North Midlands Regional Countryside Challenge Qualifiers 2024
Monday 3rd June 2024
Following the success of Regional Dressage Qualifiers last month, we were really pleased to host another brilliant Regional Qualifiers event - Countryside Challenge Qualifiers, held at Belvoir Vale RDA Centre for the first time, on Monday 3rd June 2024!
Twenty-five competitors represented six RDA groups from the North Midlands region attended the Countryside Challenge competition together - Belvoir Vale, Cleethorpes & Grimsby, Kimberley House, Nottingham, Scropton and Wenlo RDA.
Melissa Harding of Belvoir Vale Riding for the Disabled started off the competition in some sunshine and the weather stayed fine and dry for all the competitors. We were delighted to have Alison Morris and Doug Smith back again to judge the countryside challenge course.
Alison throughly enjoyed the day of judging at Belvoir Vale and she was impressed by the high standard of the riders and the turnout of horses and ponies - she thought all riders and horses behaved impeccably and praises the team spirit from everyone during the competition by encouraging or complementing each other at the new centre of Belvoir Vale RDA Group.
“I was delighted to be invited back to help judge the Countryside Challenge competition and was very impressed by the high standard of the riders and the turnout of the horses and ponies. Horses and riders alike behaved impeccably – with the minor exception of a few noisy mares!” said Alison.
“I was delighted to be invited back to help judge the Countryside Challenge competition and was very impressed by the high standard of the riders and the turnout of the horses and ponies. Horses and riders alike behaved impeccably – with the minor exception of a few noisy mares!”
- Alison Morris
Doug Smith one of our judges enjoyed the whole day of judging alongside his writer Paula and commented on how well is the event run with a lovely course being set up.
“The event was well run with a lovely course and lots of great volunteers. Plus a photographer whose birthday it was! The riders and ponies all performed well. It was obvious that everyone concerned had a great time.”
“The event was well run with a lovely course and lots of great volunteers. Plus a photographer whose birthday it was! The riders and ponies all performed well. It was obvious that everyone concerned had a great time.”
- Doug Smith
We have two more brand new trophies for this year - The Pumpkin Shield and The Mike Betts Shield. Mia Leathborough of Belvoir Vale RDA was delighted to be awarded the Pumpkin Shield for the highest junior score of 88%. Danielle Knapp of Scropton RDA picked up the Mike Betts Shield for the highest senior score of 86% - Congratulations to both riders.
Thank you to all of our amazing Event Volunteers who helped to make the competition successful on the day including the scorers, writers, first aider, stewards, safeguarding officer and refreshment providers! Huge thanks to the team at Belvoir Vale who hosted the event. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes building the course and preparing for all the riders, volunteers & supporters on the day.
Lesley Davies and her team at Belvoir Vale who helped to make this event a huge success - “It was an absolute pleasure to host the North Midlands Countryside Challenge this week at Belvoir Vale RDA. We loved welcoming the other groups that took part, joining together to celebrate & reward their rider’s achievements.
“We admired all the volunteers efforts to ensure their riders had a great experience and played their part in making it a special day. We particularly want to thank Glynis & her Team at Scropton Horse Centre for guiding & supporting us- it was a lot of work but so very rewarding.”
Our event photographer Nigel Kirby celebrated his birthday with a surprise cake and a lively rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. Nigel gives his time freely to capture fantastic photos for us. We are pleased to inform you that all images for the Regional Countryside Challenge are now available to view here.
Nigel with his surprise birthday cake!
Alongside the Countryside Challenge, the region held its Arts & Crafts Competition. There were some great entries which were judged by Chris McGarity. Huge congratulations to the participants who were placed first in each of the different classes, securing their qualification for the RDA National Championships. We want to say a huge thank you to Jackie Selby who organised the Arts & Crafts competition.
North Midlands Art & Crafts Qualifiers - some fantastic entries from our RDA participants!