News

News of our members:

Claire Matheson writes: ‘I thought that you may be interested to hear that, with The Tussler, I've been selected to join the training squad for the 2009 European CIC** Team Eventing Championships in the Netherlands. This used to be called Rural Riders & is for Riding Club members. The training is at Boomerang.’

Well done, Claire!

Tiggi Bentley and Beltyne Wilfred Owen had an exhausting time at the Winter Championships. As Owen is turned out at night and had never been in a strange stable, Tiggi decided to travel him to Hartpury each day, but unfortunately the plan did not pay off. He was a total star in his first class on the Thursday, placing 4th in the Open Elementary Freestyle with a score of 71.6% and winning the award for the highest-placed British-bred horse, but found the two successive days increasingly stressful and performed far below his capacity. Tiggi and her groom also found the travelling quite shattering, and, should the occasion arise again, will be booking a stable next time!

BRC Winter Team Dressage Championship

Hartpury was crammed full of horseboxes on April 5th for the combined SJ and dressage final, and finding our team members was a real problem! I’ve never done so much walking at a dressage show (I felt I’d walked at least one cross-country course!) and will make sure I have everyone’s mobile number with me in future. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable day, despite the weather which ranged from warm sunshine to extreme cold with ominous grey clouds and scattered rain – portent of the snow which arrived next day.

One of the nicest aspects of BRC competitions is watching such a wide range of horses, from tiny natives through ‘real’ dressage warm-bloods to Shire crosses, all performing well in the arena, and indeed it was the New Forest RC on their forest ponies who won the day. Our team met with mixed fortune, placing 11th out of the twenty teams, but all enjoyed the excitement of competing and all come back with at least a beautiful commemorative rosette!

Sally-Anne Barton and Blakes Thicket were our stars on the day, producing an accurate, flowing test to score 70.40% for third place in Prelim 12. Windrushweirs Celosia found the surroundings rather distracting, but Sheena Grierson’s professional riding coaxed her to 70.36% in Novice 27 for 10th place. Lizzie Hamilton (Manhal’s Diamond) and Claire Nicholl (Nolton Cedar) coped very well under difficult circumstances – Fred refused to settle, while Cedar could have done with a dose of his energy!

Test times were close enough that the team was able to get together at the end for a post-mortem and celebration before the journey home. We agreed that this competition is a good addition to the BRC range, but that ideally it should be divided into novice and open sections, as the summer team competitions are, to cater for the wide range of horses and riders involved.
Hala Bentley

YES – WE DO LEAVE THE GROUND!

Lindsey Stribling reports on a new Isis venture:
‘Back in February, Sheena Grierson, Vicki Randall and I ventured forth as a team of three to participate in the BRC Novice Indoor Show Jumping Qualifier, held at Hartpury. As Isis Dressage members, we all compete at dressage, but also at show-jumping and eventing. So, having the opportunity to do RC events other than dressage is something that we are really keen on. We were unable to find a fourth team member at short-notice, so the three of us arrived at Hartpury to be greeted on collecting our bibs etc by a friendly "a dressage group doing jumping? - well done!"

Sheena was riding Anne Luce's youngster - Windrushweirs Celosia (Fleur), who has only just started jumping and this was only about her third competition, with Vicki on her own Solomon Grundy and I took my horse, The Proper Charlie, who I event at Intro level.

We all had a mixed first round, but improved for the second, with both Fleur and Charlie going clear and Solomon having one or two down. More importantly, we all thoroughly enjoyed the day which gave the horses competition experience early on in the year and got us revved up for doing more.

Next on the agenda was the RC Hunter Trials Qualifier at Crown Farm, on Saturday 19 April. Fleur and Solomon are not quite ready for cross-country work yet, and again, we struggled to find other Isis members to make up a team. Not to be deterred by this, Janine Robertson and I entered as individuals. Janine has just started BE Intro this year, so this was also a useful run for her.

The weather was not particularly friendly on the day, but, a good course and Charlie did a really lovely round - except that we did part company temporarily after fence 8. Having re-mounted, and none the worse for wear, we continued to complete the course, jumping the remaining fences equally well and would have been well placed without the mishap. Janine's mare, Millie B Magic, had not encountered banks before, and unfortunately, this was their undoing at fence 3. However, this did enable the pair to get this particular obstacle well and truly nailed by heading off for a schooling session in the afternoon, ahead of Milton Keynes Intro on Wednesday 23 April - at which they finished 7th, with a brilliant clear XC round.

So, although we haven't qualified in any other areas - YET, I think our experiences so far really do show that it can be of great benefit to venture outside of the dressage arena - and perhaps equally importantly, good fun!

The next event is the One Day Event which is held at Broadway on 15th – 16th June - it would be great if we could send a team to this. If anyone else would like to participate in this or any other of the non-dressage competitions, please contact Anne Luce on 07887 565373.’

