2008
Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire
The NPS/TopSpec Dressage Trial was run by the NPS Dressage Working Group as a pilot for a new national NPS competition to encourage the breeding and promotion of the registered British bred Performance Pony. The competition is the only dressage competition in the UK for registered British bred ponies. Qualifiers were offered across the South of England running under British Dressage rules and judged by British Dressage judges with both Prelim. and Novice Tests on offer. Classes were available for Mountain & Moorland breeds not exceeding 138cm and exceeding 138cm, Part Breds and British Riding Ponies. At Addington ponies competed with the riders who had qualified them for their respective Championship Final. The winners of these then progressed on to the Supreme "Ride Off" to music kindly supported by British Dressage.
Thanks to wonderful support from TopSpec the finals took place at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire with many competitors and officials enjoying its magnificent facilities for the first time, Finalists were a healthy mix of showing and dressage enthusiasts. The atmosphere remained very friendly and competitive throughout the day and it was a pleasure to see so many well ridden, mannerly ponies competing in the outside Arenas during the morning. Delightfully the qualifying riders ranged in age between eight and seventy years of age!
Unlike most dressage competitions the NPS/TopSpec Final opted for a full presentation performance during the afternoon. All ponies returned in Championship class order to the wonderful setting of Addington's new indoor International Arena. Presentations were run as at HOYS with ponies coming in at trot, lining up across the Arena to receive their Finalist rosettes before being called forward in reverse order from eighth place. Breed Society rosettes were also awarded. This created a tremendously positive buzz to the day! Formal presentations of superb rosettes and prizes took place for each class with NPS President John Careless, Michael Bacon representing the generous sponsors Top Spec, Mr Van Gelderen and his son Derek from Sylvie Noel Designs who provided much appreciated prizes in kind congratulating the competitors.
Standing top of both the British Riding Pony Tests was eleven year old Beckie Edwards from Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire riding her mother's reigning NPS British Isles Supreme Ridden Champion Hindleap Choir Boy [Whinfell Tom Kitten x Starlyte White Mischief] bred by Hazell Watkins from Heathfield in Sussex. Beckie who is taught by the Gilbert-Scott sisters who live closeby has owned her home produced 133cm Show Hunter Pony "Timmy" for nearly three years. This was their first attempt at dressage. The plan is now for them to join in British Dressage "Fledgling" activities over the winter months.
The Part Bred sections were open to those of Part Bred pony breeding of any height. This allowed for some good performance horses of Part Bred Welsh stock to show off their paces. Winning the Preliminary section was the well known rider of many a good Welsh Section D Jane Weller from Surrey aboard her mother Lady Forwood's four year old Part Bred Welsh gelding Pentaran Special Edition by the Welsh Section D stallion Hendrewen Deryn out of a useful performance mare Another Chapter. Jane is no newcomer to dressage and having evented and also built up an excellent record of championships at the Welsh Performance Show. Taking the Novice Section was another Welsh Section D Part Bred gelding Missile Express [Sharmon Royal Express x Carmine Rocket] owned and ridden by Becky Gibbs.
The Mountain & Moorland ponies came out in force with many having competed at HOYS and Championship Shows proving their versatility. Coming up trumps in the Preliminary not exceeding 138cm class were two Welsh Section B ponies with Ernford breeding behind them. Winning the class was the Hampshire based Boyles family's charming Wortley Grenadier [Ernford Benjamin x Desabre Polyanthus] who not only contests Junior Ridden classes with little Christabel Boyles but is also the current BSPS Heritage M&M WHP Supreme Champion with top young producer Samantha Roberts who brought him out under saddle and also partnered him at these Championships. Bred by Gill Simpson the chestnut Welsh Section B gelding showed off his extravagant paces to the crowd.
Following him into second place was another well known Welsh Section B Bushmere Eclipse [Bushmere Tolomeo x Ernford Belladonna] who has been highly placed at HOYS and competed at Olympia in the past. At Addington he proved that he was just as good at dressage with his present jockey Lucy Corney from the Isle of Wight. Third place went to one of the youngest competitors in the competition. Nine year old Freddie Plumb from the Cotwolds started out in the show ring but has become increasingly interested in dressage, enjoying BD "Fledgling" sessions and this showed in his competent performance against some very experienced jockeys.
