SWINDON Riding Club had double cause for celebration as both their junior and senior teams won at the Area 9 BRC (British Riding Clubs) novice dressage qualifiers, at Longney near Gloucester.

The winning senior quartet included team regular Lynn Hawkins, whose ex-racehorse Prince Villebert was making his debut as a dressage horse.

She was joined by Lindsay Cook with the attractive grey Laurozel Lucky Moonmist, Jo Vincent with Cundle Green Alexander and Toni Besley with Bowood Top Cat, a horse making his first team appearance.

“It was a nail-biting finish as two members of the Wessex Gold team turned up after the competition had finished,” said Club committee member Wez Morrissey.

“But, in true riding club spirit, the organisers and judges remained in their posts so that their team could complete.’’

Former Swindon Riding Club member Laura Webster, with her appaloosa gelding Cracker, was last to go for the Wessex team. She posted the winning individual score to get within one point of the Swindon team.

A Swindon team was also sixth in the senior qualifier, led by Highworth pub landlady Tina Muskett, who took second place in her arena with skewbald mare, Bahia Blanca, who splashed through the mud to be pipped by just one mark.

The winning Swindon junior team included Bella Lee on the great 15.1hh veteran Mrs Miniver, who also won her individual Novice section.

Now 19 the horse was formerly evented to intermediate level by club chair Caron Roberts, and is still owned by club founding member Kate Nelson.

Joining Lee were sisters Lowena Davis, first in the individual prelim section on Westcroft Nell, and Demi Davis, individually third on Stella Luminosa, along with Charlotte Webb, who finished second individually on Stella Artois.

“The Swindon riders were completely delighted with the results and especially proud of their horses who all behaved impeccably despite the adverse conditions,” added Morrissey.

“Thanks must go to team managers Louise Cattermole and Nic Davis for all the work behind the scenes and to Caron Roberts, for team training.''

The teams will now continue that training towards the BRC National Championships, which take place on Lincoln County Showground in September.

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