15 May 2007 - Two Handy Pony Finallists

Last Sunday The Unicorn Centre near Middlesbrough was the venue for the regional qualifying rounds of the RDA National Championship's Handy Pony competition. Our group sent about a dozen riders and three horses, all of whom enjoyed a day of keen competition.

Star competitors for Otley & District RDA were Roger Ramsdale riding Major and Ann Rennison riding Crispin. They both won their classes outright and so qualified for the finals in Gloucestershire in July.

Janet Chamberlain did exceptionally well to come joint second riding a borrowed horse and using ladder reins for the first time. Janet missed qualifying by a single point but could still make the finals if the other rider drops out.

The next competition will be the dressage qualifiers on 27th at Middleton Park. Before that, the group will have their usual stall at Otley Show. Aficionados of Cathy Thornton's delicious marmalade will be delighted to learn that she will have a new batch ready for sale.