Johnson on top as Equestrian club rides hard

York kept their cool under pressure

Written by Gemma Johnson

The competition comprises both dressage and show jumping phases, with a member of each team riding the same horse. Each rider rides a set sequence of movements (a test) and jumps a round of show jumps, on two separate horses. Whoever rides their horse the best is given 0 penalties with the difference in scores making up the other riders' penalties. The team with the least penalites wins and individuals are placed to 8th position so if the team does not qualify for Regionals, an individual may do.

York have been placed in a tough league this year, pitted against Sunderland and Teeside. A sterling performance at the Teeside venue left York in second place on only 7 penalties, and the home team on 4. With a win at their home venue crucial, York needed to prove themselves as the better team.

The day started out well with Nina Sandhaus taking on a difficult horse to complete an accurate test. Becca Harris, again, rode a difficult horse, and Ellie Pendred rode a superb test. Both proved their skill by being placed above the riders from the other teams, as both proved that they could not only be accurate and consistent but use their aids effectively to ask the horse to perform each movement. Last up was team captain Toni Newman who excelled in her test and rode a horse who has in the past caused problems, but today both performed well and Toni was rewarded with the highest dressage mark out of all the riders.

After the dressage phase, York were on 0 penalties, Teeside on 36 and Sunderland trailed on 69. York needed to go clear in the show jumping for them to retain the top position. Although there were a few thrills and spills from members of the other teams, York managed to keep their cool and everyone went clear resulting in all York's team members receiving 0 for their jumping round.

The team's advantage came from training at least twice a week, which is a huge financial commitment, and persevering on some difficult horses. The huge difference in score is a testiment to the team's dedication.

York must be placed first in their next competition for the team to go through to the Regional round, something which has not been achieved in the past two years.

Also, York's B team fought hard for a deserved win at their away competition at Sheffield on Friday 20th Feb, finishing on 0 penalties, Sheffield on 2 and Leeds on 34. The B team has qualified for both Regionals and Nationals twice before, being placed 6th nationally out of 54 teams last year but with the standard of these teams so very close and York's home match this Thursday, fingers crossed their hard work and dedication to training will pay off.

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