MORE than 140 young competitors donned their breeches and braved the cold and snowy conditions at Ratcheugh Farm near Alnwick to take part in the Percy Hunt Supporters Club Hunter Trial.
There were lots of thrills and very few spills during the six classes with the juniors having the best of the weather conditions before a heavy snow shower turned the course into a winter wonderland.
It was a double for the Warde-Aldham sisters wi
th Zinnia taking the red rosette for the 11 and under class on Lilac while sister Zephirine, riding Rowan, took the honours in the 12 and 13 years.
Jessica Wells on Sandy Shaws put up a good performance to be fourth to Zinnia Warde-Aldham for the Best Percy Prize while Hugh Renner-Thompson competed admirably on Teasle to take the same honours behind Zephirine Warde-Aldham.
It was fast and furious in the 14 and 15 years class with Anna Chrisp riding Eden Vale Mist ahead of Daisy Walker, while Seafield Sensation, ridden by Zoe Mason, collected the Best Percy Prize.
The restricted novice class for riders of 16 years and over saw Zoe Darling collect the silverware and also a third-prize rosette. This was a closely contested event with Emily Young steering her mount Tulip into runners-up spot, while Lucy Vickers took fourth prize.
The biggest class of the day for novice horses saw local rider Andrew Robson victorious in a very fast time, taking both the winners cup and the prize for the best Percy ahead of Dawn Edgar on her mount Whitton Smoothie, closely followed by Serena Vickers on Francis.
Becky Cordiner with Silver Dawn and Samantha Golding riding Miss Attitude braved the unseasonal conditions to conclude a very exciting and enjoyable day with Becky taking the top prize.
Thanks to Diana Vickers and Annette Grey for organising the hunter trial, Barneys Butties for refreshments, the army of helpers who judged and scored the event, slip collector Giles Bennett and special thanks to Alan Wilson who built and designed the course.
Results: 11 years and under: 1 Zinnia Warde-Aldam; 2 S White; 3 A Winn; 4 J Wells (Best Percy, BP). 12 & 13 years: 1 Zephirine Warde-Aldam; 2 A Blacklock; 3 L King; 4 E Wilson. BP: Hugh Renner-Thompson. 14 & 15 years: 1 A Chrisp; 2 D Walker; 3 R Robson; 4 D Walker. BP: Z Manson. Restricted novice 16 years and over: 1 Z Darling (BP); 2 E Young; 3 Z Darling; 4 L Vickers. 16 years and over novice: 1 A Robson (BP); 2 D Edgar; 3 S Vickers; 4 W Morley. Open: 1 B Cordner; 2 S Golding.
The full article contains 452 words and appears in Northumberland Gazette newspaper.
