END OF YEAR DRESSAGE REPORT 2011
This year I thought it would be interesting to see if the horses had progressed according to the hopes we had at the beginning of the year!
FABIOLA & CODY
Recap from the End of Year 2010
Fabiola and Unico (Cody) have made a successful transition from Affiliated Preliminary dressage to Novice level. Hopefully they will continue to progress next year ready to move up to Elementary level by the end of the year.2011
- Fabiola and Cody both stepped up to and were placed in Elementary level tests.
- They also made their debuts at Dressage to Music at both Novice and Elementary level, again winning rosettes.
- They both qualified for and competed successfully at the Pet Plan Area Festival at Sheepgate.
Hopes for 2012
- To become established at Elementary level, moving up to Medium as and when they are ready.
- To continue to compete in music classes.
- To qualify for the Area Festival.
BUZZ
Recap from the End of Year 2010
Jouet du Chene (Buzz) has established himself at Medium level. He qualified for the Pet Plan regional finals at Medium level, finishing 4th. He has qualified for the 2011 BD Regional Winter Finals at Addington, to be held in February, in dressage to music at both Elementary and Medium level. The plan with him is to move up to Advanced Medium next year.
2011
- Buzz moved successfully up to Advanced Medium!
- He also won Dressage to Music at this level, Medium and Elementary.
- He qualified for, and successfully competed at, the Pet Plan Area Festival.
- He has qualified for the Medium level Dressage to Music at the British Dressage Regional Winter Championships for 2012.
Hopes for 2012
- To become established at Advanced Medium level, moving up to Advanced during the year.
- Continue to compete in music classes.
- To qualify for the Pet Plan Area Festival.
DRESSAGE TO MUSIC - FENNING FARM - SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2011
This time Team Witcham - Buzz, Fabiola, Sally and Jane - were joined by Rebecca Jackson and her lovely cob, Colin.
The weather in the morning was horrible, very windy with rain showers. At one point we thought we would not be able to take the lorry out, but fortunately the wind dropped and off we went.
Novice
Fabiola and Sally went first and had a lovely time dancing to their music. The official photographer thought she looked beautiful in the late afternoon light and took lots of photos. They finished 2nd in this class.
Colin and Rebecca performed really well to their music which the judge enjoyed and placed them 1st.
Elementary
This was Fabiola’s first attempt at an Elementary test. Sally rode her sympathetically and they were awarded 2nd place.
Colin and Rebecca put on another good performance and once again piped Fabiola to the post by coming 1st.
Pick Your Own Test - Medium
A very quick change over of horses for Sally from Fabiola to Buzz for this class. Buzz performed an excellent test; he is now really established at this level. The test flowed and was enhanced by the music. Both horse and rider came out smiling and they were placed 1st.
Pick Your Own Test - Advanced Medium
This was the first time at this level for both Buzz and Sally. This level requires flying changes and a more advanced way of going from the horse. Buzz tried really hard and Sally rode him very well and again they picked up the 1st place rosette.
General Comments
A really enjoyable outing, music really does make dressage more entertaining for those who are not keen on watching lots of the same test. Thanks to Jane’s Mum for coming along to watch and support the horses, although Fabiola is rather put out that she prefers Colin’s hairy legs to her long slim ones! Oh, and yes, the cake was yummy - toffee fudge cake for us this time!
BRITISH DRESSAGE - FENNING FARM - FRIDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2011
This time it was the turn of Buzz to compete, much to Cody and Fabi’s disgust at being left behind. It was a busy morning getting ready. Sally was teaching and Jane was confronted with some very dirty horse legs to wash and rather a lot of poo stains...
Following the liberal use of shampoo, dry shampoo, baby wipes and elbow grease, Buzz looked much better and Jane much worse - the cleaner the horse the dirtier the groom! Then there was the plaiting to do, the lorry to get ready and all the equipment loaded.
Elementary
Buzz performed a lovely flowing test which delighted Sally - the transitions were especially good. Good comments were made from people watching. Unfortunately the judge did not agree and Buzz received a score which gained him 4th place in the Open section.
Medium
Buzz again went well in at this higher level. His lateral work is becoming much more established and he is more confident in his work. This time the judge agreed and he came 1st in the Restricted section and 2nd Overall.
Cakes!
As usual the cakes were delicious! This time we had Chocolate Mars Bar cake and can thoroughly recommend it. Get your slice early though as it goes very quickly - especially when anyone from Team Witcham are there!
(Pictures can be seen on the WEC competition notice board.)
