Hopetoun Event Report – Written by BYD Theo Charnley
Competing at Hopetoun this year was something I’d been working toward since transitioning from ridden dressage to driving last season. This was my first National‑level driving trials, and arriving at such an amazing venue on their 25th Birthday with my pony George felt incredibly exciting. Not to make you feel old, but that’s twice my age!
Hopetoun has such a special feel about it – the scenery, the house, the atmosphere – it all combines to create a genuine big‑event feel.
Add in the fact that I love camping with George (and he clearly likes camping too!), and the whole weekend was perfect – competition and a holiday adventure – We even managed a trip into Edinburgh after the Marathon!
Dressage – We love to dance (well George does!)
We started the event with the dressage phase, where I drove the FEI Children’s test. We joke that for some it is their ‘stressage’ phase, but I love the dressage! George delivered exactly what I hoped for. His experience in big atmospheres from our British Dressage days really showed, as well as his dressage training – we produced a test that scored 40.8, putting us in the lead by 3.67 – a small lead, but one I knew we would need going into the marathon.
A really brilliant addition was the ‘H of Hopetoun’ that you rode under into the arena – that felt so special, even if George was dwarfed by it!
One of the highlights of the day for me was watching Jane Lamb drive her stunning pair – usually driven individually by Juniors Nathan and Eti. I also really enjoyed seeing Tom Lloyd’s Fell pair presented in their natural, traditional style. I had the pleasure of driving Geronimo one of Toms Fell stallions last year at BYD camp! The contrast between the turnouts was lovely to see, and it reminded me of one of the things I love most about driving: the diversity within the sport.
Photo Credit to David Reid
Marathon – ‘The Hills of Hopetoun’
Heading into the marathon, I felt confident but fully aware that Evie Rockall was close behind. We both compete for Chester and spent the indoor season trading wins, so I knew she’d be pushing hard, and with George being only a mighty 12.2, and Evie’s pony quicker, she’d be hunting me down.
The marathon course was so well put together and demanding in the right places. The obstacles had lots of options, and the famous Hills of Hopetoun tested the fitness work we’d done over the winter, including plenty of conditioning and time on the water treadmill. George handled it all brilliantly.
I completed the marathon with no penalties, though I did have to make a detour in obstacle 4 to avoid knocking a ball, which cost me some time – As Georges fitness increases, I have need to think quicker, and I had just cut in a bit too tight on my C to D turn. By the end of the phase, Evie had narrowed the gap to just 0.38 of a mark, setting up a very tense cones finale.
My personal highlight was the walk (or should I say Jog!) to the start of section B and then reaching the top of the hill before obstacle 1 with George still full of running – He was absolutely full of energy! It is at that moment I knew all the fitness work over the winter had paid off and George would take me around the marathon with ease. I flew into Obstacle 1 with a smile on my face!
Photo by DEREK Pix
The marathon day finished with the hilarious ‘Hopetoun Hoedown’ – If you know, you know!
A great hog roast, and yes, I was made to dance!
Cones – Precision Under Pressure
Cones is a phase I really enjoy because it allows me to bring my dressage precision into another phase. I’d walked the course about twenty times, planning every transition, every line, and every moment where I’d need George to move over, push on or come back to me. Having ridden him for years, I know exactly how he thinks, and that connection is invaluable – it gives me a lot of confidence.
Adding to my confidence, on Friday night, we had additional cones practice, but on 2 wheels in the E-bike challenge! Being the reining Windsor, and Ashfields National bike challenge winners (bring it on), we couldn’t let that crown slip. We decided to go with conventional bikes to even the playing field slightly. Not that we are competitive at all, but there was no chance we were going to lose! And win we did, despite Mr March using an E-Bike, and the best efforts of those on E-Scooters!
Back to the cones phase – the course was brilliant. It started on a sweeping left turn, then opened across the arena before more technical sections, then opened up again. It really suited us. With George being only 12.2hh, we have to be strategic to make the time allowed; move the canter on in the open sections, push on where we can, and use that time to allow for more controlled, accurate trot work through the technical combinations. I hit all my timing markers, and George responded perfectly, although he did feel rather full of energy!
Evie went first and had an unfortunate ball at cone 2 – one that seemed to take forever to fall – which gave me a slight buffer. Even so, I focused entirely on keeping George relaxed and with me.
In we went so some very cool music (thank you Patti) and completed our round. With 18 seconds in hand, we produced a double clear – the only one of the day – securing the overall win. That was definitely my standout moment of the weekend.
Photo by Sara Jane Hayes
My final highlight was watching Izzy Brunner with her beautiful Section C. I’ve got a 4‑year‑old Section C at home (Elvis) who I’m currently backing, and will ride in dressage before retraining to drive, so it’s inspiring to see another Junior competing successfully with one.
I cannot wait until next year!
I’m incredibly grateful to the entire Hopetoun Team, volunteers, stewards, arena party, stable managers, and the unseen hero’s for putting on such a fantastic event. The organisation, the atmosphere, the course design – everything was exceptional. We’re already looking forward to returning next year.
And next year will be even more exciting, because we’ll be bringing two ponies. George will be back, of course, and joining him will be Jerry, who I’ve recently broken to drive – still in all his furry glory – We will be giving Tom Lloyd a run for his money with all those flowing fluffy manes and mop feet!
Well done to all – see you at Cricklands!