Warm-up strategy pays off
Bovington (2), Dorset
HARRIET DANCE and SOS Upperclass Otto (Doug) kept to a strict routine in the dressage warm-up and were rewarded with the best mark in the BE90 regional final – 28.3.
“It’s probably the first time
I’ve come out of a test and been pleased and not self-critical,” said Harriet, who added nothing more to this score to clinch the qualifier. “Doug has been sharp in the past but my trainer, Georgia Stokes [who also bred the eightyear-old], had me going into the working-in area with a clear, structured plan, which included plenty of suppling and lateral work. Focusing on this helped keep us both more relaxed.”
Harriet is an equestrian specialist for Mole Valley Farmers, St Columb, and rides before work every day.
“I have always managed to event one way or another and Badminton has been my goal for a long time,” she said.
Up until two months ago,
Tracy Scammell’s BE90 winner, Attyrory Checkmate, had never jumped on grass but the 13-yearold former showjumper has had to step up to the mark after his stablemate became injured.
“He’d never so much as seen a cross-country fence before I bought him and hated getting his feet muddy,” admitted Tracy. “He was very unsure of drops, water and ditches — all the more unusual obstacles.”
This was the duo’s first clear round across country; they were eliminated last time out at Pontispool (2) for three refusals.
“I’ve been to a few British Eventing training clinics and
they’ve been hugely helpful,” said Tracy, who works as a solicitor.
Local rider Joe Roome steered Sarah Bingham’s home-bred five-year-old, Emerald Spirit II, to victory in BE100 section B on a score of 25.
“I backed him for Sarah as a three-year-old and started competing him earlier this year,” said Joe, who runs a competition yard in Blandford Forum. “He’s been a pleasure to produce and is proving to be a very good crosscountry horse. We hope he’ll be a contender for six-year-old classes next year.”
The four cross-country tracks, which were rerouted in the spring, rode well again this time.
“This is my local event and [organiser] Stephanie [Buchanan] and her team do an amazing job,” added Joe.