2020 was a difficult year across the board, and it also had a large impact on all Equitation disciplines. All the teams managed to achieved so much more than we all expected, raising the standard to even higher than a team of Army riders have consistently achieved before. 2020 has had some silver linings, initial COVID lockdown was a chance for Army riders and horses to consolidate the groundwork; fitness, strength and conditioning, core stability, flexibility, balance, control; the same as human athletes, and the results speak for themselves.
The dressage team saw individuals gain personal success and also progression in the level they were competing at. ASCB scholar Capt Lee-Smith (AAC) & Barnys Diamond Smuggler won a Medium and an Advanced Medium, a new level to them including much more advanced movements. Army Chef d’Equipe, Maj Gregory (AMS RADC) also took a few days away from her work assisting civilian authorities with the COVID-19 response and posted a 1st and 2nd in two Novice classes, followed by two wins in a Novice and Elementary. Team Manager and another ASCB scholar Cpl Karim (AGC RMP) managed to squeeze in three events and won all of them. She gained high percentages against very good company in the form of National and Olympic riders. The Dressage team also spearheaded a virtual training initiative offering feedback and coaching during lockdown.
The showjumping team ‘made hay whilst the sun shone’, and dominated the few events that they managed to attend. The team has seen great growth over the past few years, and this year has seen some strong perfomances at some competitive shows.
Five Army riders made it to the first event of 2020 at Olney Grounds Equestrian Centre. Capt Andrew (R SIGNALS), SSgt Allen (KTRHA), CoH Mancey (HCMR), LBdr Farren (KTRHA), LCpl Hall (RLC) and 2 ADevT riders, Major Rush (RAMC) and Sgt Hoyle (AWS) competed over 3 days of competition with Army representation in almost all senior classes with some impressive results and personal achievements. LCpl Hall competed in her first 1.25m classes and came 5th, taking on some professional riders in the sport. Capt Andrew came 5th in the 1.05m, 7th in the 1.10m and jumped her first 1.20m with just one unfortunate fence knocked down. SSgt Allen and CoH Mancy had a storming show on their Military Working Horses for their first outings since lockdown. The improvement each day was exciting to see. LBdr Farren and Milly were on top form as usual. Such a competitive combination, they rode some epic tight turns to be unbeatable against the clock in the jump offs, unfortunately the risk is that fences might fall – the joys of showjumping! Army Dev Rider Sgt Hoyle proved she has what it takes to look to step up to the senior team by coming 4th in a 90cm, and a 3rd and 1st place in two 1m classes. It was Major Rush’s first show back, and a 5th in the 1.00m class, a few time faults for going too slow (she needs to take a leaf out of LBdr Farren’s book!) and stepped up to jump in a 1.05m class earlier than expected.
After this hugely successful start to the season for the team, an individual success was had by LCpl Charley (Royal Corps of Signals) competing in the 1.00m final at the British Showjumping National Championships. She achieved four double clears at the regional semi final; no small achievement. An unfortunate fence in the big international arena cost her at the finals, but still an impressive achievement to have qualified for such a competitive national championships.
Army Showjumpers were then back out again in force and once again, far exceeded expectation at Weston Lawns Equestrian. Captain Andrew (Royal Corps of Signals) won two of her three 1.10m classes and competed in her second 1.20m – a very educational round in a very technical and up to height course. LCpl Hall (RLC) won her 1.20m class on the first day and jumped an absolutely superb round in her first 1.30m class. This level is not to be underestimated, the fences are huge, the tracks technical and competition basically professionals. SSgt Allen (KTRHA) partnered his Military Working Horse, Brian, to compete, and again demonstrated the all round talent of the MWH’s and riders, com- peting in the 1.05m and 1.10m, this combination are getting stronger every time out. Army Development Team Rider, SSgt Hoyle(AGC) competed in her first 1.10m, showing she is more than capable to step up to the Senior Team. Army Development Rider Major Rush(AMS) showed consistency at 1.05m level with only two fences down over five rounds, again showing they too are ready to take the step up.
