Aldon (1) Horse Trials 2008
Aldon started in 1979 & they have always said that they would only cancel because of snow. It was a close thing on Sunday morning when after the best part of 20 hours of heavy rain the Intermediate sections started. There was a delay whilst water was drained from the Dew Pond, other alterations to the running were that fences 7 & 8 were taken out & riders were allowed to circle between the a & b elements of fence 19. Sensibly the competitors were told that they were to run at Novice speed, first up was Andrew Nicholson who was just 1 second under the adjusted optimum time.
In the Novice Fence 11 a & b &12, three skinny’s on a curve accounted for quite a few riders, particularly as in the Novice sections you are now only allowed 3 refusals anywhere on the course before elimination. The arrowhead at fence 6 n the novice was also removed due to the ground conditions.
Quotes were
“ If it hadn’t been Aldon then we wouldn’t have bothered coming because it would have been cancelled ”
“ Why is it raining so much - Because you are in England !! ”
Tristram Owers was spotted on crutches at Aldon, he was predicting that he would have the plaster off in a couple of weeks. Some pigs were seen flying shortly afterwards !! I wish Tristram a speedy recovery but please make sure that you are really fit enough before you come back.
One of the fence judges was heard to enquire whether they could fence judge indoors.
Some riders had turned up at Aldon & didn’t bother to unload their horses prompting one nameless rider to say “ I don’t know what’s wrong with these wimpy riders who have withdrawn !! ”
It was all credit to the ground crew, & the volunteers, & organisers that the competition was able to go ahead at all.
Binny Bennett has written the following excellent review.
Aldon (1) 2008
Once again it was Australian Paul Tapner who took away the main prize at the 29th Church House Aldon (1) Horse Trials but on a weekend upon which most glory should fall upon the Aldon ground staff and volunteers. It would be tactless to make light of the adverse conditions (as any Cheltenham official would tell you) as that would not do justice to the cheerful hard work and thought that was put in by so many people and who kept the trials going like a well oiled machine through the wet skies and shallow ‘Glastonburyesque’ mud. Twenty hours of rain from Saturday to Sunday morning proved far too little to halt proceedings as riders, officials and volunteers gathered on Sunday for the Intermediate Sections. Precautions were taken with fences 7 and 8 omitted on the cross country course, optional alternatives given at fences 18 and 19 and the optimum time increased. In addition, the practice area for the show jumping was moved slightly to fresher ground. Credit for these crucial decisions must go to the Batten Family, British Eventing Steward Mr R Mackenzie, Technical Advisor Mr S Bere, Health & Safety Officer Mr R Pinney and the cross country, show jumping and dressage stewards Mr A R Pyke, Mrs J Letts and Ms K Martin.
All sections took place over the weekend and, for the second year in succession, it was Paul Tapner who went away with ‘The Alpin Horse’; the handsome trophy awarded to the winner of Advanced Intermediate Section S. Paul had three rides but, like last time, took the victory with his own and Mrs Jenny Waalers’s Inonothing. Last year Paul put his victory down to extra dressage training with Bettina Hoy and “no boozy holidays down under” but was pleased to report this year that he had been able to do both. Revealing his plans for Inonothing, who was having his first outing of the year, Paul said that a return to Badminton and Pau, in France, are the main aims. Talking about his other two rides in the section, Tiger Flynne and Stormhill Michael (sixth & tenth) he said that Tiger Flynne would also be entered at Badminton but failing that both would go to Saumur. Second in the section was Italian European Team Bronze Medallist Vittoria Panizzon who enjoyed a very fluent cross country round on her own Rock Model to finish on her dressage score of 33.7, three points behind Tapner. She also came 7th on King Of The Castle II.
One rider to enjoy considerable success with his many rides over the weekend was Andrew Nicholson. In addition to numerous placings, including a third in Advanced Intermediate Section S, Andrew also enjoyed two victories, in Intermediate Section P on Tristar II and in Novice Section H with Shady Grey owned by the ‘Twenty Twelve In Mind Syndicate’. In Section P Andrew beat Mr Timothy Holderness-Roddam and Mrs Jane Holderness-Roddam’s Tiger’s Eye and Alexander Peternell whose two poles down in the show jumping proved costly. Third in this section was Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa, on Gorgeous George II, who trains in England with Andrew and Bettina Hoy.
