizabeth Caley enjoyed double-podium success with her eight-year-old Welsh Cob Foxheys Fire Spell. Competing in both the Introductory 3 and Preliminary 2, Elizabeth topped the leaderboard with 69.320% in the Intro test, and finished third in the Prelim with 66.960%. This is Elizabeth’s first season of Quest competition, having participated in showing previously. This year, she qualified for the Royal International in the home-produced class alongside her Quest adventures. Reflecting on her journey so far, Elizabeth told us “We have only been competing in dressage for two seasons and have mainly been sticking at intro level. This year we took a step up into a few prelim tests too, but these are still new for us. We set a goal for Quest at the beginning of the year to see what we could achieve: if we would make the top 12, we would get to compete at the semi-finals. Never did I think we would win the intro and place third in the prelim, qualifying for both classes at the finals!”

Reflecting on their other dressage adventures over the season, Elizabeth told us that “We have represented Team London at the Inter County Dressage for the past two years and had an amazing time along the way! We've met some lovely people on our dressage journey and had some great friends to help us get to where we are today. The people we have met whilst doing our quest journey have been so friendly and helpful – we are really looking forward to the finals in November.”

Many combinations will now be waiting with eager anticipation for the wildcards to be released, which will be announced in due course. Thanks go to the organisers and team at Bury Farm for delivering a superbly run championships, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout.

Results – top three

Open Introductory 3

1. Elizabeth Caley and Foxheys Fire Spell, 69.320%

2. Hollie Day and Hope I, 67.730%

3. Natasha Walker and Curraghaleen Joey, 67.500%

Open Preliminary 2

1. Charlie Harper and Quantocks Best Kept Secret, 68.150%

2. Emma White and Southway Rose Gold, 67.940%

3. Elizabeth Caley and Foxheys Fire Spell, 66.960%

Open Novice 2

1. Kerrie Heath and Libra’s Bailey, 67.310%

2. Kerrie Heath and Libra’s Chance, 66.730%

3. Amanda Wood and Roscoe Gentleman, 66.250%

U21 Introductory 3

1. Marnie Ward and Tynffrwd Diamond, 68.520%

2. Pia Florence Kenny and Fabruna, 68.300%

3. Millie Kutluoglu and Broomells Desert Moonstone, 68.180%

U21 Preliminary 2

1. Millie Kutluoglu and Broomells Desert Moonstone, 68.260%

2. Jessica Pusey-Forvargue and Woottonheath Swordsman, 67.500%

3. Danica Long and Cavaliers Hocus Pocus, 67.390%

U21 Novice 2

1. Maisie Day and Mallynoonagh Finn, 67.790%

2. Amber Edwards and Moonlight Paddy, 67.210%

3. Miley Endersby and Farley Rankin, 67.210%

FULL RESULTS