Festival Focus - Kingswood Equestrian
Riders were off to Staffordshire (29 – 31 July) to strut their stuff in front of the judges at Kingswood Equestrian, 29 – 31 July. Hopefully to place themselves in the top two to gain their ticket to the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Championships.
Petplan’s picks!
From the field to dressage superstar J'Eton Hit LDS showed what he is made of to win the Advanced Medium Silver with owner Nicole Tuner. Over their three year partnership Nicole has worked hard to get him to their current level, “that’s the total time he’s been in work, he’s gone from field feral to competing Advanced Medium in that timeframe. He’s super talented and incredibly hot but he really tried for me at Kingswood. I had a pretty perfect day and the first place was the cherry on top!”
They have dabbled in numerous shows from Area Festival to Regionals and High Profiles to Young Horse classes with plenty of podium placings but this will be the pairs only second championships after making their debut last year.
Rescue horse Loki God of Mischief, known as Black jack got his first Area Festival experience with owner Emma Butler, “I decided to affiliate my boy this year and in my first three tests I managed to achieve my qualifying scores for Prelim, I also got two qualifying scores for Novice too.”
Starting their British Dressage journey at Kingswood in April they pulled it out of the bag Emma told us, “I only went there for the experience and didn't expect to get placed, so coming away with sixth was amazing, my boy did me proud! It was our first time riding in front of three judges so was a bit daunting.” Having produced the gelding herself it is a special moment for them both, “I can't wait to see how we improve and progress in our BD journey.”
Pathfinder Jennifer Williams was first up on the Friday morning with only four hours sleep due her teething 10 month old baby but this did not stop her from winning the Elementary Bronze, “I had my husband and daughter in tow! We came third in the Medium Bronze, our first attempt at this test and was delighted to have won the Elementary Bronze too.”
Eleven year old dun pony The Little Dote known as Wiggy has been with Jennifer for seven years and have moved up the level together Jennifer told us, “we last qualified for the Area Festival Championships in 2018 at Prelim where we finished fifth. As well as being a mum I’m also an equine vet teaching at Harper Keele vet school so lots of things to juggle and I’m very lucky to have a very supportive family to enable me to do what I do!”
“We are very proud of Lily (Nova's Golden Dream) as being a very green seven year old we weren't expecting any big results,” seventeen year old Ruby Gumbley told us about being the highest placed U21 in the Novice and Elementary Silver. Buying Lily as a just backed five year old they choose the Petplan Equine Area Festival s as a stepping stone, “Kingswood was a very enjoyable and well run venue so was the perfect place to take her. I look forward to competing at the Petplan Equine Area Festivals again!”
“I obviously had a fantastic day!” Prelim Silver winner Katy Evans told us, “I’d never been to Kingswood before and it was a lovely venue; nice arenas, good setup and everyone was friendly yet professional.” She has owned her winning ride Gambo for four years but have been through some difficulties she says, “most of our time has been spent rehabbing as he had kissing spine surgery last year.” Having never leaving the yard together as they are based at Radford Equestrian a competition event until Kingswood Katy had some reservations, “I didn’t even know if he’d load until trying the night before. But he took it all in his stride, was foot perfect and thoroughly enjoyed his day out. Forever my heart horse.”
Lauren Darby our newest Elementary Silver winner had a great time with eight year old gelding Don Karlos in their second season together, “Karlos has a huge personality and can find it hard to focus but when he gives you 100% you get the most phenomenal ride. He has been quite a challenge but he is the most rewarding young horse and we are finally reaping the benefits of his new confidence at bigger shows.” They will be at Arena UK in October to try for their first Championships title.
Croft That’s a Fact only started his competitive career with Steph Blundell last year due to hock surgery which took three years of rehabilitation as well as Steph taking some time to grow her family. Known as Blake, Steph talks to us about her journey to the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, “In a way the break did him good as he’s 17.2 and big built so he didn’t really look like a finished horse until he was nine.”
Lockdown put their dreams on hold again, but it did not stop them from qualifying for their first Championships last year, “we finished third with a good score which secured us a wild card to Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships. We have now been to five Area Festivals and the championships twice.”
Gaining their ticket in the Novice Silver at Kingswood Steph said, “It’s the icing on the cake, what a dream come true! The flowers in the prize giving were a lovely touch as well.”
Going on to say,” I have really enjoyed the challenge and relished knowing that we are getting better as our journey continues. I’m excited for the championships again this year and to see how far we can go as a partnership. It takes a lot of hard work and I couldn’t do it without the support of my trainers and my amazing husband who is chief groom and chauffeur but it’s worth it to be able to do all this with my absolute horse of a lifetime.”
Kingswood Equestrian winners
Petplan Equine Preliminary Bronze
Lily Carson and Red Valentino SCS, 71.04 %
Petplan Equine Preliminary Silver
Katy Evans and Gambo, 70.42 %
Petplan Equine Novice Bronze
Lily Carson and Red Valentino SCS, 69.51 %
Petplan Equine Novice Silver
Stephanie Blundell and Croft That’s a Fact, 72.71 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Bronze
Jennifer Williams and The Little Dote, 67.99 %
Petplan Equine Elementary Silver
Lauren Elizabeth Darby and Don Karlos, 70.00 %
Petplan Equine Medium Bronze
Rowena Mottershead and Spirit XIV, 66.72 %
Petplan Equine Medium Silver
Lizzie Hughes and Breight Said Fred, 68.82 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Bronze
Lucy Mills and MSL Saltarello Hit, 68.38 %
Petplan Equine Advanced Medium Silver
Nicole Marie Turner and J'Eton Hit LDS, 66.75 %
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Bronze
Jo Weekes and Rossetti’s Destiny, 66.67 %
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Silver
Nancy Joanne Rollings and Wellbeloved, 65.69 %
Petplan Equine Intermediate I Bronze
Jo Weekes and Rossetti’s Destiny, 68.33 %
Petplan Equine Intermediate I Silver
Sally Morgan and Dreamboy Utopia, 65.34 %