H&H dressage editor’s Area Festival video diary 2015: matchy-matchy, clashy-clashy

Welcome to the fourth part of Horse & Hound's dressage editor Alice Collins' video diary. Alice and 'Fab' will be competing in the Petplan Equine medium restricted Area Final final at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships

In her fourth video diary from the British Dressage NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, Horse & Hound‘s dressage editor Alice Collins is excited about seeing the new-look Horse & Hound and shares her plans for avoiding the previous day’s embarrassment.

She takes us behind the scenes in the press office, which is where ‘the magic happens’ for Horse & Hound magazine and website. She also introduces us to some of Fab’s favourite things and shares her tips for riding a great centre line. Alice’s test on Friday (17 April) is medium 69 which includes four centre lines, so she intends to make the most of every one.

To ring the changes, when Alice rode on Thursday she introduced the concept of ‘matchy-matchy, clashy-clashy’ to the dressage world. This involved combining pink bandages with red long riding boots. We’re not convinced this is going to catch on, but do take the look at the video to see what you think and to admire Fab wearing her banana pajamas…

We hope they both got a good night’s sleep and will have a great time competing today (Friday 17 April). Good luck Alice and Fab from us all at H&H.

➤ Watch Alice and Fab’s first video diary

➤ Watch Alice and Fab’s second video diary

➤ Watch Alice and Fab’s third video diary

About the Area Festivals

The Area Festivals were set up to give amateur riders of all levels the opportunity to enjoy taking part in prestigious championship-style dressage shows. There are 19 Petplan Equine Area Festivals held at leading dressage venues across the UK from August to November each year. The shows give amateurs the chance to compete in true championship conditions and enjoy the experience of riding in the atmosphere of a top show.

Competing at the Area Festivals is an achievement in itself and more than 3,000 riders taking part each year. Those riders placed first to fourth at prelim to elementary and riders placed first or second at medium to prix st georges at each Area Festival during are invited to compete at the Area Festival Championships at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.

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