In Open Intermediate Section Q there was a popular win for Chiselborough-based Irish International Austin O’Connor and Mrs Kate Jarvey’s Pocket Rocket III. By 0.1 of a point he edged out Zara Phillips on her only ride of the day, Gleadhill House Stud Ltd’s Red Baron. Further notable success in the Intermediate sections was a well-deserved victory for Antoinette McKeowen on Mrs Dinah Murdoch’s grey gelding, Two O Two. Antoinette had already had one win on Friday with Dancing Partners & Mrs Juy Hyson’s ex racehorse Astral Dancer II on a weekend upon which she was slightly busier than usual thanks to being the rider’s representative for the trials. However, she reported that all riders were happy with the modifications that had been made to the course and, overall, were very grateful with how well the ground and well designed course were coping with the difficult conditions.
On Saturday British team Gold Medallist Daisy Dick won Intermediate–Novice Section M with Mrs Sarah Ross’s mare, Isla Blyge, thanks to a fluent cross country round in late afternoon mud. Daisy was keen to keep her mare to the smaller obstacles in a novice section and maintain her confidence before taking her off to Fontainbleu for a one-star competition where she will also take her top horse, Spring Along, for a three-star class.
Multiple entries from the International riders provided strong competition for the young and local riders in the sections, but who proved completely unfazed by the chance to compete alongside them as equals, achieving wins, placings and top ten finishes on all days. Intermediate Section O went the way of Ali Galliers-Pratt and her own 13 year old mare Primitive Princess with a score of 40.9, despite having a pole down in the show jumping and 1.2 time penalties in the cross country. Young rider Ali was particularly pleased as she has brought her mare along slowly since buying her from Erica Watson four years ago. Open Intermediate Under 21 Section N was a story of total dominance by three riders: Isabel Djivanovic, Georgie Spence and, in particular, Emily Llewellyn. Emily set an initially high standard on Mrs Cindy Llewellyn’s Society Spice before beating herself on the other family owned Pardon Me II to finish both first and second. Isabel Djivanovic came third and sixth and Georgie Spence came fourth and fifth.
One of the most popular results came on Friday with Evershot-based Renee Barclay and her fragile eleven year old Mickey Toto holding off the challenge from Devon teenager Tim Rogers and Mrs Carol Kemp’s Griffin III in Pre Novice Section F. While Renee has never had to question Mickey Toto’s talent he has required all of her patience, as good results have had to be mixed with enforced absence through injury, including 14 months off in 2005 and a broken jaw only last year. In view of the hard work that Renee has put in through these times, previous owner Mrs Di White Hamilton recently offered her ownership of Mickey Toto, as well as the ride. At only eleven years of age, Renee now hopes to take ‘Mickey’ further eyeing an Open Novice competition at Portman and Intermediate classes later in the season, all things staying well.
On Saturday, Rosie Fry of Halstock found only International rider Lucy Wiegersma too good in Novice Section J as Rosie rode her home bred eight year old, Bankon Louie to a score of 32.4, only half a point behind Lucy and 2.6 points clear of Vicky Brake in third. This was one of Rosie’s best results, all the more heartening coming on a young horse, grandson of a mare her mother used to ride. Adding weight to this result, Lucy Wiegersma confirmed that section winner Mr Christopher Perkins & Mrs Sarita Perkins Simon Porloe was one of her most promising young horses. He has now made it two wins from as many starts since Lucy bought him from Holland last year and she will aim him towards CCI* and CCI** competitions as the season progresses. Lucy also confirmed Advanced-Intermediate entry Shaabrak to be on course for Badminton along with Woodfalls Pure Gold.
Charlotte Baillie from Yetminster set the standard in Pre-Novice section C on Friday with Mr David Batten’s liver chestnut mare Jawa Jawa, achieving the highest dressage score of 25.2. Unfortunately, one fence down in the show jumping just cost Charlotte the win behind Australian rider Analisa Hegyesi (another young rider currently training with Andrew and Bettina Hoy). Charlotte will bid to make amends on Wednesday at Moreton (1), near Dorchester, but also has her eyes towards BYRDS (British Young Riders Dressage) for which she has qualified. All this in addition to her training for the Paris Marathon which she is running on April 6 in aid of a mechanical horse for her local RDA group. A further young rider worth a significant mention is Devon-based Althea Bleekman who achieved a top ten placing on all three days of competition, including a fourth in Intermediate Section O on her own and Mrs Sarah Allan’s bay mare Lickety Split.
Horses and riders provide the spectacle at Aldon but the competition is only possible thanks to the organisers, officials and numerous volunteers, mostly consisting of friends and representatives from the charities supported: RNLI, St Margarets Hospice and the Home Farm Trust (provision of housing and employment for people with learning difficulties). They have proved that they turn up in all weathers and it is to them that the final mention must go along with the cross country course builders George Smith, Adrian Ditcham and the Batten family. The trials will appear on the regional BBC programme ‘Inside Out’ which will feature local reporter Janine Jansen, who came sixth in Pre-Novice Section B on Mrs Amanda Hesse’s mare, Giralda.
