Combined Training Qualifiers: Winning Partnerships

The Red Gorilla Combined Training series continues to give riders the opportunity to showcase their skills in both dressage and showjumping. Recent qualifiers saw combinations celebrate impressive results, new partnerships and championship qualifications as they took on the challenge of this popular dual-discipline competition. 

Daisy Beards & Spinway Colm l Top Shots Photography  

Solihull Riding Centre 

Daisy Beards and Spinway Colm competed at Solihull Riding Club’s Combined Training qualifier and came away with two golden tickets to the Championships hosted at Weston Lawns in May. 

Daisy reflected on how it felt to win the Preliminary and 80cm, and finish second in the Novice and 80cm, “it was fantastic, I entered two classes with the idea of qualifying for one and then when I saw I had qualified for both I was ecstatic.”  

The talented duo received two great dressage scores from the judges, with 74.35% in the Preliminary and 68% in the Novice. Daisy spoke about how the tests felt, “my first test was definitely my best out of the two, he was just so consistent and calm, especially for our first outing of the season.” 

Two impressive showjumping rounds kept the pair at the top of the scoresheets at the end of the day: “the first round was great, he couldn’t have jumped any better. The second round we had an unfortunate pole, but I think it was just because we both relaxed a bit too much, however it knocked some sense into us to keep the rest up.” 

Daisy had her first Combined Training attempt two years ago, before being persuaded by friends to give it another go: “He can jump and do dressage so let’s show off what he can do.” 

Daisy describes fourteen-year-old Colm as her ‘best friend’, before explaining more about their eight-year journey together: “He's taught me so much and we’ve learnt so much together. We’ve done everything over these past years, pony club camp and championships, riding club, eventing and dressage and it's now our second year showing.” Proving to everyone that this multi-talented pony can turn a hoof to everything. 

Looking back on why she chose to compete in the Combined Training series. Daisy said, “I just love being able to compete at such a nice venue while doing something I love. I feel it’s my duty to give him the chance to try everything and enjoy his life to the fullest.”  

Brook Farm Training Centre 

Sophie Maxwell and Lady VIII travelled to Brook Farm Training Centre for their first ever attempt at a Combined Training competition, and came away with an Intro and 60cm win after posting a super dressage score of 70.23% and a clear round.  

Sophie’s mother Emma explained, “we just went to have fun, I was absolutely thrilled when Sophie was presented with a red rosette, it was lovely to see her on the podium with her prizes.” Sophie, who was over the moon with her result having gone into the competition with no expectations, said, “I was so pleased with Bonnie for being such a superstar, although she is lovely to ride I wasn’t anticipating such a wonderful score, I was so proud of us for everything we achieved that day.”  

“It was such a surreal moment,” Sophie said about her test feeling, “and I was so proud of the way me and her worked together as a team and completed the movements so nicely. It was a really special moment at the final halt as we left the arena, I gave her a massive hug for being so amazing.”  

Despite limited showjumping experience as a combination, Sophie and Bonnie produced a lovely clear on the day. “I found myself holding my breath for most the jumping, I was so pleased and proud that they went clear” Emma said about how she felt watching the pair in action. Whilst Sophie shared, “going into the ring was nerve wracking, but it's safe to say Bonnie thoroughly enjoyed herself and came out the arena with a spring in her step!”  

Bonnie came to Emma and Sophie’s yard last summer to be sold, and Sophie helped with her one and only viewing. Emma explained how their partnership was just meant to be, “I know she was actually praying that the people wouldn’t buy her and secretly I was too, as I knew they looked brilliant together and would have lots of fun.” 

Sophie and Bonnie tried working hunter classes at the end of the showing season and have spent the winter doing dressage. Sophie described her partnership with Bonnie:“As Bonnie is still young our goal was to take things slowly and we have been going out to strengthen our bond together. Bonnie has taken things like a champ, and our partnership has blossomed, she is giving me so much confidence in my jumping ability and in the ring altogether.”  

Reflecting on a great day Emma shared, “seeing Sophie look so happy collecting her prize was my favourite part of the day, it was quite a journey to get to the competition but well worth it and we had a lot to talk about on the way home.” Sophie’s favourite moment was also the prize giving, “the score sheets were given out and I went to have a look, anticipating to not get placed, I started at the bottom and worked my way up to sixth and never saw my name so had to wait to the prize giving.” Sophie was shocked that they had won, concluding, “I couldn’t quite believe it, never in my wildest dreams had the possibility crossed my mind.”  

The Red Gorilla Combined Training series offers the unique opportunity for combinations to compete in both disciplines on the same day, “teaching Bonnie lovely dressage movements will also help us progress in other disciplines,” Sophie explained. 

Radfords Equestrian Centre  

Gemma Webster and Lex III were the winners of the Novice and 90cm at the Combined Training qualifier at Radfords Equestrian Centre, with 69.62% and a clear round. 

Gemma explained her journey to date with Lex, saying, “he has only been with me since late September last year, so we are still a fairly new partnership.” The competition have been focusing on dressage throughout the winter, as well as competing with their local riding club.  

In preparation for the qualifier Gemma took her 15-year-old gelding to some local grid and jump clinics, “we have been doing this with Karen Nicholas over the winter to help us prepare.”  

On the day Gemma felt her dressage test went well, as she reviewed: “He listened and was forward off my leg, so we had an accurate test. The weather wasn’t great and you could hear the rain on the roof, but it was nice to be indoors for the dressage test.”  

Their super clear round showed that the hard work had paid off, “the showjumping was our first full round of the year, I could tell I was a bit rusty but it was a lovely flowing course and Lex jumped really well.”  

It was a great start to the season for the duo, Gemma reflected on how much she enjoyed the experience: “I loved taking part in the Combined Training competition and it was great to qualify for the championships, which I am really looking forward to. I would highly recommend the competitions to others whether you usually do dressage and want a chance to do a showjumping round or for those who want to do both disciplines without the pressure of cross country.” 

Gemma also shared her thanks to title sponsors Red Gorilla, adding, “the prizes were absolutely amazing and very useful!”