Beltyne Wilfred Owen qualifies for the Winter Championships

Congratulations to Tiggi Bentley and Beltyne Wilfred Owen who have qualified for the Winter Championships at Hartpury on April 20th – 23rd in three classes. Owen was a good boy, taking the stress of the Regionals in his stride for the first time. He placed 4th with 69.86% in the Elementary Freestyle, 2nd with 69.79% in the Medium Freestyle, and 3rd with 70.00% in the Elementary Open Championship. Not to be totally outdone, Beltyne Jacaranda came home with a rosette too, placing 9th in the PSG Freestyle.

Isis Team wins BRC Area 18 Winter Team Dressage Qualifier

Isis won an amazing victory in this new BRC competition, held at an outstanding new venue, Home Farm EC, Cheltenham, on February 17th. There were 36 teams competing, forcing the organizers to run the qualifier over two days, with tests continuing till nearly 9 pm. Our fourth rider, Claire Nicholl, was unable to manage the very late time she was allotted, so Isis fielded a team of three, with no score to discard.

Our Prelim pairs, Sally-Anne Barton and Blakes Thicket, followed by Lizi Hamilton and Manhal’s Diamond, put in great performances to come 2nd and 3rd respectively in their Prelim 12 classes, giving Isis 5 points. The leading team from Saturday had scored 7 points, but, as they had four riders, would beat Isis if we ended on the same score. This meant that Sheena Grierson and Anne Luce’s Windrushweirs Celosia had to win their Novice 27 class – second place wouldn’t do – if Isis were to come out on top. Needless to say, I didn’t tell Sheena this until after she had ridden a super test, though she has such good competition nerves that it probably wouldn’t have mattered! Her win left Isis on an unbeatable 6 points, though we could not wait to confirm the result as night fell and the competition continued!

The final will be at Hartpury on Saturday, April 5th. Do come and support your team - it will be a big day, as the NAF Five Star Winter Championships also includes the BRC show jumping final

The Equitech Fun Freestyle Challenge Final

Having won the qualifier for this new competition back in July ’07, we had almost forgotten all about it when we eventually received details of the final, which was held on Sunday March 2nd in the superb new indoor school at Hartpury College. As Sarah Morgan, overall winner at the qualifier, is expecting a baby very soon, a new third team member was needed. Initially Sheena Grierson and Windrushweirs Celosia were invited to fill the place, until at the last minute I realised that Sheena is in too high a BD rider group to be eligible. Karon Whenmouth and Lady Grey very kindly agreed at the eleventh hour to step into the breech, joining Sally-Anne Barton (Blakes Thicket) and Caroline Ogden (Akbar II).

We had a lovely day at Hartpury. The weather was pleasantly sunny, our times were very civilised, and a small but enthusiastic band of Isis supporters came to cheer the team on. Those who hadn’t been to Hartpury before were astounded, but not overwhelmed, by the magnificence of the surroundings!

All three members of the team performed superbly, although poor Caroline was mortified for a time by her mark until the steward apologetically corrected it on the score board…

Team scores were: Sally-Anne 66.67%, Caroline 69.17% (7th place) and Karen 65%, placing the Isis team in a very close 4th position out of the 12 finalist teams.

Well done to you all – our competitive season has got off to a great start!

Exciting new sponsor - prizes for highest percentage in all classes

LearnDressageTests have very generously offered us sponsorship at our shows in 2008, they will be awarding one of their fabulous CDs to the highest percentage in each of our classes.

'LearnDressageTests bring you all the 2008 British Dressage tests on CD, at Preliminary, Novice, Elementary and Medium levels.'

'LearnDressageTests CDs are the easiest way to learn and practice dressage tests. Each test is recorded at spoken speed for learning and at ridden speed for practice.'

Click here to check out their website!

British Dressage - New Rules and tests to be used in 2008

The new rules we mentioned in the July newsletter came into force on December 1st. The grading bands are now: Prelim 49 points, Novice 124 points, Elementary 199 points, Medium 299 points, and Advanced Medium 374 points. If you have gained fewer than 14 points at a higher level, you may request to be re-instated as a Restricted rider at the lower level, but must still ride in the Winter Regionals as an Open rider if you qualified in the Open section.