TREC TRAILER COMES TO WITCHAM EQUESTRIAN CENTRE - 30th OCTOBER 2011
On 30th October, Trec Trailer came to Witcham Equestrian Centre where Michelle Cottee gave three workshops in the upcoming sport of Le Trec! The full Trec competition involves three phases; orienteering, controlled paces and the obstacle stage, which we tried during the sessions.
First of all, we attempted the canter corridor, a line of poles 60cm apart which you have to canter through without knocking a pole, or breaking the pace! For this obstacle, the faster you go, the more points you get, which lots of the horses enjoyed!
- Photo: Fred and Denise crossing the bridge.
Next up was the S-bend, an S-shaped combination of poles which you had to navigate without clipping a pole, leaving the poles or stopping. This was surprisingly challenging, except for Ted and Julie (the ‘professionals’) who performed it perfectly!
We then did the weaving poles. This proved even more difficult for the faster horses, who seemed to get keener as they went and there were a couple of crashes! Next was the bridge which you had to walk over. Some of the horses found this very scary, but Fred excelled and showed everyone how it was done.
After that was the low branches, which you had to ride underneath without knocking any of the ‘branches’ with your back. Again, you got more points the faster you went and it was easier in flat out gallop, which suited Max very well!
- Photo: Max zooming under the low branches.
Finally was the ditch and hedge which you had to jump. All the horses seemed to enjoy this, particularly Marvin. Thank you so much to Michelle for a fabulous day; it was brilliant fun for riders and horses. Hopefully you’ll come and see us all again soon!
- Photo: Georgia and Marvin jumping the hedge.
DRESSAGE TO MUSIC - FENNING FARM - SUNDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2011
Team Witcham does Strictly Come Dancing!!
Sally took Cody and Buzz to dance to the music at Fenning. Buzz was a late substitute for the injured Fabiola who was most disappointed to be left at home.
We had a late start and then all four tests were performed in the space of one hour. Fortunately the team “plan” went like clockwork and the right horse was in the right arena on time with the right music!
Novice Music
Cody loves music classes and went well for Sally to achieve 2nd place. Sally was delighted with his attitude of “Come on, this is fun!"
Elementary Music
This was Cody’s first attempt at an Elementary Music class and, in fact, only his second attempt at an Elementary level test. He tried his best and did some pleasing work to finish 3rd.
Buzz then took to the stage and performed a good test to his “sports” music to win the class.
Pick Your Own Test
In this class you can choose your own level of test. Sally and Buzz did a Medium level test, gaining high marks from the judge for his trot half passes. He once again won the class.
Weather and Catering
A lovely sunny, autumnal day. Ros had very kindly saved some cake for us which was much appreciated.
Special thanks to Jane’s Mum for calling in at the shops on the way to Fenning for some milk for the tea!
SHOW JUMPING - SISSONS EQUESTRIAN CENTRE - SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER
A change of discipline this weekend; the dressage white and bling were put away to be replaced with the jumping boots! Team Witcham, Sally & Cody, Phil & Max along with grooms Becky & Jane went to Sissons on a lovely sunny day.
2’3”
What looked like a straightforward course caused all sorts of problems. The jump-off had some interesting choices of whether to gallop round fences or cut back.
Sally and Cody (he only uses his posh name for dressage) were in the horse section and jumped a lovely double clear. Cody really enjoyed himself and would happily have carried on jumping even after he had gone through the finish. Who would believe that this is the same horse who would not move an inch when he first came to us. He jumped the only double clear in his section and came 1st, winning his first ever trophy. His reward was a sticky bun and a bag of carrots!
Phil and Maximilian (he uses his posh name for shows) were in the pony section. They jumped a lovely double clear round with Max tucking up his front feet to easily clear the fences. They finished 3rd against some fast ponies.
2’6”
Sally and Cody jumped another clear and then were very unlucky to have one fence down in the jump off in the quickest time in the horse section. They still finished 3rd which shows how much trouble the course was causing.
Phil and Max jumped a double clear again and this time finished 2nd. Max really enjoys his jumping and goes round with his ears pricked looking forward to the next fence. Sally decided he could have a bag of carrots too!
General Comments
Both horses and riders looked very smart performed with great credit. The support crew - Becky and Jane - encouraged them from the side of the arena and had great fun cheering them over the finishing line. Cody and Max had lots of polos. Thanks go to Becky for the wonderful homemade chocolate brownies. Sally and Phil need to look out though as Becky looked very good on Max and Cody when she rode them round to cool them off!
