Festival Focus - Solihull Riding Club 22
With the Petplan Equine Area Festivals returning to the Midlands, 27 - 31 January, riders at Solihull Riding Club were given the chance to show their harmony and partnership to the judges with the aim of securing a place at the Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival Championships.
Petplan’s picks!
The weather was on our side for Solihull Riding Club’s Petplan Equine Winter Area Festival, where riders put their best foot forward to impress the judges.
Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival winner, Quaikin Horatio almost didn't make his Winter Festival fixture after standing on a nail a week before but owner and rider Rhiannon Hinton pulled out all the stops to make sure he was fit and healthy and he certainly proved that to win the Prix St Georges Silver on 67.25%. Known at home as ‘Bob’, he also came fourth in the Intermediate I and Rhiannon couldn’t have been more pleased, “i am so proud of the feel he gave me, and the confidence he showed partnering me in the Intermediate I. So much more to come as he continues to mature.”
Winner of the Petplan Equine Prelim Silver, young rider Violet Hawkins had a ball on board dainty dancer Glenlichd Fair Un Square, “I went to Solihull wanting to ride my best test, and we managed not one but two amazing tests. I still can’t believe we won the Prelim class; it was a really strong class with lots of great tests…watching the live score on my mums’ phone all afternoon was pretty nerve wracking!”
Talking about her twelve year old, grey gelding, known at home as 'Squire', “I’ve had him since October 2019, and he is my best friend! We started our dressage journey at the beginning of 2020 when we had some lessons with Jayne Turney. We have been training hard all winter and all the late-night trips to practice indoors, and riding in the cold and rain has paid off!” The pair also came third in the Novice Bronze, so will be heading to the Championships to contest two titles. Squire loves putting on a show to impress the judges, “he is very talented but a bit sassy, he knows he’s gorgeous and thinks everyone is there to give him treats but he always tries his hardest for me and I think he loves showing off down the centre line!”
Our highest placed U21 rider in the Prelim Bronze, Kassia Dudek-McGee danced her socks off with Karibok Queen Of Hearts to score 71.38%, which the pair were delighted with. “I was blown away from my results and quite literally the weather. My pony out did herself in such a strong big class, she really tried her best for me. I am super proud of her not losing focus when the arena boards blew over. She shone like the star she is.”
They're very excited to be heading to Hartpury after their amazing journey together including winning the RDA Nationals two years running. Kassia, who has autism and mobility issues, loves being free with ‘Kari’ how he’s known at home, “it’s been a goal and dream where I get to show everyone how much of a star my pony is.” We can’t wait to see them compete together in April.
After winning the Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival Medium Bronze Championship title, young rider Megan Field is back to contest the Winter Advanced Medium Bronze on Bright Time FST. Taking the win with 68.93%, the pair are heading to Hartpury, which will be a first for the 14-year-old chestnut gelding by Breitling W. Taking about ‘Harley’ as he is known at home, Megan said “I love his extended canter and trot, they’re always the best to ride and he gets good marks for them. His paces are really good. He’s so chilled, he’ll stand in his stable for hours, just relaxed.”
Solihull Riding Club Winners
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Bronze
Hannah Parr and Tinkers boy, 71.31% & Hilary Walker and Hudson X, 72.5%
Petplan Equine Winter Preliminary Silver
Violet Hawkins and Glenlichd Fair Un Square, 71.45%
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Bronze
Ellie Homer and Maplevalley Royale, 69.23% & Liam Wattrus and Fürstenvae, 71.73%
Petplan Equine Winter Novice Silver
Julie smith and Sheepcote Fiorucci, 70.69%
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Bronze
Tina Smith and Gunstone Maybe, 70.09%
Petplan Equine Winter Elementary Silver
Louise Gallavan and Fabergé TF, 70.73%
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Bronze
Rebecca Parsonage and Wacton Billy, 66.42%
Petplan Equine Winter Medium Silver
Shirley Wright and Der Blitz, 69.36%
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Bronze
Megan Field and Bright Time FST, 68.93%
Petplan Equine Winter Advanced Medium Silver
Allison Croft and Tantoni Dallaglio, 70.25%
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Bronze
India Durman-Mills and Escade, 68.33%
Petplan Equine Winter Prix St Georges Silver
Rhiannon Hinton and Quaikin Horatio, 67.25%
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Bronze
Jennifer Harkness and White Sparrow, 68.77%
Petplan Equine Winter Intermediate I Silver
William Roberts and Afortinius, 65.39%