Double delight at BHS TREC Welsh Championships
Monday, July 28, 2008
Marie Metcalf from York won her second Championship title of the year at the BHS TREC Welsh Championships, hosted by Triley Fields Equestrian Centre, near Abergavenny on 18-20 July.
Marie took the Performance Equestrian Level 2 Individual Championship on her Thoroughbred mare Ramova, having won the Scottish Championships in Lanarkshire in June. The combination led from the front in Wales, topping the challenging 20km orienteering phase run over Brecon Beacons and consolidating their lead through the Control of Paces and PTV obstacle sections. Second was Paula Scott from Great Ayton in Cleveland, with Kate Gillam (Haverfordwest) in third.
The Kent-based partnership of Julia Izzard (Jock Scotch Broth) and Claire Reynolds (Starlight Sylvester), Level 2 Pairs Champions in Scotland last month, were again unbeatable in spite of having to make a last minute horse substitution. Runners-up were Ali Large and Di Skippon, also from the South East, with Janet Brick and Gill Butler from Bridgenorth third.
The BHS is grateful to Martin Dew and his colleagues from the local constabulary for their assistance in ensuring the riders were able to safely cross the nearby main road to gain access to the best riding routes.
Winner of the Level 4 competition was Anthea Kendrick riding her coloured cob The Wing Commander (aka Jake), closely followed by Anna Weston with Caspian the Wizard. After two days of fierce competition and a stamina-testing 45km navigating route over varied terrain, including spectacular mountain paths, the two riders finished on equal points but Anthea’s higher total from the Orienteering and PTV phases gave her the verdict. David Hay-Thorburn, who had travelled from Scotland, was third with Brenfield Mhairi.
The Level 3 section saw the reigning British Champions hold their form. The Pairs title was won by father and daughter combination, Phil and Laura Weaver from Oswestry, ahead of Liane Robinson and Terri Amber, with Pauline Crossland and Theresa Nazer in third. Individual Champion was Kate McMorris from Southampton riding Seadown Magic, adding this to her 2007 British title. Second was awarded to 17-year-old Anne Bolton from Dorset and third place went to Helen Weston from Southsea.
Helen Owens, Senior Executive, BRC, Competitions and Tourism, said: “We would like to thank all the judges and volunteers who gave up their weekend to help and without whom the competition could not have run. Special thanks must go to Sharon Bruce (Traceur and local organiser), Mark Kendrick (Technical Delegate) and to all at Triley Fields Equestrian Centre for their hospitality.”
The winning team were White Horse TREC Group (Alex Wells, Paula Scott, Rachael Wilmot, Marie Metcalf) with South East Sisterhood (Ali Large, Di Skppon, Joy Taylor, Kate McMorris) second and East Meets West (Claire Reynolds, Julia Izzard, Robert Billson, Anita Thomas) in third.
