THE first competition of the Summer Dressage series held at Foxholm Livery Yard was re-scheduled, due to the Snowfall in March.

Many new faces attended, as well as regulars who have competed at the competitions for many years. The series runs from March to September, with points awarded for the top 7 placings at each level and Championship prizes for juniors and seniors at the end of the series. The classes are also ROR qualifiers for the Regional League.

Due to the wet weather in the run up to the competition, the tests were held in the Indoor school, with warm up in the outdoor all weather arena. Although the day was mainly dry, this was appreciated by the two competitors who had their tests during a brief hailstorm in the morning.

The first test of the series was Intro A. Gaining her first ROR points, the winner of this class was Sally Owens and her 7 year old ex-racehorse Ed. Sally has owned Ed since he was 4 years old and is very proud of how much he has settled and improved in condition over the time she has owned him. Second place was Anneli Davidson and her fell pony Wellbrow Fury and third was Debbie Gaskin on her Highland mare. This shows how all types and sizes can do Dressage.

The intro B class was won by Susan Grecian on her 5 year old coloured pony Joey. Who arrived as a surprise accident from her daughters pony mare. Anneli Davidson was again in Second place and Julia Warden was third on her coloured cob mare Honey.

Prelim 1 was won by Catherine Adamson riding the 7 year old grey Irish Draught gelding Corky. Corky is owned by Nicky Jennings who bought him from Ireland as a hunter. Second place was Kelly Aitkin on Ballymartin Dash and third was Julie Tippey on her Thoroughbred mare Annie B.

Olivia Enderwick was the clear winner of the heavily contested Prelim 18 class, with the best score of the day 72%, on her seven year old coloured gelding Copperhall Freddy. Second place was Rebecca Adamson (sister to Catherine) on their own coloured gelding Deegan. Third place was last year’s Intro Champions, Sam Gladstone and RSPCA Tegan. Fourth place was Julie Tippey and Annie B.

Last year’s Junior Champions, Emily Inglis and her Friesian cross mare Gucci, took first and second in the Novice/Elementary Pick a Test class. After running the café for the day, Julie Tippey and her Thoroughbred mare, Annie B, came third in their first ever attempt at a Novice test.