Petplan Summer Championships 25: Day Three

The third day at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships saw Elementary and Prix St Georges competition take centre stage at Arena UK, with six new champions earning their moment in the prize giving spotlight. 

Petplan Prix St Georges Silver  

Winner: Ann Staines and Kartouche V, 67.892%  

Ann Staines made it two from two on day three, claiming her second title of the week with Kartouche V in the Petplan Prix St Georges Silver Championship. Their winning score in front of Steph Cooper, Gillian Peters and Lotte Olsen was 67.892%.  

Ann told us she had no expectations going into her test today, “he has only done a handful of Prix St George tests, so all we wanted him to do is come here and behave and do a relatively clear round, which it was. We had a little blip, but we certainly weren’t expecting to win at all.” 

The duo produced a lovely test in arena three, looking back on their test Ann shared, “at home he does the changes really easily, he managed those quite well. I am not sure what our best moments were, I was so in the moment and concentrating.”  

After their great success this week Ann explained, “he is going to have a holiday now and have some time off. After that because he hasn’t really done many Prix St Georges, he needs to go out competing a bit more.” Hoping to continue to progress up the levels Ann shared, “once we are more confident at this level with the PSGs we will try the Inter I. He does have the Grand Prix, as he can passage and do the ones, it is just his temperament that holds him back as he gets a bit worried and tight, so we have had to take our time to get him to build his confidence in the ring.” 

Ann has enjoyed the opportunity to compete in the Area Festival series against others who are in similar situations, “I work more than full time as a nurse and university lecturer, I have had some really good success with a different horse but this is just my hobby and my down time.”  

“The Area Festivals allows me to compete against my peers and not against international or professional riders, which is really nice to do too. But to be able to be competitive with my peers is really good” she shared.  

About to head home from Arena UK, Ann told us, “I really like that it is so open here, we didn’t do the arena walk because I have brought him here before and he was went really well, I also enjoy that when you are competing there is usually a horse in the next arena which helps to settle them.”  

Shelly Reeve Smith and her own Garfield VDW produced 67.598% to earn second place, Dana Sandrock and Anke-Maren Sandrock’s Belisimmo M-sired Billie Jean 15 A secured the third spot on 67.500%. Less than one percent split the top four in a thrilling class.  

Petplan Elementary Freestyle Bronze  

Winner: Anna Griffin and OFS Pandora, 71.987% 

Nottingham-based rider Anna Griffin earned her first ever championship win in the Petplan Elementary Freestyle Bronze, riding to 71.987% in front of judges Charlotte Nichols, Jane Howard and John Robinson.  

 “I’m thrilled with her, I’m quite emotional actually,” Anna reviewed, “to place in the top ten was my aim, and as long as she was happy. It went really well and I couldn’t ask for much more.”  

“We danced to Lizzo. It’s quite sassy music! It’s upbeat and jazzy and what we like. I’m not one for Harry Potter or anything like that, I like upbeat and a bit of fun!” 

“It’s still early days with developing her strength, she’s eight and the more we do the stronger she’s getting.”  

“She’s a big 17.2hh warmblood and I’ve had her for just over two years. She’d not competed when I first got her so it’s been a slow process with her,” Anna explained about dancing partner ‘Dora’, “she’s coming into her own now and really building confidence.”  

Anna was supported by coach Sophie Wells this morning and was full of praise for her expert help, “she’s been our backbone, she’s there with every call, every need and she’s brought us on no end. I’m very grateful – she calmed me right down! I need a Sophie in my back pocket every day!” 

Anna works full time for her family’s haulage company, “I do the accounts and it’s evenings and weekends for riding. It’s nice to get a bit of fresh air from sitting behind the computer most days!” 

In a competitive class where the top five all scored above 70%, Olivia Lewis and Kate Delin (Eye Catcher x Wynton) notched up 71.924% for a very close second place; whilst Georgie Verdon earned third place with Emma Verdon’s Holiday on a score of 71.026%.  

Petplan Elementary Silver  

Winner: Jane Littlejohn and Not Just Anyone, 71.146% 

After placing second twice already this week, it was third time lucky for Jane Littlejohn and Not Just Anyone who impressed in the Petplan Elementary Silver to take the title on a fantastic 71.146%.  

