FOLLOWING qualification at Kingston Maurward, Rebekah White has won the Petplan Equine Novice Restricted Championship at the Area Festival.

These prestigious grassroots championships were held alongside the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire.

Riding Lord Robin, an eight-year-old gelding, owned by Shirley Errington, White was awarded a winning score of 70.65 per cent in the Novice Restricted Championship from among 58 horse and rider combinations.

“We didn’t gel when first partnered together as he is quite spooky and sharp,” said White of the handsome, black Loxley gelding.

But when paired again 18 months ago, the combination qualified confidently for the Winter Championships at Kingston Maurward Area Festival, with a second in a strong class.

White, from Hazelbury Bryan, found the tworound format advantageous after a tricky start.

“In the first round he spooked in the trot, but was much more settled in the second test.

“We prepared for the Winter Championships by going to the Keysoe Under-25 high profile show in March — we had a mixed result as we came first and last,” she added.

More than 3,680 (an increase of 32 per cent on last year) grassroots dressage riders from across the UK competed at 19 Petplan Equine Area Festivals across the country.

For more on the Area Festivals, see petplan equine.co.uk/area-festivals/area-festivals.asp