RVRC Junior Teams
Area 10 Festival Of The Horse Qualifier, Matfield, 2nd october 2011, by Sarah Foy
We had an incredibly busy day at Matfield with our junior members. Flying the Rother Valley flag we had 2 Novice teams, 1 Intermediate team and 2 lots of pairs. I lost count how many times I changed the entries list with withdrawals of horses and riders but luckily everyone seemed to turn up at the right time and on the correct horses!
We had a hard act to follow after last years qualifier but again we had some good results this year especially as many of the girls were on new mounts or moving up a level.
First up were the intermediate team Rachael Lloyd, Lolly Thompson, Danielle Plowman and Gabi Pitman. It didn’t seem to be this teams day as there were problems spread around the course but im sure the girls will have taken away the positives and do their homework and they will be back fighting again next year! Gabi posted a very good couple of rounds on her horse Folly so was in the ribbons picking up individual 3rd..
Our novice team RV Rockers made up of Abbi Fuller, Laura Craner, Emma Baker and Eleanor Simes all had very good rounds to come 3rd as a team so a very pleasing result for them as this was a competitive class.
Our other novice team RV Rebels were having to compete as a team of three due to the 4th member having to withdraw over night so the team was made up of Iola Hughes, Megan Wrenn and Rachel Collie. The girls weren’t placed as a team as a couple of errors were picked up on the xc, its very hard as team of 3 as all the scores have to count leaving no room for mishaps. Iola did incredibly well to finish on 0.8 penalties to come a fantastic 2nd place individually. Although she finished on the same score as the winner she must have been the tiniest fraction of a second slower to be given 2nd place, very fustrating for her but still a great result!
Next up were the pairs and this proved to be quite dramatic for poor old Emma and her pair Megan or less dramatic for Megan as I don’t think she even got to jump a fence in this class! Emma was on her new mount Lenny Boy when unfortunately they decided to part company in the showjumping resulting in Emma having quite an awkward fall. Although Emma eventually was back up on her feet it was decided that it was better to be safe than sorry so they had a trip down to Pembury hospital for xrays but I am pleased to report no broken bones just some bad bruising and no riding for a week or two and I guess best of all a few days off school!
The other pair of Abbi and Dannielle were less dramatic, they both posted good rounds just picking up a few time penalties, no ribbons for them this time but im sure they had a ball going round, this class is always such fun!
Well done to all the girls that represented the club and looking forward to seeing you all out there at the qulifiers next year. Also a huge thank you to those that jump judged or offered help in order for our teams to be able to compete.
Area 10 Horse Trials Championships, Aston Le Walls, 5th August 2011, by Sarah Foy
Building on their success at the Area Horse Trials Qualifier The Juniors went on to have an even better day at Aston Le Walls on 5th August.
Having had to make two substitutions to the original winning team our Novice team members at the championships were Rachael Lloyd, Emma Baker, Eleanor Simes and Abbi Fuller.
The team got of to a good start with a clutch of low dressage scores followed by several clear showjumping rounds leaving them in a good position to start the XC.
We were absolutely thrilled to see all four girls negotiate a testing XC course to achieve a clear round. resulting in a FANTASTIC FITH PLACE.
Once again the girls shone individually with Eleanor WINNING her arena, Rachael 6TH, Emma 10TH and Abbie 14TH.
Prize giving was a wonderful experience for competitors and supporters (especially for Eleanor who had to attend the mounted prize giving). The girls came back laden with rosettes.
I KNOW THE GIRLS AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE ALL PUT SO MUCH INTO THIS, IT REALLY IS A VERY IMPRESSIVE RESULT AT NATIONAL LEVEL AND THE CLUB SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THEM.
GABI PITMAN-OUR NATIONAL CHAMPION!
A day to remember for Gabi at the National Horse Trials Championships at Aston Le Walls on 5th August-not only did she win her arena by finishing on her Dressage score of 31,
she then went on to be placed first overall, becoming the JUNIOR INTERMEDIATE NATIONAL CHAMPION.
Gabi was riding her lovely little Chestnut mare Folly, bred by her mum Julia.
Her RV supporters had to endure a tense afternoon awaiting results until Gabi’s first place was confirmed and were pleased to be there to support her as she was showered with glory and prizes. What a wonderful achievement- the club is very proud.
Area 10 Show Jumping, Felbridge 30th July 2011
ROTHER VALLEY WIN AT FELBRIDGE AND QUALIFY FOR LINCOLN.
Well, there really is no stopping the juniors at the moment as they came out in force yesterday to compete at the BRC National Showjumping qualifier at Felbridge.
An early start for the style jumpers whose class began at 9. The team of Gabi Pitman, Emma Baker, Rachel Lloyd and Megan Wrenn did a great job and came 2nd overall and Gabi came 2nd individually and this position will take her to the finals at Lincoln.
The Intermeditate team competed next with Gabi Pitman, Olivia Walsh, Rachel Collie and Rachel Lloyd performing well to take 2nd place. Rachel Collie jumped a double clear taking her into the individual jump off and coming a fantastic 4th.
