Christmas Show Report

Despite a series of near-disasters, our Christmas show was a great success, with pleasant weather, some super horses and lots of enthusiastic competitors. We had to find a replacement judge at very short notice when Jane Kidd became ill the day before, and poor Simon Laurens suffered a severe bout of food poisoning during the night – but with great determination he completed his judging, while Waveney Luke very kindly took over the afternoon classes.

Ginnie Halliwell’s old horse, Free Spirit, a 19-year-old part-bred Cleveland Bay, went really well for his junior rider, Sophie McCormack, to win the restricted section of Prelim 15. Sue Newman and 20-year-old Jacob came third, proving that age is no barrier to success! They were separated by Suzanne Morgan and her lovely chestnut mare, Francesca, who won a Best Fancy Dress prize for their dramatic ‘fire spirit’ outfit in the second class; Maggie Beresford and Trecaric Neubaur, that versatile Hafflinger, took the award in class 1 as Father Christmas, and a rosette for fifth place. We were very impressed by Caroline Ogden’s gorgeous young warm-blood, Rosado, on his debut. His super looks and movement will ensure success when he has gained confidence in the arena

Claire Matheson brought two horses and went home with three first prizes and a second! The Tussler and Unfinished Business, two handsome horses with off-the-ground paces, were equal first in Novice 38, while later The Tussler won the medium section of class 4. In the open section, Sheena Grierson and Coustou continued their winning ways, while Penny Gill and Ginnie Halliwell tied for second place.

The music class was a delight to watch – Isis members are embracing this relatively new form of dressage with relish! The open section was won by Ginnie, her big band swing music very appropriate for her rhythmic horse, with Sheena unrecognisable as a red-nosed clown in second place. Third went to Tammie Norton, riding her big, handsome chestnut Ballymax to a Western film music compilation. The restricted section was notable for a pas de deux performed by Jessie Warner and, without practice, Claire Matheson. Jo Ackland’s old horse, Alfresco, should have been Bridie’s partner, but he unfortunately stumbled and pulled up lame in the novice class. Claire gamely volunteered to take Lisa Mumford’s place, successfully riding a complex pattern called by Jan Warner. This was very well received, and their huzzar outfits gained them Best Fancy Dress awards in addition to their second place.

In class 4, Tammie was runner-up in the medium section, while Jill Smith and that lovely grey mare, Miss Marple, just beat Karen Nunwick and her exciting chestnut, Urioso, in the elementary section.

The Christmas tree, mulled wine and mince pies made this show a lovely pre-Christmas treat which was made possible by the hard work and commitment of a number of people. Grateful thanks to our judges, Simon Laurens and Waveney Luke, who both went beyond the call of duty, my unflappable co-secretary, Linda Sammons, scorer Richard Haggis, stewards Denise Small and Anne Luce, writers Karon Whenmouth and Claire Nicholl, and photographer David Morgan.
Hala Bentley

Results as follows:-

Class 1 Prelim 15
Judge Simon Laurens Writer – Karen Whenmouth %
Restricted
1st Free Spirit Sophie McCormack (J) 69.57 Best Junior
2nd Francesca Suzanne Morgan 66.09
3rd Jacob Sue Newman 66.09
4th Bradie’s Beauty Caroline Viney (J) 65.65
5th Trecaric Neubaur Maggie Beresford 63.48 Best Fancy Dress
6th = Krisstoffer Dawn Humphris 61.30
6th = Raine Cat Tyack 61.30
8th Andy W Rachel Elliott 60.43
9th Arctic Endeavour Madeleine Uren 60.43
10th Sinatra Joan Bell 56.96
Open
1st Coquelle Jo Cameron 60.87


Class 2 Novice 38
Judge Simon Laurens Writer – Karen Whenmouth %
Restricted
1st= The Tussler Claire Matheson 68.71
1st= Unfinished Business Claire Matheson 68.71
3rd Free Spirit Sophie McCormack (J) 67.74 Best Junior
4th Francesca Suzanne Morgan 64.19 Best Fancy Dress
5th I See You Sydney Maggie Beresford 63.87
6th Bradie’s Beauty Caroline Viney (J) 61.94
7th Wonderwelt Anne Luce 61.61
8th Bridie Jessie Warner (J) 61.61
Open
1st Coustou Sheena Grierson 65.48
2nd= A Golden Promise Ginnie Halliwell 64.52
2nd= Wild Romance Penny Gill 64.52


Class 3 Music Training
Judge Waveney Luke Writer – Claire Nicholl %
Restricted
1st Charlie Brown Teresa Ventimiglia (Nov) 70.56
2nd Bridie Jessie Warner (J Nov) 70.00 Best Junior
2nd pair Unfinished Business Claire Matheson (Nov) 70.00 Best Fancy Dress
3rd Wonderwelt Anne Luce (Nov) 66.67
4th Urioso Karen Nunwick 63.33
5th Raine Cat Tyack (Pr) 62.22
6th Jacob Sue Newman (Nov) 61.11
7th Jackaroo Lindsey Stribling (Nov) 57.50
Open
1st A Golden Promise Ginnie Halliwell (Nov) 67.78
2nd Coustou Sheena Grierson (Nov) 65.56 Best Fancy Dress
3rd Ballymax Tammie Norton (El) 65.00
4th Wild Romance Penny Gill (Nov) 63.61
5th Small Soldier Marianne Rabanal (El) 61.67
6th Neon B Marianne Rabanal (Nov) 53.33
7th Coquelle Jo Cameron (Pr) 53.33


Class 4 Elementary 57/M73
Judge Waveney Luke Writer – Claire Nicholl
1st The Tussler Claire Matheson (Med) 63.82
2nd Ballymax Tammy Norton (Med) 61.12
3rd Miss Marple Jill Smith (El) 58.93
4th Urioso Karen Nunwick (El) 57.50