“It’s amazing,” Jane said, “I was in the lead for so long yesterday and then got knocked off! I was so pleased today, when I saw the scores come in I thought ‘yay we’ve done it!’ He’s only seven and it’s his first season at this level, I’m so pleased with him.” 

“He loves his job, and he felt really good today. He was really forward and responsive. He was just really lovely to ride, there were no errors.” 

“He’s got a lovely nature and he’s quite cheeky! At the Senior Home Nations, he stole his neighbours flags and dragged them into the stable! If you turn around he’ll nick everything! My ten-year-old daughter can sit on him and lead him around, he’s got a heart of gold. He’s very consistent, not spooky and nothing phases him.”  

Jane manages a holiday let company and balances horses with work, family life; she’s a regular competitor at Area Festivals and is also a strong part of her South & West community, representing the team at regional events. “I’ve been riding most of my life – rain or shine, wind or snow, I’m out there riding. I love it so much. Having a lovely horse who tries his hardest feels amazing, it’s such a lovely feeling when you get these scores and have days like today.” 

Jack Stancombe produced a second place performance with Andy Sutton’s Fastnet Rock (Franklin x Loxley), earning a score of 69.167%; whilst it was palomino pony power to take third place, with Jemima Byam-Cook riding her mother Nicola Byam Cook’s Twyford Salamander to a great score of 68.438%.  

Petplan Elementary Bronze  

Winner: Jack Speakman & JSA Shakespeare, 70.104% 

Monmouthshire’s Jack Speakman showed the stunning Sezuan-sired JSA Shakespeare to success in the Petplan Elementary Bronze; earning a well-deserved win for not only himself but for Shakespeare’s dedicated and loving owners Priscilla and John Barlow.  

The pair earned a winning score of 70.104% to become the sole combination to top the magic 70% barrier in a strong class of 42.  

“I don’t really believe it! I made a mistake too but thankfully the judges like the good bits enough to give us a great winning score. He’s so talented I just hoped I wouldn’t let him down.” 

“He’s really sweet, he’s owned by Priscilla and John. He only did his first Prelim in February; we thought we’d do Prelim Petplans, then we stepped up to Novice and then Elementary – because he just loves it. He doesn’t know how to say no, if you ask him to do something and he just goes ‘oh I can do that’ - he’s just lovely.” 

“I try and event! I spend most of my time riding babies and producing young horses. I’m very lucky that I have a few owners who support me and put me on nice horses like him so I can go and fun days like today.” 

The Sezuan-sired gelding is a precious part of the Barlow family and owner Priscilla explained about his journey to the podium: “I was lying in hospital after a hip replacement, my husband asked what I wanted – and I said a Horse & Hound! From there I found his breeder; he caught my attention in the field as a foal, I tried to buy him as an eight-month-old and eventually managed to persuade her to let me buy him at 10 months!”  

Shakespeare is bred by Sherbourne-based JSA Stud; he’s sired by the multiple WBSFH World Breeding Championship title winning stallion Sezuan and is thought to be one of the first palomino offpsring from his popular sire, his colour hailing from his dam, who’s by Treliver Decanter. 

The pair’s story isn’t without dedication, patience and great reward, both having overcome injuries along the way – Jack even admitted to riding to his title victory with a broken wrist!  

Day two Champions Katie Hale and Nonstop Desperado A.S. went oh-so-close to achieving their second title of the week, placing second with 69.636%. Whilst Poppy Burgess and the AES gelding GFS Dizzy Rascal took the third spot on the podium.  

Petplan Elementary Freestyle Silver 

Winner: Tracey Bray and Jarandasj, 70.897% 

Wildcard entry Tracey Bray earned a ‘dream come true’ win in the Petplan Elementary Bronze with her own Jarandasj, dancing to first place with 70.897%  

“I can’t believe it! I felt sick watching the last few scores come in because I just didn’t think it could possibly be something I could achieve,” the winning rider gave an emotional reflection after her moment in the spotlight, “It’s so special. To come here on a wildcard having never even won a regional or area festival title, and then to win then the final title is unreal. It’s a dream come true.” 

