ON Sunday 15 October an annual charity fundraising dressage competition, in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Cleveland Branch was held once again, at Tunstall Farm in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.

Now in its ninth year, this competition runs in memory of Ann Smith, a local lady who lost her life to Motor Neurone Disease several years ago. Ann was described by competition organiser Claire Robinson of Robinson’s Equi Teach, as ‘a keen horsewoman and dressage enthusiast and an extremely kind and caring friend.’ All funds raised today, will stay in the Cleveland area to assist those affected by MND.

A very well supported day, there were many fabulous raffle prizes on offer, including riding lessons with some of the area’s top instructors, covering a wide range of disciplines, and lots more besides. Not forgetting, of course, the chance to catch up with old friends over a piece of delicious cake and a cuppa, which were also on sale throughout the day.

As for the dressage tests, there was something for all abilities, starting with an RDA Walk/Walk & Trot test, followed by Intro B, Prelim 7 and Prelim 18, all of which were split into junior and senior sections, ending the day with Novice 24. Perpetual trophies were on offer for the highest Junior and Senior scores taken throughout the course of the day and these were won by Carla Frank riding Appleton Hot Toddy (Junior) and Theo Hopkins riding Dory (Senior). In total a sum of £1016.30 was raised for this fantastic cause

If you missed this competition, don’t forget that the next winter dressage series will begin at Tunstall Farm on Sunday November 12, running right through until January 2018 and if you don’t have your own horse or pony, there is always the possibility of borrowing one from the riding school. Please contact Claire Robinson for more information or see Pony Dates in The Darlington & Stockton Times for full details.

Results from Sunday: RDA Intro: 1 P Sumpton (Tubby), 2 N Sumpton (Pugsley), 3 Georgina (Toddy), 4 Josie (Yorkie); Intro B (Senior):1 L Campbell (Arderro Navajo), 2 L Rochester (Celtic Grace), 3 J Bowles (Panda), 4 F Helm (Bobbies Girl), 5 J Small (Jazz), 6 J Oliver(Chancer); Intro B (Junior): 1 F Sunley (Max) 2 J Hooper (Gromit), 3 K Harrison ( Fyn); Prelim 7 (Senior): 1 L Humphries (Gilly), 2 L Fletcher (Pea), 3 L Rochester (Celtic Grace), 4 F Helm (Bobbies Girl); Prelim 7 (Junior): 1 C Franke ( Toddy), 2 B Murphy (Patrick), 3 L Grayston (Alice), 4 Kayleigh (Mole), 5 K MacElveney (Nightingale); Prelim 18 (Senior): 1 L Austick (Maisy), 2 H Bowles (Socks), 3 J Tate (Max), 4 L Fletcher (Pea), 5 E Mann (Albert), 6 C Hardwick (Emma); Prelim 18 (Junior): 1 E Power (Tubby) 2 F Dunn (Millie), 3 N Lee (Fletcher); Novice 24; 1 T Hopkins (Dory), 2 J Wilson ( Little Tinkerman), 3 N Lee (Fletcher), 4 J Small (Arthur) 5 J Tate (Max), 6 L Austick (Maisy)

Karen Hunton