Phew! It’s been a busy Summer of fun for the Checkendon Equestrian Centre liveries – from dressage to galloping to strutting-their-stuff in the show ring. Let’s take look at what they have been up to …
July Dressage at Checkendon
It was a well deserved Checkendon first & third for Alexia with Ash and Annabel with Carob in the Intro C at the beginning of July. Both girls worked hard to prepare the ponies and rode brilliant tests.
Lucy Goes Galloping at Kingsclere
Lucy reports:
Cassie and I went to Kingsclere gallops with the Woodland Pony Club. We had a tour of the stables, which has its own horse treadmill, swimming pool and vet box.
We then had a tutorial on race position on the simulator horses. I didn’t have a go as I still needed my legs to work to actually ride! On the simulator horses, even the trained jockeys get tired after a few minutes. It’s that hard work.
Then we were taken to the start of the track – going up in small groups. I expected Cassie to go a bit faster but the hill definitely did him in. Especially after some serious rearing on the way down! (To which even the owner said that was one of the biggest rears he’d seen). I stayed on, which I think was the main achievement and it was an interesting thing to try.
Hall Place Annual Show
Ash and Elvis became ‘horsebox buddies’ for the day as they set off for the Hall Place Annual Show. We can only wonder what Elvis made of the small bossy grey pony standing in the usual place of his best friend Harry!
It was a blistering day, with tweed jackets swifty discarded. Sadly no luck for Alexia in the Junior Handler class this time, but the very handsome Elvis came away with a well deserved 2nd place in the Ridden Coloured class!
The Ewelme Horse & Fun Dog Show
It was something of a ‘grand day out’ for Team Checkendon at the ever popular Ewelme Show with trophies and rosettes all round! Ash and Alexia returned with a jaw-dropping three trophies – Best Turned Out, Handsomest Gelding and Best Decorated Mane, Tail & Toes. Plus 2nd place in the First Ridden and 4th in the Young Handler classes. Thanks must go to farrier Matt Seabourne for making those toes twinkle!
Pea and Jemma took 4th place in the Novice Jumping and 3rd in Best Turned Out. Caroline and Marley took 2nd in Handsomest Gelding and 4th in the Ridden Veteran class with the special award going to the oldest horse & rider combination!
Nevis with Isabel scooped 4th place in Handsomest Gelding for an impressive Team Checkendon 1-2-4. Clearly Checkendon has the Handsomest Geldings for miles around!
Huge thanks must go to everyone at Team Checkendon who drove, plaited, helped and supported to make this a wonderful day to remember.
Dressage at Wellington
Cara and Harry ventured out in the Purple Pony Waggon for their first dressage away from home, and their first on grass at Wellington Riding.
They produced great tests to take 2nd place in the Prelim with 66.9% and 5th in the Novice with 66.61% plus won a bucket of goodies to bring home! Where next Cara?!
The Henley Show
Another chilly early start took Allison and Elvis, and Juliet and Porche to The Henley Show for the frst time, and a ‘step up’ in their showing journey. The classes were very competitive with good entries.
Elvis placed 6th in the Ridden Coloured class and 4th in the Riding Horse Class. Porche may be semi-retired from showjumping but she has a promising future in the show ring, placing 6th in both Riding Horse and the Ridden Veteran classes.
Jemma's Eventer's Challenge at Hickstead
Jemma and Pea travelled to the Hickstead All England Show Ground having qualified to take part in the Eventer’s Challenge Sunshine Tour National Championships 2019.
Jemma says, “Pea was an absolute star and a super chilled pony all weekend, despite it being incredibly busy with lots going on. She jumped so well and took everything in her stride.” Well done to both, what an amazing experience!