Festival Focus: Winning ways

With the Summer Area Festival season approaching, we are looking back on impressive victories and standout performances at this year’s Winter Area Festivals. Evie Hall and Karen Richardson reflected on the journeys that brought them to where they are today.  

Evie Hall & Carter PSH l Simon Rees  

Beacons Equestrian 

Evie Hall and Carter PSH won the Elementary Silver at Beacons Equestrian’s Winter Area Festival (14 – 16 February) with a fabulous score of 71.25% from the three judges. Looking back Evie said, “I am incredibly proud of him, he really knows his job now and always tries his absolute hardest when he goes down the centre line.”  

The Area Festival series gives riders something to aim for all year-round Evie told us, “It gives you something to work towards and the atmosphere at those events is always lovely. They are big enough to feel special but still very friendly and supportive, which makes them a great experience for horse and rider.”  

The 14-year-old gelding is known as ‘Fozzie’ at home, and is known for being quite sensitive Evie shared, “he’s a horse that really needs his brain to be kept busy, so keeping him happy and interested is really important for us.” In preparation for the Area Festivals during the winter break, Evie and Fozzie spent a lot of time trail hunting, which keeps the 16hh bay mentally relaxed and happy going into competitions.  

Evie explained what she has taken away from their Area Festival experience this year, “more than anything it reminded me how lucky I am to be sat behind such special ears. There really aren’t many horses who can be out hedge hopping over 6ft hedges just a few days before a dressage competition and then going on to perform like he did.”  

Fozzie is a horse with a huge personality Evie shared, “he’s very clever and definitely knows his jobs well, but he also keeps me on my toes! I’ve had him over two years now and really thrives on trust with his rider.” Evie and Fozzie turned a hoof to dressage mid 2024 when Fozzie decided showjumping life wasn’t for him anymore, “we went to local unaffiliated dressage competitions where he scored really well, then the following week we went out and did our first BD test. From then on, it just snowballed and we have never looked back.”  

Their journey together has been quite unique, from a jumping background to then finding their way into dressage, “he loves having a job and also loves to know when he’s done well, he is actually a big fan of a prize giving, which always makes them quite entertaining” Evie explained. Fozzie was born in New Zealand and Evie is still in contact with his breeders at Pheonix Sport Horses, who love hearing about how he is getting on.  

Karen Richardson & Promise Reikja TR l Jasmine Punter Photography  

Prestige Equestrian  

Karen Richardson with her own and Alina Ingham’s Promise Reikja TR won the Preliminary Silver at Prestige Equestrian’s Winter Area Festival (20 – 22 February). Having gone into the Area Festival with no expectations, Karen was thrilled with their impressive score of 68.49% to finish top of the results. 

Otherwise known as Mouse at home, the lovely chestnut mare was brought as a four-year-old and enjoys a variety of work Karen explained, “not knowing what area she would excel in, I took on the ride and found she also enjoys showjumping and cross country.”  

In preparation for the Area Festival and to get Mouse out competing in two disciplines she loves, Karen took her to the Red Gorilla Combined Training qualifier at Solihull, where the pair won the Prelim 80cm, which was a great experience for Mouse. Karen shared, “it helped her cope with the signs and banners at the Area Festival, having since something similar before.”  

Away from Dressage Karen is a full time Development Chemist. During the winter she had to take time off work to keep Mouse going, “hopefully going forward with the lighter nights I will manage to keep some holiday!” Talking more about her Area Festival experience, Karen explained, “competing at the Area Festival has been fun, and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.”  

The young KWPN has a bright future ahead of her, with Alina helping the duo train at home, Karen told us, “I would like to progress up the levels and I would also love to compete at Badminton grassroots.”