Cabin’s joint venture draws bumper entry

The first joint venture British Dressage competition between The Cabin Equestrian Centre and Gordon Dressage Group took place at the end of January.

Hosted at The Cabin, the weekend attracted bumper entries despite the heavy rain showers.

Kay Murray – a subsea manager for Dana Petroleum – enjoyed a double win in Saturday’s restricted novice classes on the rising 11- year- old Friesian Jolbert Fan Offewier, with an impressive 71.54% in novice 24 and 66.25% in the Scottish Summer Qualifier.

This is Kay’s first horse, bought only a few years ago.The pair started their dressage career during 2012.

“He worked so well on Saturday even though we got caught in the awful downpour. He got on with it and helped me out as I do get quite nervous,” she said. “He got an extra turnip and banana at night – he loves them.”

The partnership have only just gone up to novice.

They train with Eilidh Grant.

Blackbur n- based Eilidh Grant dominated the open medium class on Saturday on eightyear-old chestnut mare Beau Rouge, notching up 72.21%, as well as the advanced medium on an impressive 68.92%.

Eilidh said: “I’ve only had her for three months.

“We brought her over from Holland – she’s proving very willing to train and really nice to ride. “She felt good at the weekend. “It was her first ever competition, and mine on her, plus she’d never warmed up outside. “I was really pleased with her. “Yes, she felt a bit wobbly in the first test and a little unbalanced in the advanced medium as she was getting tired but, overall, it felt very nice.”

Meanwhile, Sam Turpitt from Meikle Wartle managed to combine show secretary duties with competing and secured a first on Busilius in the restricted medium 73 on Saturday on 65.59%, as well as in Sunday’s medium 63 and 73, where she clinched the classes on 66.38% and 65.88% respectively.

Sam said of the mare: “She hasn’t done much of late so it was lovely to be out.

“She’s going very well. She’s eight this year and is training at advanced medium level and being more consistent at medium.

“We’re working towards the regionals in a month’s time.

“I actually bought her at an auction at Thainstone when a stud went bankrupt, and she has been a super find,” she added.

“She’s a bit hot at times, but I am delighted with her.

“We were very lucky on Sunday as The Cabin let us warm up indoors, which helped – though she isn’t phased by wet weather.”

The Prix St Georges classes over the weekend were won by Jean Stephen on Mouse and Lea Gray on Tiger Feet II on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Following in her mother’s footsteps was Rebecca Stephen on Fortria Express, with first place wins in both Sunday’s restricted advanced medium classes.

You will have made an entry prior to the competition date. A route plan/map will be sent to you about a week before the event. On the day, you turn up at the given starting times that have been put on the schedule.

On arrival, find the secretary or ride administrator and collect your number, show your passport and give emergency details.

Once you are organised you will need to present yourself at the vet check. At a pleasure ride, this can be a vet or a ‘competent person’.

At the vet check you will need to trot your horse up so it can be checked for soundness, and the heart rate will be taken.

It is a skill keeping your horse calm at the beginning of the ride. The more wired up your horse is, the higher the heart rate tends to be.

The heart rate should be 64 beats per minute or less. A horse that has a heart rate of 65 beats per minute or above will be eliminated.

The average resting heart rate is 36-42 beats per minute. A fit horse will often have a resting rate of 26-30 beats per minute.

Once you are given the OK at the vet check, tack up and present yourself to the starter.

You are usually set off at two-minute intervals. If you have organised to go with a friend, you will be set off together.

Those wanting to push themselves tend to try to get an early start, so they are not having to overtake everyone and upset horses as they do so.

If you intend taking it a bit easier, opt to go at a later time. Some horses get quite upset when overtaken by others.

Way markers will help keep you on the right track. Stewards will be present at places such as road crossings.

On completion of the ride, you will be given a slip with your time from the timekeeper.

You have 30 minutes to untack your horse, wash it down and present yourself to the ‘vet gate’again.

For a ‘pass’, the heart rate should be less than 64 beats per minute, but you should be aiming for much lower than this.

On completion of the ride and a pass at the vet gate you will be given a rosette. There are no placings.

Once things get a bit more serious you will need a log book, which will record every ride you do. This will help if you want to qualify for championships, and with self progression.