British Para Show Jumping Association a newly formed organization for Physically Disabled riders and Visually Impaired Riders

Results

Thursday  14^th

On arriving at Woodredon on the tale end of  the storm that flooded Ireland my mind went back to Crockstead last year and the torrential down pour that we had to compete in, undaunted by this we set about putting up the Marquees that we were to eat in and use as a base.  

Most of the entrants turned up to get settled in and  rest there horses after  some long journeys, Lynn started classifying at two o’clock and did a sterling job through to the evening, I would like to commend Lynn on her professionalism and how she deals with people, as a few competitors were a very anxious  about the whole process and it was commented several times that she put them at easy when classifying.

Friday 15^th

Today we all woke up to beautiful sunshine and  was a chance for competitors to get to know the arena and  type of course they would be jumping, all set at the lower limits for two warm up rounds. This went exceedingly well and everyone was set for a great competition,  also it gave us as an organisation the ability to monitor how the visually impaired coped with the fences before the competition.

Some of the visually impaired riders were unable to distinguish certain jumps due to colour or lack of colour, on the warm up day our first fence was almost invisible to some VI’s and we were able to address this problem for the competition.

I had set up a barbeque for all our guests (80 people) this was a chance for everyone including the staff at Woodredon to get to know each other, this worked extremely well, and gave competitors a chance to speak with other like competitors and discuss there disabilities and compare equipment, riding techniques etc. etc. For example we had five visually impaired riders none of whom have been able to ride with like disabilities.  That alone” made the whole experience worth wile” was some of there comments.

Saturday 16^th

1st day of competition, and another great day weather wise, lots of different emotions going on with riders, as for some, this was a new level and they were unsure of the horsemanship of the competition, all were very, very competitive and wanting to do there best to win, the whole  competition took four hours to complete and everyone had a thoroughly good days jumping. (Every one was on a high and ready for the jump off on Sunday)

The evenings entertainment was a sit down meal with seventy six guests under the Marquee, everyone was looking forward to Jonquil coming and giving a talk and to be acknowledged by ‘some one from above’ Although disappointed that Jonquil couldn’t come everyone was very understanding and agreed that family must come first and thanked her for all her positive efforts towards our organisation.

The evening was rounded off with an eclipse of the moon, and music & lights,  again everyone was ready for another  great day of competition.

Sunday 17^th

Last day of competition , we woke to the sound of rain on our box, but as the morning progressed and came near competition time the skies started to break up and the Sun was shining on us again!

The competition was hotting up and everyone was very competitive, some of the performances were outstanding, and was a very emotional time, some of the spectators were in tears watching the visually impaired jumping, and they really got behind and encouraged all the riders.

For the presentations at the End of the show everyone was gathered to find out who was the Champion overall in each Grade.  As well as myself presenting, I invited Kevin Butchard the owner of Woodredon and the MD from  Devoucoux Ltd (who came down to support us) and on giving out our trophies also gave out a T-shirt as an extra prize to all our competitors. Every competitor also received a commemorative trophy from BPSJA.

The whole event went extremely well, without any hitches, and everyone is looking forward to the next competition, which I hope to be arranging in November, this will be tagged on to the end of another show around the Midlands.

Championship Winners

SJ Grade I     Susi Rogers-Hartley  1st

SJ Grade 2    Rebecca Goodwin       1st

SJ Grade 2    Karen Bostock              2nd

SJ Grade 2    Toby Bevins                  3rd

SJ Grade III    Louise Hacker              1st

SJ Grade III    Rachel Maddocks         2nd

SJ Grade III    Justine Bowers              3rd

SJ Grade IV   Micheal Loveridge        1st

SJ Grade IV   Emily Boyd                  = 2nd

SJ Grade IV   Graziella Pastore       = 2nd

SJ Grade IV   Karl Krochet (France) =2nd