Cara Shardlow’s Blog: Regional results and a series finale!

Cara Shardlow has just completed a massive couple of weeks – culminating in the Regionals. And of course with the competition calendar still as busy as ever, it doesn’t end there! Read on to find out how Cara has been getting on, and what’s up next for our busy Ambassador!

“I have just about recovered from the Regionals last week, I always get a little stressed out about them but shouldn’t have worried as Detonator and Sandonista whom I took went brilliantly.”

“Detonator competed on the Friday in the advanced medium restricted, he won his warm up class with over 69% gaining his winter qualifications and it was not the best test he has ever done, so I was fairly hopeful he would behave going into the championship class. He was very well behaved no silliness, there were a couple of minor mistakes but I was very pleased with the test generally, I was then a little disappointed with out score of just over 66%. This did put us into the lead but we were pipped to the post just at the end of the class and finished in 2nd place, unfortunately only the winner of the class gets to go to the Nationals this year so for the second year in a row we miss out by one place. Having said this I’m thrilled that he is becoming very consistent having not been out of the top three at his last three Regionals, my best results ever!”

“I had qualified him for the PSG as well but I’ve opted to take him to the Petplan areas instead this year, even though he scored an amazing 68% at this level last time out I just felt we were not consistent at that level yet. Sandonista went to his first regionals at novice open level, again I won the wrong class the warm up (ha ha!), he gained over 72% completing his winter regional qualification as well. He was in a very competitive class with 45 combinations taking part and ones much more established than him, he was so grown up with the flowers etc and produced a lovely mistake free test to gain 69% leaving us in 2nd place for a long time but eventually finishing in 6th, I’m very exited about his future, I just need him to stop growing!!”

“I had also qualified Rhythmic Times at advanced medium level but I have decided to semi retire him and will be looking for a rider to take him on and have a bit of fun for his last few ridden years.”

“Measure for Measure was lame last time I wrote and did miss out on getting his last few regional points unfortunately. He then managed to get an infected elbow and spent even more time off, so he is just back in work again but will miss the BE events this August that I had planned for him. I’m determined to get him to some by the end if the season I just hope he behaves himself and has no more injuries!!”

“The other good new is that I’ve been selected for the Home International team to ride for the north and England for the fifth year in a row on Detonator, this time at PSG level. We first rode for the team in Wales at novice level and it so nice to have been placed two times and won two times for them and go all through the levels, I can’t wait for this year at Hartpury at the end of the month, I really enjoy competing as part of team. Sandonista has also been selected as reserve at novice level, he actually had a high enough average % to get on the team but I could not go forwards on two horses.”

The Horslyx unaffiliated dressage series came to a nail biting finish with 5 championships been competed for at the final of 5 competitions. The competitors have been collecting points over the series and the combination with the most points won the championship and the amazing goodies that Horslyx kindly donated as prizes. Some sections were very tight with no room for error. It was quite a family affair with the Tookey family taking three out of the five championships, Becky won the junior sections and Melanie won the intro senior. Alice Smith held her nerve to the end and took both the prelim and PYO championship. Really well done to everyone who competed this year, it was an incredibly high standard! There were plenty of reports in the local papers and photos of the winners.”

“So there is lots coming up in the next few weeks apart from the HI, Petplan areas are at the beginning of September where Detonator will compete in the PSG. Sandonista and Detonator will be getting some new music and floor plans done by the brilliant Equivisions, so they will be dusting off their dancing shoes and trying to qualify for the winter regionals. I’ve also been asked to go into my local feed store Millbry Hill to have some photos taken as they are having a Horslyx promotion this month!”

“The horses are thankful for their garlic licks as the flies have come out in force recently, especially the youngsters that are out full time, it’s a major operation getting fly spray on them so having their licks is a lot easier!”