Team chasing Worcestershire
The winners put in a polished performance over a tricky track, as riders enjoy being able to compete at the postponed fixture
TEAM Ride Away III took the spoils in the Skinner’s Pet Foods open qualifier with a measured and neat performance over a challenging track.
Persistent rain had caused postponement from the event’s original date and made the going tacky, albeit with a good covering of grass.
Susannah Andrew gave a confident lead on former hunter chaser The Nightingale, with Joe Stevenson hot on her heels aboard the diminutive Xucra, while Roddy Stanning (Ted) and Lisette Davies (Taz) made great turns to keep in touch.
A switch-back of hedges with twisting turns through the hedgeline showed off their skills. The winning team met the first of the big blackthorns in the centre on a perfect galloping stride — making nothing of the open ditch to follow and a turn-back to a third hedge in the same line.
Running fast over the back of the course, Xucra and Taz had their work cut out to keep up with the two thoroughbreds, but nifty jumping got them home.
“That’s a first open win for Susannah, Lisette and myself,” said Roddy. “I’m so pleased for Susannah as it’s been hard work keeping our horses going through this spring, especially now my polo ponies are in. The track took some riding, but was great fun.”
Boring Gorings showed all their experience to take second, with Charlotte Alexander blazing the trail on the nippy Ulck Du Lin. Geraldine Fisher had to sit tight when Charlie popped in a big leap after the ski jump, but they all met the big hedges in the centre perfectly. Ricky Johnson and Fred French kicked on behind, and it was a great exhibition of how to
ride the trickier fences.
“I get in trouble for going too slow, but my horse can turn on a sixpence and left the others for dead going round the bale at the top,” pointed out Fred French.
Team Ride Away I hit problems early when Charlotte Alexander’s Kingy slipped on landing over a rail and deposited her, but Stephen Clark and Big Pete pressed on in the lead, assisted by Katie Richardson and Foxy. Joe Stevenson then had a run-out at the far side of the course which left him playing catch-up, but they made it home for third place.
‘It’s a thrill to be team chasing after the cancellations’ STEPHEN CLARKE, RIDE AWAY I
“It’s just a thrill to be team chasing after the cancellations and postponements,” said Stephen Clark. “Big Pete’s tricky at home, but he comes into his own over this sort of track.”
OUT OF LUCK
NEWLY-CROWNED national champions Wishful Thinkers
Too were out of luck after Anne Mackley’s Charlie took exception to the open ditch, taking Dell Laverty and Ross with them. Dell eventually got over that one, but got into trouble again two fences later and the team retired.
Team Ride Away II lost their lead when Lindsay Harrison was tipped off Fugly at the top of the hill, and a hiatus followed while her team-mates waited for Helen Millward to catch up. Then, Jo Hirons and Walt ground to a halt at the first hedge in the centre and they retired.
Fox Grant Dot Com hit problems early on when Phil Nichols was unseated and remounted only for Anna Stone’s Boyce to refuse the open ditch. Her team-mates jumped back to give her a lead, but after problems further on they were eliminated for cumulative refusals.
Also falling foul of the open ditch were Bitless Not Brainless, who got going again only to retire at the hanging log.
Eternal Optimists continued their winning run in the intermediate, with Lizelle Terblanche-Brown an able substitute for captain Simon Coady, and the whole team working well together over the twisting track.