Teams from around the country gathered at Keysoe College Equestrian Centre this weekend (29 – 30 June) for the 2013 BYRDS Inter-Regional competition.
North West team ‘Salinero’ (pictured right) took the title, on a score of 21 points, breaking a three year run for the Northern Region who had topped the leader board from 2010 – 2012.
In second place were Central team ‘Gucci’ on 26 points followed by third placed Welsh team ‘Teifi’ who finished with 31 points.
The winning team was made up of four combinations; Jess Viney and Sheepcote Well to Do, Will Blackshaw and An Absolute Snip, Maddie Whelan on Mighty Max II, and Emma Neil with Sheepcote Romeo.
Each rider was selected at their relevant Squad level (A, B, C or Fledgling) and the dressage tests were marked on their position, effectiveness, influence and accuracy.
The C Squad classes were split into three sections according to the rider’s age; Junior, Intermediate and Young Rider.
Riders rode one test each day in their relevant section. Total individual points were then calculated by adding together the two scores. Team rankings were calculated from the combined point scores for the three best competitors within a team. 1st place = 1 point, so the lower the overall score, the higher the ranking for a team.
Regional Development Officer for the North West, Lou Jones said; “We are truly proud of the whole NW Squad this weekend, their team spirit, attitude and riding lived up to our motto of ‘performance is the key’ and we are delighted that once again a NW team has secured the title.
“We have a strong regional structure for training, a committee who work really hard all year to give all our members the opportunity to take part in regional activities and weekends such as this one make the hard work worth it.
“Throughout the weekend I was impressed by the standard of riding from all the BYRDS riders from every region. The competition, with its unique focus on the rider tests, has really helped to improve the standard of riding of all our under 25’s and it was lovely to see how each region, rode well, supported each other and helped develop a supportive atmosphere for all.
“On what we saw this weekend the future of our sport is in really good hands. A special thanks must go to Moira Lafferty (NW BYRDS Rep) and all of her support team for their hard work and dedication to our NW BYRDS.”
Nine riders with the highest scores from the A squad competition are now invited to compete at the prestigious Hartpury CDI3* event on Saturday 6 July 2013. The top three riders from that class will then go on to compete in an exciting ‘ride off’ during the gala evening celebrations.
Those riders will be; Samantha Gualtieri, Shannon Rule, Ellie Jolleys, Holly Colgate-Hardaway, Katie Knight, Jess Viney, Amy Blount, Joe Bright and Harriet Gray.
If you are aged between 6-25 years and would like to get involved with BYRDS, please take a look at our BYRDS page to find out more or visit your regional pages for details of BYRDS training events.
Team Results:
1st Salinero (North West) 21 points
2nd Gucci (Central) 26 points
3rd Teifi (Wales) 31 points
Squad A Results
1st Samantha Gualtieri and Shiraz II, Beijing team (Northern) 123.1 points
2nd Shannon Rule and Disco Diamond, Gucci team (Central) 119.8 points
3rd Ellie Jolleys and D.P.U.K Boo 2u2, Gigolo team (North West) 118.8 points
Squad B Results
1st Emma Wood and Achilles, Gucci team (Central) 132.3 points
2nd Georgina Jackson and Simply Blue, Violet team (Northern) 123.6 points
3rd (joint) Emily Hedger and O'Donner, Indigo team (Northern) 122.4 points
3rd (joint) Georgina Herbert and Megastar, Teifi team (Wales) 122.4 points
Squad C Junior section Results
1st Maddie Whelan and Mighty Max II, Salinero team (North West) 129.3 points
2nd Poppy Padley and S.O.S Kantjes Unicolor, Sandy Bay team (South West) 125.6 points
3rd Olivia Hoyland and Crystal, Kynace Cove team (South West) 124.7 points
Squad C Intermediate section Results
1st Danielle Balson and Reset Sir Lancelot, Smugglers Cove team (South West) 118.5 points
2nd Geneva Low and Strinsdale Romeo, Violet team (Northern) 115.1 points
3rd Lydia Graham and Pepperland Phoenix, Gucci team (Central) 113 points
Squad C Young Rider section Results
1st Rosie Tully and Rooster, Gigolo team (North West) 109.6 points
Fledgling Results
1st Milly Moncreiff and DST Dont Panic, Purple team (Northern) 128.3 points
2nd Emma Neil and Sheepcote Romeo, Salinero team (North West) 127.2 points
3rd Gemma Owen and Daphne II, Twyi team (Wales) 125.5 points