The team then pushed the end of the shortened season to the limit for the last outing of 2020 braving torrential rain and gail-force winds at Arena UK just before the second lockdown. Despite four nights of ‘field conditions’ in knee high mud and sleeping in unheated horse boxes, the team finished on a high achieving much more than anyone thought we would have the opportunity for this year. LBdr Farren (KTRHA) and Millie came out fresh and keen, stepping up to 1.20m classes for the first time. A couple of inexperienced poles but a double clear and a 4th in the 1.10m showed this combination are more than capable of stepping up to this level. Sgt Hoyle (AWS) was the star of the show and unbeatable all week, with 4 double clears, top 10 finishes in every class she jumped and a win in the 1.00m. Having only recently stepped up to 1.10m, this is going to be a very exciting combination to watch in 2021. CoH Mancey(DAC) jumped a great round in the newcomers with his Military Working Horse Paade- burg, consolidating the confidence and ability they have shown this year and looking forward to 2021 Captain Andrew(Royal Corps of Signals) gained more experience and confidence establishing the partnership in the 1.20m classes, having recently stepped up to this level. The courses are big and technical at this level and certainly not for the faint hearted. Another exciting combination for 2021. Major Rush(AMS) had some consistent rounds in the 1.00m and 1.05m achieving more double clears in preparation for next year’s second rounds. With another year to mature for this big horse, a bit of a holiday now and then ready to get going again at the start of 2021.
A massive achievement for LCpl Hall was the two second place finishes at the British National Show jumping Championships on the hallowed turf at Hickstead. She missed out on the 1.20m title by just five-hundreds of a second but takes nothing from the monumental achievement it is to even qualify for the championships- let alone nearly win it!
It took until the end of August to see a return to competition for the Army Eventing Team at Shelford Manor BE, with 6 riders from the Army Eventing Team (AET) and 3 stepping up from the Army Development Team (ADevT) representing the Army. AET member Maj Bates (RAVC) riding her own Heulfryn Jack of Hearts stormed round the BE90(90cm) to secure an easy win finishing on her dressage score. CoH Glass (HCMR) riding Military Working Horse, Deerpairc Ali gained a brilliant result in their first Novice (110cm) securing 5th place. Capt Cooper (KTRHA) riding her own McAllister had a fantastic result with a PB dressage score of 28.5 and finishing 8th in an incredibly competitive section for the Open Novice. Also riding in the Novice were Capt Lee-Smith (AAC) on her own The Jays Done It Right. In the BE100(100cm) WO2 Pagan-Skelley (RA) riding his own Prussellstown Cavalier finished 4th. Then to top it off Capt Gregory (KRH) riding his own Neighbourhood Watch Archie finished 9th at their first competition at this height. From the ADevT Maj Deakin-Main (RA) riding her own Pembrey Fantasia and Sgt Hoyle (AWS) riding her own B’Dior Papillon both had great runs at BE90, flying clear round the XC and finishing with respectable scores in a competitive section. CoH Glass (HCMR) was also seen riding his own Whiskey Times completing their first BE100. Special mention too for Capt Adam Betts (DATR) for coming 2nd in the BE90 on Military Working Horse StormTrooper II. We are very much hoping to see this combination trying out for the Army Team this year!
Following this success, the team then headed to another hugely successful weekend of Eventing at Morton Morrell. In the Novice, Capt Cooper (KTRHA) riding her own McAllister finished well in a very competitive Open Novice section. In the BE100 Maj Bates (RAVC) did a very good job containing the excitement of her own Heulfryn Jack of Hearts to complete in her first run at this level. Capt Gregory (KRH) on his own Neighbourhood Watch Archie did a fantastic job, flying round the jumping securing an easy double clear at the second competition at this level. Meanwhile WO2 Pagan-Skelley (RA) easily completed having a fast clear on the XC. SSgt Leighton (KTRHA) riding Military Working Horse Clearman also jumped brilliantly and finished well in their section. In the BE90 Capt Llewellyn (RAMC) riding her own Mounfoun Girl secured 8th place in the section with a fantastic double clear. We were lucky to have 2 members of the (ADevT) joining us at this competition. They also contributed to some brilliant results. Maj Deakin-Main (RA) riding her own Pembrey Fantasia ate up the BE100 track to complete with a clear XC and LBdr Brasher (KTRHA) riding her Military Working Horse finished with an easy double clear over the BE90.
At the start of October four selected riders represented the Army Eventing Team at the British Eventing Team Challenge at Weston Park. The team challenge consisted of riders competing in the BE90 as individuals and the top 3 results counting towards an overall score. Our riders had to battle with the elements but that did not stop them. They produced brilliant and consistent results across the board securing a team 3rd place! The team consisted of Maj Bates (RAVC) riding her own Heulfryn Jack of Hearts, Capt Llewellyn (QARANC) riding her own Mounfoun Girl, WO2 Pagan-Skelley (RA) riding his own Prussellstown Cavalier and ASJT (former ADevT) rider Sgt Hoyle (AWS) riding her own B’Dior Papillon. Captain Llewellyn came 7th individually, after a PB dressage score of 29.8 and a double clear in the jumping. WO2 Pagan-Skelley was placed 13th ending on his dressage score of 34.3. Maj Bates was then 14th on the same score of 34.3, closely followed by Sgt Hoyle ending on a score of 34.4 to secure 16th place.