The season started on a wet day at Bisley. The team of Annaliese Turnbull, Biz Dance, Matt Hick and Rhia Honey finished 1st in the 1'9. Luke McNickle and Jacqueline Herbert both placed individually, a great achievement at their first ever ODE. Molly McNickle was an inspiration to us all, and despite some setbacks could always be seen with a big grin.

At the end of May we had a large turnout at the Wokingham ODE. With Paige Harding, Annaliese Turnbull, Annie Clarke, Jacqueline Herbert, Emma Strang, Rhia Honey, Biz Dance, Matt Hick, Miranda and Grace Jackson and Alexandra Wicks all making a valiant effort but the teams were not placed.

In June we were off again to Rosehill for the Woodland PC ODE. Emma Prest placed 1st in the 2'0 riding the Beavan's Streaky. Individual placings followed with Miranda Jackson 2nd, Paige Harding 5th, Matt Hick 6th. Next on the agenda was Chiddingfold PC ODE at Rogate. The Blue team of Paige Harding, Rosie Riall, Rebecca Blackburn and Charlotte Shepheard finished 4th of 18. Individually Paige came 4th, Annaliese 5th, Rosie 6th, Charlotte 8th and Rebecca 9th.

In July we were back to Wokingham again for the Garth South ODE. Again we had a strong turnout with 3 mini teams in the 2ft 3. We had unusual teams as each team had to consist of two older and two younger members. The Planets team of Rebecca Blackburn, Matt Hick, Zoe Daniels and Rhia Honey finished 6th and the Stars team of Hilary Scutter, Rosie Riall and Paige Harding finished 4th. Special mention goes to Paige who finished 3rd in her arena on her dressage score of 30 and to Matt who finished 4th on his score of 34. I know Matt won't mind me saying that we were all thrilled that he and Pepsi had finally managed to get it together, earlier in May I had had to run the entire XC course at the New Forest Tet with him whilst his mum hid in the toilet, everyone was amazed by his improvement.

On the 25th July we were at our own event at Priory. We had team placings including 1st and several individual placings including Annaliese and Ellie. Reb Blackburn had an unlucky fall one from home. Sadly I did not get to see much of the minis as I was dressage steward on this occasion.

Mini champs - oh the Mini champs! after several withdrawals and team changes (yes those are bald patches on my head) we were finally on our way. It was a good day all round, in the morning we had the hunter trials where our team of Annaliese Turnbull, Miranda Jackson, Ellie Frank and Catherine Haig finished 7th. Annaliese finished 3rd with Rocky, this combination have been our most consistent throughout the season and Ellie Frank finished 5th on her final event on Honey. We had two teams competing in the dressage, with Georgia Misson, Matt, Rhia, Biz, Emily Porter, Sophie Clarke and Hilary Scutter giving a good performance. Hilary Scutter was against very strong competition, having given a great test secured 5th individually. I managed to make it over to the SJ having lied profusely to my boss. Both teams jumped well. Rhia H was flying round and then missed the finish flags pronouncing herself 'a plum', she made sure she was clear 2nd time out. Georgia M had a good go and Emily P did incredibly well with only 4 faults over 2 rounds as did Matt Hick. Rebecca took a challenge from myself to complete one round clear in a nice controlled canter and she did with video evidence to prove it, consequently I now owe her £5. The team of Rebecca B, Emily P, Biz and Hilary were through to the jump off, with only one member to go Rebecca bravely took the challenge but unluckily was drawn first so she really had to go for it and boy did she go for it! In his enthusiasm Beaulieu jumped a jump that got in his way backwards, leaving our opposition to take a nice gentle trip round the course. At the time Rebel was mortified but now can laugh at it I'm sure. We finished a credible 3rd.

In September we were back to Bisley. Emma Prest competed in the 1ft 9 on Streaky, due to age restrictions competed HC but finished on her dressage of 32.7. Annaliese Turnbull completed on her dressage of 39.3 giving her 2nd and Ed McKeown completed on his dressage of 47.1 to finish 6th. Miranda Jackson had 20 penalties XC to finish 8th, so the team including Emily Porter came 4th overall. Rhia Honey was almost sent home by the fence builder having completely broken a wing in the SJ practice arena going on to jump a lovely clear, then on the XC broke the second fence, but again managed to complete the course albeit with bruises and a limp. We are thinking of entering her under an alias next year in case she is refused entry.

I am continuing as Mini Team Rep next year. To those of you moving up I wish you every success at and we look forward to welcoming many of the mini's who are now ready to have their first try at competing. It has been great fun and I look forward to doing it all again next year!! I think!!

Intermediates

Another great season for the South Berks! We have had good numbers competing at this height once again - Lily Parkinson, Lottie Crocker, Emma Strang, Daniella Kilsby-Steele, Katy Haddock, Elsa King, Alicia Beavon, Vicky Dance, Alex Dance, Charlotte Shepheard, Jo Sprules, Rebecca Steljes, Elly Taylor, Hannah Bucknell, Kayleigh Blackburn, Georgina Frank, Lauren Innes, Millie Beavon and Grace Jackson.

