Combined Training Qualifiers: Memorable moments

The Red Gorilla Combined Training series continued with success for exciting first-time combinations to inspiring returns after time away, with impressive performances in both the dressage and showjumping phases.  

Sammy Grantham and Ammeretti Mischief 

Willow Banks   

At Willow Banks Combined Training Qualifier (15 March), one of the super combinations on the top step of the podium was Sammy Grantham and Ammeretti Mischief, who won the Introductory and 60cm with 66.60% and a clear round! 

Sammy shared her thoughts on winning, “I was in total shock as we had not seen any scores, so had no idea how we had done in the dressage, even with a clear round showjumping you never know where you will finish”. Sammy said she was also over the moon with their prizes from title sponsors Red Gorilla.  

This series provided a goal for Sammy and her homebred stallion, Harry, to work towards over the winter, “I have competed in the series before on a Highland pony Jade of Craignetherty, it is great to start novice jumping ponies, he [Harry] has a temperament to die for, his journey has been slow as with any Connemara they tend to be late to mature”.  

Sammy has done everything with Harry since day one, from breaking him in to starting his dressage journey, and competing in the Quest series with Sammy’s sister Lucy. “Everyone commented on how well-behaved Harry is and being a liver chestnut he really stands out. They ended up sixth out of 132 which is a massive achievement” Sammy shared.  

The pair have worked on developing his jumping skills at home, “this was his first ever Combined Training event, jumping a clear round for me is a big achievement, I myself only started jumping again for this qualifier after two years off”. Sammy would love for Harry to continue to develop and gain more experience at range of competitions, he will also be standing at their Ammeretti Stud.  

Bury Farm Equestrian Village 

Millie Gover and her own Kamil T had great success at Bury Farm Equestrian Village’s Combined Training Qualifier (14 March), winning both the Elementary 80cm and the Elementary 90cm! Millie shared that she was drawn to the series because “I’m a firm believer that variety leads to a happy horse”.   

Kamil is Millie’s pony club eventer turned dressage horse who, at 16-years-old enjoys her days out competing. The duo has not competed at a showjumping competition for over six years, “we were a bit rusty jumping the showjumping course” Millie explained.  

Millie only gave birth to her daughter Annie five weeks before the Combined Training Qualifier, “my pelvic floor needed a few more weeks to be Grand Prix ready, so I decided to take him out to a Combined Training party. The highlight of the day was not weeing myself!” 

There was a big support team behind Millie and Kamil on the day, “my partner Ben, 18-month-old Freya, five-week-old baby Annie and Dad were travelling with us, as my support team to Bury Farm”.  

Their partnership has gone from pony club teams to International U21 dressage, whilst Millie was studying for her master's degree and working as a paediatric speech and language therapist. Thinking about their future, Millie shared, “I want to carry on doing what we both love and enjoy my happy healthy horse”.   

Lynsey Paterson & Holly Polly l Ruthven Photography 

Scottish National Equestrian Centre 

Lynsey Paterson and Holly Polly won the Novice 80cm at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre’s Combined Training Qualifier (15 March), scoring 66.60% in their dressage test and following with a wonderful clear round.  

Returning to jumping after injury, Lynsey shared, “I didn’t jump for a year after breaking my coccyx, so it was amazing for me to be able to compete at an event that includes jumping now I’m getting my confidence back and Holly absolutely adores it”.  

Lynsey shared her biggest takeaway from the competition, “I am proud that I managed to let the handbrake off and let Holly go forward and she jumped clear”. Working with her coach Karon Carson has really helped improved Lynsey’s confidence.  

After a 33-year wait, Holly is Lynsey's first horse. The combined training series is perfect for the duo: the Irish Draft who loves her jumping and Lyndsay who loves her dressage. The sweet mare has an interesting backstory Lynsey explained, “I found out not long after buying her that she had previously been on Judge Rider with a previous owner as ‘dangerous’ which is hilarious because she is the kindest mare despite being a bit anxious and spooky at times”.  

The duo has done a bit of everything during their eight-year partnership, from arena eventing to working equitation and fun rides, Lynsey and Holly would recommend the Combined Training series to other riders who enjoy a variety of work with their horses, “it is so much fun and such a buzz”.