BRC Area 17 Horsetrials

Meon had a great day at Moreton. It wasn't looking like a good start for us after lots of people had to withdraw, and lots of changes were made to the teams! Even on the day, we were plagued by flat tyres and minor incidents that kept everyone on their toes! The dressage started well for the novice teams, with some good scores from lots of new combinations.

Meon Gold (diggers) had julia Batho, Anne Evans, Chrissie Hughes and myslef - so was a real combination of young horses. Meon Black had Carol Alford, Selina Garsten, Cait Hearne and Ony Rogers, who were a little more experienced.

Meon Intermediate had Helen Vernon, Becky Sporne, Kirsty Bright and Myself with Harmony - so we were quite an experienced team.

Thanks to Rena and Sue and all supporters They stayed right up until the end and made the day run smoothly! We got home at 11pm! Dad was chief photographer and didn't get everyone! Lots more images - below are a selection!

Show Jumping

The show Jumping was on a smallish arena, with a rather unspectacular course, and deep going. The jumps were gappy, the turns were tight and faults were evenly spread. Clears went to Carol, Helen, Becky, Ony and Julia, with everyone else having an unlucky pole or two- sorry if I forgot to mention you!

Dressage

Meon went rather well in the dressage - I won't list scores, but severeal people were around the 30 mark.

Unfortunately we lost Kirsty at the dressage stage, due to a technical misunderstanding.

After the dressage, there was everything to play for, with special well dones going to Carol, Julia, Helen, Ony and Myself! Forgive me if I forget any up and coming stars!

Results!

Meon Gold (diggers) won the team event and qualified for Offchurch. Meon Black followed in a close third, and could easily have won, were it not for a slight mishap at the end. Julia was 4th, Ony 5th I think and Smurph and I 6th. Meon intermediate also won and qualified with me and Harmony 1st individual and Helen 3rd Individual.

Cross country

This was running rather late! Meon Gold were first to set off, with Chrissie setting the standard with a spectaular clear, and dismissing any fears we had about the difficulty of the course. It was actually very up to height and quite technical. I was next with Smurph, who only ever having been cross country once before, was not looking hopeful! He however soon proved his worth and set off at a good hunting gallop, taking everything in his stride! No one was more shocked than me, when we arrived clear across the finish line with no time penalties! Anne went next and characteristically did a wonderful clear, as did Julia on her lovely young horse. Meon Black team was in a very strong position when they set off. A clear from Selina, and Ony was followed by a rather unfortunate mishap from Cait right at the end when she had been going so well. Carol was held up in the aftermarth of this and unfortunately had a rather tricky jump to restart on. Nevertheless, we put in an amazing performance! The intermediates followed soon after, on another technical course. Harmony was a star and went well, apart from nearly sllipping up on a corner. she finished within the time. Helen and Becky went really well too and came home looking full of running. Unfortunately they had a few time faults which could have been disputed, but in the end there proved to be no need!