Lincolnshire Horse Trials 2012
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 29 March 2012
The annual Lincolnshire Horse Trials took place this March at the Lincolnshire Showground from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th, with competitors taking part in dressage, show jumping and cross country over the three days at pre novice (BE100), novice and intermediate levels.
Nearly two thousand riders and visitors converged on the Lincolnshire Showground as the event attracted Olympic hopefuls from across the world, together with all our top local riders. The Lincolnshire Horse Trials is known for being an excellent early in the season event by being a good proving ground for both horse and rider.
World renowned rider Mark Todd narrowly pipped local rider Nicola Baguley to win the Open Intermediate T section.
Competitors from Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the USA joined the cream of British riders, including Olympic hopefuls William Fox Pitt, Nicola Wilson, Piggy French, Ruth Edge, Oliver Townend and Laura Collett who gained an early-season success finishing comfortably ahead to win on RAYEF in the Open Intermediate Section S.
A top pack of local riders were also put through their paces, including Ros Canter and Gina Ruck, who led through the dressage, dropping into second place overall following cross –country time penalties.
And the up and coming Emilie Chandler from Stathern in nearby Leicestershire, fulfilled expectations with two wins in the OI and novice sections, attributing her success to winter-based hill work with her horses.
A Top Class Course
This year the course was redesigned by Horse Trials director and course designer Charles Hood, drawing praise that was reported in Horse & Hound’s review of the event, saying “Riders continue to travel the length and breadth of the country to compete at Lincolnshire – the entries list reads like a Who’s Who of the sport. It is a well deserved reputation and one that was upheld again this year.”
And indeed it was as Charlie Hood had thought it out well, especially with the Water jump, the Brewin Dolphin Financial Challenge jump, catching out a few riders, some even having to retire from that event for failing twice to jump it.
Robert Heneage, ever the striking and full of life character, especially when wearing his Afghan hat that his son had brought back for him while serving in Afghanistan, was the Course Builder.
Robert gave me a tour of the Course, jump by jump on his buggy, which by the way he zipped round the course I was beginning to think it might be easier and safer done on a fiery steed going over the jumps ... just kidding as he was quite expert at it.
A Special Award
On the Saturday there was a special Award given, it was the British Eventing Award, that is a coveted award given to volunteers who have shown outstanding commitment to the sport, and this was presented to Ralph Grey, for his faithful service to the Lincolnshire Horse Trials.
“I’m amazed they gave me an award,” said the Ralph modestly when I spoke to him later, “I’m only doing what I love.” That is precisely why Ralph deserves the Award, because his love of what he does shows, thus making it a fun event where his enthusiasm rubs off onto others.
A gentleman now well into his eighties, Ralph was still more nimble around the Lincolnshire Horse Trials than some half his age.
Running Order At The Event
Each day of this three day event was focussed on a particular class, giving the visitors the chance to see all the events each day, cross country, dressage and show jumping.
Friday 16th March:
BE100 and Open BE100 class.
8.00am Dressage
8.45am Show jumping
9.30am Cross country
5.00pm Approx finishing time
Saturday 17th March:
Novice and Open Novice plus Pony Trial dressage and show jumping
8.00am Dressage
8.45am Show jumping
9.30am Cross country
5.00pm Approx finishing time
Also taking place on Saturday was the Pony Trial dressage and show jumping. The pony cross country was on Sunday at 9.00 am.
Sunday 18th March:
Intermediate and Open Intermediate classes plus Pony Trial cross country
8.30am Dressage
8.45am Show jumping
9.00am Cross country plus Pony Trial Cross country
5.00pm Approx finishing time
First Class Event
The event ably handled by Secretary Anne Whitton (always at the heart of things and on hand to answer anyone’s queries ... as well as trying to convince me I should be back in the saddle riding again), along with all the officials at Lincolnshire Horse Trials, helped to make this a successful first class event.
Facebook Picture Album
To see more pictures from the Lincolnshire Horse Trials 2012, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!
