Shows
STERLING HORSES REIN SUPREME!
The first Reining show of the year was held in brilliant sunshine on Sunday March 16th 2014, after a well attended clinic with Doug the day before. What had been planned as a gentle start to the show season rapidly gained momentum, with 28 horses ready to blow away the winter blues making 58 runs and 85 class entries!
All classes had good entries and Sterling horses set the pace in several divisions. First class out in the Green as Grass, won by the youngest rider at the show Yasmin Russo, on the oldest horse, Paying the Bills. Paying the Bills, at 20 yrs is literally twice as old as his rider and was Doug's Open Reining horse back in the day some 14 years ago, so it is fantastic to see him still going.
Rookie honours were shared between Dee Russo, on Inwhizable Juan (Doug's open horse a mere two years ago!) and Fiona Howard on Spookanic, her successful Spook Gelding bought from Sterling a year ago. This success follows on from her good results at the end of las year where she won the BR Championship class in the 14-18yrs category. A mere half point behind was Issy Le Pla on Sashimi on their inaugural reining run. "Sushi" was back in the pen after a break of three years and just cruised round, looking like he had never been away!
Rookie Pro saw Michael Langford ride to success on Sue Painter's "Accustomed to Shine" another new combination making their mark. This pair also went on to win the Limited Open class with another nice run. The Novice Horse Open was one of the larger classes and was won by Erwin van Looy on Caroline Stannard's "Really Gotta Rein", a Sterling horse who was born just fields away from the arena.
The Youth class set the bar high with Fiona Howard taking first place, half a point ahead of Tabitha Sternberg Allen on Chic Chic Hoorah. Tabitha had only ridden this five year old mare for the first time the day before and so was very conservative, but had a clean and lovely run. Her mother reminded her that the horse is "just on loan!" Chic Chic was born at the Sterling Ranch in Texas and is the result of second generation Sterling horses on both sides and second generation human in the saddle! Issy Le Pla showed consistency guiding Sushi to her second good score of the day making it an excellent class. Yasmin Russo took both places in the 13yrs and under on Paying the Bills and Chex N Bars Whizzard.
Limited Non Pro put Sterling horses in the top three slots with Luke Phillimore winning on Tinsel Rey ahead of David Ash on Smarts Golden Spook and Tabitha Sternberg Allen on Chic Chic Hoorah tying for 2nd through 4th with Mike Adams on Lucky Flashy Jac. Luke also went on to win the Intermediate Non Pro.
Last class of the day was a family affair with Jessica Sternberg winning the Intermediate Open with a score of 70 on Wimpyts Little Gal and Doug Allen had his first trip on board Hangten Shiner for Chris Brazeau winning the NRHA Open.
All in all everyone had a great time and all are no set for the 2014 Show Season, bring it on!
The Garden of England International Show, held at Bodiam International
Arena July 21-25, 2010 once again established itself as the UK’s Premier
AQHA/NRHA and NSBA Show. 100 horses arrived to compete with riders and
handlers ranging from a 3 year old small fry to numerous NRHA and AQHA
Champions and the regular European competitors. As usual Francesca and
Jane hunted through the various weather reports until they found one
that promised very little rain and used that one! There was a super
Trade Stand “village” which included Caprice Designs with their hand
made chaps from Germany, Lone Star Saddlery from Holland, the Farnham
Products range and a variety of other stands offering everything from
printed tee shirts to a deli and fresh fruit stand. the superb RV Video
from Germany recorded all the classes and provided live-streaming
worldwide, there was even an email from someone in Australia saying how
much they were enjoying watching the show.
Wednesday was CRI day and with most of the UK WEG team riders having a
run through, the French and Belgian teams were also out in full force.
The field of 18 also included a Dutch rider and, UK resident, South
African Shane Borland. We are pleased to say that this prestigious
class was a home win for Doug Allen on his wife, Francesca Sternberg’s,
Inwhizable Juan, the next two positions being taken by the Belgians
with Francesca herself coming in equal 4th on Lightnin Quik Chic, an 18
year old veteran of the show circuit.
The NRHA and BR classes were well supported with the Novice Horse
concurrent classes having 22 entrants. The race for the British Reining
year end standings were hotly fought over with neck and neck battles,
especially in the very competitive Green as Grass and Rookie divisions.
