OVERHEAD cloud could not dull the spirits of riders taking part in the unaffiliated dressage competition at Manor Farm, Thornthorpe, on Sunday as the venue held the first event of the 2011 season.

Helen Mason, from Scagglethorpe, had plenty to celebrate as she waltzed her way to victory in the preliminary section riding her grey gelding, Smurf. On an equal mark, and sharing first place, was Anthea Walker riding Hedley. The preliminary and novice level tests were divided into two sections to accommodate the high number of entries. After a stylish and well-executed performance the winner of the novice test was Ellen Warters riding Madge. Section two went the way of Leslie Evans who was riding Joanne Buck’s eye-catching appaloosa gelding, Chad.


The results were as follows:

Intro B: 1 Kath Hammerton & Fennel, 2 Ellen Warters & Madge, 3= Tessa Nelson & Harry, 3= Erin Chan & Dingle, 4 Debbie Hutchinson & Jimbob, 5= Sophie Shepherdson & Rivervale Park Pippin, 5= Clare Walker & Foxy Smulders.

Prelim 10 (section 1): 1 Kerry Belchamber & Marco, 2 Katie Stephens & Boots, 3 Erin Chan & Dingle, 4 Tessa Nelson & Harry, 5 Ellen Warters & Madge, 6 Joanne Legard & Cloud Nine.

Prelim 10 (section 2): 1= Helen Mason & Smurf, 1= Anthea Walker & Hedley, 3 Alison Dalby & Mr Nutmeg, 4= Sue Hirst & Luke, 4= Leslie Evans & Chad, 6 Rachel Tolhurst & Chloe Eclipse.

Novice 27 (section 1): 1 Ellen Warters & Madge, 2 Alison Dalby & Mr Nutmeg, 3 Alison Hinchcliffe & Supersplash, 4 Christine Freear & Sergeant Man, 5 Sue Hirst & Luke, 6 Helen Mason & Smurf.

Novice 27 (section 2): 1 Leslie Evans & Chad, 2 Mark Godliman & Valentino, 3 Shelley Lake & Bracken, 4 Melanie Tookey & Kings Irish Lad, 5 Vicky Godliman & Wodan, 6 Chloe Fairley & Rio.