Winners of the Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Silver Championship class from Sandown, Isle of Wight, Alison Heywood and Thomas K gave their all to win this competitive class at Arena UK, Lincolnshire on 6th October 2023.
The Petplan Equine Area Festival Summer Championship is the pinnacle of a summer of Area Festivals held around the country during July and August where qualification for the much sought after tickets to the Championship is in the forefront in riders’ minds.
Over 800 horse and rider combinations took their turn between the white boards to qualify at all levels from Preliminary to Inter I.
‘Star quality’ on show
The partnerships contending the Petplan Equine Elementary Freestyle Silver title had to produce an extremely polished performance and show off their horses ‘star quality’ on the day. It was a serious accomplishment to finish on top of the leader board.
Alison and Thomas K, a nine-year-old, black gelding were rewarded for all their hard work and dedication by the judges to achieve a winning score of 74.93%.
On Thomas K’s performance, Alison said,
“I’m really pleased, he was little bit tense going in there because we haven’t ridden in that indoor before, but it certainly gave him more lift and I’m delighted with him, he was super.”
Top competition style conditions for grassroots riders
Petplan Equine, one of the UK’s leading horse insurance providers, are now in the 24th year of sponsoring the Area Festivals.
The series aims to give grassroots riders the opportunity to experience the thrill of participating in top competition style conditions in classes from Preliminary to Intermediate I level.
In that time, they have become known affectionately as the ‘Petplans’ by the many thousands of riders who have taken part.
“2023 seems to have flown by and we have yet again been bowled over by the hard work, training and determination so many of the Area Festival competitors have shown. As amateur riders they very often have full time jobs, families, pets and their horses to organise around so well done everyone who had made it to the Championship – you are all winners in our eyes.
“As we look forward to next year which will be our 25th working with British Dressage as sponsor of the Area Festivals we want to thank everyone involved in all aspects of the series from judges to venues, volunteers and the team at BD HQ.
“I am very happy to congratulate Alison and Thomas K on their victory. We wish them the very best of luck for the future,” commented Rosie Bee, Marketing Executive at Petplan Equine.”
Brautigam: Had record entries for the Area Festivals this year
British Dressage Chief Executive, Jason Brautigam, added,
“It’s hard to believe that Petplan Equine is looking forward to a 25th anniversary next year when we have been celebrating 25 years since the inception of British Dressage in 2023. We have been in partnership for a long time and continue to be extremely proud of what we have achieved together.
“We have had record entries for the Area Festivals this year and new and old members alike see the Area Festivals as a target for their competing. The structure encourages them to work up to another level or further as each season goes by which helps to maintain these high participation figures.
“I would like to thank everyone who has taken part throughout the summer season and congratulate all riders who have earned their qualification to the championship finals, as well as those who are crowned champions this week.”
Find out more
Further information about the Petplan Equine Area Festivals and how to qualify for next year’s Championships are available from the Petplan Equine Website.
News shared by Josephine from Pet Plan, in her own words. Ed