The Novice small height Championship went to the grey Dartmoor pony Mr Mufti [Shilstone Rocks Star Fighter x Mary Rose]. This charismatic, good moving pony looked to thoroughly enjoy his tests and won much admiration from the crowds during his later performance to music. Mr Mufti was purchased as a foal from Rosemary Mudge's small stud by well known Channel 4 political reporter Elinor Goodman whilst on a working visit to Dartmoor during the Foot & Mouth crisis. He was collected for her and later purchased as a two year old by his present owner by Jane Ryan from Marlborough in Wiltshire. Beautifully ridden by Sarah Gorman - who is taught by Byrds trainer Ali Byrne - Mr Mufti has excelled at Prelim & Novice dressage, hunts with the Tedworth and jumps exceptionally well. He will come out in M&M WHP classes later this season. The pair held off considerable challenge from Sam Roberts and her Prelim Champion Wortley Grenadier and Trudy Nineham's third placed New Forest mare Trenely Tabitha [Beechwood Comet x T'Acre Kiss Me Kate] to stand the deserved NPS/TopSpec M&M not exceeding 138cm Novice Champion of 2008.
New Forest ponies came up trumps in the Large height M&M Prelim Final taking three of the top four places. Aptly standing top was the grey gelding Willoway Shogun [Peveril Peppercorn x Willoway Gloria] fed on TopSpec who had travelled up from his native Hampshire to thrill the Myott family when he was called forward for the Championship presentation. Shogun was purchased as Jessy Myot's first pony in 2007. Not coming from a horsey background Jessy had learned to ride by having a lesson each week at school on a pony loaned by her trainer Jackie Stolper's mother. Willoway Shogun is kept at Jessy's sister's school in term time and comes home for the holidays. He and Jessy have enjoyed jumping and many clases at local shows. The NPS competition was their first attempt at dressage and now they are hooked! Fourteen year old Jessy and her family expressed their gratitude to the Stolper family and their Head Girl Kirsty who prepared the pair for the Addington Final to win a strongly contested Prelim Championship. When asked how they felt about the win Jessy's mother replied "Absolutely awesome"!
In second place halting a complete hat trick for the Foresters was the black Welsh Section D winner of the M&M exceeding 138cm Novice test Wadard Dobson [Dwyfor Michael x Bronfoel Duchess] with his owner Vicky White in the saddle. Vicky purchased Dobson for £500 as an unbroken four year old and is another to have brought on her pony herself. The pair have previously enjoyed success at the Trailblazer and Badminton Horse Feeds Finals but were over the moon with their Novice Championship win at Addington. Wantage based Vicky works full time as a Senor Invoice Administrator to pay for her Cobs proved to the audience that ponies can be schooled from facilities with no menage to win.
Third and fourth places went to the New Forest with Furzley Serenade [Luckington Sportaide x Sophia] ridden by Jane Haskell and the dual NPS/NFU Ridden Breeds Champion Farriers Fingerprint owned by Mr & Mrs Young and ridden by Martine Reeves who partnered him in the New Forest Enthusiasts Club Quadrille team at Olympia.
The Connemara's were also well represented with Pam Clingan riding Mr Blackburn’s Canal Village Poacher into second place in the M&M Exceeeding 138cm section of Novice Test 27. Pam and the consistent Mossie who having enjoyed considerable success in the show ring both in hand and under saddle is now proving himself equally capable in the dressage arena with the assistance of Pam's long time trainer John Lassetter. The pair intend to commence affiliated British Dressage classes in the very near future. Another Connemara to enjoy the day was Mrs Hope's super dun M&M WHP Crossdrum Ozzie ridden into seventh place in the not exceeding 138cm Prelim by Samantha Roberts.