“I’m retiring now!” Tracy said with a laugh after her prize giving.  

Speaking about her test in front of Moria Richardson, Andrea Smith and Sandra Smith, she said: “Actually I was a little disappointed, I thought I got a little behind my music and he wasn’t quite so with me as he can be. I was thinking ‘never mind I tried my hardest’ and the steward was checking my tack and said, ‘turn around and look at the scoreboard’, I couldn’t believe my score.” 

“He always pulls it out the bag,” she added about her lovely chesnut gelding, “I’ve had him for about four years now, he’s an ex-show jumper and didn’t take to it. He had a new career as a dressage horse and he absolutely loves it. He’s so trainable, willing and clever, he just wants to do the work.”  

Warrington-based Tracey, who works in IT management, fits in horses and training with Sandra Edwards around work: “It involves a lot of travelling and long hours, I don’t always get to ride as much as I’d like. I keep them at home as well so that’s an additional level of commitment. I’m always trying to squeeze in riding and training around my career.” 

Summarising her experience at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships she said: “This was never in my wildest dreams. I love Petplans, I love the music. I love that music is so accesible even to Prelim and Bronze level, it’s just such an enjoyable thing to do. The Petplan series in the summer is just fantastic.” 

The reserve champion spot belonged to Emily Kemp and Boleybawn Arctic who scored 70.064%, whilst Samantha Fish and her own Hetty earned 70% for third.  

Petplan Prix St Georges Freestyle Silver 

Winner: Dana Sandrock and Billie Jean 15, 71.250% 

Dana Sandrock and the home-bred mare Billie Jean 15 danced to harmonious victory in the Petplan Prix St Georges Freestyle Silver Championship, scoring 71.250% in front of Lotte Olsen, Jane Howard and John Robinson.  

German-born Dana was delighted at her achievement at the end of the day: “It was amazing, it was my second mounted prize giving today but first win. She’s a home-bred and Billie is just my horse forever, she’s the best, she does it all for me.” 

The pair performed an elegant freestyle to music from The Greatest Showman: “I’ve always really wanted to ride a freestyle and I just really connect to our music emotionally. At the end I get quite emotional because I think it’s all about believing in yourself. On the last centre line it was really hard to hold it together, but I think that’s what riding is about, connecting with your horse and the partnership and I think we’ve been able to show that today.”  

Speaking about her journey with her lovely mare, she continued: “She was bred in Germany by my mum and she’s been in London now for four years. We train but we don’t have a coach! We’re based at Lee Valley Riding Centre, and we just try our best, go to a few clinics here and there, trying to fit it all in with a full-time job, a husband and life and everything! She [Billie Jean] just does it, I think she always wants the best for me and we just have so much fun.” 

“She’s brilliant,” she continued about her 13-year-old Belissimo M-sired mare, “she’s definitely a bit of a diva. She decides when she wants to be patted or not but in general she’s just nice to be around. She sometimes shows off in front of the other horses, she’s got character which I think makes her extra special.”  

Dana gave a wonderful reflection on the Petplan experience, comparing it to life and opportunity in Germany: “Coming from Germany, it’s so hard to get up to a level where you can ride in these kind of environments. I got there when I was younger, then I decided to get a ‘real job’ which I’m still doing but being able to do that here just feels amazing. It’s just such a joy and I think it’s what this is all about, I feel incredibly grateful. I just had such a fun time and a rug, the last rug I won was in 2007, so it’s been a while, so I feel super proud.” 

This pair oozed harmoney and partnership, and this was reflected by the winning rider who spoke about what makes the experience special. “I honestly think just continue to have this special partnership, and continue going into tests looking harmonious. I think there’s definitely room to get up there,” she said considering what’s next, “the pirouettes we will work on but in general, we’ll keep up with that and we’ll see what the future brings. For me this is all about, love for the horses and love for an amazing horse that we’ve had since a baby, I’m just so proud of her.” 

Ellie Roberts and Lyon HK (Trafalgar x United) are often in the placings at championships and made it into the reserve champion spot after a lovely 70.167% test; Ben James and the 12-year-old mare Camarilla-Calimero also delivered an enjoyable freestyle performance for third place and 66.375%. 

FULL RESULTS