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Entry six of the diary of Asmar equestrian-sponsored rider, Sophie Wells, from the Frankfurt 2011 Young Riders World Cup Final
Asmar equestrian-sponsored rider, Sophie Wells, recently attended the Frankfurt 2011 Young Riders World Cup Final in Germany, which was held from 16 – 18 December 2011. We are serialising her diary entries over the next week:
We had come sixth in the individual test, and Nokis owners, Jackie & Neil Walker, came out to watch – they were both thrilled with it. It was really nice to see them enjoying it so much and getting the enjoyment out of Noki and how well he did. I’m so appreciative of their support.
In the afternoon we went to the town hall in the middle of Frankfurt, surrounded by their Christmas market which was amazing, to meet the Mayor. The Germans were obviously very proud of the show and of the great horse Totilas, as his name cropped up a few times!! But massive thanks must go to Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, who still supports the young rider final by sponsoring it and giving them the hospitality – I experienced a taster of what it could be like riding there as a senior in the Grand Prix. That evening was also a Welcome Dinner for the dressage riders, with a 3 course meal with amazing food, and we got to chat with some Grand Prix riders who sat on our table. We also had to take part in the Swedish tradition of toasting the horse by standing on the chair and table, which in a 5* hotel restaurant I found a bit amusing as the staff looked quite worried!
I was riding the next day but in the evening; the sound check was at 6am, so I had another early start to get that done and sort Noki out before going back for Breakfast and then back over again to watch the Grand Prix. It was a great opportunity to watch, many big names competing in it, and my trainer Ange and I chatted about it all; I learnt a lot and a lot was also consolidated, as you could see that some of the movements didn’t come off well due to the poor basic way of going, which Ange is also reminding me of all the time. This is why we rarely practise movements because we use exercises to enhance the way of going and the movements get better through that. I could also see that a lot of international riders used that when we watched them warm up.
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Entry 5 from Asmar equestrian-sponsored rider, Sophie Wells, from the Frankfurt 2011 Young Riders World Cup Final
Asmar equestrian-sponsored rider, Sophie Wells, recently attended the Frankfurt 2011 Young Riders World Cup Final in Germany, which was held from 16 – 18 December 2011. We are serialising her diary entries over the next week:
The day of competition had dawned. We were called in and the spotlights really hit you as you trot in, with how bright it is. You suddenly become quite aware of all the eyes on you. The test started well, it was the individual which we are not so well practiced with, as the team test is more commonly used, but before we left , my trainer Angela spent the week breaking the test down into sections and really analysing it, sending me off the homework each night.
Some of movements were the best Noki had done, such as his canter pirouettes, and some of the work was not as good as he could do, and his mouth did come open a few times; but overall I was pleased with it, thrilled with how he coped with it all, and over the moon when our score came up with 68.3%. With 5 high powered judges at such a competition like this, I was so happy. We came 6th in the end, which was an amazing placing considering the best in the world for able bodied young riders were there; my aim was to get into the A final for the freestyle which was the top 7, and I had done it.
It was also encouraging that 4-7th places were only separated by mistakes, which shows the potential. We didn’t quite realise that the prize giving was straight after the class, so we rushed back and got his tack on and me back dressed again in record time, to get there in time, and I was so glad of because the prize giving was something else what with the spotlights; it was dark with them flying all over, but Noki so took it in his stride, and wanted to show off when we went for the lap of honour. I felt privileged to be there in such good company.
Visit www.asmarequestrian.com for details of our clothing range.
Our show wear is classic, timeless and beautiful – FREE shipping on all items for North American orders in December
Asmar offers customers free shipping within North America for the month of December. There’s still time to get your show wear by the festive season.
Visit www.asmarequestrian.com to order within America/Canada, or check out stockist locations online, for international orders…
Get your All Weather Rider jacket in time for the holidays…Asmar’s free shipping within North America
Get your All Weather Rider jacket in time for the holidays…
Asmar offers customers free shipping within North America for the month of December. There’s still time to get your goodies by Christmas…
Visit www.asmarequestrian.com to order within America/Canada, or check out stockist locations online, for international orders…
Asmar offers customers free shipping within North America for the month of December.
