The Northern Region has made it a hat-trick with another major win in British Dressage at the weekend (30 June – 1 July).
Their third win came courtesy of Northern Impulsion who claimed the 2012 British Young Rider Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) Inter Regional title with an impressive 18 point lead. In second placed was Wales Teifi, while North West Gigolo took third.
Riding on the winning team at Keysoe College Equestrian Centre in Bedford, were nine-year-old Millie Moncrieff (Harrogate) riding Major House, 12-year-old Harriet Walker-Smith (Derby), and sisters Beth and Roxanne Shipley (York) aged 14 and 17 respectively.
Both Beth and Roxanne secured top three places on each day, with Beth winning the National B squad championship on Wanour S. Roxanne came second in the A squad with Affinity Bay, and qualified for the championships later this month.
Harriet rode John Boy George who has assisted a number of young riders through BYRDS, as well as Kathryn Wheelock, one of the region's para dressage riders. According to Harriet’s mother, George “gave Hattie the time of her life”, and the pair won the National C squad title.
Sarah Huntridge, Northern RDO, said she was delighted with the team’s success and the fact that the region has won three consecutive titles.
“This competition gives riders great foundations for dressage due to the way in which the tests are marked,” she said. “We are very lucky to have such a dedicated BYRDS committee and regional representatives who ensure that all riders of all ages are supported throughout their stages of learning. I was overwhelmed by the number of talented riders at the competition and felt very proud to be part of it.”
As reported in H&C, Northern Engagement won the senior inter-regionals back in May, which was also held at Keysoe College. Two weeks later Northern Bakers took the top spot at the Para Home International at Vale View EC, Leicestershire.
BYRDS is an annual competition hosted by British Dressage to encourage and develop dressage in young riders. This year’s event saw 36 teams entered from across the country. Riders rode one test each day and the scores were then added together to give the final results. Each rider rode at their relevant squad level (A, B, C or Fledgling) and the dressage tests were marked on the rider’s position, effectiveness, influence and accuracy.
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