The season started as ever with Bisley on April 18th. We managed to get our dressage done before it was decided to cancel the Class on safety grounds due to bad weather. A few people were upset by this decision, but having watched some hairy riding in the smaller classes, we thought that the decision was correct!

June brought us the wonderful Stilemans event, and what a day we had. Lily finished 1st and 6th, Katy Haddock 8th and the team of Lily, Lottie, Emma and Hannah Bucknell did really well to come 6th. Hannah has now represented her country at the Young Rider Trials in Rome - so the other girls have something to aim for!!

July and the Mini Badminton at Merrist Wood. The brand new Intro course rode wonderfully - even if a few mothers were quaking in their boots beforehand. Rebecca Steljes missed first place by 0.4 penalties - and I'm still not convinced that this was correct. We had dreadful problems with the scores! Although we had asked repeatedly for the dressage sheets to be released for checking before the prize-giving - this was not done. And guess what? Three quarters of our sheets (and those of other competitors) were incorrectly added up. Rebecca had been given first - received her rosette and goodies - and then had to hand it back. Her demeanour made me very proud to be the chef d'equipe that day. Rebecca, Georgie and Lily won 6th Team place. The team of Lily, Lottie, Emma and Daniella were 1st!! A fantastic result.

The new course at Priory Farm on July 25th proved very successful - especially since the team of Lily, Vicki, Jo and Daniella came 1st.

August brought two major competitions to the eventing calendar. The Novice Area was held on the 2nd over the intro course at Mattingley. We were lucky enough to send two strong teams and both performed excellently to qualify for the National Novice Champs in Cheshire. The team of Daniella 3rd, Georgina 4th, and Victoria 5th, took team 2nd, whilst the team of Lottie 2nd, Lily 3rd, Emma and Alexandra took team 3rd.

On the 25th, the team of Victoria, Lottie, Daniella and Lily took 3rd place at the Southern Novice Champs held at W E C. Also on the 29th at Gawcott Park, Georgina took 3rd place in the 3' 3'' class.

On September 6th, the National Novice Championships were held in Cheshire. The South Berks could only send up one team due to the championships being postponed due to course conditions on the bank holiday weekend, which meant some of the qualifiers were not available. The XC course was big and very technical and the team were to face one of their biggest challenges to their XC careers to date.

The team of Rebecca, Lottie, Victoria and Lily produced a fantastic result and finished by being placed 3rd out of 39 teams from all over the UK There was only 6 penalty points between the top three teams. Victoria was one of only six who completed the XC course clear without any time penalties, which is pretty impressive considering the 156 competitors. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, which included a super pub meal on the Saturday evening. . It was a weekend to remember including the 5 and a half hour journey due to the the exhaust falling off one of the lorries on the way up, but we got there in the end. It's amazing what two empty baked bean cans, some rope and a couple of jubilee clips can do.

And finally we finished the season in style. The South Berks team of Emma, Georgie, Jo Sprules and Elly Taylor won the 2'9 class at Bisley on 12th September- and Lily won her arena. Apart from the wonderful results that the girls gave us - I have to mention the wonderful picnics that the mothers provided. Shirley proved that when it comes to making a good Pimms, she has no competition! We have all carted ice, lemonade, ginger ale, mint, strawberries etc. around the countryside, as well as smoked salmon, crostini, canapés, éclairs and too many other goodies to mention. A big thank you to everyone for a superb culinary year!

I am standing down as the 2'9-3'3 organiser for next year. We need some new blood to take this on, and to encourage younger members to move up. I'd like to say a very big thank-you to everyone who has helped me do what can be a frustrating and difficult job, and to wish the next organiser the best of luck.

Seniors

The season started for the open competitors at Hambledon. Katy Tooth, Charlotte Eley, Lucy Bucknell and Sam Allen went as a team with Grace Bovill as an individual. Although no prizes were won it was a positive early run for all concerned.

Next team outing was the Chiddingfold Farmers ODE at Stilemans, this time the team was Katy, Lucy, Charlotte and Lauren Innes. An up to height and technical showjumping followed by a strong cross country course meant very few clear rounds all day, of which Katy was one. This resulted in the team finishing 4th and individual placings of 6th for Katy, 7th for Lucy and 8th for Lauren, proof that even when things don't go according to plan - keep calm and keep kicking!

The next venue was Smith's Lawn Windsor for the Garth Hunt event. A really good day, the team finished 3rd with clear cross country rounds for Lucy, Katy and Lauren, who also finished 8th as an individual.

The area trials this year were held at Mattingley. As one of the host pony clubs our team of three - Katy, Lucy and Lauren were first to go, never an enviable position, but they all put up very creditable performances which showed how much work and commitment they have put in over the season. The dressage tests were good and the cross country very positively ridden. Although the team was not placed Lauren finished in a very rewarding 8th in her first area one day event. Well done to all who have competed at this level, combining pony club with school studies, work and B.E. competitions - you are a credit to the South Berks. Good Luck next year!