Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 by Heather Dodd
Sunday 30th November saw the long awaited and first ever Strictly Come Dressage Competition run jointly by Emma Richardson-Steele with Quainton Stud with Emma Bradley acting as an excellent music maestro and scorer, write the organisers.
Emma is a side saddle enthusiast and loves taking part in dressage to music classes in full costume for both horse and rider. ‘I wanted to create a competition to encourage all standards of horse and riders to take part. ‘It’s really a display of horsemanship rather than dressage, and competitors are marked for their costume, floor plan, music and overall entertainment’
The competition included three classes;
Pas Seul ~ individuals
Pas de Deux ~ pairs
Quadrille & Teams ~ Three or more riders
The judges, Douglas Hibbert, Ros Collins, Lyssa Shepherd, Rebecca & Kerri Bates, Serena Gordon & Ginny Oakley-Pope were entertained by routines depicting Fred & Ginger Rogers (Lyn Shew & Spider), Black Beauty (Diane Hilsdon & Spirit) and Zippy from Rainbow (Alison McHattie riding Oscar)

Worthy of a perfect 10 from this judge!
Before the afternoon Gala Performance, spectators were treated to the most beautiful demonstration of dressage to music by Keri Bates from Ekko Equestrian who rode her very elegant Elegast Van Sombeke.

Winner of the Pas Seul, Katy Downing riding Waverhead Tead (Spitfire, riding to the theme tune 633 Squadron)
Pairs included The Pearly King & Queen (Ingrid Allen & Deborah Jones) and Miss Piggy & Kermit (Tracy Ellis & Sarah Davies) pictured.

Winner of Pas Seul (pairs) Tracy Ellis riding William and her sister Sarah Ellis riding Leahness Chancer dressed at The Muppets
There were four team entered in the quadrille class and we were treated to entertaining routines in the theme of The Great British Bake Off, Cinderella, The Girls Night Out and a very elegant rendition of The Ascot Gavotte by Jim Boyles Ex Racehorse Team who took both first and second place.

Team Ascott Gavotte: from left to right Lucy Hanby and Oisin’s Boy, Jackie Stevens and Chartplan, Pippa Boyle, Amiee Oswin and Hoover, Jim Boyle, Nicole Bates and Benny The Batt.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors Bryco Engineering who sponsored the beautiful rosettes and sashes, Equitech , and Horsey Houses. There are plans to run this event again next year and a date will be announced very soon.
Photos courtesy of Paul Buddin of Simple Photo Shots
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