Voltaire Design Eland Lodge Horse Trials Event Report
Voltaire Design Eland Lodge Horse Trials Event Report
I had the pleasure of attending the Voltaire Design Eland Lodge Horse Trials on the 15th and 16th April 2022, and what an amazing way to start the season than with two days of British Eventing. 376 competitiors made their way to the Staffordshire countryside for two full days of dressage, show jumping and cross-country.
With a new Eventing season, we welcome some new sponsors to the event. 7 of our jumps had sponsors this year, Blackfort Castles, Tredstep Island, Snowflake Skinny Boxes, Dubarry Water, Mountain Horse Holly Brush, Voltaire Design Barrel and Rail and the Duchy of Lancaster Arch. One rider said “The course really looks great, you can tell the team have spent a lot of time and hard work to get it dressed to this standard and the sponsored jumps look fab!”
Friday morning, day one of competition, was filled with riders preparing to compete, spectators finding the perfect spot on the hill, volunteers helping out and staff working hard getting ready for the day. There was lots to do and enjoy at Eland Lodge, with multiple food and beverage options (including scrumptious ice cream which was perfect for the lovely weather,) lots of shopping, and some stunning picnic spots.
The competition opened with the most popular class of the day, BE80, with riders excited to get out on the cross-country course. Taking on a cross-country course early in the season can be challenging, and Tredstep Island at fence 4 caught a few riders by surprise. Overall, we saw some quality riding across the course, and it was a joy to watch. Over in the dressage fields there were some lovely tests, with the majority of riders in the top three getting a sub 30 score. In the Andrews Bowen Pro Wax surface arena, we saw riders make the 80cm course look easy as they flew over the course of 9 fences.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE80 Section A, 1st Emma Hyett riding Ricardo Silver Goose, finishing with a total of 28.9, 2nd Emily Kruijt riding Bazaars Kasbah, finishing with a total of 29.3, 3rd Georgi Lucas riding Samthan Sure Thing, finishing with a total of 30.3. Top three from BE80 Section B: 1st Jo Mair riding Kilbrien Chris, finishing with a total of 29.3, 2nd Niamh Harman riding Quinto, finishing with a total of 31.8 , 3rd Rosemary Myers riding Easter Star II, finishing with a total of 35. BE80 Section C: 1st Jessica Kluss riding Largo, finishing with a total of 28.8, 2nd Sarah Caplan riding Dustin Hofman Z, finishing with a total of 30.3, 3rd Rachel Littlewood riding Fiancee, finishing with a total of 30.8.
The next class was the exciting BE90, another popular class which made for a very close competition with final scores being very competitive. The skill level was high as we saw sub 30 dressage scores and lots of riders getting clear rounds in both show jumping and cross-country. While out on the course I saw riders with huge smiles on their faces as they galloped up the hill back home to the finish line, it was a pleasure to see all the hard work pay off.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE90 Section D: 1st Amelia Simpson riding Royal Approach, finishing with a total of 28, 2nd Sharon Latham riding Torpenhow Lia, finishing with a total of 28.5, 3rd Sarah Hamlyn riding Troubaritz, finishing with a total of 28.8. BE90 Section E: 1st Caroline Harrison riding Seapatrick Cruise Delle, finishing with a total of 26.3, 2nd Lesley Mitton riding The Doctor III, finishing with a total of 26.3, 3rd Carrie Childs riding All on Deck, finishing with a total of 27.7. BE90 Open Section F: 1st Jack Leese riding Dassett Cooley Darkness, finishing with a total of 28.6, 2nd Alison Garner riding B Walt Lando Z, finishing with a total of 29.4, 3rd Rachel Hamilton-Russell riding Harison, finishing with a total of 31.
The final class of the day was the BE100, a showcase of talent as riders took the cross-country course, show jumping and dressage in their stride and made Eventing look easy.