Friday’s $2000 added Non Pro was a tie for 1st with Cira beck on Gumpy
Grumpy BB and Francesca Sternberg on Wimpys Lil Chic, with a full
weekend of competition ahead they decided against a run off and shared
the spoils. Francesca was also 3rd and 4th on Nu Chicka and Jacs Little
Sunrise. The $2000 added Open was a clear win for Bernard Fonck from
Belgium on Sail On Top Whizard with Doug Allen tying with himself for
2nd on Jacs Little Sunrise and Inwhizable Juan. Sunday’s $4000 added
Opens and Non Pros, the major classes of the show, again had small but
quality fields. The Non Pro honours stayed at home with Francesca
taking 1st and 2nd with Nu Chucka and Wimpys Lil Chic with Belgium’s
Willy Geenan and Cira Baeck taking 3rd and 4th respectively. The final
class of the show was the NRHA Open with the Belgian riders taking the
top 4 placings Bernard Fonck was 1st and 2nd on Sail On Top Whizard and
BA Reckless Chick with Cira Baeck on Peek A Boom in 3rd and Ann Fonck
on Smart Furys Remedy 4th, Doug Allen taking 5th, 6th and 8th on Jacs
Little Sunrise, Inwhizable Juan and Nu Chucka.
Running Thursday through to Sunday were the 4 AQHA Shows, the only quad
AQHA show to be held in the UK. With a Circuit Hi Point Award in all
divisions the Judges were kept busy placing these very competitive All
Around riders. We were pleased to see Vanessa Hahn (wife of our
videographer) competing on her lovely sorrel mare Hints Classic Rose,
her first time riding in the UK. The strange part with these
competitors is that although they are competing for the circuit awards
they still support all their fellow competitors. Heavy discussions are
held on the best way to ride patterns, lending each other equipment
and cheering them on from the rail even though they are vying with each
other for the points.
Tailgator put up a beautiful trophy, sashes and product goodie bags to
4th place for an AQHA English Hi Point. The result was down to the
last class and the honour finally went to Vanessa Hahn with Hints
Classic Rose. Chris Dalton and his successful gelding Hesa Classy
Shadow took the Open and Youth Hi Point. Evelyn Dash, who is on a
mission along with Arabis King Bee – Busby to win their Amateur
Superior All Around, won all 4 All Arounds, taking them closer to the
total of 50 required. They also took the Amateur Hi Point. Newcomers to
the circuit this season Emma O’Connor on Jay Light Star took the East
Coast Circuit sponsored Novice Amateur Hi Point winning it by a whisper
from Vanessa Hahn. The Novice Youth was clearly won by Avril Wilson on
Story of Smoke.
Once again the ever popular Small Fry classes were well supported, the
honours in all divisions being shared between the competitors. Mike
Adams, leading his daughter Ailish on his wife’s Pleasure and Trail
mare Zippin N Chippin, broke gait in the Pleasure but the judges did
not penalise Ailish for her father’s lack of stamina. These classes
culminated in the second session of Pleasure and Horsemanship being
held in the outside arena during the Sunday afternoon, there seemed to
be more spectators on the rail for these classes than the big money
reining classes. With a line up of 8 competitors the judges had a job
on their hands deciding the awards. Visiting USA judges Carl and Karen
McQuiston asked questions of each rider on how long they had been
riding, this varied from 3 months to 3 years until, late entry, George
Sternberg-Allen, riding Erwin van Looy’s GVR Nu Glu responded by saying
“since Friday” – Friday is now his middle name. The Small Fry Hi Point
was eventually won by Tabitha Sternberg-Allen riding her mother’s ex
top reining horse Smart A Little with Ruth Leach on her sister’s Paying
The Bills and Paige Carley on Alicia Welsman’s Good Catch Carter hot on
her heels. A tribute to the hard work put in by these riders was paid
by judge Karen McQuiston who said she would be proud to take any of
these riders to the USA and they would hold their own in Small Fry
competition out there.
