Petplan Summer Championships 25: Day Four

A blustery day four at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships saw three winners take the four classes at Novice level, putting their best hooves forward to take first-time titles, multiple wins and make memorable moments shared with friends. 

Petplan Novice Freestyle Bronze 

Winner: Christine Waugh and Dream of Donnerhall MFS, 72.500% 

Aberdeenshire’s Christine Waugh earned a high scoring win in the Petplan Novice Freestyle Bronze, riding her own beautiful gelding Dream of Donnerhall MFS to 72.500% in front of Cat Ellis, Gillian Peters and James Rooney.  

Dream of Donnerfull MFS (Dream Boy x Del Piero) was bred by Caroline Ironside of MFS Stud and the chestnut gelding has been a new partner for Christine, with the duo earning some great success and experience in their first season together. “I bought him from Jennifer Johnston-Harman and thought I’d have a go at qualifying for Petplans. We went for Regionals too, won the Regional and then had a go at the Nationals as well. We came 12th at the Nationals with a good score... I would’ve done better if I’d hadn’t have ridden to the wrong marker!” 

“He’s been a delight from day one, he’s a super horse and we trust each other enough to be a strong partnership. I’m really excited for the future with him. He loves cuddles and he’s just so easy, he’s a delight to have around. My 11-year-old daughter can lead him in and out of the field and everything, he’s just a superstar. A really genuine guy.” 

Reflecting on her experience with ‘Dreamy’, Christine said, “with the weather and the wind, I think he coped so well and he tried so hard! He’s only six and this is our second championships, I’ve only had him since April. I’m so proud of him.” 

Freelance equine sports massage therapist and events organiser Christine is another Petplan winner to spin multiple plates, “I work part-time and I’m helping Ladyleys Equestrian with their events, it’s pretty busy; with a young daughter too it’s quite chaotic!” Christine took time away from competing when she became a mother and is now loving getting back into the sport with her amazing dancing partner.  

Christine was joined on the podium by fellow BD Scotland rider Joss Drummond, who rode to a fantastic score of 70.741% on board the charming ex-racehorse Charyn Canyon – who's taken to a second career in admirable style. Third place went to BD Youth rider Ava Godley who scored 70.186% on board Charlotte Godley’s part-bred GB PRE Godello at their first Area Festival Championship together.  

Petplan Novice Bronze  

Winner: Christine Waugh and Dream of Donnerhall MFS, 69.444% 

Taking not one, but two titles home to Aberdeen, Christine Waugh rode to a double on the day with her own Dream of Donnerhall MFS. Taking to the outdoor arenas in Storm Amy, the talented combination delivered 69.444% in front of Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Peberdy and Gwyneth Lewis.  

Speaking about her second win, Christine commented: “I didn’t expect it at all! He was good in my second test. I decided not to do the arena walk this morning because of the wind. I thought maybe with all the horses it would affect him more, but he went out there with the wind and everything and he was as cool as a cucumber.” 

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Christine summarised about her week, “It’s been a great couple of days. I’ve only had him since April and I’m just so proud of him.” 

Next up for the duo after their nine hour journey home, Christine’s looking forward to giving her superstar some downtime saying, “he’ll get some time off when he gets home!” 

Liz Park trotted into the second spot on 69.333% with the eye-catching Tobiana So Tangelo (Soprano x Tinito A), whilst Grace England earned third after scoring 69.111% with Laura England’s 12-year-old mare Giselle.  

Petplan Novice Silver  

Winner: Anita Jones and Arizona EM, 71.889% 

Anita Jones and the stunning jumping bred gelding Arizona EM soared to the top of the leader board in the Petplan Novice Silver, earning a class-topping score of 71.889%.  

Anita defied an early draw and nervous wait to hold the lead from first down the centre line, speaking about her day she said: "It’s amazing! I’m so chuffed, it’s been a lovely journey with him. He won his qualifications to get here at Bury Farm, so to win again is amazing. I was first in at 9.30 this morning... so it was a long day to wait! You have to go for it if you’re first and hope the judges give you the scores!”  

Owned by Eiddwen Hughes, the handsome chestnut Arizona EM is a jumping-bred gelding by the great Arko III: “He’s a sale livery so this really is the pinnacle. He’s such a dude and he takes everything in his stride. I’m so delighted for his owner Eiddwen who bred him as well. He just loves his work in general and he’s got a lovely jump too.” 

Reflecting on her test, Anita continued, “I came out very happy, I felt it could be a 70% test but you never know! I had this goal from the beginning, I thought he could win it but it’s so hard to get to the end result!”  

The North Wales rider balances competing around a busy equestrian business, “I run a livery and schooling holiday yard, people bring their horses if they’re going on holiday and if they’ve got a little cob they're having trouble with, they come and stay for schooling!”  

Today, Anita has been supported by the two fantastic friends who own her Championship rides, explaining: “Eiddwen lives close to me and is a good friend of mine, she brought him a long last year and I’ve been lucky to have a lovely warmblood to compete. I’ve got Becky [Jackson] here as well who I rode the other mare for. They’re both six and it’s a journey, it’s special for all of us. There’s pressure too as you want to do well for them, but we’re really good friends and it’s amazing.  

Laughing about the long hours, hard work and conditions, Anita concluded: “We live in Wales! Wind and rain was to our favour today, we’re used to it! We work hard and everyone with horses knows how hard it is just to get here. We’re pleased to just be here, but to go in and do our best and win – I just can’t believe it, I’m over the moon.” 

Novice Freestyle Silver Champions Amber Flynn and Fortuna BG settled for second in this class with an equally impressive score of 69.778%, whilst Jordan Kavanagh and Pirlo KS completed an accomplished top three with a great score of 69.778%. 

Petplan Novice Freestyle Silver 

Winner: Amber Flynn and Fortuna BG, 72.408% 

Lancashire’s Amber Flynn also had to endure a long wait to see if the Petplan Novice Freestyle Silver would be hers; after presenting Fortuna BG as the first horse to go in the class, Amber’s score of 72.408% set the standard and secured the title.  

The pair made their day at Arena UK one to remember, also adding second in the Novice Silver class to their list of achievements.  

“I was first to go in the class,” Amber explained, “and I was a bit nervous being the first one in and then having to watch the scores all day! She got a good score this morning and I managed to hold on to the end.” 

The wait was worth it for the duo and Amber reflected on her strong test at the start of the class, saying, “I was really pleased with her. She’s got great music – it's a mix of Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, it really suits her personality and it’s good to ride to. I got some good marks for her halts and her medium canters were a highlight too.” 

Speaking about ‘Cookie’, who’s by Fahrenheit and out of a Dante Weltino mare, Amber said: “She’s an absolute dream, she’s a firm yard favourite. I backed her as a four-year-old and I’ve ridden her a bit ever since. She’s just an absolute sweetheartt, she’s so friendly and everyone adores her.” 

Amber herself does a great job to balance riding, work and looking after plenty of people and ponies: “I’m the manager of White Hill Stud so I run the yard day to day and look after all the horses and the staff. I have my own horses too and do a bit of showing too, I’m quite busy!” 

Concluded on the experience, she said: “Having the opportunity to ride such a special horse like Cookie, makes me want to go out and improve each time and go through the levels. I’m incredible lucky. She’s been perfect from the first day I got on her.” 

Julia Wilkinson and her own six-year-old Chadwells Zukunftsstar (Zoom x Dante Weltino) placed second with a pleasing test for 70.371%, whilst Kate Andrews slotted into third on 70.001% with the Irish-registered Global Smart Choice.  

FULL RESULTS