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Best Ever Blenheim PC Team Show Jumping European Championships

I didnt think i would be able to say that again this year! This event was
even bigger this year as it was the European Championships. The team was
Becky Watts - Autumn Breeze, Lucy Docker - Tough Deal, Sarah Gibson - Oscar
Award and Jenny Lane - Mrs Smoky. The course was up to area standard and
the first round was up to height with a large parallel going down hill as
the first fence, the course builder was not feeling generous. Becky was our
path finder, a position she is becoming very good at particularly as she
has allot of experience over these type of tracks. The ring was very small
with all the fences in the middle and allot of tight turns. Breeze showed
us all how to do it with a foot perfect clear round, Sarah was up next with
Oscar, we were a bit unsure how he would like the small ring as he has a
very forward way of going, but apart from a sticky moment were we all held
our breath as he stood off miles from the double Sarah also did a lovely
clear. Jenny new her horse would like the small ring and course was ideal
for her apart from a really unlucky moment were she tipped the planks the
round was good, the team were now on 4 Faults. Lucy was next, normally she
likes to go last, and she has more experience in this position could she
pull it off again - No Pressure! She rode a very controlled round to go
clear! we were on 0. The second round is jumped in reverse order of Merrit
and with only  7 out of 35 teams on 0 we were in a for a long wait, or
plenty of time for Shopping and watching a few dressage tests from the
likes of Zara Philips for a few tips and a bit of inspiration.

We were 5th last to jump and went in the same order. The team that went in
front of us, the VWH were the only team on 0. the course had gone up they
had included a triple going down hill and 2 large oxers going up hill with
2 strides in the middle. Most of the striding was quite long which was
causing a number of poles to go. There was also a number of tight turns
back on yourself to large up rights. Becky was up and Breeze again put in a
great performance but had the planks down which was an unfortunate 4
faults. Sarah next and this course was very twisty for a big horse like
Oscar but he stormed round for a great double clear, one of very few that
day, well done Sarah and excellently ridden (the rest he got the day before
paid off!!!!). Jenny did a great round but cutting the corner coming into
the double cost her and she unfortunately rolled a pole. Lucy was last to
go. The combination did a lovely round but the horse came round the corner
and thought she had to jump the first fence again! Luckily Lucy was a bit
ahead of her and managed to turn but got a bit close to the combination
going up him and caught the back rail which gave her 4 faults which was bad
luck. The team finished on 8 faults. We had 4 teams left to jump one of
which was the Warwickshire, they had really bad luck when a horse went lame
outside and another got eliminated, the poles kept falling for the other
teams and we kept holding our breath. No one went any better and we were
2nd! The team won a feed voucher from Dodson and Horrell ( Missed out on
the nice wool rug which the winners got, but they werent our colours
anyway!) and also got to Shake the Duke of Marlboroughs hand before Zara
did! This was great for the team and a big well done! We have never been
placed at this event before. I would also like to thank all the people that
came and supported such as Adrienne, Rob Horton-smith, Kim and Dean Murray,
Charlotte and Claire Gee and again the parents we all needed a stiff drink
after the suspense.

Thanks to all those that have represented the branch this year we have had
a great season and it has been real fun, if a little stressful at times.
Thanks again!!!!

Sarah Docker
Show Jumping Senior Team Manager

More info and results can be found on the main PC web site by clicking here