Equine Newsletter

Dates for your Diary:

May

• 19th - South West Unaffiliated Dressage Championships
• 20th - South West Unaffiliated Show Jumping Championships
• 26th - British Show Jumping Seniors
• 27th - Affiliated Dressage

Equine News

13^th May - Unaffiliated Show Jumping

Again the sun was out and bought with it a high number of entries, with the second and third classes both having over 60 competitors. It was a very successful day for Hartpury students including tense competition between them in the Grand Prix class which resulted in the following;

• Chloe Barnes - 2^nd riding Reethi Beach
• Serena James - 3^rd riding Jacks Dante
• Rebecca Pemberton - 4th riding Jackson IV.

Well done to all who competed! 

12^th May - Unaffiliated Dressage

The sun came out on Saturday for our final qualifier for the South West Hartpury Dressage Championships. The day ran smoothly, with everyone keeping to time. Hartpury College staff pulled out the top marks, with a win for our Cheltenham Ladies College instructor Paul Heapy in the Novice 30 on his ex-racehorse Distinctive Spirit. Further Education lecturer Clare Farmer also took the top prizes in both the Prelim 7 and Novice 28 classes with her own Caesar Rex.

6^th May - British Show Jumping Seniors

With the amount of rainfall we have had and Badminton Horse Trials being cancelled, indoor show jumping seemed like the perfect option for many competitors.  The morning kicked off with a busy British Novice class which seemed to set the theme for the rest of the day. Over 300 rounds were jumped with the 1.05m class having over 70 entries alone. Many classes had placings into their teens, with prize money to all, so it was a good day out for many!

Our Equine Academy students rode well; Anneli Lewis and Tequila Sunset III came 2^nd in Newcomers and Nita Dervish-Lang and Monkey Business came a respectable 8^th for in a large British Novice class.

One of our home bred horses was also to be seen – Hartpury Top Gun, out of Home Farm Stud’s ‘Top Totty’ sired by ‘Take It To The Limit’. He was also in the ribbons in the Discovery class with owner Stella Bayliss. All in all, everyone was in good spirits and the day ran smoothly considering the number of entries.

 5^th May - Affiliated Dressage – CANCELLED

   *Next event scheduled for 27^th May, please see www.britishdressage.co.uk for schedules and entry forms.

 4^th May - Unaffiliated Evening Show Jumping

 A successful evening of show jumping, with many of our student’s taking part. There was a lovely atmosphere; everyone seemed to be very much about the fun and games of an evening’s jumping. Two very pleased young ladies were Harley Field with Carna and Charlie Bennett with Pure Irish Ice, gaining some of the final placings for this year’s South West Hartpury Show Jumping Championships on 20^th May.

 30^th April – Unaffiliated Dressage

Many competitors braved the wet and windy conditions to compete in our unaffiliated dressage here on the Sunday 30^th April. With both Prelim classes proving very popular there was a great atmosphere as people came inside to shelter from the rain. Several of our students used the opportunity to get back into shape after a long Easter break. Well done to our students; Camilla Mulholland, Abigail Newman and Abbie Taylor who were all placed in the top 3 in their classes. 

Final qualifications for the South West Hartpury Dressage Championships were distributed – the competition is to be held on 19^th May in the Hartpury Arena and is likely to be quite the spectacle, with over 70 competitors each doing a number of classes.

18^th – 22^nd April – NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships

32 titles, from preliminary through to intermediate I, were up for grabs over five days of intense competition, with some the most talented dressage combinations competing side by side.

Friday and Saturday night’s gala evenings featured the Prix St. George and Inter I music freestyle championships, ensuring that some great competition was seen and keeping spectators on the edge of their seats with some fabulous musical interpretations.

European Team Gold Medallist and London 2012 Olympic hopeful Charlotte Dujardin, thrilled the spectators on both evenings with exclusive freestyle displays, whilst European Team Gold Medallist team mate, Emile Faurie, gave everyone an insight into how he has managed to stay at the top tier of competitive dressage for over twenty years as well as giving the spectators an informed view of his experiences with dressage training.

The Leaping Leprechauns once again showed the amazing dexterity and human athleticism to the delights of the crowd, whilst David Deptford and Paul Hayler showed the true meaning of a Western Hoedown with their stunning performance “Pas de Dosey Doe”.

11^th – 15^th April – Blue Chip Winter Show Jumping Championships

Nearly 1,000 horses and ponies competed in over 60 hours of jumping competition held over 5 days, the highlight of which was the Friday night gala incorporating the Grand Prix competition.

