National Side Saddle Show 2017

S I D E S A D D L E
N A T I O N A L S 2 0 1 7
R E P O R T I N G F R O M A R E A 1 2
Lauren Allin and Ashton Flight
Side Saddle Rider of The Year
2017
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
WWW.EMMPIX.CO.UK
WE DID IT!

What a FAB Nationals
The Area 12 Members were definitely out in force for the National Side Saddle
Show 2017.
Three days full of competition, all side-saddle with classes ranging from dressage
to equitation, to veterans and jumping, there was literally something for everyone.
Millie Somerfield
and Penny
Friday is the day for Newcomers. Our junior rider Millie Somerfield riding the
beautiful Penny rode a well-designed test to come 3rd overall.
Penny is based at Hazel Allin’s yard in Nottinghamshire and has benefitted from
the expert tuition that’s on offer both astride and side saddle. Millie joined the Area
towards the beginning of the year and started her side saddle campaign at the
Spring Show at Wellow where she was Junior Champion. Penny has proved to be
a natural at side saddle enjoying both the flat and the ridden work.

Their successful day was not over
as being one third of the A Team
in the dressage, she went on to
win, alongside team-mates,
Lauren Allin, Rachael Barker and
Chloe Gunn.
Ayisha Longdon and Rebel
continue their consistent streak,
being placed each time out. They
took 5th in Equitation and 8th in
the jumping phase to be 7th
overall, a great effort given the
numbers forward.
Ayisha Longdon and Fenrose Silver Rebel
The Adult Newcomer of the year
went to new Area 12 member
Georgia Love. Riding Sarah-Ann
Beirne’s Jasmine Diamond Mist
(Jazz), a 7 year old purebred Irish
Draught, it is hard to believe this
was Georgia’s FIRST EVER side
saddle competition.
The horse, had also won
Newcomers last year, piloted by
Sarah-Ann. By any standards, that
is pretty impressive to win on
literally your first time out. Georgia
is one to watch!
Georgia Love and Jasmine Diamond Mist

Georgia is probably better known on the showing circuit for competing in county level
working hunter pony classes, both plaited and Mountain and Moorland (mostly plaited) but
over the past year and a half, she have moved into BS showjumping and that's what she
predominantly does now.
Georgia commented “it was only the 5th time I had ever ridden side saddle (and only the
6th time Jazz had had one on) when we competed at the champs - just to have a ride side
saddle has been on my bucket list for a while, so when Sarah offered me the opportunity to
have a go, I jumped at it and fell in love, which I really didn't expect to, because jumping is
my thing!).
Chloe Gunn started her weekend campaign
taking Champion Restricted in the Dressage and
were awarded the highest place under 50 BD
points.
Hazel Allin, managed to get her young coloured
horse The Aviator III away from the crosscountry
course for the weekend to put in two
comprehensive dressage tests in the Open
Novice and the Elementary ahead of Daughter,
Lauren and Ashton Flight who rode in the
Elementary. The combined totals gave Hazel a
well-deserved win and prize for the highest
combined percentage overall.
Above:
Chloe Gunn and
Oaklawn Gypsy
Right:
Hazel Allin and The
Aviator III

All The Fun At the Caro!
Clockwise:
Louise 'Fairy' Graham and
Andrea 'Wee Willy Winky' Guy;
Kerry 'Harry Potter' Harrison;
Lauren 'Princess Leia' Allin,
Chloe 'Luke Skywalker' Gun and
Darth Vader; Bruce 'Matador'
Langley McKim

Saturday Championships
After the warm-up day for many on the Friday, Saturday is home to the Equitation
Championships for juniors and seniors, from Novice to Open. This year Area 12
produced one Champion and no less than THREE reserve champions.
Starting with the big one!
She’s been top four in
the Adult Open for
around six years and has
come so close to winning
the title Rider of the Year
but this year Lauren
Allin, riding the
indefatigable Ashton
Flight (Fin) made that
dream a reality.
They were leading in just
about every element on
the day, and looked
unbeatable from start to
finish. A wonderful result
for a wonderful
partnership.
That win was topped up
by winning the leading
Horse of the Year,
Overall Points Winner
and Leading Veteran.
President Roger Philpott and Chairman Mrs Janet Senior
presenting to Lauren in the International Arena

Saturday Championships
Reserve Adult Open Rider of Year and
Reserve Amateur went to Chloe Gunn,
her second Nationals competing in the
Open Equitation, having flown through the
Novice and Intermediate sections in
previous years with a win first time in
each.
Her reliable ‘cow pony’ Oaklawn Gypsy
always puts in a foot perfect performance
and clean jumping round and Chloe was
beyond delighted to finish a close second
behind her best friend.
In the Intermediate Equitation it was down to Bruce Langley McKim riding his own stallion
Cos Me Is Black to produce a result for the Area and they did just that coming 7th overall.