Next were the novice teams. RVRC had 2 teams competing against 10 other teams . The team consisting of Elizabeth Evans, Laura Craner, Emma Baker and Megan Wrenn finished the 2 round competition on a team score of 0, the only team to finish with a clean sheet to win the class with no jump off required.
The team of Eleanor Simes, Freya Bruce, Danielle Plowman and Izzie Walsh did a great job to finish on a team score of 12. Eleanor on a pony subsituted the night before had just one pole down in each round, Danielle on her new horse did really well with just a rolled pole and Izzie Walsh rode a double clear which put her through to the individual jump off. Unfortunately Bobby got eliminated in the first round and was lame for the 2nd round. The team secured 4th place overall so well done girls.
The individual jump off of 10 riders had 4 RVRC girls . Laura withdrew her pony so Emma, Elizabeth and Izzie flew the flag for us. A speedy Emma took the winning spot with a fast clear round. Rocky had just the planks down and Izzie raced round in fine style.
Izzie was 5th in the novice SJ and Megan was 5th in the Style jumping.
A long but great day for all RVRC girls who looked their usual immaculate turnout and some fantastic results. Off to Lincoln now with dressage and showjumping qualifications for most riders going. Good luck at the championships.
Sue and Sharon.
Area 10 Team Dressage and Riding Test, 24th July 2011
Riding Test Team 2nd and qualified for Lincoln, hurrah! - Charlotte Redford (10th), Laura Craner (1st), Gabi Pitman (5th), Emma Baker (12th)
Novice dressage team A, 2nd and qualified for Lincoln - Charlotte Redford (7th), Laura Craner (2nd), Emma Baker (10th), Gabi Pitman (2nd)
Novice dressage team B, 4th place - Annabelle Simes (6th), Elizabeth Evans (1st), Rachel Lloyd (8th), Eleanor Simes (7th).
 
Junior Dressage Team A_______________________Junior Dressage Team B
Area 10 Horse Trials, Borde Hill, 9th July 2011, by Sarah Foy
Rother Valley members were a force to be reckoned with at the recent Area 10 Horse Trials at Borde Hill.
Team 1st RVRC Junior Novice A: Emma Baker (4th), Rachel Lloyd (3rd), Laura Craner, Elizabeth Evans (1st)
Team 3rd RVRC Junior Novice B: Jess Sweet, Eleanor Simes (5th), Abbie Fuller (6th), Olivia Thompson
RVRC individual Junior Intermediate Gabi Pitman 1st
The Juniors had an amazingly successful day at the Area Horse Trials @ Borde Hill in July.
RV stole the show at prize giving taking all the placings bar One! Congratulations are due to our WINNING Novice team (Emma Baker, Elizabeth Evans, Rachael Lloyd Laura Craner ) and also our THIRD placed team (Jess Sweet, Eleanor Simes, Lolly Thompson and Abbie Fuller).
Claiming the individual placings in the Novice Qualifier were: WINNER Elizabeth Evans, 3RD Rachael Lloyd, 4TH Emma Baker, 5TH Eleanor Simes and 6TH Abbie Fuller.
We were then delighted to see Gabi Pitman WINNING the Intermediate Qualifier.
We all went home from Borde Hill on cloud nine and the team spirit was high looking forward to the Championships.
NAF Festival of the Horse Championships,Aston Le Walls 5th June 2011, by Sarah Foy
We sent a team of juniors who had qualified for the Junior Novice Challenge (for those of you who don’t know already the format is rather like the eventers challenge- Showjumping round followed immediately onto XC)
Making the long trip to Aston Le Walls the day before the competition were Emma Baker, Rachael Lloyd, Jess Hunn and Danielle Plowman. I arrived on the morning of the competition to find the girls rested and refreshed by a fun evening in the pub the night before while their steeds had enjoyed a comfortable night in the lovely stables.
First job was walking the courses, having walked the showjumping course I think the girls were wishing they could ride with sat nav, the arena was full of brightly coloured poles and fillers and the girls certainly needed to be thinking ahead! From the SJ we went straight on to walk the xc which was a lovely up to height course with a few questions so again the girls would need to have their wits about them!
Emma found herself as trailblazer for the whole competition, always a tough job and I don’t think any of her fellow competitors envied her! Emma got things off to a great start riding a lovely round with just a rolled pole and just a few time faults and the advice to the other team members to kick on! Jess, Rachael and Danielle also produced some lovely rounds, again with just a couple of rolled poles and a few time faults but all came back pleased with their rounds. It was a very competitive championships and the girls finished in a very credible 10th place. Great fun was had by all-well done girls!
Rother Valley Juniors compete at the Winter National Championship - 5th April 2011
A huge well done to the junior teams who competed at Hartpury. The dressage team of Laura Craner, Emma Baker, Gabi Pitman and Charlotte Redford came 6th nationally.
