Size did not matter for Maddy Jacob at the BHS TREC Scottish
Championships
Maddy Jacob proved bigger isn’t necessarily better
by riding one of the smallest competing ponies to take the
Level 4 Individual title at the 2008 BHS TREC Scottish Championships.
Maddy and her 13.1hh Welsh Section C, Taffechan Princess,
fought off competition from the likes of former World Champion
David Hay-Thorburn to win the highest competition level in
BHS TREC.
Maddy said: "I was thrilled with Scotland! It certainly
made the miles home much easier. It was a good one for Taffie
as the going was favourable for her. She had an adventurous
time in Scotland - I did fear on Friday that we had overdone
it but she was fine for the vet and A1 at the start. She had
been attacked by mad Highland ponies on Wednesday (they pack
a serious punch) and gone belly deep in a bog on Thursday.
Still, you can't wrap ponies in cotton wool even if they are
competing in championships!"
More than 70 riders travelled to South Lanarkshire for the
championships, which were hosted by Hyndshawland Farm Stables,
a BHS approved centre set in breathtaking Lanarkshire countryside.
Carolyn Macdonald, Chairman of the Scottish TREC Advisory
Group (STAG) said: “We are fortunate to have been able
to hold the Championships at such a beautiful venue, and we
are grateful to Mike and Dot Still for being such gracious
hosts”.
Another great performance from reigning champion Alex Wells
saw her regain her Level 3 Individual title with Thoroughbred,
Toffee, while the Level 3 Pairs was won by husband and wife
combination Sheila and Dave Rogerson riding Jakeal and Second
Edition. The couple, who both work in education, had to rush
up to the venue once school had finished for the weekend.
A win in the Level 2 Individual Championship with Ramova
was great consolation for Marie Metcalf after the disappointment
of having to withdraw from this class last year. Heather Adam
took second place, securing the STAG Trophy donated by the
STAG committee members for the highest score achieved by a
Scottish-born rider, resident in Scotland. The Level 2 Pairs
was won by Julia Izzard and Clare Reynolds, justifying their
lengthy trip up from Kent!
For the first time at a Championship, Level 1 classes were
included. These proved to be a resounding success and included
competitors who had never before competed in BHS TREC. At
just 16 years of age, Level 1 Individual winner Jade Peace
riding Breeze, looks to be a really promising hope for the
future. In the pairs, the honours went to Susan Clarke and
Janey Rorison riding Cayman and Buddy despite the fact that
this was Susan’s first attempt at BHS TREC!
Helen Owens, Senior Executive, BHS Competitions said: “There
was such a great buzz surrounding this Championship. I was
very impressed with the level of competition – well
done to all the prize winners. We would like to thank the
STAG committee for their hard work and all the judges and
volunteers that helped to make the Championship such a great
success.”
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