Saturday Championships
The Adult Novice Reserve Rider of the Year went to Alexandra Molesworth St Aubyn.
Fourth year lucky… having been so close since taking up side saddle in 2014 they were
determined to stick at Novice until they could legitimately move to Intermediate.
Alex (right) completed the day
taking Reserve Champion in the
Horsemanship class (formerly
Restricted Equitation).
Junior Reserve Novice Rider of the
Year went to Millie Somerfield
(below right), her dressage was
faultless and the jumping put her
slightly down the ranking but
sufficient enough to leave her in 2nd
place overall. A great first season
for Millie.
Rachael Barker (below) riding Amanda
Chatfield’s Kingsclough Masquerade
took a 4th place in the Novice
Equitation and 6th in Classical Ladies
having been initially pulled in 14th.

Welcome New Riders
New side saddle rider Andrea Guy (right)
and her wonderful coloured horse Killowen
Victor enjoyed their first ever Nationals.
Sharing the ride with seasoned
campaigner, Louise Graham, Victor was
impressively placed in many of his
classes, including a 2nd in Mature Riders,
6th in the Coloureds and 3rd
Horsemanship piloted by Louise and
Andrea came home with a 10th in Intro
Dressage and 11th in Restricted Turnout.
Andrea commented that it had been a
steep learning curve and such an
educational weekend but she might not
enter quite so many classes another year
as it was quite a lot of hard work!
Amanda Chatfield (below), having watched her horse compete at Nationals the last few
years took on the challenge herself this year, choosing the Nationals as her first EVER
side saddle show – nothing like a challenge! A great routine gave her 4th place in Novice
Dressage to Music and then a 5th in the Newcomers.

Welcome New Riders
Another first for Nationals was Yvonne Bacon (above) and her super little Dun
Connemara, Bertie, who came home with a 5th in the ‘Ladies who Lunch with Roger’
and a great performance in the Mountain and Moorland class.
Mary Tonks, after a dramatic journey to Addington, got a 6th in Versatile Horse or Pony.
Kerry Harrison and Albus Dumbledore started their weekend with their freestyle routine
in the Caro Cripps, performing, maybe not surprisingly to the Harry Potter Theme,
suitably attired in full character.
Albus, always game for anything had a brilliant win in Versatile Horse or Pony, totally
unphased by anything.

Sunday's Classes
Wrapping up the weekend saw Lauren and Chloe back together for the Pairs class
and taking the top spot for the third year in a row and then they changed their hats,
joined forces with Emma Brown and went on to win the team jumping.
Louise Graham (right) , riding
her own Corrileas Imp, took
3rd place in Classical Ladies
(the numbers of which
seemed to have slimmed
down from previous years
when there had been a cast
of thousands), 2nd and
Reserve Champion Riding
Horse and won the Mica
Trophy for the most points
for a rider over 50.

Practice Makes Perfect
It is worth noting that the Area ran a Pre-Champs show, focussed more on Equitation
and jumping and it was completely free for any Area Member to attend. A decent
turnout from Area members and also two from other areas came to have a lastminute
practice. Huge thanks go to Barbara Wale, ably assisted by Hazel Allin as
there were no less than 5 riders in top positions, all of whom had attended the pre-
Champs show. Three in the Open, one in the Adult Novice and one in the Junior
Novice. A pre-Champs clinic is definitely on the cards for next year so make sure
you make the most of it.
All in all, a totally fabulous result for all in Area 12. Well done.
Clockwise: The Winning Equitation
Jumping Team receiving the Elegant
Airs Trophy from Area 12 Chairman, Dr
Karen Milbourne; The winning Equitation
team being presented by Chairman
Roger Philpott; Dr Karen Milbourne
presenting to the top three teams in the
Equitation Jumping