The NSBA classes had small entries but the quality was there. Saturday
brought the Hunter under Saddle horses out. Both classes were won by
the superb moving Hot Dark N Dynamic, ridden in the Open by Jessica
March winning $699 with Vanessa and Hints Classic Rose in 2nd place
winning $466, and in the Non Pro by her owner Lily Fry winning $333
with Vanessa again in 2nd place winning $222. Sunday afternoon was the
time for the Pleasure horses. The Open was won by Valerie Adams’ Zippin
N Chippin ridden by Lee Rutter, who took a break from his role as a
British reining team member for the World Equestrian Games to show his
versatility in training and riding this very elegant pleasure mare.
This 1st place paid $699 and Mary Larcom on Annie Gravett’s 3 year old
gelding A Pleasure Always coming 2nd and earning $466 The Non Pro was
won by Lily Fry again on her Hot Dark N Dynamic, winning $366 with
Alicia Welsman on Good Catch Carter coming second to earn $244.
There was one final winner of the show that does warrant a mention.
Saturday night was the eagerly awaited competition of the show. Miss
Bodiam was held on the mezzanine floor of the arena. It is highly
unlikely that any will threaten Miss World but the “ fashion and poise”
of the entrants was quite outstanding. The eventual winner was “Petra”
Lane, obviously a very close relative to British Reining Chairman Peter
Lane, who strutted “her” stuff with style and aplomb, the only things
missing were the spurs. Runner up was Georgina who showed a close
resemblance to George Sternberg-Allen.
During the course of the season the Bodiam competitors have been paying
a donation to Macmillan Nurses to have a regular back number, with 13
being auctioned and Mike Adams successful bid of £100 for the honour of
being 13 all year. Tabitha Sternberg-Allen and her buddies then
decided on the Friday to ask everyone to sponsor her father to wear
pink on his ride Jacs Golden Sunrise in the Open that night. They also
sold raffle tickets for a variety of prizes, including a toy horse and
BR goodies, kindly donated by British Reining and between them raised
another £400. A presentation of a total of £1145 was made to Shirley
Bennett, the Macmillan fund raising representative, by Doug, Francesca
and Lee (WEG team members) and Tabitha, Ruth and Fiona instigators of
Doug’s pink ride, during the Sunday afternoon Show Classes.
All in all this was again a successful show, there was only one shower
of rain and took place while the classes were taking place in the
indoor arena. The correct weather forecast was obviously chosen! This
show would not have been possible with out the support of the Sponsors,
please take time to go to the Show website the check them out and
follow their links. Once again the Show officials and volunteers
excelled themselves, working long hours to ensure the smooth running.
Thanks must go to, Janet Holmes, Jane Wallace, Simon Barnes, Jane Muir and
Mary Lepla on the management side, David Lloyd and Mick Carder for
their endless hours in the arenas as Judge’s stewards, John and Abby
Ayles for their sheep dog like qualities rounding up competitors to get
them to the arenas with no delay. Henrietta Campbell, along with
competing her new horse Bat Aviv, showed tremendous stamina is organising and
presenting the ribbons and awards with the help of Rosie Coles. Adam
Heaton kindly agreed to bit judge for the NRHA classes, ably assisted
by wife Dawn who rallied them in and out of the gate. Naturally none
of this would have been possible with out the efforts of our 4 judges.
Ricky Bordignon, Italy, on his first visit to the UK, who judged the
CRI, Reining show 1 and AQHA show 1, James Gerdes-Hanson, Denmark
judge of Reining show 1 and AQHA show 2. Carl and Karen McQuiston from
Oklahoma judged Reining show 2 and AQHA shows 3 and 4. Finally many
thanks to Francesca Sternberg, Doug Allen and all the team at Sterling
Quarter horses for “inviting” everyone to invade their home for the
week and for their enormous efforts in helping the show to run.
The AQHA Special Event/Clinic held March 6/7, 2010 was attendended by a few enthusistic competitors. The Green and Walk Jog classes kindly sponsored by Val Nalbantian gave some first time horse and rider combinations a chance to try the classes out. The clinic was attended by 8 people and Torsten Haier worked them through their Trail obstacles and there was a tremendous improvment when they re ran their pattern at the end of Sunday. Results and score sheets are available on the results page.
INTERNATIONAL SHOW JULY 2009
Results and Score Sheets for International Show on Results page.
