2008 News and Results

December On the 14th at Merrist Wood Rupert dressage improved with the intervention of his new dressage trainer James Rooney, one of the directors of Dressage Ireland. James is really getting into the driving, backstepping for Rupert in the obstacles in which he had the two fastest times. - A trainer who is truly involved Pic courtesy of Paul Orchard Photography

November South East area at Henfield Indoors saw Rupert take the Novice pony class convincingly with Buster.

James Lewis drove BJ and Rocky tandem which was sadly BJ's last outing as he suddenly succumbed to an unknown tumour on his liver. Possibly one of the best loved ponies that have been through the yard and we know started a minimum of 175 people to drive as well as all his other duties.

Rupert with BJ in 2006 at the BDS Show Smiths Lawn

At Merrist Wood  on the 23rd Minta took 2nd in the multiples
October IHDT A visit to Thames Valley Area  indoors with Buster and Rocky in tandem saw them win the multiples class. Really a schooling event to get them out in public in tandem.
October  Towerlands Driving was a successful show for the team if a bit cold!

The pair were reserve champions in the Concours.

Woods was 1st in the Novice class , 2nd in the under 13.2 private drivingand 3rd in the Balanced Horse Feeds Welsh Section A&B class. 

 

Connections of the yard Will Leslie and Elaine Thompson came first in the Osbourne Exercise vehicle class for pairs driven by Will.

The team were pleased to finish the season on a high
September The Nationals saw the pair come 6th out of a very strong class of 14.

Rupert drove BJ at Ashfields coming 4 th in the Novice Pony class.

Then disaster struck the yard. A week before HOYS  we lost Willam with a heart attack. A very sad time for all connected with the yard.
August Despite the wind, rain and mud at Lowther it was a very good event and the boys finished 4th proving that when the going gets tough the tough get going.

Stapleford Pocket Rocket rejoined the yard under the ownership of the Lewis's. 

Warfield show saw the yard return with loads of rosettes from BJ and Woods

WPEC in July and August saw the pair coming 1st in their class. The babies went for dressage practise aquiting themselves well and Rupert drove BJ.

Last event in August was Edenbridge and Oxted show where William and Olly won their class and took the HOYS qualifier.
July The pair went to Catton and with a strong marathon were 7th in a very strong class.

William competed as a single at Erdigg  in the Intermediate pony class as a schooling session. This was a fabulous event and we were pleased with his 4th. 
June Mrs Avril Lewis's young Section B Kingsmead Gatekeeper (Woods) had his first outing at BDS Kent Area show winning his Novice calss and taking the Osbourne Qulaifier in the Welsh A &B section. Lindsey Parish wonj the exercise class with BJ and Oakley Fuller borrowed him to win the Junior class in the exercise vehicle.

Mintas birthday lunch was this year held at the BDS Show at Smiths Lawn. Kingsmead Gatekeeper was 2nd in a strong Novice pony class and 4th in the Welsh A & B class.

The Hickstead Derby meet saw the grey boys come second to Nigel Fuller the current HOYS champion and Champion here. They also obtained their Osbourne pairs qualifier .  

May 08 Brighton HDT - The pair of grey boys were 5th in their first outing of the season.

They then enjoyed a 'jolly day out' at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the Concours D'Elegance.

Around 18 mature over 25's enjoyed the benefit of Wilf and Mintas instruction at the 'Crinkly Camp' at Ashfields. Over three days this was a mix of tuition and games thoroughly enjoyed by all
                      February 08

 

February saw the upheaval of a yard move to our current yard at Thakenham