Festival Focus: Homebreds, comebacks and new partnerships

The Petplan Area Festivals continued to showcase the heart of grassroots dressage, with riders across the country celebrating personal milestones, long-awaited successes and inspiring comebacks. Burrows Court Farm, Vale View Equestrian and Myerscough College provided the backdrop for memorable performances.

Sarah Canning and Johnny Knoxville

Burrows Court Farm  

Sarah Canning and Johnny Knoxville won the Preliminary Freestyle Silver with an amazing score of 70.93% at Burrows Court Farm (10 – 15 July) and also finished in a fabulous fourth place in the Novice Freestyle Bronze with 69.26%. 

This achievement is even more special, with the 14-year-old gelding being homebred. Sarah explained, "I have been chasing the Area Festivals for years, doing my first one at Hartpury in August of 2019". The duo started their dressage journey with Quest Sarah shared, "I started my journey when Johnny was backed in Quest, where we had the best time. But my love with BD has grown and grown. We went on to represent Wales at Inter Regionals and Home Nations".  

"I am just a chef with a pony, and no school to work him in and I've achieved so much through British Dressage" Sarah reflected. Supported by her trainer and BD coach, Amanda Leaker, who has been by her side throughout her quest for a sash, Sarah said, "I'm 45, won my first ever sash and cried!"  

Their freestyle journey started with the aim to help Johnny cope with the noise from the speakers at competitions, describing her "loud and fun" Prelim freestyle Sarah said, "I love Marvel so we had the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Dressage to music is the best thing I've ever done, and everyone should have a go!" Their novice freestyle has more of a serious tone but keeping the Marvel theme as well as including Back to the Future.  

The two of them have a special bond with Johnny being homebred, "he was born at 5am before we had cameras, I checked on his mummy at 3am and when I got back up at five, he was stood looking at me" Sarah reminisced. She had planned for them to event but things didn't turn out that way, "we wouldn't leave up the show jumps and xc he would stop at the last, so four years ago I said enough was enough and Johnny and I threw ourselves into dressage".  

Sarah chose to take the 16hh skewbald to Burrows Court Farm because of their fabulous sound system, "it's such a smashing venue". Sarah's advice for anyone thinking of doing an Area Festival is, "if I can do it, you all can too". 

Abigail Fox and Dassett Chance

Vale View Equestrian  

At Vale View Equestrian (11 – 12 July) Abigail Fox and the wonderful 14-year-old gelding Dassett Chance won the Preliminary Bronze with the highest score of the whole competition! The duo received a 70.63% to top the scoresheets, reflecting on her win, Abi exclaimed, "I'm so happy, it feels like the hard work is paying off".  

In a very hotly contested Prelim class, Abi shared that the highlights of their test were, "Chance's willingness to work with me and how focused he was on what I was asking him to do, and I'm really chuffed with the comments and our collectives".  

Abi started her dressage journey with her own mare Alkadi, where they won the U21 Intro in the Winter My Quest series, and were then selected for BD Youth Inter Regionals last year as part of the winning North and West team. "Earlier this year I also won my North and West Youth Championship show for the C+ squad". Abi commented, "which I am super proud about, I am also taking Alkadi to the Area Festival at Onley next month".  

Only having competed at an Area Festival for the first time last year with Alkadi, Abi described how it felt to have qualified again, "we placed just outside the top ten, so to come back this year and win as a new partnership with Chance is so rewarding." Abi was drawn to compete in the series by her trainer, Kathryn Birch, who she has been working with for over two years now, "she has helped me to become the rider I am today".  

Chance is owned by Abi's friend, Rosie Goy, she explained, "she has kindly let me ride and compete him over the last few months to help both of us gain more experience and confidence from each other". She described the 15.3hh bay as having a very kind and willing personality and being a pleasure to take out and compete.  

The duo plan to go out and strengthen their Novice tests together and get some experience competing at Elementary, "this will help to further his training and education" Abi concluded.  

Hannah Spencer and Pontesford Puzzle l © Lottie Christian Photography

Myerscough College  

Hannah Spencer and Pontesford Puzzle finished in a very impressive seventh place in the Novice Freestyle Bronze at Myerscough College (11 – 15 July), with a score of 67.78% on what has been an inspiring journey back to the dressage arena.  

"Coming back to the Area Festivals this year has been a really special milestone for me" Hannah shared, "after my ankle surgery, there were times, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to compete again, so being back in the arena and achieving such a great result has meant a lot".  

Hannah has had to make sure her recovery was a gradual process, with plenty of patience, rehabilitation and support from those around her. Her biggest motivation was to come back stronger than before. She told us, "I've worked hard to rebuild my strength and confidence, and I've been careful not to rush anything. Every small step forward has helped me get back to where I want to be". 

The 24-year-old Puzzle has been a huge factor in Hannah's recovery, "Puzzle has been amazing throughout. He is such a willing and genuine horse I am so grateful for everything he's given me" Hannah explained. The two of them have a lovely partnership and this difficult period has only strengthened their partnership.  

Hannah created a freestyle to fit the 15.1hh superstar gelding's personality, with the idea of making it enjoyable for everyone watching. Hannah explained, "our music was a mixture of themes from Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, which created a light-hearted, entertaining feel". It also fit perfectly with their floorplan and Puzzle's way of going.  

"I definitely couldn't have done it without my amazing support team, my family, friends, trainers and everyone who has encouraged me throughout" Hannah shared. Having people who believe in you can make such a difference, especially on days that feel more challenging than others. Hannah wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in her journey, and the British Dressage community for providing opportunities like the Petplan Area Festivals that give amateur riders something special to aim for. Hannah and Puzzle have now got their sights set on Port Royal Area Festival at the end of the month.