We saw riders show case their horse’s ability by not taking the black flag option at fence 13, the top 10 riders went clear and with no time faults, it was a strong class filled with talented riders and horses. Dressage scores were also something to be admired as first place finished with a very respectable 25.3, with second close behind on 25.8. Another close round in the show jumping as all top three riders went clear.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE100: 1st Carlos Parro riding Holly Du Busson, finishing with a total of 25.3, 2nd Evangeline Llewellyn-smith riding Darling Deluxe, finishing with a total of 25.8, 3rd Lucy Blumberg riding Dysart Lux Zed, finishing with a total of 27.8.
On to two, as Saturday welcomed classes from BE90 to BE Novice. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as spectators made their way to the top of the hill to get the full view of the cross-country course, and with the Novice class taking a different track there was lots to see and enjoy.
The first class of the day was the competitive BE90 section. To start the day, we saw riders take on the dressage, after this phase the leaders went into show jumping with an amazing score of 23.0, 2nd 25.3 and 3rd with a 22.0. The show jumping course produced flowing and smooth rounds, with many riders achieving a highly sought-after clea. While out on the cross-country course it was clear that riders were enjoying the course and the ground; the BE90 course presented very few problems, giving many riders a confidence boosting early season clear round.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE90 Section H: 1st Claire Bennett riding Bouncing Lucienne, finishing with a total of 23, 2nd Marie Spillane riding Westend Stevie, finishing with a total of 25.3, 3rd Katie Brickman riding Greenkeld’s Moondance, finishing with a total of 26. BE90 Section I: 1st Annabelle Croxford riding Sherlock, finishing with a total of 29.5, 2nd Anna Stonex riding Midnight Highwayman, finishing with a total of 29.8, 3rd Teri England riding Harlow Carr, finishing with a total of 31. BE90 Section J: 1st Isobel Harrison riding Laurem Andy, finishing with a total of 29.4, 2nd Laura Grice riding Atzaro, finishing with a total of 31.6, 3rd Tia Lewis riding Archie Lad, finishing with a total of 32.
The second section of the day was the BE100 and BE100 Open, another big class, riders showed their skills as they completed all three disciplines in the sunshine.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE100 Section K: 1st Yasmin Ingham riding Gypsie Du Loir, finishing with a total of 25.3, 2nd Heidi O’Brien riding Cryptic King, finishing with a total of 31.5, 3rd Stephanie Batty riding Attyrory Mate, finishing with a total of 32. BE100 Section L: 1st Emily King riding Kilbunny Emperor, finishing with a total of 20.8, 2nd Noah Brook riding Julia’s Smart Option, finishing with a total of 23.3, 3rd Katie Pollock riding Fella II, finishing with a total of 25. BE100 Open Section M: 1st Amelia Hope Waterhouse riding Caher Rocky, finishing with a total of 26.3, 2nd Lola Graham riding Djakota EB, finishing with a total of 26.5, 3rd Lucy Scholl riding Just Dunnit, finishing with a total of 29.4.
The final sections of the day were the BE Novice and the BE Novice Open, a true spectacle of horse and rider athleticism and skill. It was a real pleasure to watch professional riders perform in the dressage, show off in the show jumping, and go round the technical cross-country course. The BE Novice track took a different route, we saw these elite riders tackle the huge Tredstep Island fence, a complex Dubarry Water jump, Owl Hole and the brand-new Brick Kiln Steps just to name a few.
Congratulations to the top three riders from BE Novice Section N: 1st Josh Haynes riding Stornoway IV, finishing with a total of 25.5, 2nd Gemma Watts riding Kasagrande VR, finishing with a total of 27, 3rd Lottie Gilderson riding Fortside Capri, finishing with a total of 27.3. BE Novice Section O: 1st Matthew Steel riding Balham Hill, finishing with a total of 31.3, 2nd Sam Ecroyd riding FMSH Highway, finishing with a total of 31.8, 3rd Ruth Tatam riding Castletown IV, finishing with a total of 32.6. BE Open Novice Section P: 1st Molly Oman riding Bejewel, finishing with a total of 28, 2nd Charlotte Allwood riding Ferdi, finishing with a total of 30.9, 3rd Steven Smith riding Bright Spark III, finishing with a total of 30.9.