Area SJ 2007

I new we were in for a long day and to be honest had no idea how we would fair against the other teams. The team was Jo Crawford - Miss behave, Oli Johnson - Grange Annie, Same Harris - Watch Tower and Ben Murray - Eliza Doolittle we also had 2 individuals Jo Purvis and Rebound and Sarah Gibson and Oscar. We ran the event and I am sure that everyone will agree the day was a success even if the lack of warming up space did cause a few head aches. The course was very twisty and the first round claimed a few casualties but generally rode well. Jo and Oli jumped great clears, even after Oli protesting about being the first to go in the competition. Sam had an unfortunate 4 faults, but shocker of the day was Dooly taking a dislike to the lighthouse, or getting jealous because Bens mind may not have been on the fence!, she deposited him in front of it, they then went on to complete a perfect round. So going into the second round we were on 4 faults. For first time that I can remember we made a bit of PC history and had 4 clears in the second round at the area it was great everyone rode really well as the track did go up considerably. This meant that the team were on a total of 4 along with the Warwickshire and the West Warks, it also meant that Oli and Jo would be in for a shot at the individual placings. We had to all jump off and we ended up second behind the West Warks and unfortunately missing out on qualification for the championships, we have however qualified for Hickstead next year so well done. Jo and Oli finished second and third individually and Jo has qualified for the individual show jumping championships at Shelford Manor so well-done Jo back luck to Oli who just missed out. We must not forget the individuals Jo and Sarah who both jumped really well and had a good day but unlucky poles put them out of the placings. As ever the turnout was very hot this year and I think the judges were particularly hard on us as we have won it so many times before but yet again we won by a margin of 4 marks thank you so much for all your hard work. it does show and so many people notice and make comment.

Intermediate

We had 2 teams forward for the intermediate again this year expectation as high as we had done so well last year however the competition was very tough and there were lots more teams entered as this class seems to have taken off. The teams were : Atherstone Hounds - Fran Bull - Bits and Bobs, Laura Shelton Smith - Willow, Jean Smith - Tilly and Imogen Murray and Juno and Atherstone Foxes - Emma Beeson - Cloude Nine, Max Young - Bouncer, Emily Hiorns - Touch and go and Hannah Goodman and Spider. There was allot of younger members having a go at the intermediate this time. All the riders rode well and the course proved to be inviting in the first round and then much more technical in the second round. Imogen Murray produced 2 foot perfect clears on Juno to put her into the jump off individually, Emma Beesons Cloudy was having an off day and didnt want to play, Max Youngs bouncer jumped 2 great round only for Max to have a laps in concentration at the first fence in the second round. Fran rode 2 great rounds however Sparky thought that time was more important and took a flyer at the last unshiping fran, we are still not sure if Sparky or Frans head stopped the timing equipment, lucky both were unhurt. Hannah, Emily, Jean and Laura all rode really well but had unlucky poles which meant that the teams were out of the placings. Imogen jumped off for the individual place, after strict instruction from Kim I made sure that Imogen new the course, however she decided to take the scenic route round Weston lawns arena but she was the only clear and won the competition qualifying for the individual Champs at Shelford Manor in her first year in this competition so well-done Imogen. As for the turnout the intermedaites had a bit of rivalry between themselves and the open team, this paid off as Atherstone hounds won the turn out with Atherstone Foxes third again you all looked great and thank you for making the extra effort and a special well-done to the Atherstone Foxes who have never done this before and gave the more experienced team a run for their money.

Sarah Docker
Show Jumping Senior Team Manager