Cavago Associated Championships: Fantastic Forces Equine

Forces Equine competitors shone at the Cavago Associated Championships, as serving and former Emergency Services, Government or MOD riders and their dependents took to the arena at Onley Grounds Equestrian (22 October 2024).

Amy Wray and Miners Gold (Metall x Cassander) were the top scorers in the Forces Equine Championship with an incredible score of 71.81% making them the Preliminary overall champions. Additionally, the talented duo took the Forces Equine Novice overall champion title with another impressive score of 67.60%.

The 11-year-old gelding, known as Alfie at home, had a challenging start to life. After the loss of his mother shortly after foaling and then his foster mare about a month later, he became a hand-reared foal.

Amy  bought Alfie direct from his breeder, Carrie Passmore of Eastley Stud, in August 2023 after she had a difficult experience herself which almost ended her riding career: “I had an accident getting on a horse in 2021 and it put me off riding to such an extent, I wondered if I’d ever get back on.”

Despite her apprehensions, Alfie proved to be the reliable and safe partner she needed to find her love of riding again.

“He is super level-headed and the same almost every day, home or away. Barely anything bothers him. He can have a sassy moment where he tests my old nerves but with time, I’m learning to just laugh it off!” said Amy, reflecting on their journey together.

Just getting to the Championships was a huge achievement for the pair, and with the support of her friend and trainer Charlotte Smith Hughes over Facetime helping Amy to focus and keep her nerves at bay, they excelled.

Summarising her tests, Amy said, “I was pleased with my tests. He was super forward and felt really powerful which are the main things we’ve been working on as my nerves often mean I allow him to sit behind the leg sometimes.”

However, Alfie’s favourite part of the test is definitely the end: “He always finds his way back to my mum at the side after the test because he knows that’s where he gets his post-test polos!” explained Amy.

Amy has several close forces links as her uncle serves for His Majesty's Prison, her grandfather was in the RAF and the police and her great grandfather was in the army.

The Championships were also a memorable family event for mother and daughter duo Alison and Charlotte Calvert, who both went home with overall champion titles. Charlotte was crowned the Forces Equine Elementary overall champion riding her mum’s 10-year-old gelding Quando (Quaterhall x Lauries Crusador XX) with an outstanding score of 69.93%. Following closely behind, Alison secured second place on her own nine-year-old gelding Woodlander Frampton (Woodlander Freddie M x Trocadero) with a score of 68.97%. However, not to be outdone by her daughter, Alison took the Forces Equine Medium champion title with another impressive score of 68.53%, whilst Charlotte secured second place with a score of 66.03%.

Despite the competition between them, Charlotte explained, “It was really nice to go together. My mum was happy that I got a win and then she got one, so it was a good day!”

Both Charlotte and Alison were representing the Greater Manchester Police Force and Charlotte felt this made the Championships particularly special, saying, “It’s nice to have a competition, where it feels like there's some importance because of the background in my family: my mum, my dad and my granddad have all been involved in the forces.”

Although Quando is primarily Alison’s ride, Charlotte and her mum began Quando’s journey together after he was backed as a three-year-old. They gradually produced him until he sustained an injury that kept him out of work for 18 months. Since returning to work in August of last year, he has performed exceptionally well. Charlotte explained, “He's come back to work and he's so happy, especially going to competitions as he just loves to show off!”

Charlotte shared that at home, Quando is affectionately called Joey, after Joey Essex. She explained, “He would be like a proper Essex boy if he was a person - a big show off and he's got that swagger about him. He’s a bit in your face, but he's really sweet and just likes having people around.”

13-year-old Lucas Patrick Smyth and Yealand Mamzelle (Botingelle Swan Song x Langfield Canth) were also stand-out competitors at this year’s Associated Championships. Not only did this amazing duo claim the Forces Equine Intro overall champion title with an outstanding score of 68.48%, but they were also our Part-Bred Arab Horse and Part-Bred British Native Pony Intro overall champions with two more impressive scores of 68.15% and 67.93% respectively.

Congratulations to all our Forces Equine competitors and their wonderful horses and ponies. Thanks go to title sponsors Cavago and host venue Onley Grounds for their support of this spectacular event.

Forces Champions

Forces Equine Introductory
Lucas Patrick Smyth and Yealand Mamzelle (B)*, 68.48%    

Forces Equine Preliminary
Amy Wray and Miners Gold (G)*, 71.81%    
Ruth Orrell-Harris and Balmoral Golden Silver (S), 68.53%    
Natalie Ross and Another Mouse (B), 70.60%

Forces Equine Novice
Donna Allen and Kadootje (G), 63.75%    
Amy Wray and Miners Gold (S)*, 67.60%    
Flora Dent and Mister T (B), 65.83%    

Forces Equine Elementary
Charlotte Calvert and Quando (G)*, 69.93%    
Michaela Preston and Faside Supernatural (S), 63.97%    
Elizabeth Griggs and Harri Coeswen (B), 64.34%    

Forces Equine Medium
Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton (S)*, 68.53%    
Elizabeth Griggs and Harri Coeswen (B), 61.10%    
 

*Overall champion 

VIEW FULL RESULTS
 

Photos © KB Photography