Granville’s stylish swan song at Midlands Club Championships
Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 by Sasha Melia
Granville Styler and ‘Bobby’ bowed out in fine style at Midlands Carriagedriving’s Club Championships, held at Onley Grounds Farm from 1 to 2 September. He and Julie Tomasik battled it out in the Open class; Granville headed the dressage by 7.68 penalties, but Julie closed the gap significantly in cones. However, Granville’s fastest obstacle times of the day (resulting in 69.75 penalties) kept him in the lead at this, his last club competition before retiring following the BC National Championships later in the month.
Margaret Collins held the lead after dressage and cones in the Novice class, but they were no match for Sandra Jackson who won the marathon phase. Also in contention, Rosemary Armstrong blew her chances with a corrected course in Obstacle 2. Margaret hung on to take the class ahead of Sandra and Rosemary respectively. There was compensation for Rosemary who won the Bennington Trophy for Best Standing Presentation.
Unsurprisingly, Nicola Corby was the outright winner of the Intermediate class, matching Granville’s obstacle times in the process, although Chris Patrick was just .25 penalties behind Nicola in this phase. He took the runner-up spot with Paul Hart, making his first full competitive appearance with young horse Rio, in third.
The Pairs class was a case of ‘best (wo)man left standing’ when Megan Wheeldon took the reins of her father David’s ponies to win the class. Lying second after the first two phases, Emma Burton had to sadly withdraw as one of her ponies colicked overnight leaving the door open for Clare Marley’s Arabo-Friesians, which put up a good performance for the blue rosette.
Angie Smith and Emma Young battled it out in the Teams class; Angie a smidge ahead after dressage but dropping behind Emma after cones. Emma won a closely contested marathon, just 2.50 penalties separating them, to win overall. It was another ding-dong battle in the Tandem class between Anne Chambers and Fiona Powell, Anne coming out top in dressage, cones and overall while Fiona won the marathon phase.
Mary Fuller and her pure-bred Percheron were the only Pre-Novice contenders, completing to take home a coveted red rosette while in the Short Format, Rosemary Armstrong also gained red ribbons with her new pony ahead of Jon White and Cath Brockie.
The Paul Tointon Team Trophy was won by ‘Ladies Driving with Style-R’ – Nicola Corby, Emma Burton and Sandra Jackson providing formidable support for Granville. Some 64.51 penalties in arrears was ‘West Midlands’ (Emma Young, Mary Fuller, Linda Wiggin and Julie Tomasik) with the three-man ‘Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know’ team of Fiona Powell, Chris Patrick and Margaret Collins in third.
All 2018 club championship trophies and league rosettes will be awarded at the Midlands Carriagedriving AGM and Competitors’ Conference on Sunday 25 November. Full results and further information on the AGM can be found at www.midlandscarriagedriving.co.uk
ALEX’S HORSE RACE RAISES MONEY FOR CANCER CHARITIES
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2018 by Sasha Melia
Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Derby, 27 August 2018
After six months of gruelling preparation, Alex Monro, Director of Mole Energy Switching(www.moleenergy.com), raised thousands of pounds for two cancer charities by riding in a charity horse race at Epsom, on Monday 27 August 2018. He, one of 10 jockey involved, raised nearly £5000 and all sponsorship went to two major cancer with ties to the equestrian world –Hannah’s Willberry the Wonder Pony Charity and The Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
Then charity flat race, which ran the full length of the Derby course, tested both horses and jockeys to their limits. Preparation included Alex battling to both lose weight and drastically improve his fitness, as the riders had to pass a ridden assessment at the British Racing School at Newmarket. Bob Champion came to Devon to coach Alex, while Devon trainer Paul George, generously purchased the race horse, Moojaned.
Alex says:
“It was a long haul and I didn’t win the race, but I was delighted to help raise some serious money for these two great cancer charities. Most people have been touched by cancer – either through personal experience or because of what their friends and family have gone through. Great strides are being made in finding treatments for the various different cancers out there, but they need money to carry out this vital research. “
“On a personal note, I really want to thank everyone who has donated money; Paul George for his ongoing support; ex jockey John Reid from Oaksey House, Lambourn who helped with my fitness and my corporate sponsors. Although the last six months haven’t been easy, I have found them hugely enjoyable. So much in fact,that I now I feel that I would like to have a crack at getting my Amateur Jockey license!”
Hannah’s Willberry the Wonder Pony Charity has recently donated £230,000 to the University of Sheffield’s, world leading Department of Oncology & Metabolism, to fund pioneering research into osteosarcoma.
CORPORATE SPONSORS:
Mole Valley Farmers (www.molevalleyfarmers.com)
Mole Energy
Rutherford Estates
Costguard
Witon Engineering
Hickstead Showjumping Course
For all press enquiries about this release, please contact Julie Edwards, Head of Corporate Communications on 01769 573431 or julie.edwards@molevalleyfarmers.com
