THE LAST of this season’s Beckside Livery Stables’ unaffiliated dressage competitions was held near Whitby last week.

Cara Shardlow, who manages the stables, said there were some very good entries.

“Although it was a wet start we finished the day in sunshine and we had some fantastic dressage to a really high standard,” she said.

“It was a nail-biting finish for a lot of the competitors, with places at the top of the points leader board swapping at the last minute.”

The senior Intro was won by Katherine Rayment and her “lovely” young Highland Rufus of Sunnyneuk with what was described as an amazing 73 per cent.

This left them with a huge 8-point lead in the championship. “It’s been lovely to see them improve through the year,” said Ms Shardlow.

The Junior section was deservedly won by Bethany Thompson on Hillgarth Sir Lawrence who has been unbeaten through the whole series even with some hot competition in her class.

She then also went on to take both the Intro and Prelim Junior championships.

The senior Prelim was won by Amy Osbourne and her eventer Walter Tate, although she was not in contention for the championship.

This left it nail-bitingly close for Mandy Hall on Banjo in the championship.

Ms Shardlow said: “Her usually consistent cob was a bit full of himself leaving her in fifth but hanging onto championship place by one point.”

Again the PYO class was a tight finish, the nerves getting to some horses.

Ms Shardlow said: “Jacqui Shipman’s Benny was a bit on the cheeky side, dropping them off top spot into second, leaving Sarah Smith and the lovely coloured The Wizard in championship top spot.

“A massive thank you to the judge Marge Coultas and everyone that has helped and attended this year.

“Look out for dates next march.”

Ms Shardlow added: “The Champions won some lovely prizes from Saracen Horse Feeds - thanks very much to them for sponsoring the autumn series.”

For a full list of finishers see becksideliverystables.co.uk.