December special!
Asmar offers customers free shipping within North America for the month of December. There’s still time to get your goodies by Christmas…
Visit www.asmarequestrian.com to order within America/Canada, or check out stockist locations online, for international orders…
Asmar Equestrian-sponsored rider Sophie Wells is now triple gold medallist at European Para Champs
Asmar Equestrian-sponsored rider Sophie Wells won team gold, plus individual gold in both the Grade IV test and the Freestyle Grade IV test at the at the FEI European Para Equestrian Dressage Championship at Moorsele in Belgium. She was riding her own Valerius.
The British medal tally is as follows –
Team
Gold – Anne Dunham (grade Ia), Emma Sheardown (Ia), Sophie Wells (IV), Deb Criddle (III).
Individual
Grade Ia
Gold – Anne Dunham with Sally Anne Brown’s Teddy. Silver – Emma Sheardown with her own Purdy’s Dream.
Grade II
Gold – Natasha Baker with Phillip and Lorraine Baker and Christian Landolt’s Cabral.
Grade III
Silver – Deb Criddle with the Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Akilles.
Grade IV
Gold – Sophie Wells and her own Valerius.
Freestyle
Grade Ia
Gold – Anne Dunham with Sally Anne Brown’s Teddy. Silver – Emma Sheardown with her own Purdy’s Dream.
Grade II
Gold – Natasha Baker with Phillip and Lorraine Baker and Christian Landolt’s Cabral.
Grade III
Gold – Deb Criddle with the Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Akilles.
Asmar is immensely proud of Sophie and her team mates and wishes them hearty congratulations!
Sophie is pleased to wear Asmar Equestrian’s clothing – “it is comfortable, high performance wear for all riders,” she states.
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Sophie Wells – Para-Equestrian Dressage Squad Member speaks about her achievement
Sophie Wells (Grade IV) riding her own, Valerius
Sophie speaks about being a part of the 2011 European Championships
“I was quite surprised but really pleased that Valerius is now respected enough to be selected for the squad. He’s younger and has always been in the shadow of Pinocchio who will go to the Young Rider Europeans again this year – it’ll be the perfect opportunity for Valerius to stand up and hold his own. We’ve been back and forward to my coach Angela Weiss for more intensive training since Hickstead which has really paid off, we’ve worked really hard to get the best out of him and his way of going is so much more established.”
Anne Dunham – Para-Equestrian Dressage Squad Member speaks about her achievement
Anne Dunham (Grade Ia) riding Mrs Sally Ann Brown’s, Teddy
Anne speaks about being a part of the 2011 European Championships
“I’m excited, very pleased and looking forward to it. There were so many in line for selection I wasn’t sure it would happen so I’m delighted. My team mate Sophie Christiansen will be some of the strongest competition; it’s great for the country and spurs you on to better things.”
Deborah Criddle – Para-Equestrian Dressage Squad Member speaks about her achievement
Deborah Criddle (Grade III) riding The Lady Joseph Trust’s, LJT Akilles
Deborah speaks about being a part of the 2011 European Championships
“I’m really excited, 2008 was the last time I was part of a GB championship squad so I’m really, really pleased to get the call up again. It seems to have been quite a frantic year, The Lady Joseph Trust bought Akilles for me in mid-February and since then we’ve both been on a big learning curve to get to grips with each other. I can’t believe we’ve go this far in so short a time and it still feels like he has a lot of gears left.”
Sophie Christiansen – Para-Equestrian Dressage Squad Member speaks about her achievement
Sophie Christiansen (Grade Ia) riding The Berkeley Group’s, Rivaldo of Berkeley
Sophie speaks about being a part of the 2011 European Championships
“I’ve had a tough few months with my horse ‘Robin’ (Rivaldo of Berkeley) so this is a surprise and great honour. I’m so proud of him to put all our troubles behind him and perform so well at Hartpury and earn our selection. I owe a massive thank you to my support team in particular Clive Milkins as without them, selection would have been impossible. I’m really looking forward to competing for my country and trying to keep up our run of success.”
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