Riding

Last updated 15:52, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

CUMBRIA Riding Club had a couple of splendid spring days for their first outings of the season.

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Pipped at the post: Rachel Farrell and Charlie

On Sunday, April 13, the Mock Hunt was led by hunt master Emma Lace through the countryside of Waberthwaite and Corney Fell. Fran Geer and Sarah Irvine tried exceptionally hard to be caught on their steeds Merlin and Basil, but the pack were locked on the wrong scent.

In the Hunter Trials on Sunday, April 20, three riders qualified to compete in the finals of the SEIB BHS Cross Country Championship – Jenna Richardson on Meg, Rachel Farrell on Charlie, and Sarah Irving on Keyhouse Sandpiper.

Teenager Robyn Anderson, from Egremont, was first and fifth and won the Sharp Edge trophy in the novice class.

Jacquie Southward from Bootle was absolutely chuffed with her second place in the novice. Zemblar, a 16.3hh Dutch Warmblood was imported from Holland last year and has been with Jacquie for only three months. She is a mere baby rising four, and Jacquie brought her along for the experience, never imagining that she’d do so well. The pair look forward to trying a bit of everything this season.

Rachel Farrell of Lowca was pipped at the post in the intermediate class, being only one second over the optimum time. Rachel rode Charlie, a cheeky 14.2hh Connemara, owned by Dally Birkett of Fell View Stables.

Nikky Heal and Cavalier won the new Whicham Trophy, which had been donated by Lin Richardson, coming in sixth place at exactly the optimum time of 4,30 in the Intermediate class. Amanda Carson from Seascale and her Lipizzana Napolitano Italia grasped first place in the Open.

See next week’s Whitehaven News for a profile of Cumbria Riding Club.