Sunday 24th August 2025
We would like to thank all of you who competed with us today at Speedgate Farm. The sun was shining for all 36 partnerships who headed down the centre line. Marion Hollands was our judge for all classes, huge thanks to Marion for her time today and for providing a lot of great feedback and comments to our competitors.
First down the centre line was Mark Powell on his new boy Sully. A lovely Clydesdale cross who he has owned since March. This was their first venture out at affiliated dressage, they pulled off a win in the Prelim 4 class. Mark was joined by his daughter Lizzie, who brought out her lovely Connemara. Lizzie said, having not ventured into the school in a fair few months she thought she would join her dad out competing and ended up with two novice area festival scores for the winter qualification period.
Prelim 5 was won by Scarlet Barwell and the lovely grey “The Bare Necessities” who has only been back in the boards since the beginning of August after a bit of time off. Scarlet scored a fantastic 68% plus in the Prelim and the Novice 5 – well done to you!
The Novice classes were hotly contended and our biggest classes of the day which saw Catherine Brindley and Deerleap I join the 70% club in both Novice classes, winning Novice 6, what an attractive harmonious partnership they are. Claire Gillanders also got into the 70% club with a win in Novice 5. I managed to catch Claire after her class who told me it was her first competition in over a year with Casado, her big orange boy. A yard move at the end of June and a change of trainer have dramatically changed for the better, with Casado going the best he has gone for a long time.
Also, out in the Novice classes was the yard manager of Speedgate Orchard Yard, Abi Moore, on her liveries Carole and Danny Davies horse Rocky. Abi and Rocky have qualified for the National Championship in Prelim Silver and we wish them lots of luck.
We were lucky to have some music competitors today with local instructor, Julia Buckle, out on her lovely boy Don Fernando. Don Fernando was diagnosed with arthritis in his stifles in December 2024, he has since been rehabbed and this was his second time out in over a year. Julia said her aim was to start and finish! she achieved that and more with a 68.89% test in the Freestyle Novice Class.
Winner of both Elementary classes was Sophie Young and Ridgesales Chocoholic, who is a 23 year old New Forest Pony. Sophie has had a bit of time out of the ring after having her son and this was only her second time out after a 4 year break, managing to get scores for the Cavago Associated Champs. Good luck to you!
Just one Medium straight class today. This was won by Alice Finch with Lissyegan Junior Guy on 65.94% starting her winter qualifications strongly. This was Alices first visit to Speedgate and we hope to see this lovely partnership again soon.
And finally, our last competitor of the day was ex-eventer Rowena Gilbert on her very lovely 7yo Hanoverian Finest Frank, who competed in the Medium and Advanced Medium music classes. Rowena was extremely pleased with her results which meant she has now qualified nice and early for winter regionals and could now take a well-earned break with her husband to the Lakes (and leave the horses at home!) Frank has only just started his changes but is showing a real talent for these and the more advanced movements. Rowena said her music for advanced medium was a bit marmite, using an acapella band called the Kings Singers. We thought it was quirky and different and really suited her horse.
It was heartening to see so many smiling faces, proud partnerships and well-deserved rosettes. Each class told its own story of perseverance, training and those special moments that makes dressage so rewarding!
We hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did and that you’ll join us for our future competitions.
Full results can be found on Horse Monkey. Photographs taken on the day can be purchased via neillennonphotography.com.
Our full diary of events can be found on our website www.speedgate.co.uk