Laura Tomlinson on her terrific finish to the season, the stewarding on the nationwide championships – and making a HOYS fake pas
Since my final column, I’ve had a superb time on the Nationwide Championships with success on my two home-bred eight-year-olds and my 10-year-old upcoming grand prix horse. I additionally had a 3rd home-bred there for one among my masterclass days. It felt great to showcase horses which were raised in our system from the beginning.
The youngest, within the Saturday masterclass, impressed me probably the most. Having by no means been in a scenario like that earlier than, he was so sincere and targeted.
The nationals at Somerford Park had been effectively organised and a pleasure to compete at. It was clear that the stewards had been tasked with managing the warm-up and common train arenas with far keener eyes than riders are accustomed to.
There’ll at all times be some gray areas the place a rider could also be reprimanded when making an attempt to take care of a tough, tense horse. Nonetheless, on the finish of the day, we now have to begin someplace and if the dialogue stays respectful, certainly it’s price having to permit for a greater future within the sport. I felt this was effectively achieved on the nationals with stewards who had been devoted to doing a superb job.
I used to be one of many riders who was interviewed by a journalist from The Instances forward of his latest piece on the state of the game. It was pretty to listen to him say that over the course of his time on the championship he had not seen one factor that had involved him. Certainly, he had seen solely optimistic photos and examples of pretty partnerships and riders who clearly cared quite a bit for his or her steeds, no matter whether or not they’d had a superb or disappointing spherical.
HOYS delight
After the nationals it was time for a little bit of bedding again into time period time. With three kids returning to high school and one going again to nursery, I can say that life has began to really feel just a little extra my very own once more – not less than between the hours of 9am to 3pm.
I then skived off final Thursday, breaking my 10-year-old daughter Annalisa out of faculty to accompany me to Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS). I haven’t been for a superb few years and Annalisa has by no means been. She was delighted to observe so many very good ponies of various sizes and shapes with an array of hairstyles.
Her spotlight was watching the mounted video games and the pace at which the youngsters can bounce on and off whereas the group cheers. Nevertheless, my spotlight was profitable the Dressage Future Elite Championship on our home-bred Forest Hill.
Though Full Moon was livid to be left behind, we had determined that Forest was the person for the job. His temperament higher fits the necessity to go straight right into a freestyle in such an environment with little probability to familiarise, and a really tough warm-up area.
He took all of it in his stride, together with the prize-giving and I couldn’t have been prouder of him. My good pal Jay Halim did alert me to the truth that I made a significant HOYS fake pas when in my closing lap of honour I didn’t go down the centre line via the pillars for the long-lasting highlight second! Oops, who knew that was a factor!?
Moony needn’t concern although, he and Bon Royal at the moment are en path to a CDI within the Netherlands for Bonnie’s first worldwide and hopefully one among Full Moon’s final small tour appearances.
It has been a gradual season for me however the previous couple of months have made the work and the wait begin to really feel worthwhile. With the winter to consolidate, perhaps 2025 will convey extra pleasure for our yard.
● Have you ever observed a shift in warm-up area stewarding? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and nation, for the prospect in your letter to look in a forthcoming concern of the journal
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