Dressage & Cones Competition & Club Driver Challenge 18 July 2010

Although it was a fairly long day the feed back I have had was very encouraging. The day started first with the dressage competition, the competitors drove the test and on leaving the arena went over to Katie Eyres who, having been given their first test sheets, went through them with the competitors and gave them helpful tips and advice so as to hopefully help them improve on the judges' comments and marks when they were required to redrive the test. Everyone, and I mean everyone, showed a significant improvement on their second set of marks which I must admit was very pleasing.

The cones followed the second dressage test, I waited till after the dressage was over before starting the cones competition as I felt that It would allow the horses and ponies to stay calm and be less likely to get wound up for their second test. The cones were driven twice with the idea being that each competitor should match their first time, and I must say it certainly proved to be very entertaining.

The afternoon saw the club driver challenge and from the smallest pony to the largest horse it was entertainment all the way as they tried to shave of seconds here and there and leave the penalty balls in place.

My personal thanks go to the dressage judges Val Eyres, Karen and Katie Eyres who never faulted from their task and gave each competitor such good feed back regarding their individual tests. Also a big thank you to Dick Carey, Andy and Jessie Honeysett for all their help, to Jackie and family for stepping in to do the catering after my lorry repairs had been delayed and to Barry and Heather Nestel for the use of their ground, and most importantly the competitors who added to us all having a great day.

Thank you all,

Margaret Grimes
Club Secretary