Riding Clubs Area 10 Novice Indoor Show Jumping Qualifier - Golden Cross 10 November 

Ardingly had 2 teams compete at a very wet and windy Golden Cross, trying to win one of the 2 qualifying places for the Winter Championships in April 2003.  Team A consisted of some of our regular Ardingly Team members Sara Jones, Nicci Hill, Julie Bunn & Christine Hartfield, whilst Team B consisted of 'first timers' , Penny Hersey competing her new horse (of 24 hours!) for the first time , Jenny Driver, Anne Jeary & Nicci Hill (on her second horse) all competing on young horses for which this was their first time show jumping indoors. This type of event is ideal for the young or inexperienced as the first round is 2'6'' followed by a round of 2'9'' over the same course so confidence can be built up.  There were 15 teams from the Area competing with 3 scores from each team to count in each round.

After the 1st round there were 5 teams on 0 penalties, Ardingly 'A' were on 4 with clear rounds from Christine & Sara, & Team B on 16.  The fences went up for the second round & the poles started coming down!! For Ardingly A Christine & Sara completed double clears, Julie also jumped clear and Nicci's horse had his mind elsewhere and decided it was time to paint his feet by knocking 3 down, which left the team on 4 as a final score. Ardingly B had a mixed result in the second round but Nicci Hill jumped a lovely clear on her very inexperienced mare & Jenny & Anne had one fence down,although the team finished out of the placings they all jumped brilliantly considering this was a first competition for them all. There was a great team spirit all day and it was lovely to see a couple of new faces competing for the club & we hope that many more new people will come and have a go in the future.

Hailsham A & Sevenoaks B both finished on 0 penalties so took the qualifying spots, 4 teams were then left on 4 faults with the times for each round being added up leaving Ardingly A in a very respectable 6th place. The full results were;-

1st    Hailsham A

2nd    Seveoaks B

3rd     Hailsham B

4th    Chelsham

5th    Uckfield A

6th     Ardingly A    Sara Jones, Nicci Hill, Julie Bunn & Christine Hartfield