Once again the Garden of England International Show was a resounding success. Following hot on the heels of a very successful FEQHA Youth European Cup, as soon as the youth started to vacate their stalls to head back across the Channel, the next 118 International Show competitors were arriving.
2009 WINTER SERIES 2
21st Febuary dawned to a beutiful sunny day in fact it was warmer in the outside arena than the inside one. A small but select group competed for the honors and as we finished reasonably early Alain started the clinic with the video reviewing on the Saturday afternoon. Once again the feedback from the clinic was excellent and we received many requests to bring Alain Kronshagen back for more. He was entertained on the Staurday evening by Penny and Sally so we are not too sure if he would accept another invitation! Once again our thanks to all helpers, Simon Barnes commentating, Rosie Coles doing the rosettes, Roma Phillimore for scribing, Rick Peters for the videoing (apart from the disasterous hour when Jane took over) and the Sterling Quarter horse crew for making everyone welcome.
2009 WINTER SERIES 1
15 horses and their riders along with long suffering partners braved a cold but bright day for our first 2009 show. We were able to have a run of 10 stables dow the side of the arena so even if the humans went out the horses were able to stay under cover. All runs were video'd with the people on the clinic fully aware that a reveiew of the videos would be part of the following days activities. There were some very worried faces by the end of the day! Doug Allen kept a watchful eye on all procedings ready to pass comment the following day. Adam Heaton did an excellent judging job and managed to get through proceedings with only one tie. Our newest Rookie Terri Rogers set us off being our only Green as Grass entry for the day, staying on pattern and marking a repectable score and improved herself on each run. She even won NRHA earnings at her first show. The clinic format of critiquing the videos and then sending everyone back out to run again also once more videod and reviewed has proved an excellent format. We have received excellent feedback and comments were made on the vast improvement of the riders and also on how happier the horses seemed during their performance. The next 2 clinics will run on the same format. Our thanks go to Simon Barnes for his excellent commentating, Rick Peters as our cameraman, Rosie Coles for her help with the rosettes and the staff at Sterling Quater Horses for making sure everything ran smoothly and making the competitors so welcome. Don from Western Boot & Saddles was in attendance with his extensive stock and we have to thank him for his generous sponsorship of the added moneies.
2008 AUTUMN SHOW
A small enthusiastic group arrived at The Garden of England Showground at Bodiam to participate in the first show to be held totally in the new indoor arena. We all had to scrape ice off our windscreens before we could get started. The arena surface rode extremely well and was well suited for both the Pleasure and Reining and the venue will be a great asset especially in the light of the atrocious weather that shows have had to contend with this year.
A special event in Pleasure and Trail was held on the Saturday with Doug Allen judging. Rosie Coles bit the bullet and with borrowed boots and Stetson climbed on board her daughters horse Cee Ed Zip. This was the first time Rosie had ridden Bear and the first time she had been on a horse in 4 years. Amateur competitors beware Rosie went and won the class and is raring to go next season.
The Junior & Senior Trail classes were combined to make a hotly contested 6 horse All Ages Trail. This was narrowly won by Terrie Heid Brazier and Docs Summer Sky, beating husband Adrian and Whatta Fancy Blaze by half a point. This was sufficient for Sky to achieve her Superior in Trail, I think if he had beaten her it would have been acceptable grounds for divorce. This was the culmination of an historic season for Terrie and Sky. At The East Coast Show earlier this year they achieved their Superior All Around which is winning 50 All Around Titles and at the final show of the year they won their 50th point to earn a Superior in Trail.
On the Sunday there was no frost but about an inch of rain fell. The arena was shortened by 3 bays to give a warm up area still leaving a huge arena to ride in. Mark How judged small but close fought classes. Horses, competitors and spectators were well covered along the side of the arena and Rachel set up her Speciality Coffee Stand along side the arena so there was no reason for anyone to get wet. The secretary even dragged herself from a warm office and set herself up ringside to avoid competitors (and herself) from having to go out in the rain. Dry access the coffee stall being a high priority
THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WESTERN RIDING 2008
With lashings of sunshine, and the most fabulous horses and riders from across the globe competing for some of the best prize money available, the show could not fail to be a success! 14 Nations were represented with horses and riders from as far a field as Spain, Australia and South Africa but also with a strong British contingent holding its own.