The evening proved to be thoroughly enjoyable for both spectators and competitors alike. The evening kicked off with the Junior Challenge followed by an interesting and entertaining demonstration from Tina and Graham Fletcher who later guided the spectators through a walk of the Grand Prix course. The Leaping Leprechauns proved delightful entertainment for young and old, showing off their ability to jump over 1.50m. The highlight and culmination of the evening was the Blue Chip Grand Prix, which was won by Mark Bunting riding Shayla McInulty’s UB One.

Meanwhile, Hartpury Equine Academy Show jumper Remy Ellis, tasted success when winning the 1.25m class and then proceeded to finish 4th in the 1.35 Open during the course of the week at the Blue Chip Championships. 

7^th and 8^th April - British Riding Clubs NAF Winter Championships 

Saturday - With a record number of entries, both the show jumping and dressage were hotly contested.Rother Valley RC came out on top in the senior winter dressage, their team was made up of; Sarah Baldwin, Clare Walton-Coe, Tanya Draude and Lisa Pillbeam. Sarah Baldwin also received the prestigious title of overall individual dressage champion. The show jumping saw Horsham RC take the crown thanks to team members; Caroline Exley, Hayley Dumbrell, Vicky Allan and Amanda Jane Harwood-Stamper. 

Sunday – Again with good turnout for competitors and spectators, today was junior day and every competitor had winning intentions.The dressage champions were Nantwich RC made up of; Alice Kearns, Ellie Foster, Zoe McLellan and William Blackshaw. The overall individual title was taken by Stacie Harrison riding Hillam My Dudley, a member of West Devon RC team. The show jumping title went to Ella Rogers, Hettie Rogers, Emma Butler and Rachel Dyke from Cambridge RC.  

Overall Senior Dressage Winner

4^th and 5^th April – BEF World Class Show Jumping Equine Pathway

Funded by UK Sport, the BEF World Class Show Jumping Equine Pathway is a talent identification program for young horses, with scope, elasticity and ride-ability, early in their career and assists their riders with the correct production of the horse. The youngest horses on the Pathway are rising 5 and they stay on the Pathway provided a minimum criterion (depending on the horse’s age) is attained every year. The aim of the BEF World Class Show Jumping Equine Pathway is to produce Nations Cup and Championship horses. Under the guidance of Pathway manager, Corinne Bracken and Pathway trainer Commandant John Ledingham, this has been successfully achieved for the past 3 years. There are 2-3 training sessions held every month right across the country from Hartpury to Scotland, from September to April each year.

4^th April – New Zealand Event Team Training

Held outside in Hartpury’s Parkway Arena, dressage was the order of the day for the latest New Zealand Event Team training session, which left riders looking more than slightly windswept by the end of the day after to coping with the blustery and cold weather that suddenly arrived.

28^th March – British Show Jumping Evening

The Senior British Show Jumping evening competition was a slightly quieter affair than what one is normally used to here at Hartpury Equine. Nevertheless, it was still an interesting and competitive spectacle. Hartpury student dominated the KIBIS Insurance Senior British Novice class with Anneli Lewis winning on Recal Atlas VII and international student Elle Halladay from Canada coming in a close second on Zermie 65.

26^th March – Pony Club Instructors Conference

25^th March – Affiliated Dressage

Gorgeous weather proved to be the icing on the cake on Sunday, as an added bonus to the stellar dressage competition that took place. Whilst the Young Horse classes were held in Hartpury Arena, all other dressage tests took place outside in Parkway Arena, beneath a blaze of sunshine.

In her first time competing at Prix St. George level, Hartpury Equine Academy member Philly Roberts came an impressive second with a score of 68.68% on Donner Duet. Academy member Rob Barker had a busy day competing 3 horses and walked away with the Restricted Advanced Medium after attaining a score of 67.65% on Vadoos M, as well as achieving a second place and two third placings respectively in the Medium and Advanced Medium classes.

24^th March – British Show Jumping Seniors

Classes ranged from Novice to Foxhunter level for the Senior British Show Jumping. Hartpury College student Nita Dervish-Lang came second in the Tri-Zone Airlite Senior Discovery on Monkey Business, whilst Hartpury Equine Academy member Amelia Campbell-Horne, on her own Who’s The Boss, took third place in the Foxhunter/1.20m open class.

Home Farm Stud 

Take It 2 The Limit's sons Hartpury Top Gun and Hartpury Sky Is The Limit were out competing last weekend:
Hartpury Top Gun went to Swalcliffe and competed at BE100 finishing in 5^th place! Having had one pole down in the Show Jumping, a good dressage score and a clear Cross Country inside the time kept him in the placings.
Hartpury Sky Is The Limit did a BE100 in Lincolnshire. A very good dressage test and a double clear including a good cross country time, ended in a well-deserved 3rd!