AREA FESTIVAL - SHEEPGATE - 1st & 2nd OCTOBER 2011
Preparations
When you see a smartly turned out horse and rider in the arena, it is easy to forget all the hard work which is necessary for that five or so minutes of riding. The work behind the scenes goes on every day and only intensifies in the days preceding the competition. So a big thank you to all who contributed towards the weekend.
Let’s Go
The day before the show the horsebox and a car and trailer headed off to Sheepgate which is just north of Boston. They were packed to the limit with all the necessary items for horses and humans and were then turned into a mobile tack room and feed room for the weekend. I reckon that Sally has been watching too many house make-over programmes, the way she transformed the lorry!
Home Sweet Home
The horses had a leg stretch round the dressage arenas when we arrived. Cody thought the red flowers looked very tasty, much better than the specially planted herbs back at Witcham. They were then settled into their weekend stables and had a lovely time covering themselves in shavings. The humans were staying at the Premier Inn and enjoyed a meal at the next-door restaurant followed by wine and tea - no slumming it for us!
Saturday
We had an early start on as Debbie & Vinnie were doing their first test at 8.30am. We had a very late end too as Buzz’s last test wasn’t until 9.00pm.
Debbie & Vinnie competed in two classes at their first Area Festival. Vinnie looked lovely and had many comments on his tail! Sally helped Debbie work in and we all sat by the arena to support them. Debbie was very pleased with the way that Vinnie settled and coped with the weekend away.
Sally with Cody and Fabiola were on show in the afternoon taking part in the Pet Plan Novice Open. This was also their first Area Festival and staying away from home. They both performed well, with Cody finishing a commendable 8th and Fabi 13th - unfortunately the judges differed greatly on their opinion of her which resulted in a lower place than we felt she deserved. Well that’s dressage for you..... Sally went to the prize giving on foot as it wasn’t held until after dark and Cody was already tucked up in bed with his dinner.
By the time Sally and Buzz came to perform in the music classes it was dark and the floodlights were on. I’m not sure if the judge could see down the far end of the arena and she probably appreciated bling browbands on the horses, which had them! Buzz was in the Elementary and Medium classes. He came 3rd in the Elementary and then, to Team Witcham’s delight, won the Medium which qualifies him for the Winter Regional Championships at Addington in February.
Sunday
Fortunately, due to a later morning time than yesterday, we didn’t have to feed the horses until 8.15am and then the smell of bacon butties lured all those not riding to the café.
Sally and Buzz were first on parade in the Pet Plan classes at Elementary and Medium level. Julie and Jane’s Mum came up to watch and brought a wonderful picnic with them - thanks very much from us all! Buzz came 10th in the Elementary and 7th in the Medium. Sally rode him in the Medium prize giving and Team Witcham and supporters went along to cheer. Buzz had decided to have a very untimely roll in the shavings after being washed down after his classes and covered himself and his plaits. Pam and Jane did their best to clean him up, and thankfully he is so tall that most people cannot see his plaits anyway! Unfortunately, Sally was riding Cody at the time of the Elementary presentation.
Debbie with Vinnie and Sally with Cody and Fabiola were all in the Music Freestyle Novice class in the late afternoon. Vinnie’s music encourages spectators to sing along, being Austin Powers, Neil Diamond’s Blue Jeans and the Pink Panther theme. Cody really enjoyed his test, having a lovely time doing lots of medium trots to Bonnie Tyler. Fabi was the last of our three to go and when her music started to our horror it was Vinnie’s music, which came over the speakers. Following a mad dash by Jane to the secretary’s office and the lorry, the correct music was found. Fabi danced round to ballet music and looked very much The Princess. We were thrilled with their scores and they both finished in the placings with Fabi 3rd and Cody 4th.
Time To Go Home
The lorry, car and trailer were packed, the horses loaded and Team Witcham made its weary way home. Once there, the horses were tucked up in their stables and we decided to leave sorting everything out until the next day. It had been a long and tiring weekend but we all agreed it had been great fun and are already making plans for next year!
General Comments
Sheepgate is a lovely place to compete. The organising team are very friendly and helpful; the warm up area steward (a FEI level steward no less) was especially helpful and kept everyone on time. Food was provided by the café, crepe bar and a free hog roast with wine on the Saturday evening. There is also a great tack shop for exercising your credit cards (Fabi came home with a new saddle pad).
Area Festivals are special events - not only do you qualify to get here but you can also qualify on to the National Championships. It is very competitive and the standards get higher every year.
For further details, please contact us.