PLEASE CLICK ON A THUMBNAIL FOR A BIGGER PHOTO, MORE INFORMATION, RIDERS WEB SITES & SPONSOR LINKS.
In the Novice Fence 11 a & b &12, three skinny’s on a curve accounted for quite a few riders, particularly as in the Novice sections you are now only allowed 3 refusals anywhere on the course before elimination. The arrowhead at fence 6 n the novice was also removed due to the ground conditions.
Quotes were
“ If it hadn’t been Aldon then we wouldn’t have bothered coming because it would have been cancelled ”
“ Why is it raining so much - Because you are in England !! ”
Tristram Owers was spotted on crutches at Aldon, he was predicting that he would have the plaster off in a couple of weeks. Some pigs were seen flying shortly afterwards !! I wish Tristram a speedy recovery but please make sure that you are really fit enough before you come back.
One of the fence judges was heard to enquire whether they could fence judge indoors.
Some riders had turned up at Aldon & didn’t bother to unload their horses prompting one nameless rider to say “ I don’t know what’s wrong with these wimpy riders who have withdrawn !! ”
It was all credit to the ground crew, & the volunteers, & organisers that the competition was able to go ahead at all.
Binny Bennett has written the following excellent review.
Aldon (1) 2008
Once again it was Australian Paul Tapner who took away the main prize at the 29th Church House Aldon (1) Horse Trials but on a weekend upon which most glory should fall upon the Aldon ground staff and volunteers. It would be tactless to make light of the adverse conditions (as any Cheltenham official would tell you) as that would not do justice to the cheerful hard work and thought that was put in by so many people and who kept the trials going like a well oiled machine through the wet skies and shallow ‘Glastonburyesque’ mud. Twenty hours of rain from Saturday to Sunday morning proved far too little to halt proceedings as riders, officials and volunteers gathered on Sunday for the Intermediate Sections. Precautions were taken with fences 7 and 8 omitted on the cross country course, optional alternatives given at fences 18 and 19 and the optimum time increased. In addition, the practice area for the show jumping was moved slightly to fresher ground. Credit for these crucial decisions must go to the Batten Family, British Eventing Steward Mr R Mackenzie, Technical Advisor Mr S Bere, Health & Safety Officer Mr R Pinney and the cross country, show jumping and dressage stewards Mr A R Pyke, Mrs J Letts and Ms K Martin.
All sections took place over the weekend and, for the second year in succession, it was Paul Tapner who went away with ‘The Alpin Horse’; the handsome trophy awarded to the winner of Advanced Intermediate Section S. Paul had three rides but, like last time, took the victory with his own and Mrs Jenny Waalers’s Inonothing. Last year Paul put his victory down to extra dressage training with Bettina Hoy and “no boozy holidays down under” but was pleased to report this year that he had been able to do both. Revealing his plans for Inonothing, who was having his first outing of the year, Paul said that a return to Badminton and Pau, in France, are the main aims. Talking about his other two rides in the section, Tiger Flynne and Stormhill Michael (sixth & tenth) he said that Tiger Flynne would also be entered at Badminton but failing that both would go to Saumur. Second in the section was Italian European Team Bronze Medallist Vittoria Panizzon who enjoyed a very fluent cross country round on her own Rock Model to finish on her dressage score of 33.7, three points behind Tapner. She also came 7th on King Of The Castle II.
One rider to enjoy considerable success with his many rides over the weekend was Andrew Nicholson. In addition to numerous placings, including a third in Advanced Intermediate Section S, Andrew also enjoyed two victories, in Intermediate Section P on Tristar II and in Novice Section H with Shady Grey owned by the ‘Twenty Twelve In Mind Syndicate’. In Section P Andrew beat Mr Timothy Holderness-Roddam and Mrs Jane Holderness-Roddam’s Tiger’s Eye and Alexander Peternell whose two poles down in the show jumping proved costly. Third in this section was Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa, on Gorgeous George II, who trains in England with Andrew and Bettina Hoy.
In Open Intermediate Section Q there was a popular win for Chiselborough-based Irish International Austin O’Connor and Mrs Kate Jarvey’s Pocket Rocket III. By 0.1 of a point he edged out Zara Phillips on her only ride of the day, Gleadhill House Stud Ltd’s Red Baron. Further notable success in the Intermediate sections was a well-deserved victory for Antoinette McKeowen on Mrs Dinah Murdoch’s grey gelding, Two O Two. Antoinette had already had one win on Friday with Dancing Partners & Mrs Juy Hyson’s ex racehorse Astral Dancer II on a weekend upon which she was slightly busier than usual thanks to being the rider’s representative for the trials. However, she reported that all riders were happy with the modifications that had been made to the course and, overall, were very grateful with how well the ground and well designed course were coping with the difficult conditions.