Laden with rosettes and prizes the Champions of each Final came forward to ride Freestyle to Music infront of a panel of four judges - Caroline Nokes the new Chief Executive of the NPS, Carol Hogg of British Dressage, Michael Bacon from the competition sponsors TopSpec and Debbie Carpenter of BYRDS. Some competitiors had prepared their routines whilst others hadn't expected to become NPS Champions and had to select their tunes on the day. The friendly spirit prevailing throughout the day was such that those who hadn't won through but who had prepared their music lent it to to those who hadn't. Setting the pace by giving a foot perfect, polished performance to sea shanty tunes was young Beckie Edwards and her 133cm Hunter Pony Hindleap Choir Boy. Those following on also entertained the spectators in fine style. A special mention must go to Vicky White and Wadard Dobson to their clever perfomance to the Scissor Sisters "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" selected only moments before their performance which matched the Cob's powerful paces perfectly. Together they won the award for the best interpretation of the music. Special prizes of giant Easter Eggs provided by Thorntons Chocolates were presented to the two youngest competitiors to have qualified for the Prelim and Novice finals whilst each section winner received an inscribed "Champion" chocolate champagne bottle.
With the Supreme "Ride Off" to music complete the results were announced with Hindleap Choir Boy being selected by judges as the inaugural NPS/TopSpec Supreme Dressage Champion of 2008 adding to his RIHS & HOYS qualifications already gained for this season and his PUK Southern Winter Championships Supreme title. More importantly this special pony proves that a small breeder can produce Champions. Hazell Watkins has one stallion and one mare both now aged fifteen whose offspring have brought her considerable joy and success. As British Dressage's Chairman Jenny Loriston-Clark pointed out when judging at the 2007 NPS Summer Champioship Show "there is now no need to buy abroad". UK breeders are producing superb ponies and this competition proved exactly that. Hindleap Choir Boy and the Reserve Supreme combination of Samantha Roberts and Wortley Grenadier collected thier TopSpec titles and vouchers, superb gifts from Sylvie Noel Designs and stunning floral garland sashes made up in TopSpec colours kindly provided by the Australian Magazine "Horse Shows" and Sarah Moore from S&M Garlands .
The coming year see the NPS/TopSpec Dressage competition go "National" whilst continuing to run under BD rules with BD judges. Qualifiers can be incorporated into any Dressage show offering British Dressage Tests Prelim 7 & Novice 27. Any UK based dressage event, Pony Club, Riding Club, RDA/Byrds/Fledglings shows, Breed Performance Show, NPS Area,
Shows wishing to hold qualifiers should to apply to the Competition Secretary Mrs Angela Kember - email angela.kember@btinternet.com.
Qualifiers for the 2008/9 season commence in April and will be listed on the NPS website www.nationalponysociety.org.ukResults:
NPS/TopSpec SUPREME DRESSAGE
CHAMPION 2008 - HINDLEAP CHOIR BOY
RESERVE SUPREME - WORTLEY GRENADIER
CLASS 1 - British Riding Pony - Prelim 7
1st - Hindleap Choir Boy [Whinfell Tom Kitten x Starlyte White Mischief] owned by Mrs L Edwards - ridden by Beckie Edwards
Class 2 - British Riding Pony - Novice 27
1st - Hindleap Choir Boy [Whinfell Tom Kitten x Starlyte White Mischief] owned by Mrs L Edwards - Ridden by Beckie Edwards
Class 3 - Part Bred Horse/Pony - Prelim 7
1st - Pentaran Special Edition [Hendrewen Deryn x Another Chapter] - owned by Lady Forwood - Ridden by Jane Weller
2nd - Missile Express [Sharmon Royal Express x Carmine Rocket] - Owned & Ridden by Becky Gibbs
