Posted: 10th April 2015 | Back to news feed
The 20th anniversary of the Pony Club Dengie Winter League Championships, at Moreton Morrell College, Warwickshire, on 3 and 4 April, was an extra-special occasion for all the young riders who took part and for Dengie, which has sponsored this prestigious competition for two decades.
“This must be one of the longest-running equestrian sponsorships,” said Dengie marketing manager Lisa Wilson. “It presents a fantastic opportunity for young showjumpers and dressage riders to test their mettle against others from around the country with a standard that just seems to get better with every year.
“The event gives Dengie the perfect chance to meet the riders and their families, and discuss the importance of equine nutrition. We brought along the portable weighbridge, which proved as popular as ever with riders who were keen to find out their horse or pony’s weight and discuss any feeding concerns. It was encouraging that many had taken the importance of fibre on board and the results were plain to see!”
The Easter weekend saw a strong field of about 80 showjumpers aged between 11 and 24 fight their way through the warm-up classes for a place in the Winter League and Open Grand Prix Championships – and an equal number of dressage riders aiming for the Novice and Open ride-offs.
Prizes were donated by Dengie Horse Feeds and presented by marketing manager Lisa Wilson, Laura Hedley Gray – winner of the first Dengie Winter League – and international dressage rider Gareth Hughes, who took part in a Q&A session earlier in the day. Winning riders received salvers, trophies, championship rugs, Dengie jackets, saddle cloths, feed vouchers and special commemorative rosettes. Riders and their families also tucked into a slice of Dengie anniversary cake, which was served at the winners’ presentation.
The Winter League Show Jumping Championship was won by 14-year-old Lucy Hassall, of Cheshire Hunt South, riding Starlight Clara, with the Open title going to Hollie Pearce, 16, of the Garth Hunt, on Hilarius.
Jessica Miller, 15, of West Kent Hunt (Meopham), won the Novice Dressage Championship on Merlin, while Beth O’Driscoll, 19, of the Meynell Hunt, took the Open Dressage Championship on Freelance.
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.