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Show Jumping Report from Candy Robbins

I am very grateful to Candy Robbins for submitting the following end of year report which starts with news of some brilliant success in the recent East Sussex Inter-branch competition at Golden Cross.  Well done everyone and a special thank you to all our organisers

The Branch entered 7 teams at the East Sussex Pony Club Interbranch jumping competition held at Golden Cross on 24th November.  All classes were run as a BSJA single phase, a course jumped in 2 parts with the second part timed, and all team members automatically counted for individual placing’s too.

Entries were high and called for an 8.00 start to fit in 10 hours of jumping!  Sadly our mini mini team pulled out at the last minute so we were not represented in the team competition, but Charlotte Subedar riding Rosie came 6th!  Well done Charlotte.

In the mini class we had 2 teams;  Phoebe York – Fred, Rebecca Harvey – Hilton, Charlotte Subedar – Rosie and Abigail Johnson – Monty;    Francesca Turner – Kitty, Cerys Kelly – Freddie, Anna Currie – Parsley, Lily Taylor Martin – Forest Fire.  Although neither team was placed all made a splendid effort especially as there were many new partnerships on these teams and I am sure they will all grow from strength to strength. Individually, Hazel Perry riding Harvey came 4th to fly the flag for the branch – a little pony with a big heart!

Our small novice teams were on fire!!  The “pink” team of Jason Watson riding Scooby, Matthew Perry riding Cisco, Grace Riminton riding Deejay and Georgia Corrin riding Oopsy Daisy won the class, and the “green” team of Jasmine Pearce riding Bally Boy, Flo Evans Thomas riding Jazz, Vicky Henderson riding Amy Bay and Rhiannon Vesey Holt riding Storm came 2nd.   Vicky and Amy Bay also came 4th as individuals.  Very well done to all of you.

The Novice teams were struggling for numbers but managed to get 2 teams of 3 together. The “red” team of Kezzie Fish – Whiskey, Daniel Dickens – Charlie and Alex Irwin – Jambo came 6th and the “blue” team of Emma Robbins – Chalky, Jessica Copsey – Evie and Alice Reffin – Henry came 7th. Credible performances were had by all with just a few unlucky poles in a class that saw few clear rounds.  Vicky and Amy Bay came 2nd as individuals so a great result.

A big thankyou to all the parents that gave up their day to bring their “darlings” to the competition and for all their support.

Prior to this competition the show jumping teams had been rather quiet with no teams coming forward for the October events held by Eridge PC at Golden Cross or Cobham PC at Sands Farm.  Apart from this lull, SDHE have had a splendid year.  In August, 7 teams took part at the Southdown West Interbranch jumping held at Hickstead, always a favourite with members!  Sadly no teams were placed, but there was some great jumping and each class had 35 teams, so we were able to hold our heads high.  Hickstead is always a long day with a 7.00 course walk, so thankyou to all that came, especially to the parents for getting there at such an unsociable time.  Big thanks to all the riders ( and helpers) that gave up their last day at Junior Camp in order to represent their branch and especially for returning to camp for the prize giving when you were probably all ready for an early night (and a bottle of wine for the parents!).  You were superb role models for the other campers.

July was big competition time with the Area 11 Qualifying competition held at Felbridge, on probably the hottest day of the year and at a venue with little shade!

2 Novice teams were selected to represent the branch.

“A” Team: Emma Robbins – Charlie Chalk, Jessica Copsey – Atlanta Riva, Ben Berrill – Ready Eddie Go and Beth Giddings – Shauns Delight

“B” Team: William Gribble – Percy, Alice Reffin – Henry, Alex Medlicott – Bail Me Out and Sophie Duffield – Amber.

This event also holds a condition and turnout competition with our “A” team winning the competition out of 29 teams and for 2nd year running – a huge achievement.

The jumping started at 8.00 and finished at 7.00pm, leaving some very tired and rather tanned riders.  The event saw each team jump twice, plus a jump off over an “up to height” course.

Our “B” team finished in 11 place, just out of the ribbons and the “A” team finished 4th, qualifying for the National Championships in Cheshire during August, along with Jessica Copsey qualifying as an individual after finishing in 5th place.  Sadly due to holiday commitments the team was unable to travel to Cheshire, but Jess went along, ably assisted by Sarah Muggeridge.  Although not placed, Jess put up a great performance and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day experience.  Big thanks to Sarah for giving up her time to go to Cheshire on a bank holiday weekend.

Overall SDHE have had a great show jumping season with lots of new faces and many new partnerships coming along nicely.  For many competitions, combinations have to be rallied up (attended a minimum of 3 working rallies), so it is important to attend rallies.  The jumping practices for teams are instructed by Sarah and Angela, so that they can see combinations and choose their teams (team places are not selected at ordinary working rallies).  There can be no guarantee of team selection, but we aim to put riders who are keen to compete and who are of the required standard for the class into teams.  Sometimes we will not have an exact number for a team of 4 (or 3) or we may be limited by the host pony club to the number of teams we are allowed to send.

There are teams for all ages and sizes so all can be involved.  Our Young Ambassador, Hazel Perry is usually seen flying round the open classes on Darcy, but is equally happy to jump 12.2 Harvey in the Mini classes and thus encourage the younger members.

Points of contact for the teams are:

Mini Mini and Mini   –   Hazel Perry  01444 831209 or 07867 433565

Small Novice and Novice  – Candy Robbins  01444 415232 – 0781 6580322

Intermediate and Open – Liza Curtis 07767 782458

Look out for e-mails regarding practices (indoor and outdoor) and rallies, or by looking at the programme on our website.

Here’s to a successful 2014 show jumping, starting with our own 2 day event at Ardingly on 18th and 19th January 2014

Candy Robbins

Mike