29 May 2007 - Well done Kathryn, Megan, Lynne, Elaine & Marianne
Sunday 29th May was an excellent day for our group.It started as Kathryn Wheelock was preparing to leave for the latest paralympic qualifier in Austria. She got the very welcome news that she has been invited to the Paralympic Council of Ireland's acclimatisation camp in Beijing in August. This is not a guarantee that Kathryn will compete in the Paralympics but it is a sure sign that the Paralympic Council of Ireland feels she is very much in the running.
Meanwhile, at Middleton Park Equestrian Centre on Sunday, in the Yorkshire & Cleveland Regional Qualifying Competition, Lynne Burnley, Elaine Button, Marianne Jubb and Megan Herbert all qualified for the Dressage Finals of the RDA National Championships in July.
Megan (60.5%), riding Sylvester, was first in the Junior's section of her test and came 3rd overall, an excellent result for the Federation of Disability Sports Organisation's 'Most Promising Female Newcomer - Junior.
The rest of the qualifiers did it the hard way. Lynne (the FDSO's 'Most Promising Female Newcomer - Senior) had been ill and unable to ride for two weeks prior to the qualifiers and, according to her coach, Elaine Goodall (Yes, FDSO's Coach of the Yearr!) she 'still looked like death warmed up'. The result must have made Lynne feel a lot better.
Elaine Button (65.45%) won Test 32 riding a horse kindly loaned to her by hosts Middleton Park Equestrian Centre.
Marianne Jubb (63%) rode Sylvester into second place at her first attempt as a senior rider. Previously Marianne has competed as a junior but this is the first time she has qualified for Hartpury. It's been a great year for Marianne. First of all she was offered a further education place at The Fortune Centre, Dorset where horses are used to assist study (see 'Links'). It was an anxious few months before she got the good news that her local education authority would fund the course for three years. Now she has celebrated academic success with success in the arena and we are all delighted for our rider and volunteer helper.
These four dressage riders will join Handy Pony qualifiers Ann Rennison and Roger Ramsdale at Hartpury and also Kathryn Wheelock who qualifies because of her other achievements throughout the year.
Meanwhile Richard Bromley is still waiting for official news. Richard had to have an operation last week so, with the co-operation of both Regional Chairmen involved, took his qualifier early with North Region RDA. He rode well and his percentage mark should ensure that he gets through to the finals but it will a nail-biting time for him.
Now all we have to do as a group is RAISE THE MONEY TO TAKE OUR HORSES 200 MILES DOWN THE MOTORWAY AND STABLE THEM FOR TWO NIGHTS.
ALL OFFERS OF HELP WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.
These four dressage riders will join Handy Pony qualifiers Ann Rennison and Roger Ramsdale at Hartpury and also Kathryn Wheelock who qualifies because of her other achievements throughout the year.
Meanwhile Richard Bromley is still waiting for official news. Richard had to have an operation last week so, with the co-operation of both Regional Chairmen involved, took his qualifier early with North Region RDA. He rode well and his percentage mark should ensure that he gets through to the finals but it will a nail-biting time for him.
Now all we have to do as a group is RAISE THE MONEY TO TAKE OUR HORSES 200 MILES DOWN THE MOTORWAY AND STABLE THEM FOR TWO NIGHTS.
ALL OFFERS OF HELP WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.