Hartpury Sky Is The Limit competing

Whilst the young stallion Derby competed for the first time on March 11^th and coming fourth, his sire VDL Groep Verdi was also competing. He placed 6^th in Grand Prix level Show Jumping in Paris. 
Home Farm Stud’s first ever Futurity star Anastacia (4th Best 3 year old SJ filly in Futurity series 2008) has sold. 

Maisemore Group RDA 

Every week, members of the Maisemore RDA can be found at Hartpury Equine. Recently, the benefits of the mechanical horse situated in the Therapy Centre have been shown to come from a rather different angle:

"Hercules the mechanical horse is a great aid for children who attend Maisemore RDA.  The action helps relax muscles that in turn enable the transition to our ponies to be easier for some riders. He doesn’t react to unexpected noises or the violent movement of some children so they can still ride. The regular rhythm through the different paces is hugely beneficial to them physically.

We have had riders who find a real horse terrifying, so to begin with Hercules and build on the experience of riding has enabled us to take our time introducing them to physical contact with our ponies.

 The role Hercules plays is very important in our riding sessions, a true asset very much appreciated." - Moira Norwood (Maisemore RDA Trustee).

 21st March - BHS Equine Lameness Awareness Conference 

The inaugral BHS Equine Lameness Awareness Conference was held here at Hartpury College with presentations from three highly qualified professionals, each at the top of their respective fields of interest. This was an event which proved to be successful and hugely informative.

Professor Peter Clegg, from the University of Liverpool, looked into cutting edge techniques, which assist with diagnosing lameness, available to veterinary surgeons. He also discussed where the equine community will be headed when future technologies further understanding regarding lameness.

Dr Catherine Dunnett referred to the latest research and opinions on the importance of nutrition in maintaining the musculature and skeletal systems in horses at work, whilst biomechanist Gillian Higgins, focused on how the Sacroiliac and Lumbar Sacral aspects of the spine affected hind limb movement.

The interesting and successful day was pleasantly rounded off by a practical demonstration from dressage trainer Adam Kemp who highlighted the importance of training for soundness according to conformation. 

17th March - Affiliated Dressage

 81 competitors competed within four classes at Preliminary and Novice level with two of those classes being qualifiers for the Winter Dressage Championships being held here at Hartpury in April, with Hartpury student Daisy Powell coming a respectable fourth on her horse Centaur Popeyus in the restricted section of the Novice 23 class with a score of 67.41%.

16th March - Unaffiliated Evening Show Jumping

Equine Academy member Rob Barker won two of the four classes held during the evening of the unaffiliated Show Jumping riding Cleo for Francesca Simmons.

10th - 11th March - British Show Jumping Seniors

Two days of exciting jumping competition ensured spectators had plenty to watch including qualifying classes for the Blue Chip Winter Championships that will be held here at Hartpury in April.  Hartpury students again took advantage of the superb competition facilities available on their doorstep.  In one of his first competitions, Derby, the exciting young stallion standing at Hartpury's Home Farm Stud, came a respectable fourth in the Kbis Insurance Seniors British Novice Class, ridden by Equine Academy student Rob Barker.

Tuesday 6^th March – New Zealand Event Team Training

Once again the New Zealand Event Team came for a training session at Hartpury Equine. The group that had been short listed in the spring training session in January returned for further intense training and preparation for the Rolex Kentucky at the end of April. The short listed group, including Andrew Nicholson and Olympian Mark Todd, trained in both Dressage and showjumping with Erik Duvander (NZ High Performance Coach) putting them through their paces.

29^th February – Inter-College Equestrian Competition

A team of four Hartpury equine students: Anneli Lewis, Una Dervish-Lang, Nita Dervish-Lang and Lauren Reason, won first place at an annual Equine Inter-College Competition hosted here at Hartpury College.

Competing against 6 other colleges, the team had to demonstrate their dressage and showjumping abilities, with a final test in a general knowledge quiz.

Hannah Bishop, course lecturer said: “Without the help of the students volunteering this competition couldn’t have run and it is a delight that we are able to donate the proceeds made today to the RDA”.

Equine Academy Update

Equine Academy Dressage Scholar Olivia Oakeley won the Prix St Georges class, scoring over 71%, at Burrows Court show on 25th February. Olivia was absolutely delighted with her horse 'Rio' and plans to contest Myerscough Premier League show in March.

