The excellent facilities of Breckenbrough, courtesy of Tom and Helen Bell, were put to full use by the organisers of the Area 3 PC Eventing ODE. With the Open, Intermediate and Novice sections all running on one day, the hosting branch of York & Ainsty South, were busy ensuring that everything ran smoothly.

The morning was dedicated to the Open and Intermediate sections and with limited qualifying places available these proved to be hugely competitive classes. Although there was not a team qualifier in the Open, the individual place was taken by the winner, Charlotte Dennis riding Jibou Donomville who finished on her dressage score of 27.6, riding one of only four double clears in the Open section.

In the Intermediate class the show jumping phase provided equally challenging questions as the cross country. The team honours went to the Badsworth who finished on a combined score of 106 with the Bedale & West of Yore and Derwent coming 2nd and 3rd respectively. There were four individual qualifiers in this class that completed just before the first heavy storm of the day leaving the first Novice competitors to tackle their phases in driving rain. Going to Cholmondeley Castle as individuals will be: Isabella Armitage; Isobel Higginbotham; Pippa Williams and Sam Proctor.

The weather improved as the afternoon progressed. With two qualifying team places up for grabs it was the riders from the Bedale & West of Yore and Bramham Moor who clinched their places for the Novice Championships at Kelsall Hill later this month. Individual places were won by Badsworth branch members Mary Foster and Libby Morrell in section B and Sophie Milestone from the Sinnington and Ben Williamson from the Hurworth.

Robert Blane, Chief Instructor at the Bedale & West of Yore was master of ceremonies and thanked everyone for their help in organising the event, from the young riders who spent the day collecting x/c scores to Gill Chivers, DC of the York & Ainsty who barely managed to set foot outside the secretary’s office. A mention should also go to the newly established ‘Harley’s Café’ on site, whose burgers were judged by many to be ‘the best ever’!

The results were as follows:

Novice Teams:

1st - Bedale & West of Yore: Robyn Chilton on DHI Zeus; Sophie Webber on Zeberdee BW; Issie Saxby on Auburn Wurzel; Charlotte Riggs on Dooby Doo.

2nd – Bramham Moor: Charlie Robinson on Little Boy; Evie Hardwick on Grey Commander; Becca Dale on Kevin; Alice Baird on Squires Panache.

3rd – Sinnington: Ella Turnbull on Earl of Killaturley; Amelia du Boulay on Fortview Steel; Charlotte Blenkin on Hillside Monet; Sophie Milestone on Bellindene Norman.

4th – Glaisdale: Anna Wood on T.J.; Issy Hogarth on Rushmoor Beauty; Sara Hall on Morning Star Sabrina; Maizie Thompson on Stitch.

Novice Individual Qualifiers:

Sophie Milestone on Bellindene Norman (Sinnington)

Ben Williamson on Zackari (Hurworth)

Mary Foster on Maytime (Badsworth)

Libby Morrell on Figaro Figaro (Badsworth)

Intermediate Teams:

1st – Badsworth: Alex Proctor on Snort; Eliza Yeardley on Prince; Chloe Naismith Mary Foster on Kilnamona Susie; Connie Warde-Aldam.

2nd – Bedale & Wet of Yore: Jake Clark on Salute to Shannon; Isobel Higginbotham on Clockwork Orange II; Amelia Hattersley on Ink.

3rd – Derwent: Emily Houseman on Renee; Lucy Vincent on Kilmun; Hazel Burgess on Glavanrwy Tomos.

Intermediate Individual Qualifiers:

Isabella Armitage on Minstrels Melody (Sinnington)

Isobel Higginbotham on Clockwork Orange II (BWY)

Pippa Williams on DHI Sparkles (York & Ainsty South)

Sam Proctor on Prides Rock (York & Ainsty North)

Open Individual Results:

1st - Charlotte Dennis on Jibou Domomville (Hurworth) Qualifier

2nd - Bethany Shipley on Coedfryn Top Notch (Middleton)

3rd - Charlotte Oldroyd on Stripe of Glory (Rockwood Harriers)

4th - Charlotte Milnes on Cloughan Orchestra (Middleton East)