Class 4 - Part Bred Horse/Pony - Novice 27
1st - Missile Express [Sharmon Royal Express x Carmine Rocket] - Owned & ridden by Becky Gibbs
2nd - Pentaron Special Edition [Hendrewen Deryn x Another Chapter] - owned by Lady Forwood - Ridden by Jane Weller
Class 5 - M&M not exceeding 138cm - Prelim 7
1st - Wortley Grenadier [Ernford Benjamin x Desabre Polyanthus] - Welsh Section B - owned by Mrs N. E Boyles - Ridden by Samantha Roberts
2nd - Bushmere Eclipse [Bushmere Tolomeo x Ernford Ballerina] - Welsh Section B - owned by Mrs Corney - ridden by Lucy Corney
3rd - Blacknest Prince Hal [Flydon Tor Royal x Stourton Jenny Wren] - Dartmoor - Owned by Mr D Plumb - Ridden by Freddie Plumb
4th - Newoak Prosper - Dartmoor - Owned by Mr & Mrs Newbury - Ridden by Samantha Roberts
5th - Georgian Dorian - [Llandyn Adda x Georgian Donna] - Welsh Section B - Owned by Mrs R Proud - Ridden by Emily Proud
6th - Rivervalley Amadeus - Welsh Section C - Owned by Mrs K Gorman - ridden by Kelly Gorman
7th - Crossdrum Ozzie - Connemara - owned by Mrs Hope - ridden by Samantha Roberts
8th - Boreton Cerdin - Welsh Section B - Owned by Mrs R Proud - ridden by Emily Proud
Class 6 - M&M not exceeding 138cm - Novice 27
1st - Mr Murfti - [Shilstone Rocks Star Fighter x Rose Mary] - Dartmoor - Owned by Mrs A.J Ryan - Ridden by Sarah Gorman
2nd - Wortley Grenadier - [Ernford Benjamin x Desabre Polyanthus] - Welsh Section B - Owned by Mrs N.E Boyles - Ridden by Samantha Roberts
3rd - Trenley Tabitha - Beechwood Comet x T'Acre Kiss Me Kate] - New Forest - owned by Trudy Nineham - Ridden by A Etheridge
4th - New Oak Prosper - Dartmoor - Owned by Mr & Mrs J Newbury - Ridden by Samantha Roberts
5th - Northcroft Flamebird - Exmoor - Owned by Mrs E.M Prosser - Ridden by S Prosser
6th - Talgoed Honey Blossom - Welsh Section A - Owned by Mrs T Cresswell - Ridden by S Cresswell
7th - Master Mouse - Exmoor - Owned by Dr Kathy Hoffman - Ridden by Mandy Palmer
8th - Clandon Gabriella - Fell - Owned & Ridden by Georgina Blair
Class 7 - M&M Exceeding 138cm - Prelim 7
1st - Willoway Shogun - [Peveril Peppercorn x Willoway Gloria] - New Forest - Owned by Mrs Myott - Ridden by Jessy Myott
2nd - Wadard Dobson - [Dwyfor Michael x Bronfoel Duchess] - Welsh Section D - Owned & Ridden by Vicky White
3rd - Furzley Serenade - [Luckington Sportaide x Sophia] - New Forest - Owned & Ridden by Jane Haskell
4th - Farriers Fingerprint - [Peveril Peter Piper x Wainsford Whispering Grace] - New Forest - Owned by Mr & Mrs Young - Ridden by M Reeves
5th - Brock Buckingham - New Forest - Owned by Trudie NIneham - Ridden by E Etheridge
6th - Bryncendi Gerallt - Welsh Section D - Owned & ridden by Rachel Challenger
7th - Broughton Attache - Welsh Section D - Owned by Mrs T North - Ridden by Mandy Palmer
8th - Ross Bright Bouncer - Welsh Section D - Owned by Lady Forwood - Ridden by Jane WellerClass 8 - M&M exceeding 138cm - Novice 27
1st - Wadard Dobson - [Dwyfor Michael x Bronfoel Duchess] - Owned & Ridden by Vicky White
2nd - Canal Village Poacher - [Callowfeen Mairtin x Village Colleen] - Connemara - Owned by Mr R Blackburn - Ridden by Pam Clingan
Equal 3rd - Sharpham Chime [Willoway Pipers Gold x Holly of Glendale] - New Forest - Owned & Ridden by A Andrustko
Equal 3rd - Burley Branston [Randalls Fire x Weirs Aveline] - New Forest - Owned by John Adams - ridden by Wendy Adams
Equal 4th - Brock Buckingham - New Forest - Owned by Trudy Nineham - Ridden by A Etheridge
Equal 4th - Brundgrange Toby - Highland - Owned & Ridden by Ginny Duncan
5th - Broughton Attache - Welsh Section D - Owned by Mrs T North - Ridden by M Palmer
6th - Llanarth Lysander - Welsh Section D - Owned & Ridden by Lisa White
7th - Talhearn Black Boy - Welsh Section D - owned & ridden by Wendy Gannon
8th - Bryncenal Gerallt - Welsh Section D - owned & ridden by Rachel Challenger