NDG teams storm the Winter qualifiers at Bold Heath
Keeping up our unbeaten record against record number of entries the NDG riders took top honours again at the Area winter qualifiers for the British Riding Clubs winter dressage finals to be held at Hartpury next April.
NDG fielded three teams of four in the Prelim/Novice team and six individuals in the Royal Windsor (Prelim) qualifier. Ian Carr was our only placing in that test picking up 4th out of 30 riders with an excellent score of 68%, nearly equalling his earlier team test of 70% and second in Novice.
Wins in both Novice and Prelim arenas as well as other good placings meant NDG teams took first (qualifying) and second as well as sixth … so all team riders took home at least two ribbons per placings with some clasping four or five! The team who go to Hartpury finals include Dawn Grundy, Sue Jelks and Jessica Campbell. (Fourth rider withdrew).
The windy but thankfully dry day caused some fresh and spooky problems with dressage boards taking off at times. With over 30 riders in each test it was a difficult job to get placed … so from 11 NDG riders, a total of seven top six placings , six of these in the top four, was quite an achievement.
Dawn Grundy and Jupiter won the N24 test with over 70%. Beating 33 others with a huge 71.6% in the P18 was ‘Super-sub’ Brian Irlam with Harry who stepped into a team place from a reserve 24 hours earlier! As he was last to ride this caused quite a stir round the score board and some frantic team score calculations by Chef D’Equippe Janet Zaldats as it became obvious two of our teams could not be beaten!
Janet praised the focus of the riders and the error-free tests that earned such good marks and well-deserved ribbons. Names for next year’s teams now open!!
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Brian Irlam & Harry |
Ian Carr & Diamond Legacy |
Jessica Campbell & Talon |
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Sue Jelks & C'est La Vie |
Janet Zaldats & the team Mascot! |
Dawn Grundy & Jupiter |
