West Riding Group EGB

Lindum Report by Julie Martin

Lindum 2008

Lindum was HOT, HOT, HOT, unfortunately the West Riding was not

Seriously, Lindum presented a real challenge this year in more ways than one. The sudden change in the weather from cold, wind and rain to very hot and dry was a bit of a shock.

The Team Spirit had 7 teams taking part and even at the 6 am start it was obvious it was going to be a hot day. The West Riding Team in running order consisted of Jenny Vesey on Beckmeetings Kahruba, Allyson Sole on Mellway Princess ABU, Anne Anderson on Steele Independent, and Anya Hingley on Jasper. All of these were competing in the Team Spirit for the first time and from the start it was clear that it was going to be very competitive.

Sue Headland as Chef d’Equipe this year organised the hold and sent the crew, Jeni Gilbert and myself, out to provide copious amounts of water. In no time at all Jenny Vesey was back at the venue and was quickly through the vetting, completing the route at 17.4 kph. Allyson was then next out and again completed the route at a great speed of 17.2 kph, lots of water was applied and she was soon successfully through the vetting and Anne was sent on her way.

The weather was now hotting up and lots of water at the crew points was essential. Anne too did a respectable speed of 16.6 kph, faster than she had ever been before and was through the vetting leaving us just 16 seconds behind the Derbyshire team. After an exciting time tacking Jasper up Anya was ready to leave on the last lap. We knew she would have a challenge as Derbyshire’s last runner was Felicity Edmeston on Floriferouz a very experienced pair.

Anya was up for this and we were happy to see them come in together at the end, the timing was very tight and Anya could not pass as she would have been too fast so she came in just 5 seconds after Flick. Unfortunately Jasper was lame at the vetting so her lap would be substituted with the slowest time allowed. This left West Riding in 6^th place.

This year the Team Spirit had some strong teams and was very exciting and great fun was had by all.

1^st Derbyshire

2^nd Chesire

3^rd Lindum South East

On a more leisurely note West Riding Members taking part in the Pleasure Pairs and having a good day out were:

Kerry Dawson on Ffortune and Esther Young on Guadalcazar – apparently dressed as Red Indians, unfortunately I didn’t see them – anyone got a photo?

Amber Sole on El Cavalier accompanied by Jackie Rose.

Friday dawned and even at 8 am for the start of the Aerborn Spirit the temperature was high. The riders went off very calmly at a nice trot across the racecourse and out onto the road. The first circuit of 32 km was to the north of the racecourse and included a variety of going. The roads were very slippery in places due to the dry weather and the horses needed lots of water due to the heat.

The vet gate was back at the race course and the West Riding representative, me and Jilly (Solitaire’s Star), were quickly through the vet gate and were 2^nd out on the 2^nd lap following Ann Harrison on Millennium Chorus, with Hannah and Karen Shotton not far behind. These two however disappeared as Carolyn Pacey caught up with us and had not passed them. We found out later that Hannah had felt a little ill due to the heat and they had just taken a little time out for her to recover.

I was really grateful that I had a good crew and plenty of water and drink for myself as with temperatures as hot as they were it was essential. Jilly always drinks well so I had no worries about her becoming dehydrated. Ann and I trotted into the vet gate in fist and second place, with Carolyn following shortly after. I had problems with my heart rate monitor and finally resorted to the good old stethoscope and so was third to present to the vets. I was disappointed to see Ann be vetted out lame behind as he had seemed fine on the ride. Carolyn and Infidella passed the vetting and it was my turn. Jilly’s heart rate was 50 (will stick to the stethoscope in future!) and she trotted out sound.

At the end of the first day Les Spark on Magica’s Minstrel had retired as he felt the horse was not quite right and also Kathleen McGhee with Foxghylls Folly retired after passing the vet as she felt the horse was suffering from dehydration.

In the 74 km class Amber was vetted out at the half way vetting with El Cavalier lame behind and unfortunately Jeni Gilbert and Flurrie were vetted out at the final vetting lame behind. A big disappointment for them both.

In the 52 km class Allyson Sole on Mellway Princess ABU got a Grade 1 at 11.90 kph.

In the 40 km class Jeanette Bennett on Aesthete Asefa were out of time, in the 40 km novice Anya Hingley on Ruby Tuesday got a Completion

In the Non-competitive classes Kerry and Esther did 12 km at 10 kph and Val Swann on Shaharazade completed 13 km at 8.08 kph.

Incredibly Saturday was even hotter! Unfortunately Jilly trotted up slightly lame at the pre-ride presentation. She had seemed fine on the grass but was obviously feeling something when trotted on the parade ring. She had trodden on a stone right at the beginning of Friday and hopped for a while and also tripped quite badly on that leg during the day too. I was disappointed but pleased with what she had done the day before. Two other riders were also vetted out due to lameness prior to the ride. This left 10 horses in the class.

Emma Martin on CAA Khalil was riding in the 84 km class so this left me free to help her aunty, Linda Sumpner, with the crewing. Khali drank well, he has only just learned to do this and it was very reassuring. It was good to watch how carefully everyone was looking after their horses in the excessive heat, lots of water being drunk and lots poured on. Riders also had to take care that they drank and ate enough and there were some who suffered a little from the heat. Unfortunately Khali was vetted out lame behind at the 42 vet hold, Emma had felt something wrong just before reaching the venue. There were no finishers in the 84 km class.

The Little Lindum, 102km ER had two runners, Tracy Thompson on Chrystal Jobbar and Cheryl Wallace on Wrightfield Omar and they rode the distance together taking great care of the horses and themselves and both finished together with Cheryl being the winner by a pip.

Jenny Vessey took part in the 64 km class but got very badly lost in the first half and although finishing the distance and passing the vet well was out of time.

Amber Sole borrowed Ffortune from Kerry and rode with Esther on Guadalcazar in the Lindum Digger and came a well deserved 4^th in the class and got Best Presented.

Caroline Atkinson and Mr Pink got a Pass in the 32 km Non-competitive Ride

Allyson Sole and Mellway Princess ABU got a pass in the 18 km Non-competitive Ride.

The forecast had been for thunderstorms in the evening but these missed Market Rasen and the sunshine continued unabated and Sunday promised to be another scorcher.

Seven riders set out on the final day of the Aerborn Lindum Spirit with all horses looking well and coming through the vet gate sound and fit to continue. I left before the finish so did not see the final vetting, unfortunately Laura Davies and Ras Lafan were vetted out lame. The results were:

1^st Carolyn Pacey Infidella

2^nd Hannah Shotton Miss Molly Malone

3^rd Julie Dunn Oban Dancer

4^th Ruth Chadwick Viche

5^th Maria Lamin Khadambah

6^th Angela Smith Humbria Apria

Stephen Bennett on Innuendo did the West Riding proud by coming second in the Lindum Imp 64 km Performance Formula ride, also gaining a Grade 2.

Other West Riding members taking part on Sunday were:

Esther Young and Kerry Dawson took part in the Lindum Pilgrim

Vicky Atkinson on Vlacq Zamin got a Completion in the 32 km Competitive Ride

Allyson Sole and Mellway Princess ABU got a Grade 1 in the 32 km Novice Competitive Ride.

Anya Hingley on Ruby Tuesday got a completion in the 32 km Novice Competitive Ride