The British Riding Club (BRC) held its BE80 Championships at Brooksby Melton College over the weekend (23 September), with all riders of all ages taking part.

Years of experience

The day was divided into two sections, with Gillian Duckworth from Northamptonshire winning section J, riding her six-year-old grey mare Red Bog Lady.

Gillian is a member of the Cherwell Valley Riding Club and a grandmother of a nineteen year old – who also events. Using her years of experience she finished the competition on her dressage score of 27.5.

“I am taking my events one at a time as I feel like I may be getting a little old to be riding such a young horse but all the time I am enjoying it and able to do it I will keep going!” she said.

Rising to the challenge

Winning section K was 26-year-old Lisa Egan from Peterborough, who was competing her trainer Julia Dungworth’s former ride Conrad VI.

Lisa, who also finished on her dressage score (28.0), rides for Wittering Academy Riding Club. As well as eventing, she competes in pure dressage and came third at the BRC Dressage Championships.

“It was the first time I’d competed him in weather like that, so I was a little apprehensive of how he would cope,” Lisa said. “He really rose to the challenge and locked on to every fence with his little ears pricked; the course was inviting but quite technical and he just kept trying his best.”