A new type of showing competition – the LandS Style and Performance show held at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Warks — was well received, with organiser Loraine Homer having exciting plans for the future...
WHILE her back number – 13 – might have suggested she was in for an unlucky day, home-producer Hayley Dolby defied the formbook and achieved the highest score of the LandS Style and Performance show on 31 October aboard her own Welsh section D Pendancer Mickey Bricks.
Mickey, a 14hh, 11-year-old gelding, was awarded 192 out of 200 for his performance in the 30-strong 80cm class. Hayley has owned Mickey – who was an accidental foal – since he was four months old.
“A friend bought a mare from the annual Welsh Pony and Cob Society sales,” explained IT trainer Hayley. “One morning a few months later, she went outside to feed and there was Mickey.”
Mickey is an all-rounder; as well as contending TREC and working equitation, the gelding won the bitless working hunter final at Equifest in 2018, has qualified for the SEIB Search For A Star finals at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and is also working advanced-medium in dressage.
“He’s a real extrovert,” added Hayley. “He’s like a bouncy ball to ride. I would like to pursue his novice working hunter career going forward.
“Here, the course was really varied and thankfully he’s not spooky as there was plenty to see. He kept his rhythm the whole way round. I couldn’t believe it when they counted down and called my number out in first place. Number 13 is definitely lucky for some!”
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Pushing Hayley and Mickey into second place in the 70cm class was Lila Rigg aboard Toffee.
Other victors included Lily Brennan riding Floyd (90cm) and Bea Wheeler with Charleville Farah (1m).
Combining disciplines to promote style
LORAINE HOMER, one of the individuals instrumental in getting showing back on the road post-lockdown, organised this performance-focused fixture at Dallas Burston Polo Club.
The competition was judged on a points system. Combinations were awarded a single style mark for each fence as well as marks for elements of their individual show.
“Arena eventing has risen in popularity this year,” said Loraine. “While everyone enjoys it, I noticed that it’s like a schooling session in many ways, and some of the showing lot often questioned how it could be won. I wanted to create something within my remit of showing and working hunter, which also promoted style and performance.”
There were 15 marked obstacles with the judges awarding a maximum of 10 points for each.
There was a final show mark which was added to the round score to produce a grand total.
“While I’m a massive conformation specialist, we decided to do away with this mark and focus more on the paces of each animal,” continued Loraine. “The score sheets were similar to those used in dressage and competitors could have access to their final sheet and comments if they so wished.
“The course was a mixture of working hunter and showjumping fences, and the big arena at Dallas Burston facilitated a flowing round.
“There was a real cross-discipline mixture of riders; a few were completely new to working hunters. We hope to run another soon and know how to make it even better.”
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
