Cumberland News

Eventing fans have a muddy good time

By Gillian Fraser

Last updated 10:38, Friday, 10 October 2008

Eventing fans had an extremely muddy time of it at the weekend - Witton Castle and Coniston Hall at Skipton both decided to hold their scheduled events despite very difficult conditions.

Success: Richard Nichol, pictured riding Bija, won the Open Class at Skipton on Medicinal Purpose

The writing was well and truly on the wall for Witton competitors when they had to be towed onto the field.

So it was probably no surprise when the organisers pulled the plug after day one, deciding ground conditions just weren’t safe enough to allow the scheduled Sunday classes to go ahead.

As it was many of those who took part on the Saturday had to wait several hours for their turn to be towed off by the team of tractors.

But most agreed they were grateful the event had been run at all, given all the other disappointments of the season.

Richard Nichol’s successful run with the eye-catching Medicinal Purpose continued at Skipton, where the pair won the Open class. Richard’s understandably delighted with the horse’s progress this year.

‘He’s been absolutely flying,’ Richard says. ‘I swear he could do the whole thing himself, he just needs someone to point him in the right direction!’

Richard also took a third in the Pre-Novice with Jane Lancaster’s Colourful Life, in conditions he described as extremely difficult and very soft going.

Over at Witton Castle, Ruth Edge won a Novice section with Elite Opposition, and Jennifer Pearson took ninth in the same section with Newmarket Cruise. Angela Binns and Ryehill were also delighted to finish in 11th place in the Novice after battling the very sticky conditions.

The Horse of the Year Show is now underway - and a number of top Cumbrian riders are taking part after qualifying earlier in the year.

At the time of writing, most still had their classes ahead of them - but Lockerbie based carriage driving star Amanda Saville had already been in competition.

Never loath to tackle a new challenge, Amanda was competing in the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship Warm-Up class, taking 10th place in a time of 61.07 with Mac and Munch, and 20th with Neeps and Tatties in a time of 68.86.

Local equestrian venues are now beginning their indoor winter point series - bidding a not so fond farewell to the summer that never was.

And finally, congratulations to the Caldew Riding Club members who raised a whopping eight hundred pounds for the Air Ambulance appeal with a sponsored ride in May.

RESULTS

Greenlands Junior Show

Saturday 4th October

70cms: 1, Kim Birkett - Solway Starlight; 2, Alexander Edney - Gwethryn Ladiddu.

80cms Welcome Stakes: 1, Alexander Edney - Gwethryn Ladiddu; 2, Annabel Watson - Drummond King; 3, Kim Birkett - Solway Starlight.

British Novice: 1, Richard Andrew - Poppy Silver Warrior; 2, Sally Gardner - Pebbly Grey Fox; 3, Millie Holder - Millcroft Scallywag.

Discovery/90cm Open: 1, Emma Watson - Simply Searra II; 2, Lauren Kelly - It’s Funtime Frankie; 3, Emma Dugdale - KC Sweet Cherry Pie.

Newcomers/1.00m Open: 1, Michelle Byrne - Bacardi II; 2, Emma Dugdale - KC Sweet Cherry Pie.

1.05m Open: 1, Helena Pedrosa - Kind Of Magic.

Foxhunter/1.10m Open: 1, Melissa Mc Carron - KEC Bustino Clover.

DIARY DATES

CARLISLE RACES