Event Report
Frickley Regional Driving Trials

by Nikki Reddington

The weekend provided a variety of classes, and the competitors did not disappoint.

Robert Bowman and Karen Basset with their four-in-hand teams at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

With the perfect back drop of Frickley Hall, the beautifully prepared dressage and cones arenas surely inspired the drivers; Saturday saw some great dressage scores, notably, Lucy Barclay in the ICD Open Single Horse and Dawn Palmer in the ICD Novice Single Pony.

Graham Clements in the cones at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

Dawn consolidated her start and the cones saw her pull further away to give her a healthy lead going into the obstacles. She duly posted the best score here too, but Clare Golland and Louise Roberts put up a good fight to finish in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Lucy continued to perform well, and with great skill, to finish strongly.

Sarah Meredith at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

The BC classes also contributed their share of the excitement with solid dressage scores across the board.

Vicky Irwin negotiated the cones beautifully to give us the only double clear of the day, but there were sound performances from Joceline Smith in the Novice Pony (Club) class, Glenys Ellis in the Open Pony (Club) and Robert Bowman in the Four-in-Hand.

Joceline Smith in the cones at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

Sarah Meredith did well in her FEI 2* class with Christine Haddock, Wendy Mason and Graham Clements all finishing successfully to secure their classes.

As always, the marathon gave us the biggest thrills, the weather was perfect, the challenges interesting and everyone was ready to enjoy it, including the stewards!

Chris Manger enjoyed a steady round with his pair and was very complimentary about the ‘great obstacles and lovely venue’.

Chris Manger WIth his Advanced Horse Pair at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

Ultimately, the Four-in-Hand class gave the best competitive edge with Karen Bassett finally emerging as the winner over Robert Bowman and Mark Carruthers, who I am sure will give Karen a great run for her money in future competitions.

Robert Bowman's four-in-hand team in the water at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

Overall, Karen Bassett summed things up by saying that -‘ Those of us who went had a lovely weekend and hope that next year [the event] will get the support it deserves.’ She followed this up by confirming how hard the organisers had worked ‘to make things ideal.’

Karen Basset enjoying her drive at Frickley. Photo: Steve Booth

A1 Events would also like to take this opportunity to thank Charles and Jayne Warde-Aldam (owners of Frickley Park) and their hard working groundsmen. The competitors, judges and stewards undoubtedly contributed towards a weekend to be remembered.

Robert Bowman (L) presented by James Binns of A1 Events. Photo: Steve Booth

Next year’s date is already in the diary for you all; August 26th - 28th 2022.

We are now looking forward to embarking on our winter Indoor Season at Vale View {Melton Mowbray}. The first event being October 3rd, for which entries are can be made online at www.a1events.org/winter-events