29^th February – “ExtraCare” Olympic Torch Relay

With the news that Gloucestershire will host the Olympic Torch relay in May, another very special torch is also due to pass through Hartpury. On Weds 29^th February, the ‘ExtraCare’ Olympic Torch will stop at Hartpury College on their way to Hereford. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, who provides affordable housing for older people around the country, is promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and the Trusts residents will be taking part on a variety of transport, horse and cart, motorised wheelchairs, tractors and some on foot.

26^th February – Affiliated Dressage

There were over fifty entries in classes ranging from Novice to Advanced Medium, with Hartpury College Students taking advantage of the great competition to be had on their doorstep. Equine Academy member Clare Heap gained 74.83% and 73.46% respectively in the two open Novice classes with her talented but quirky Avesto Van Weltevreden. Fellow Hartpury student Daisy Powell, on Centaur Popeyus, also had a rather successful day when receiving marks of 69.62% and 73.43% in the two Restricted Novice classes which she contested.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Services have recently been at Hartpury for their annual horse handling refresher course. With assistance from the qualified Hartpury equine staff and lecturers, the service men and women took a real hands-on approach in order to gain the confidence and relevant skills required to handle horses in potentially difficult and dangerous situations.

19^th February – Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage

With both affiliated and unaffiliated competitions taking place, there was dressage for everyone on Saturday. The unaffiliated competition was a qualifying event for the South West Hartpury Championship Show which will take place on 19^th May 2012.

 17^th February – Oliver Townend Jumping Clinic and Eventing Demonstration 

 Organised and sponsored by Countrywide, Oliver Townend hosted a jumping clinic and eventing demonstration at Hartpury College which proved to be a rousing success. It was a great opportunity for keen young riders to bring their horses along for a lesson with the talented event rider. There were four sessions categorised by jump height and ranged from 2ft6” - 3ft3”. For the evening demonstration it was Oliver’s turn to get in the saddle and give the audience valuable insight into how he trains his horses for competition right from the warm up for the dressage phase through to the cool down after the show jumping. The whole day was a great success for riders and spectators and it is hoped to become an annual event.

 12^th February – JAS Indoor Eventing

The winter weather did not affect the running of the JAS Indoor Eventing. The snow from the previous days melted leaving a beautifully clear and crisp winter’s day allowing competitors to arrive with ease. With 187 entries spread out over four classes, spectators were guaranteed an action packed day. The top ten finishers from the BE90, Novice and Open Novice classes as well as the top twelve from the BE100 class have qualified for the JAS Indoor Eventing Final to be held at Addington on 25^th February 2012.

6^th February – International Eventing Forum

For the third year in a row Hartpury College was proud to host another successful International Eventing Forum in front of a full audience in a packed Hartpury Arena. Now considered to be a must attend pre-season fixture, this year’s theme was “Focus on Success” and held in mind that London 2012 is not too far off on the horizon. Chaired by the former International Irish event rider and renowned coach Eric Smiley FBHS, a stimulating and interesting day was had by one and all. Top riders such as Great Britain’s Laura Collett, New Zealand’s Caroline Powell and Japan’s Takayuki Yumira, to name but a few, were put through their paces by the Forum’s experienced panel of top international coaches who brought a real Olympic feel to the proceedings. Spectators had the opportunity to pose questions which ensured everyone’s day ended with valuable new insights. The German Olympic Team Coach Chris Bartle was the first speaker and focussed on the achievement of success in the dressage phase. Laurent Bousquet, the current Chef d’Equipe of the French Olympic Team then picked things up a gear, with his demonstration being centred on Show Jumping with the younger horse. Show Jumping coach to the New Zealand Olympic Team, Luis Alvarez Cervera worked with more advanced horses demonstrating ways in which to work towards achieving the desired clear round.

Luis Alvarez Cervera explains ways to give your horse the best chance to jump a clear round.

Former Olympic Gold Medallist and coach to the Canadian Olympic Team David O’Connor rounded the day off working with more advanced horse and rider combinations to show how to achieve a clear cross-country round inside the time. In the middle of all this there was the opportunity to hear the very latest regarding the 2012 Olympic Equestrian Site at Greenwich as well as updates from the FEI Eventing Committee.

Former Olympian David O’Connor in action and advising on ways to achieve clear but fast cross-country rounds.

Next year’s International Event Forum will be held on Monday 4^th February 2013, a definite date for your diaries.

5^th February – British Show Jumping (Seniors)

Unfortunately due to the snow and the adverse travel conditions this competition has been rescheduled to take place on March 11^th and 12^th 2012.

