Nouse.co.uk » Equestrian team tops table going into final Regionals qualifier

Equestrian team tops table going into final Regionals qualifier

February 26, 2009
Dan Hyde

Photo: Gemma Johnson

York’s Equestrian ‘A’ team completed a very successful home competive fixture against Teeside and Sunderland last week to leave them top of their table going into the final qualifying round for the northern Regionals.

The competition, comprising of both dressage and show jumping phases, sees a member of each team riding the same horse in order to determine the skill of each competitor. Each rider rides a set sequence of movements (called a test) and jumps a round of show jumps on a separate horse. The best ride is given 0 penalties with the other riders’ peformances calculated accordingly to give final scores. The team with the least penalites at the end of the competition wins, and individuals are also ranked separately, so that if a team does not qualify for Regionals, an individual rider may do so.

York have been placed in a difficult league this year, with Sunderland and Teesside strong competitors, and after a sterling performance at the Teesside venue left York in second place on only 7 penalties, they were well placed going into their crucial home fixture.

The day started well for York with Nina Sandhaus taking on a difficult horse and completing an accurate test. Becca Harris, again, riding a difficult horse, and Ellie Pendred sured up the scoreboard for York in two superb tests. Their accuracy, consitency and effective use of the aids used to make the horses perform each movement had them placed above their fellow riders after the first three of four team members had competed. Last up was team captain Toni Newman who excelled in her test, riding a horse who has in the past caused problems, and was rewarded with the highest dressage mark out of all the riders.

After the dressage phase, York lead with 0 penalties, Teesside registered 36, and Sunderland held up the rear on 69. York needed a clear run in the show jumping to retain the top position and, although a few thrills and spills from members of the other teams showed the difficulty of the challenge, York preserved a collective calm and all riders went clear. As a team York recieved a superb second ‘0′ for their jumping round.

Riding Club President, Gemma Johnson said after the tie: “the team’s advantage came from training at least twice a week, which is a huge financial commitment, and perservering on some difficult horses. The huge difference in score is a testiment to the team’s dedication.”

York must now be placed first in their next competition for the team to go through to the Regional round, something which has not been achieved for two years.

Meanwhile, York’s ‘B’ team fought hard for a deserved win at their away competition in Sheffield on Friday 20 February, finishing on 0 penalties, Sheffield on 2 and Leeds on 34. The ‘B’ team has qualified for both its Regionals and Nationals twice previously, being placed 6th nationally out of 54 teams last year, but the standard of the teams is very close this time around and York will need another strong showing in their home match this Thursday.