On Saturday British team Gold Medallist Daisy Dick won Intermediate–Novice Section M with Mrs Sarah Ross’s mare, Isla Blyge, thanks to a fluent cross country round in late afternoon mud. Daisy was keen to keep her mare to the smaller obstacles in a novice section and maintain her confidence before taking her off to Fontainbleu for a one-star competition where she will also take her top horse, Spring Along, for a three-star class.
Multiple entries from the International riders provided strong competition for the young and local riders in the sections, but who proved completely unfazed by the chance to compete alongside them as equals, achieving wins, placings and top ten finishes on all days. Intermediate Section O went the way of Ali Galliers-Pratt and her own 13 year old mare Primitive Princess with a score of 40.9, despite having a pole down in the show jumping and 1.2 time penalties in the cross country. Young rider Ali was particularly pleased as she has brought her mare along slowly since buying her from Erica Watson four years ago. Open Intermediate Under 21 Section N was a story of total dominance by three riders: Isabel Djivanovic, Georgie Spence and, in particular, Emily Llewellyn. Emily set an initially high standard on Mrs Cindy Llewellyn’s Society Spice before beating herself on the other family owned Pardon Me II to finish both first and second. Isabel Djivanovic came third and sixth and Georgie Spence came fourth and fifth.
One of the most popular results came on Friday with Evershot-based Renee Barclay and her fragile eleven year old Mickey Toto holding off the challenge from Devon teenager Tim Rogers and Mrs Carol Kemp’s Griffin III in Pre Novice Section F. While Renee has never had to question Mickey Toto’s talent he has required all of her patience, as good results have had to be mixed with enforced absence through injury, including 14 months off in 2005 and a broken jaw only last year. In view of the hard work that Renee has put in through these times, previous owner Mrs Di White Hamilton recently offered her ownership of Mickey Toto, as well as the ride. At only eleven years of age, Renee now hopes to take ‘Mickey’ further eyeing an Open Novice competition at Portman and Intermediate classes later in the season, all things staying well.
On Saturday, Rosie Fry of Halstock found only International rider Lucy Wiegersma too good in Novice Section J as Rosie rode her home bred eight year old, Bankon Louie to a score of 32.4, only half a point behind Lucy and 2.6 points clear of Vicky Brake in third. This was one of Rosie’s best results, all the more heartening coming on a young horse, grandson of a mare her mother used to ride. Adding weight to this result, Lucy Wiegersma confirmed that section winner Mr Christopher Perkins & Mrs Sarita Perkins Simon Porloe was one of her most promising young horses. He has now made it two wins from as many starts since Lucy bought him from Holland last year and she will aim him towards CCI* and CCI** competitions as the season progresses. Lucy also confirmed Advanced-Intermediate entry Shaabrak to be on course for Badminton along with Woodfalls Pure Gold.
Charlotte Baillie from Yetminster set the standard in Pre-Novice section C on Friday with Mr David Batten’s liver chestnut mare Jawa Jawa, achieving the highest dressage score of 25.2. Unfortunately, one fence down in the show jumping just cost Charlotte the win behind Australian rider Analisa Hegyesi (another young rider currently training with Andrew and Bettina Hoy). Charlotte will bid to make amends on Wednesday at Moreton (1), near Dorchester, but also has her eyes towards BYRDS (British Young Riders Dressage) for which she has qualified. All this in addition to her training for the Paris Marathon which she is running on April 6 in aid of a mechanical horse for her local RDA group. A further young rider worth a significant mention is Devon-based Althea Bleekman who achieved a top ten placing on all three days of competition, including a fourth in Intermediate Section O on her own and Mrs Sarah Allan’s bay mare Lickety Split.
Horses and riders provide the spectacle at Aldon but the competition is only possible thanks to the organisers, officials and numerous volunteers, mostly consisting of friends and representatives from the charities supported: RNLI, St Margarets Hospice and the Home Farm Trust (provision of housing and employment for people with learning difficulties). They have proved that they turn up in all weathers and it is to them that the final mention must go along with the cross country course builders George Smith, Adrian Ditcham and the Batten family. The trials will appear on the regional BBC programme ‘Inside Out’ which will feature local reporter Janine Jansen, who came sixth in Pre-Novice Section B on Mrs Amanda Hesse’s mare, Giralda.
PLEASE CLICK ON A THUMBNAIL FOR A BIGGER PHOTO, MORE INFORMATION, RIDERS WEB SITES & SPONSOR LINKS.
_thumb.jpg)
