Festival Focus - Onley Grounds 21
A very busy weekend at Onley Grounds (06 – 08 August) for riding wanting to show off their best tests to gain qualification to the Summer Championships in October. With some competitive and busy classes, riders had to pull out all the stops to show the judges their partnerships.
Petplan’s picks!
Catherine Rose is one very proud lady, achieving a 75.07% in the Prelim Silver on her horse Abermenai Gilbern Invader, due to the lockdown they took a break away from competing and having previous recovered from a broken ankle, they are finally out to contest at title at the Championships in October. Cathrine told us all about how they go to Onley, “Two years ago, just after I bought him, I fell off him and smashed my ankle meaning I couldn't ride for 11 months while it healed. Then covid hit!! So, I am very very proud to stand there today!”
Hannah Riley has taken a different route into dressage from the showing ring, with her horse Whalton Extravaganza, to gain a second in the Prelim Bronze. Having only competed in a handful of shows, which were Quest, they have taken to leap and Hannah is, “so incredibly proud of my little horse.”
Another rider who is ‘on cloud 9’ is Michelle Pritchard, who came second in the Elementary Silver with her horse A Touch of Frost IV with 70.93%. Having taken a break from dressage for five years, they are back from the eventing scene with just a few competitions under their belt.
Advanced Medium Silver winner, Katie Lawrence, with 71.50% on her horse Donaulied, which was won by a large margin and a personal best for the team. A previous McLaren race team engineer, she now owns her own PR business alongside teaching her horse, known as ‘River’ at home all the tricks of the trade. “I bought her over the phone,” Katie continued. “She was a gangly four-year-old but had lots of potential so I just went for it.” They are learning together up the levels, with the help of trainer Henry Boswell, “She is amazing to ride and just takes everything in her stride, If I’m feeling nervous or unsure she just grabs my hand and says “come on mum, we’ve got this.”
Onley Grounds Winners
Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze
Hanna Vickery and First Lady V, 72.78%
Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver
Catherine Rose and Abermenai Gilbern Invader, 75.07%
Petplan Equine Novice Bronze
Kathryn Birch and Super Mikey, 69.86%
Petplan Equine Novice Silver
Laura Hill and Kensington I, 74.03%
Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze
Bizzy Loffet and Dario Fo, 69.51%
Petplan Equine Elementary Silver
Jane Oliver and Balouboy Z, 75.49%
Petplan Equine Medium Bronze
Megan Field and Bright Time FST, 68.87%
Petplan Equine Medium Silver
Nicole Marie Turner and J'Eton Hit LDS, 68.09%
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze
Gemma Zaremba and Ekko Falkenfurst, 66.03%
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver
Katie Louise Lawrence and Donaulied, 71.50%
Petplan Equine Prix St George Bronze
Claire Elizabeth Ackerman and Woodcroft Heinrich, 68.16%
Petplan Equine Prix St George Silver
Melissa Sophie Dawes and Bodyguard Moorland, 67.41%
PetPlan Equine Intermediate I Bronze
Fiona Jane Roques and Roxanne XIV, 61.18%