Grass Roots Qualifier and Regional Points League at The Jays, Bury St Edmunds

Class 1 – 50cm

The Woodbridge Blue Team came a very well-deserved Second Place overall with 4 excellent clear rounds for this very novice team, including Fran Jackson riding 2 different ponies – Minnie the Minx and Kingsettle Thrysma, who had never competed prior to Saturday’s event, plus a good steady clear from Rosie Hunter Blair on Jimbo, and a fabulous clear round from Sasha Reid, jumping 50cm for the first time!! Fran also managed to bag Second Place individually with a very fast round from Minnie the Minx!

Class 2 – 60cm

Another excellent result with 4 clear rounds from The Woodbridge Red Team, including Lily Waterer on Annabel, Sophia Waterer on Amber, Rosie Hunter Blair on Jimbo, and Fran Jackson on Minnie the Minx. Woodbridge Red Team were very proudly presented with individual results in this class too – Rosie Hunter Blair was given The Style Award for the most beautiful, steady and controlled clear round, Fran Jackson took Second Place with Lily following up in 5^th Place for the fastest clear rounds! Fran also went clear once again on Thrysma – a great result for them both.

Class 3 – 70cm

Due to a few last minute changes we now had 2 individual riders and only a team of 3 representing Woodbridge. Sophia Waterer on Amber was the first to go, and although losing her whip half way round, Sophia found the strength in her legs to encourage a rather reluctant Amber to jump very well. Lily Waterer followed on Annabel, and her sheer determination ensured a good clear round from them both.

Now it was the turn of the team –  the pressure was on the young riders to all jump clear against a strong field in order to be in with a chance of success and keep up with the earlier success of the previous teams! With Olivia Lubbock on Gwen, Alex Ryder-Davis on Faith, and Oliver Reid on Twix, they all jumped fabulous clear rounds, and into Second Place with Olivia and Gwen taking 5^th individually, even though they went the long way round!

Class 4 – 80cm

Again with only a team of three and some rather large fences and spreads to face, not to mention some very sharp twists and turns in the course, the Woodbridge White Team stepped up to the challenge. Olivia Lubbock and Gwen went first – a hair raising round by anyone’s standards. After crashing through fence four, and almost totally losing their balance, pony and rider managed to carry on and complete the rest of the course at speed and with only one stirrup! Oliver Reid followed on Twix, and produced a deceptively fast clear round. It was now down to Alex Ryder-Davis and Faith – “No pressure….just enjoy it!” we all said. And they did! A fabulous clear round with some  excellent sharp turns and plenty of pace! The Woodbridge White Team came 1^st, with Ollie coming 2^nd, Alex 3^rd and Olivia 6^th as individuals.

A fantastic result and great way to end a very successful day for all of the Woodbridge Team riders!!

Thank you to all the Mums and Dads for their support and encouragement which went such a long way to making it a very enjoyable day! Photos to follow