European Championships Portugal 8th September 2007

COMPANHIA DAS LEZÍRIAS |  BARROCA D'ALVA  | ALCHCHETE

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Report from Maggie Maguire

 At the end of August the British Senior team travelled across Europe to Portugal to compete in the European Championships. It was a long journey but the horses arrived in good condition having been travelled by Parkers International accompanied by the team vet, although Sharifah travelled in a trailer driven by the redoubtable Rosemary Attfield as the horse has problems travelling herring-bone. Philip Hirst drove John Yeoman’s box with extra equipment. The temperature in Portugal was between 30 and 35 C with a peak of 40C - a bit of a change for horses and riders alike after our poor British summer.  The Team were able to choose good corralling for the horses with some shade so they were able to spend a lot of time outside acclimatising in their fly rugs  sponsored by Thermatex except for Krayaan Jesra the Stallion who was restricted to the stable or walking out in hand apart from official exercise sessions.

In the run up to the Competition careful surveys of the route were made and the lay-out of the vet-gate planned as soon as the hold area had been prepared. The Team and Management were relaxed and worked well together and morale was high. The hotel was comfortable and the staff very helpful there were lots of different restaurants to choose from for evening meals. Des Payton was kept very busy with ensuring all crews arrived safely and were comfortably settled

As the Competition day approached it got busier with Chef and Vet meetings and official Functions, excitement and anticipation began to be felt by all.

Photo: Maggie Maguire

The Team looked very smart in their Sponsored Team GB Toggi uniform for the opening ceremony and were pleased to don their sponsored Troxel hats for the pre-ride vetting and weigh-in. Photographs of the Team were taken by Giorgio Biffi of’’ Endurance in the World ‘ showing the bridles made by Zoë Lindop and riding tights sponsored by Performance Equestrian. Horses were paraded in their smart Thermatex rugs.

Photo: Maggie Maguire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first lap of the course was very rough and stony with some hazardous going so the Team decided to go carefully on the first loop and then move up through the field although it was essential to keep up a decent speed. Fortunately the weather was cooler for much of the day [26C at the start]; however, huge quantities of water and ice were used to cool the horses throughout the day as temperatures increased. At the vet-gat there were enormous vats of water for the horses to drink, which were also found at water points round the course and the organizers were hard put to it to keep them full towards the end of the Competition. The Crews and Management Team worked very hard to ensure that horses and riders left the vet-gate in the best possible condition. The ride plan worked well and the team gradually pulled up to finish 5^th in the European Championship and 6^th in the Open Championship. Four of our riders completed the course the first three riding together most of the day. Nicky Sherry was unlucky to lose both her companions [Jayme Bone and Kraayan Jesra and Sally Hall and Sire De Bozouls] by vet-gate 4 and Shimmering Blue Jasmine had to complete the last two laps on her own as the field had thinned considerably by then.

• Susan Hawes and Jade Rani             11^th in the European 18^th in the Open Championship,
• Fiona Hamilton and Sharifah           13^th   “          “           20^th  “         “    “
• Chris Yeoman and Farouk De Lozelle 16^th    “        “         23^rd    “              “
• Nicky Sherry and Shimmering Blue Jasmine 24^th     “        34th    “            “

We were happy that the Senior Team had made a significant step forward in the journey towards team medals

The horses returned across Europe attended by happy grooms and vet. All arrived home safely and horses and riders are recovering well after their long trip abroad This was a real Team effort with everyone contributing to the result Crews, Riders and management Team have  worked hard for many months and deserve their good result.

Photo: Maggie Maguire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were very grateful to all who sponsored us. 

• British Equestrian Federation
• Toggi
• Thermatex
• Spillers
• Performance Equestrian
• Troxel
• Estate Supplies in Cheshire [ties]
• West Kirby physiotherapy [electrolyte drinks]
• Bridles made by Zoë Lindop
• Competition polo shirts Keith Howells of Swift UK in Eastleigh, Hants [formerly Forge Trading]
• No soak haylage – Mr Attfield.

 

Photos by Kevin Hawes & Steve Golding:

 

Photo:Kevin Hawes

Photo:Steve Golding

Photo:Kevin Hawes

Photo:Kevin Hawes

Photo:Kevin Hawes

Photo:Kevin Hawes

Photo:Kevin Hawes