Hartpury Builds New Stables

The new indoor American barn consisting of 21 stables are now finished, the Monarch boxes complete with a wash stall and tack room; these new facilities will continue to add to Hartpury’s reputation as one of the leading equestrian venues in the country.

Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage, 29^th January

In the Restricted Section of the Advanced-Medium class, Hartpury College student Jana-Lynn Timm came a good second on her own Escador.

Our very own Paul Connor won the restricted section of the Medium 75 class on Vados.

Several other Hartpury students were also competing on the day in both the affiliated and unaffiliated competitions.

BBSH Stallion Parade, 28^th January

In one day with over 1000 people coming through the doors, Hartpury College played host to 63 stallions representing the disciplines of show jumping, eventing, dressage and endurance. All the stallions standing at Hartpury’s Home Farm Stud this season were out in force. Take it 2 the Limit, Valesco, Derby, Sandros Dancer and Bernwode Benedict put on crowd pleasing performances. Other top stallions in attendance were Ulmar Mail and Olympic stallions Parco and Jaguar Mail.

With interviews and demonstrations from the charming Bernard le Cortois (the top breeder and owner of France’s Haras de Brullemail Stud), the record breaking Mark Todd and the ever-talented Oliver Townend the audience remained on the edge of their seats throughout the day. With Michael Eilberg’s Grand Prix finale rounding of a fabulous day with dramatic conclusion, a great day was had by all.

Hartpury stallion Take it 2 the Limit waiting to enter the Hartpury Arena, being ridden by Hartpury student and Academy rider Robert Barker being assisted by Hartpury student Nicola Morgan.

New Zealand Event Team Spring Training, 27^th January

This year, our Hartpury Arena is also the training venue for the New Zealand Event Team who recently held their spring training at Hartpury College. The team invited 30 horses to trial at Hartpury on the 27^th January, with a shortlisted group returning in April for further intense training in preparation for the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event.  Selection will then be made for their London 2012 Olympic team.   

They were watched by Erik Duvander (NZ High Performance Coach) and Warwick Allen (the NZ High Performance Manager) who flew over especially for this session. Erik commented: “We have been coming to Hartpury for around five years and have watched it develop into the outstanding venue it is today. The arena is fantastic and provides a top-class competition environment, rather than just a training ground, and we thoroughly enjoy our time here.”

Equine Therapy Centre

With a full yard of horses visiting from all corners of the globe and an ever-increasing waiting list of those wishing to be treated it is a very busy time for the Hartpury Equine Therapy Centre.

Working in conjunction with 3 Counties veterinary clinic, treatments include the use of the aquafit and high-speed treadmills.

Current research being conducted in conjunction with third year dissertation students include: rider position in elite show jumping competitions and an owners ability to see lameness in comparison to a vets.

Equine Academy 11/12

We were overwhelmed with the amount of students trying out for the Equine Academy this year and as such have created a ‘Foundation Squad’ to support promising young riders. The academy consists of; the Elite squad with 8 members; the Development squad with 23 members and the new foundation squad with 12 members. Sport psychology sessions are also a new addition this year with the intention of supporting our Academy members further. The sessions are run by Nicola Kentzer who is an expert in her field and she aims to assist the young riders in preparing for their competitions ahead.

Dressage

Our dressage scholar Olivia Oakley represented GBR on several occasions in 2011 and was selected for the British Team at the Junior European Championships. Olivia is currently supported by the ‘World Class Start’ programme and is aiming to be selected to compete in the Young Rider European Championships this year.

Showjumping

Our Show Jumping scholar Amelia Campbell-Horne returns to Hartpury having spent the summer training with international rider Trevor Breen over in Ireland. Among Amelia’s successes were winning the ‘Ladies final’ at Mullingar International 2* and the Kilkenny 1’30 class.

Show Jumping Scholar Amelia Campbell-Horne during Academy Training.

Eventing

Young Event rider and current student here at Hartpury College, Robert Barker, has taken over the ride of one of our Hartpury College stallions ‘Take It 2 The Limit’ formally competed by Jeanette Brakewell. The promising pair have started their campaign towards selection for the Young Rider’s European Championships 2012.

Last year’s Eventing scholar Astier Nicolas from France has been long listed for the London Olympic Games following his very successful season in England, whilst based with us here at Hartpury College culminating at the CCI**** in Pau. This year he hopes to compete at Badminton CCI**** in May as part of his campaign to impress the French selectors.

Astier Nicolas during the cross-country phase at Pau CCI**** 2011, his first time competing at the top level.

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