The first class of the show, The FEI CRI had a large entry of 25 from across Europe, all vying for places, either on their teams for this September’s FEI World Championships or the FEI Masters to be held in OKC , at The Futurity Show, this December. The first four riders will certainly be competing for their respective countries in Mannerbio. Bernard Fonck of Belgium led the way with Rieky Young from Holland 2nd and then two of the British Team riders Doug Allen and Francesca Sternberg coming in 3rd and 4th. Judging by the standard of the runs the FEI World Championships will be a competition to watch!
The Category 1 Reining classes were dominated by the two NRHA World Champions present, Rudi Kronstiener in the Open and Cira Baeck in the Non Pro. These two outstanding riders took home the honours in their divisions and improved their lead in the European Reining Challenge, a circuit made up from four shows held in Italy, Switzerland, Britain and Germany. Rudi posted a score of 227.5 the highest score seen in Britain so far.
The NSBA spectators were treated to impeccable performances by the Jagfeld family, leading German Western Pleasure horse trainers who scooped up the tittles in the Open divisions in both Hunter and Pleasure classes. In the Non Pro Division local rider, Annie Gravett, took the blue ribbon and trophy in the Non Pro NSBA aboard the very consistent Hotrods and Harleys.
However, a “Prize for everyone” was the motto of the show, with classes offered for all the AQHA disciplines as well as for the newly started and the very young! In the AQHA the Amateur and Novice divisions were well supported with good results for experienced trail competitor Evelyn Dash, Clare Bowler with the Red Hot Zip Code in the Nov Amateur classes and Tammy Greaves showing her prowess in the Showmanship and Horsemanship. The standard of the youth classes was extremely high and the race was on for selection to next years Youth Euro Cup, which will be hosted at Bodiam. Jessie Leach, Chloe Nalbantian, Lilly Fry, Betty Edwards and Luke Phillimore battled it out for team places with victories going to all of them in various events. In the 10 and under classes there was fierce competition for the trophies with Tabitha Sternberg Allen taking a victory in the Showmanship and Isobel Le Pla proving her versatility across the board. Fiona Howard was awarded a medal for achievement for placing in every event and Ruth Leach was awarded a medal for Endeavour, as she was with out a doubt the smallest competitor showing one of the largest horses. These young riders are already a force to be reckoned with and make the future most exciting.
The show heralded the opening on the new Indoor arena, the largest one of its kind in Britain. Crowds were treated to an entertaining opening speech and ribbon cutting ceremony, by the veteran actor Sir Donald Sinden, and sponsors were invited inside the mezzanine level to enjoy a Mexican cocktail evening. With help yourself "Margueritas", to sup whilst watching the incredible Open class taking place below, a festive spirit soon ensued!. Amongst the large number of spectators present during the weekend was the Honorary President Michael Schumacher and Britain's Rugby hero and commentator Brian Moore, both of whom professed to enjoying the event very much.
Overall the show managed to cater for every level of Western and Quarter Horse enthusiast, whilst showcasing the best of the best. The show is now firmly on the European and World calendar and looks set for another record breaking event next year. The Show committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that helped Steward, manage gates, supply endless paperwork, fill out health papers, serve drinks and in general prop up Jane and Francesca. We couldn't do it without you! We hope that you will all come back next year. Rest assured we are already working on the 2009 show!
THE 2008 SPRING SHOW
The Spring Shows were held on June 28/29 after having been postponed from the end of May. Dagmar Zenker of Germany was our judge and is the first judge to be in our new indoor arena. This show gave people the opportunity to ride in the indoor arena and the feed back was excellent. As usual with Dagmar judging the rain held off and 2 full slates of NRHA and BR Shows were well supported. Many thanks to our stalwart helpers Mary Le Pla for keeping us all in order, Jan Holmes Scribe, Sally conned to do the gate (as usual), Rosanne Sternberg and Simon Barnes for commentating, John Greaves doing his excellent Car Park Monitor job and Jane Muir for working through the usual mound of paperwork. Excellent food was produced by Jen March and the Saturday evening paella by Annie Gravett. Results and score sheets can be found on the Results page.