Summer Area Festivals 25: Triumphant top tens

With the Summer Area Festivals now well under way, we've caught up with some competitors to learn more about what they love about dressage and how important the Area Festival series is for them and the development of the partnership with their horse. 

Phillipa Brickell and Mystery Man V © HKF Photography

Rockrose Equestrian Centre 

Phillipa Brickell and Mystery Man V came away from Rockrose Equestrian with two amazing top ten finishes, including a fourth place in the Preliminary Bronze - with a very impressive 69.53% from the judges - and an eighth-place finish in the Preliminary Freestyle Bronze on 65.84%.  

New to the dressage scene Phillipa told us, “me and Rafa have been competing at British Dressage competitions for just under a year. In that time, we’ve had some amazing opportunities, from the Scottish Championships and both Winter and Summer Area Festivals to the incredible experience of riding at the Winter Area Festival Championships.”  

The 16.1hh grey gelding is the ultimate all-rounder Phillipa explained, “we also enjoy eventing and team chasing, which makes every season exciting and different. We are also going to do our freestyle at the Pony Club Championships.”  

Although things did not go perfectly on the day for the pair, they walked away with two great results, “I completely messed up my music, but despite that we still managed a really good score to come eighth and get highest placed U21.” Reflecting on this result Phillipa shared, “I am so proud of Rafa for holding it together.” The following day the duo competed in the Preliminary Bronze class, “he was super consistent and gave me a lovely ride, we placed fourth and took home highest placed U21 again!”  

Phillipa has enjoyed being a BD member over the past year, “as a 15-year-old I find it so fun, the environment is supportive, welcoming and full of kind encouraging people. That is a big part of why I enjoy it so much.” The Area Festival series provides a new challenge to work towards she shared, “one of the best things is riding against people you don’t usually see at local shows, and the atmosphere is always so positive and inspiring.”  

The Summer Area Festival season is often a favourite due to the opportunity to do freestyle to music, Phillipa told us why she chose to give it a go, “I’ve always loved both music and riding, combining the two just felt right. Rafa genuinely enjoys his music too and makes the whole experience more special.” Their music was a very modern choice, “I think it represents me and my personality” Phillipa shares, “my floorplan was also made by my amazing mum, and honestly it’s one of my favourite parts of our test.”  

Phillipa is planning on stepping up to Novice next with Rafa and working on their Novice Freestyle, concluding “fingers crossed we qualify for the Winter Championships.”  

Liama Davies and Romro © ESP-Photography

Bicton Arena  

Liama Davies and her own Romro finished a fantastic fifth place in the Elementary Silver at Bicton Area with a score of 66.88%. Liama spoke to us about how she felt at the time, “I had mixed feelings about our test, I was very pleased with Rory’s performance, he went beautifully, but I was gutted about one very unfortunate mistake, some loss of rhythm which was very costly.”  

The duo has had previous success in the Area Festival series winning the Novice Silver and qualifying for the championships, where they finished an impressive ninth place! Liama is aiming to do this again, “we came second in the Elementary Silver last year and qualified for the championships, but we couldn’t go because Rory wasn’t sound. So, I was aiming to qualify him again this year, but we were unlucky this time.” They are planning to go back out to Chard Area Festival to head down the centre line again. 

Liama shared that they will also be competing in the freestyle class at Chard, enjoying every moment of competing in the Area Festival series: “I love going to the Area Festival, it’s such a great show, very supportive and a fantastic atmosphere. It is also nice to see and catch up with some friends.”  

In preparation for the day Liama explained that “Rory gets a lot of pampering, massages and special shoes too. I train with Alice Peternell who is a wonderful trainer.” The chestnut gelding was homebred and produced by Liama herself, she described the 13-year-old as “a very beautiful and talented horse, but also very sensitive, he can be spooky sometimes.” Despite loving cuddles and attention Rory is very high maintenance and picky with his food, he has coined the nickname “posh boy” from Liama’s friends.