The showjumping team of Abbie Fuller, Rachel LLoyd, Danielle Plowman and Freya Bruce came 14th nationally so well done to you.
 
Full report
The dressage team was well organised for the trip to the Riding Club Winter Championships which were held at Hartpury on the weekend of 2/3rd April. Final training had taken place with Sam Ray
and the horses/ponies had practiced their tests. Horses/ponies had been paired up to travel and so much food to munch on plus the all important pub booked for 21 of us nearby and our menus chosen.
For those of us who wanted a soft bed for the night with en suite facilities the student accommodation had been booked and our rooms awaited us.
The journey was hassle free and we all arrived and let the horses have a leg stretch whilst also looking at the seniors competing. We had a little trouble parking together as the steward was
adamant that there were no spaces next door to Tracy and Janet even though all the girls with their ponies were standing in spaces trying desperately to reserve them for us. Eventually Sharon
used her charms and we were all parked next door to eachother with plenty of room. After collecting our numbers and all passing flu certificate inspection the horses/ponies were settled into
their stables which were lovely and bright in american barns and Fabbes joined us to check all was well with the team horses/ponies.
After changing it was down to the Rising Sun Pub for dinner. A few walked!!! a few jumped in with Fabbes and a taxi was ordered and we all had a great evening celebrating Julia Pitmans birthday,
Danielle Plowmans Birthday and Steve and Rosie Redfords Wedding anniversary. With helium balloons, presents and birthday cake it was a fun evening.
The next day was competition day and an early start for some. Gabi was first in at 9:30 and rode a lovely test of Landfall to finish up 7th in her arena. Laura was next riding Misty Miss and
again rode a steady test to finish 6th in her arena. Poor Charlotte was unlucky to ride her test in a downpour and got soaked but rode well to take 12th in her arena. Emma rode last and Kinkurk
Express tested our hearts with a spook going into the arena but then produced a good test to claim 11th place in his arena. The individual results meant the RVRC junior dressage team came 6th
overall and had prizegiving to collect their rosettes.
What a great experience we all had, the dressage team supported the showjumpers and the showjumpers watched and supported the dressage team making it a wonderful and fun weekend. The showjumping
report is separate but photos are of all junior riders. Many thanks to Fabbes who drove to Hartpury to join us and support us all and walk the course with the showjumpers and warm them all up, and
of course provided us with the evening entertainment the night before at the pub.
A huge thank you to all the parents who came and made Sue and Sharon's job so much easier, you were a real support
and asset to the teams.
We now look forward to the summer qualifier taking place on Sunday 24th July at Hankham. Anyone wishing to be in a team please contact either Sue or Sharon.
NAF Novice Indoor Show Jumping Championship
11:30 Saturday 2nd April and we all left in convoy to Hartpury College, Gloucester for the junior winter dressage and Show Jumping winter champs. Our representatives consisted of Freya Bruce + Bobby, Abbie Fuller + Charlie, Danielle Plowman + Coco and finally me (Rachael) + Ernie. We arrived in good time and after declaring we were introduced to Hitler. Despite the little issues we were at an amazing venue and we were all very excited about the weekend ahead. We bedded the horses down and then went off to a little pub just down the road. It was a lovely evening with 21 of us in the pub... the poor locals! We celebrated 2 birthdays, a wedding anniversary and Fabbes ‘toaster story’ and then made our way home. When we got back (about midnight) Abbie decided to plait her pony because she was on at 8:08, I don't know how much she had to drink but I found her plaiting on the wrong side!
In the morning Abbie was first in and her pony Charlie also thought it was way too early to be jumping but he jumped a steady round and finished on 8 faults. Freya was next and she was looking good but Bobby never fails to make Freya work. He put in an unfortunate stop but Freya kept her cool and rode brilliantly to finish on 4 faults. I was next and Ernie was behaving impeccably, he is only a baby and warming up for me was a success but he went on to jump a lovely round and we also finished on 4 faults with just one pole on the floor. Dan was last and she rode a nice round but Coco rolled 2 poles so they finished on a score of 8 faults.
The second round was started well by Abbie with a speedy round and only one pole knocked down. Bobby wasn’t so kind to Freya this round because he stopped at a fence he jumped perfectly before and he lazily knocked 2 down but good on you Freya because you rode brilliantly to get him round and they finished on 15 faults… adding 7 time faults due to having to circle. Me next and Ernie was feeling tired but once we got into the ring he jumped his socks off and we completed our 2nd round with just one fence on the floor; we had the same fence down as in the first round! Bloody planks! Danielle and Coco were last and she rode a lovely round to finish on a fantastic 4 faults.
We finished on a total of 28 faults, not a winning score but everybody rode superbly and represented RVRC with pride and to a high standard. Well done to the junior Show Jumpers who finished 14th out of 29 teams!
I just want to say a quick thank you to all the parents/ helpers, our super team managers Sharon Baker and Sue Craner who did a super job of organising us all, the last but not least the amazing, fabulous, (glamorous) and invaluable Fabbes Boxall. We couldn’t of done it without you! x
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