Tests to be used in 2008

Introductory level
Introductory A 2008 (short)

Prelim
No 1 (2006) short, No 4 (2002) short, No 7 (2002) short, No 10 (2002) short, No 12 (2005) short, No13 (2006) short, No 14 (2006) short, No 15 (2008) long, No 17 (2002) long, No 18 (2002) short, No 19 (2008) long

Novice
No 20 (2007) short, No 22 (2007) long, No 25 (2005) short, No 26 (2006) short, No 27 (2007) short, No 28 (2008) short, No 30 (2006) short, No 32 (2002) short, No 33 (2002) long, No 36 (2002) short, No 37 (2007) long, No 38 (2005) long,

Elementary
No 42 (2008) short, No 43 (2006) long, No 44 (2002) short, No 48 (2007) long, No 50 (2007) short, No 53 (2007) long, No 57 (2007) long, No 58 (2004) long

Medium
No 61 (2002) long, No 63 (2002) short, No 64 (2006) long, No 69 (2005) long, No 71 (2002) short, No 73 (2007) long, No 75 (2002) long

Advanced Medium
No 84 (2008) short, No 86 (2002) long, No 93 (2004) short, No 94 (2002) long, No 98 (2002) long

Advanced (long)
No 100 (2002), No 104 (2007), No 106 (2002)

FEI Tests (long)
PSG (2000), Inter I (2002), Inter II (2001), Grand Prix (2003), Grand Prix Special (2003)

Yvonne Castellano

I’m sure many of you will join with me in saying a big “Thank You” to Yvonne Castellano for her hard work over the years as a member of the Isis Committee. Yvonne is standing down at the end of the 2007 to take a well-deserved break and to look after her own health and her family.

Yvonne joined the Committee in 2003 and initially took on the onerous role of Membership Secretary; subsequently she took over the role of Training Officer for the club. She has been a regular helper at our shows and always prepared to take on any task at the last minute – stewarding, car park, writing for judges – and never without a willing smile and cheerful manner. Many of us will remember her brilliant catering at events – cooking up delicious bacon rolls all day long to keep competitors and organisers going! She has also laid on some wonderful spreads for our AGM’s in Long Hanborough village hall – delicious food, frequently home-cooked, and all presented with Yvonne’s calm efficiency.

In the last few years, Yvonne has not had a horse on which to compete but it has not deterred her from supporting the club in other ways. However, her donation of the Bryngelli Glenys Trophy for the Preliminary Restricted League, in memory of her late horse, was a particularly generous gift which the lucky winners will treasure every year.

As many of you may know, Yvonne has suffered with poor health recently, and it is to her credit that she has stayed on the Isis Committee throughout. However, she is now planning to take some more time for herself and we all wish her the very best with this. I am delighted that she is planning to remain a non-riding member of Isis and I know that all of us hope to see her at our events during 2008.

Thanks from Jane Higgins

The following message comes from Jane Higgins, following a presentation made to her at the Music Demo, in thanks for her hard work as Hon. Secretary on the Isis Committee. She was given a set of travel boots and a personalised Thermatex rug for her horse Quinn, and everyone wished them both well for the future.

Quelle Surpris! No one who does a voluntary job goes into it for recognition or reward, but when there is some, it is always very much appreciated.
Imagine my surprise when I was presented with the most fantastic “thank you” present for having been Isis Secretary for five-and-a-half-years.

I had had a number of lovely thank you’s emailed to me when I stepped down in the Autumn, but I had no idea that that naughty Chairman of ours, Jane McWilliam had organised a collection. Or that Caroline Ogden and Lorna George had been a wee bit sneaky about getting me some much needed travel boots and a fabulous blue thermatex rug with red binding – how did they know the right size? To have my initials embroidered on the rug makes it look frighteningly professional! Heavens, people will expect us to know what we are doing!

Some of the cash left over will buy my new boy, Quinn, some white bandages, and the rest will get him a plentiful supply of Xtra Strong Triple Strength Trebor mints, of which he is rather fond, though he may have to share those with his Maiden Aunt, Poppy, who has done a first rate job of keeping him in order and showing him how to behave if he wants to get round me.

So I should just like to say how much I appreciated everyone’s contributions, emails and letters, and I’m really looking forward to being just a member!

Kindest regards
Jane Higgins

Success for Isis at BRC Dressage to Music Final, Addington - 7thOctober

Three Isis members had qualified this year and all three rode super tests to lovely music. This year the Novice class was divided into two sections, one for horses without BD points and the other for horses with under 75 points. Sarah Morgan and Small Fortune placed a close 3rd in the ‘with points’ section, riding to a Herb Alpert selection, but in the other Novice section Sally-Anne Barton and Blakes Thicket failed to please the judges on this occasion with a floor-plan and big band music which has scored high marks in the past. If you are a freestyle competitor, you know that this can sometimes happen!

