Fourty-two riders contested the Kilbees Farm British Dressage Talent Spotting final supported by the British Dressage Supporters Club at Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire (20-21 October), after qualifying at regional heats.
The competition focuses on rider ability and is held in three categories pony riders (8-16 years), juniors (13-18 years on horses) and young riders (19-25 years).
Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Islay Auty, Chris Porterfield, Helen Webber and Ulf Wilken were on the judges panel, assessing candidates through three stages test riding, theory and swapping mounts.
Beth Barnett, 16, took the junior title on Sheepcote Rolex in their first competition together. Second place went to Charlotte Ward, 14, and Weronella. Jenna Capel took third place on her Welsh section D gelding Maesmynach Capten.
Claire Gallimore, 13, moved up from sixth place on the first day to head the pony section with Leonities Double. Runner-up was Samantha Brown, 15, on Caesar 171. Just 0.1 of a point separated Samantha from third-placed Genevieve Walters, 15, and Torthorwalk Just Barney.
Rebecca Morris, 22, headed the young riders on Catherston What A Dream. Runner-up was Abbie Hughes, 19, who rode Leacourt Touch And Go and won the junior title last year.
Read this report in full, plus reports from other dressage competitions around the country, in the current issue of Horse & Hound (25 October, ’07)
