SATURDAY, December 11 saw the penultimate week of Hagans Croft’s five-week dressage league, where there was great camaraderie between competitors, as they discussed what they will wear for next week’s Christmas dressage event, which is fancy dress and who plans to take part in the two new classes that are to be added for this special Christmas Finale. These two classes, for one day only, are Individual Freestyle and Pairs Freestyle, both of which are to Christmas music, of course! Competitors and spectators will be in for a fun-filled day of Christmas cheer.
Saturday’s event started off with the Intro class, where Kristina Hayes and her mare ‘Ruby’ stepped up and took the red ribbon for their efforts with 69.12%. Helen Murphy and ‘Belle’ were only a few marks of a percentage behind and slotted into second place with 68.82%. Both competitors are now well placed within the league scores and are currently sitting in the top four placings, so next week’s placings will be the decider…
In the Newcomers class, five competitors turned down the centre line to ride a Dressage Ireland Prelim 4 test. Hannah Anderson and her four-year-old mare ‘Jorange’ finished on a great score of 69.4%, which assured them of the red rosette. The following three competitors were within a whisker of each other, however, picking up second place was Casey Duckett and ‘Rossco’ on 67.8%.
Next on the schedule was the Prelim class, which is always a popular one, so competition was stiff. Three competitors finished with a score of 70% and above, but it was red for Rachel Freil and ‘Alghan Nipper’ for the second consecutive week, with a score of 73.08% and blue for Kaiti McCann and ‘Cookie’ with a score of 72.12%. These two competitors are currently sitting in the top two placings within the league scores, therefore next week will decide the Prelim league champion.
Kerry Parkhill got off to a shaky start in the Novice class, learning the wrong test, however with a quick change of strategy and a glance looking over the correct Novice test, Kerry and ‘Ted’ saluted to a score of 70.16% and first place. Well done!
It was great to see a total of five competitors take on the Elementary class and the calibre of tests that were ridden. There was one test that stood out to be worthy of the red ribbon and that was Mark Robinson and ‘Master Caledonia’, who saluted to a score of 74.31% and some lovely comments from the judge: “What a horse! Quality work shown, with three correct paces shown. Lovely balance and fluidity. A pleasure to judge! Well done!”. What a great ending to a super day out competing.
Hagans Croft would like to thank their judge on the day, Coreen Abernethy and scribe Harriett for making the event run so smoothly. The dressage league continues every Saturday until December 18.
This event is pre-entry only, with entries taken via Hagans Croft’s website: www.haganscroft equestrianco.uk or you can download and enter through the Hagans Croft App. Entries close each Thursday at 8pm prior to Saturday’s event and start times are posted online on Thursday evenings. Photographs can be purchased online from Black Horse Photography.
The final of this dressage league is on Saturday, December 18, which sees a special Christmas Finale. Two extra classes will take place for one day only – Individual Freestyle and Pairs Freestyle, both of which are to Christmas music.
To find out more about the league, please contact Gillian on 07849 106453 or go to the website: www.haganscroft equestrian.co.uk
RESULTS
Saturday, December 11
Dressage League – week four
Class 1: INTRO – Dressage Ireland, Intro B, 2016: 1) Kristina Hayes, Ruby 69.12%; 2) Helen Murphy, Belle 68.82%; 3) Emma Brown, Elly Bouncer 68.24%; 4) Hannah Anderson, Jorange 64.71%; 5) Dee Murphy, Prince 62.65%; 6) Jenna Morton, Mountview Misty Morning 61.76%.
Class 2: NEWCOMERS PRELIM – Dressage Ireland Preliminary Test P4, 2016: 1) Hannah Anderson, Jorange 69.4%; 2) Casey Duckett, Rossco 67.8%; 3) Louise Reid, Norris 67.6%; 4) Mary Booth, Franc 67.2%; 5) Charlie Watson, Socks 66.6%.
Class 3: PRELIM – Dressage Ireland Preliminary Test P6, 2021: 1) Rachel Freil, Alghan Nipper 73.08%; 2) Kaiti McCann, Cookie 72.12%; 3) Louise Watson, Leamore Girl 70%; 4) Carol Dunlop, Roxy 69.81%; 5) Susan Scott, Moher Made 69.04%; 6) Emma Russell, Ace 67.31%.
Class 4: NOVICE – Dressage Ireland Novice Test N23, 2012: 1) Kerry Parkhill, Ted 70.16%; 2) Rachel Freil, Alghan Nipper 69.52%; 3) Jessica House, Khalasar 69.03%.
Class 5: ELEMENTARY – Dressage Ireland Elementary Test E50, 2013: 1) Mark Robinson, Master Caledonia 74.31%; 2) Mandy Blakely, Clerkson 71.03%; 3) Chloe Rooney, Paddington 68.62%; 4) Laura Fekkes, Finn 66.9%; 5) Laura Fekkes, Harry 64.31%.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
