C.E DRESSAGE GROUP NEWS

Hi! - welcome to May's newspage.

We had a great April competition wise with both the Affiliated & Unaffiliated events seeing over 75 entires, making the affiliated competition 12 hours long!!! (Liam, thanks for your help!)

Well done to everyone who made it to Hartpury.

With all the competitions going ahead keep checking the Points League and the Championship page for updates.

photo provided by Centre Line Photography

Amanda Crozier and Chester are currently in the lead in the Points League.

In July this year C.E Dressage are begining 2009 qualifiers for the

" UK RIDERS CHALLENGE "

These are 'fab' champioinships aimed for the grass roots riders to be involved in a National Championships. Horses affiliated to British Dressage/British Eventing are not permitted. More info on the Unaffiliated page.

Two of C.E Dressage's familiar equine faces are for sale.

MURPHY & ROSIE

Murphy - ridden by Kirsty Mester (photo - Centre Line Photography)

Kirsty won the C.E.D.G Points League in the junior section 2007, C.E.D.G Preliminary and Novice Champions 2007. Kirsty and Murphy were guinea pigs at C.E.D.G Lecture / Demonstration 2007 (see 2007 events. Kirsty and Murphy on there debut Affiliated outing won with scores of 70% in two Preliminary tests.

Murphy has also won "cart loads" at showing and working hunters, he has been on a number of teams and has a CV as long as your arm!

He has been there and won it!!

He is such a gent, good to hack, shoe etc.

OIRO - £5,000.

Rosie ridden by Ellie Worrall (photo - Centre Line Photography )

Rosie is also one of the "equine faces" seen at C.E.Dressage. Ellie rode Rosie to claim 3rd place in the C.E Dressage Points League and placings in the Preliminary Championships 2007.

Ellie won the "Achievement Award 2007" for her dedication and commitment to improving competition riding with Rosie in 2007.

Rosie has had success at showjumping and has been over cross county fences and "it can jump"! Rosie has a good character and entertaining personality, with her straight movment and petite frame Rosie is an excellent pony for any enthusiatic child who wants to do well in any sphere.

Want to win? This is a pony for you!

Rosie is good to hack, shoe, clip etc.

O.I.R.O - £3,300.

(To try and reduce the number of time wasters viewing these ponies please contact Joanne for contact numbers of both owners.)

May is also a really exciting month personally. The Senior Inter Regional Team Competition 2008 is on the horizon and I have a team!!

TEAM YORKSHIRE 2008

After last years very very very very wet weekend we are keeping our fingers crossed for sunshine!

The Team

G.N.F. Express at Manor Grange Winter Championships 2007 - Photo www.action-pixs.co.uk

Of course its me!
I am riding at Elementary level in both team tests. I am sure everyone knows my where abouts by now so I will say brief! My warm up competition is at Sheepgate on 10th May then home for extra training and to say a few prayers!
(I won and came 3rd at Sheepgate)

Elizabeth Haigh and Drydun Charlie Boy - photo Centre Line Photography

Liz has chosen to take Chad to The College to ride the team tests at Preliminary Level. Liz will also be using Sheepgate as a warm up and C.E Dressage on the 18th May.

Emma Walters and Woodcroft Frazer - photo Centre Line Photography

Our third partnership is Emma and Frazer. Riding the Novice team test at this years event, Emma has eventing plans for this horse and has been enjoying a little showjumping on the run up to the event. Frazer and Emma have won the Intro at Richmond Horse Trails.

Our fourth rider to make up our team is in the process of sending me the details of herself and horse but as soon as I have them the whole world will know!!!

Hopefully I will be able to report good news or a good party whichever is the better reading!!!! The pics may be entertaining too!!

As promised last month I was including a "Chat with a C.E.Dressage Rider". I have got on with it this month and have Elizabeth Holdsworth as the first rider and C.E.D.G Acheivement Awards Nominee.

Scroll down to view the answers from Elizabeth and pictures.

To be included as a nominee through the "Chat" send me your answers and pictures by email.

Following the Team theme Sunday 11th May is C.E.D.G Team and Music Freestyle competition. If you would like including in a team let me know asap.

Good Luck to everyone this month, see you all soon, Joanne

" Chat to a C.E Dressage Rider "

ELIZABETH HOLDSWORTH

Elizabeth Holdsworth & Topper Harley
(photo - Centre Line Photography)

Lives -

Gomersal, West Yorkshire

D.O.B

Young rider in the 17 - 30 bracket.

Occupation -

Construction Planner on building sites!

Horse -

Topper Harley. Welsh Section D x Dutch Warmblood

Rides -

Topper kept at Lathem Farm in Gomersal. Lucky enough to have a huge menage! Ride as often as I can - 5 times a week at present.

How long have you been riding for?

Too long!! Since I was about 4 (but only diving on horses that were tethered near my mum and dads house!) Started riding properly at a school when I was about 8.

When did you focus on dressage?

Been dressage focused for about 4 years now. but always like to have my flat work right. If the flatwork is there - the horse should do anything.

When did you get your current horse?

I was there when he was born. Breeder couldnt do any thing with him - sold. I bought him from her at 18 months old - he is 12 now.

Where From?

Raikes Hall. Bargain at £200 - sad to say my bridle cost more than the horse did!

What highlights have you had in your riding life?

EVERYTIME I get on him. I am so proud of what I have achieved with minimal help. Backed him myself and we have battled many problems (with attitude mainly!). We also got to Stoneledge finals last year which I was proud of.

What was the lowest point in your riding life?

Not been able to ride for 12 weeks when I fractured my elbow into 5 pieces - sadly I will probably never jump again. PS - I fell down the steps at home - not off a horse - and no I wasnt drunk!

What have you and your horse overcome / battled through?

Topper had a strep virus a few years ago which could have left him with a poor lung capacity but my boy battled it and we compete as often as we can find the competitions to go to!

What would you like to improve on as a rider?

As a rider I would like to improve my own position and in turn be more effective whist looking like I am doing nothing - yes - I want to be Carl Hester ! Dont we all!!!

Who do you most admire as a rider?

A lot of the RDA riders. I dont know how or even if I would have the courage to ride with some of the disabilities these riders face.

What is your short term goal?

Improve my medium work. Its great at home - just pants at a competition!

What is your long term goal?

To improve my general scores over the season taking on board the advice I am given on my score sheets - but most of all enjoy another good season.

What is your equestrian dream?

I think I have a fab dressage horse!!!!
Topper will have a go at anything in a safe manner. I would really love to own a horsebox, more for my parents sake really - they travel all over with me squashed in the back of the car - it would be nice for them to have some room to make a cuppa and be comfortable between classes! Without there support I could not compete and for that I am truly greatful. Thanks Mum & Dad!

If you could change one thing about dressage what would it be?

That people should compete to a challenging level. It is so annoying when a really great horse and rider comepte at a level beneath them. It doesnt help them improve and it doesnt help everyone else in the class who will struggle to compete. Winge over!