Pickard strikes the front
Sarah Pickard returns to Eridge two years after taking intermediate honours to win the top class, while another rider secures a hat-trick
PROVING just how far they have come, Sarah Pickard and her Irish-bred 12-year-old, Polo Striker, returned to this longstanding Kent fixture to claim open intermediate honours — three years after their first run at the level here and two years after winning the intermediate class.
“He’s quirky, but we’ve built up a brilliant partnership,” said Sarah of the gelding she took on as a feisty five-year-old, fresh off the boat from Ireland.
“In the beginning he could go faster backwards than forwards, but now we’ve reached an understanding and he’s brilliantly bold and very fast.”
This observation was borne out on the cross-country, where the pair added just 0.4 of a timepenalty — by far the fastest of the section — to their dressage score of 34.6.
Two years ago they were the only ones to beat the clock.
“At home [near Canterbury] we have a 17-acre field on the side of a bank, which I use for cantering. He does fast work three times a week, so he’s very fit,” explained Sarah, who works for Lees Court Estate in Kent, but would like to event full-time.
Chris Burton enjoyed a smooth round on Claire Poole’s Quality Purdey — formerly the ride of Lauren Shannon — for second place.
‘I WAS NAIVE AND DETERMINED’
MELISSA JOANNIDES scored a hat-trick of wins at various levels, culminating in intermediate honours aboard Bridget Lyne’s hunter, Skip To The Beat.
The neat little mare, who was bred by Bridget’s brother, Guy Avis, lived up to her name by skipping around the two jumping phases.
“I said to Bridget this morning that she was due a good result, but I still can’t quite believe she won,” admitted Melissa, who has produced “Skippy” from BE90 level. “She was tricky to begin with and a few riders cast her off, but I was young, naive and determined. With Gill Watson’s help, we have turned a corner and I can now put my leg on and ride her into a contact, which has improved everything.”
Camilla Stewart-Evans and Brenhin Bychan took the runnerup spot.
Riders complimented organiser Jenny Nolan and her team for their efforts to provide excellent going despite the prolonged dry period.
“We invested a huge amount of money in getting it as good as possible,” said Jenny. “We aerated the ground all over, including the warm-ups.”