Pam Walker and Thompson, who had placed 3rd at Novice level in the past, performed superbly to win the Elementary competition with their TV and film music compilation. Thompson’s canter work was stunning, and it was worth the long wait for Pam, who went early in the class, as the judges found no one to beat the pair! There is an attractive picture of Pam and Thompson on page 67 of Horse and Hound, 18th October, and the text reads: ‘Another closely-fought competition took place in the senior elementary section, with Pamela Walker and Thompson (Isis Dressage) taking the title by two points from Horsham’s Marilynn Turner on Copperfield Graffiti. “I qualified second from my area so I didn’t think I had a chance of winning today,” said Pamela, a farmer’s wife from Burford. Her 15-year-old liver chestnut was caught in the floods earlier in the year and developed stress colic as a result. “He’s had a hard summer one way and another and is quite tired out, so I’m over the moon with this result. It’s a great way to finish the season and he and I can have a rest now,” she added.’

Pam and Thompson certainly deserved their win.

New Logo

We are very grateful to Lis Hollander, Managing Director of H4 (Marketing Agency) for designing and sponsoring our wonderful new Logo. Lis’s company provides design services for Vodafone and Mercedes Benz, so we were very fortunate to get her services. There is a link to her company on our 'useful links' page.

It is wonderful to have such a strong and stylish image to carry our group forward, inspiring a strong and stylish future for us all!

Below is a picture of Lis on her beautiful black horse 'JJ' at the Gainfield Equestrian Centre Championships. Lis was runner up to another Isis member, Sally Anne Barton on Blakes Thicket, in both the Preliminary (section 2) and the Novice Championship.

Well done to several other Isis members who were placed at these Championships, the full results can be found on their site.

Summer Regional Finals at Addington

Our congratulations go to the Isis members who qualified for the Summer Regional finals at Addington: Victoria Smith, Tiggy Bentley, Amanda Irving, Patrick Sear and Caroline Ogden (pictured below warming up before her test)

British Riding Club National Championships

And further good news, Isis (represented by Pam Walker, Sarah Morgan, Sally-Ann Barton and Sheena Grierson) came 5th at the British Riding Club National Championships, held in Lincoln a few weekends ago. It was no mean feat and you’ll undoubtedly hear about their adventures and exploits in the next Newsletter which will come out towards the end of the month.

Does anyone have a photo we could put here?

Hickstead Dressage Masters Elementary Championship

Congratulations to Tiggi Bentley and Beltyne Wilfred Owen who have qualified for the Hickstead Dressage Masters Elementary Championship during the Nations Cup meeting at Hickstead, July 23rd to 29th. Owen enjoyed a very successful week recently, winning Elementary 43 and the Elementary Freestyle at Moulton College on June 24th, followed four days later by winning Elementary 48 with 73.44% at Addington’s Hickstead regional qualifier.

Equitech Freestyle Qualifier - 1st July

The Area 18 qualifier for a brand-new team music competition, the Equitech Software Fun Freestyle Challenge, took place at Kyre Equestrian Centre, Shropshire, on July 1st. Five brave riders accompanied by two partners, the team manager and a dog, defied an appalling weather forecast and ventured forth to Tenbury Wells – a beautiful but decidedly remote part of the country, and about as far north west as Area 18 stretches. In the event, the day was warm and sunny, with a pleasant breeze, and the only rain we saw was a brief downpour near Worcester during our journey westwards, though we returned to a very wet Oxfordshire later.

The Kyre Summer Dressage Festival included six music classes, and three of our competitors – Sally-Anne Barton, Penny Gill and Caroline Ogden – opted to contest the Novice Restricted class as a warm-up to the main event. This seemed like a good idea when we saw how spooky the indoor school was, with its recessed judge’s box, three mirrors and piles of jump wings! Fortunately, the three horses coped well and we swept the board in a large class; Sally-Anne and Blakes Thicket won with a big band swing compilation, with Caroline and Akbar second, and Penny and Mr Chips third.

The Equitech Challenge was the final class, and included individuals as well as teams. All five Isis riders performed splendidly and those who had ridden earlier improved on their marks. Our team romped home to victory, well clear of the second team, Shropshire South Riding Club, with Sarah Morgan and Small Fortune, performing to music by James Last, scoring top marks in the individual competition, while Sally-Anne placed second and Caroline third. Linda Sammons and her striking traditional coloured cob, Toby, placed sixth, and her appropriate Irish medley was appreciated by the spectators.

It was particularly pleasing that three of our riders – Caroline Ogden, Penny Gill and Linda Sammons – were competing to music for the first time.

Isis have qualified for the team and individual finals, which will presumably be held in the Spring of ’08 as qualifiers must be held before December 31st – but the venue is not specified. We are hoping it will be a little nearer to home than our qualifier!

Central Horse News Stylish rider prize 2005

Tor Smith, Isis Member, on Margh Galliano sporting the Quattro saddle and Regent boots which she won as part of the Central Horse News Stylish rider prize in 2005. Isis Dressage Group is featuring the CHN Stylish rider qualifiers for Seniors and Juniors at its July Dressage Festival. Click the link to the left for more detail.