Dalton enjoys a purple patch

A veteran tastes sweet success, Essex clubs are on form and a reformed mare proves she's turned a corner

- EMILY BEVAN

LISA DALTON had a day to remember at the British Riding Clubs (BRC) TopSpec Arena Eventing Championships, winning the 126-strong senior 80 aboard Mr Harry Patch. She was also part of the Saffron Walden and District Riding Club (RC) team that won the senior 70 and was second in the senior 80.

“It was unexpected but a fabulous day,” said Lisa who has been riding the now 18-year-old cob since he was four. “He was a rough diamond when I got him but he’s honest and turns his hoof to everything.

“He's had some rocky moments with dental issues — his molars are disintegrating so his ability to chew is compromised. We take each day as it comes. Every competition's a bonus, which makes results like this all the sweeter.”

Becky Wright and Oops A Daisy were second individually in the senior 80, a performance which helped South Devon RC to win the team event on an impressive score of 1.2.

Joining Becky in the winning team were Kerry Welsh with Kilderry Star, Karen Long riding the 19-year-old thoroughbred/Connemara Pheonix II and Anna-Mae Cole aboard Zaza, an 18-year-old Lithuanian gelding.

“We were delighted that our 70, 80 and 90 teams all qualified for the championships, thrilled that all three teams put in great performances in such competitive classes and over the moon that our 80 team won,” said South Devon RC chairman Jody Manester.

A TIGHT TUSSLE

SIAN CAMILLERI and Penhwnllys Roxanne De Mon took a narrow victory in the senior 70, pipping Rosemary Jackson and Barneys Turn (Stoneleigh RC) by 0.07sec.