Nicola and Liah lead the way at Highfield

The popularity of dressage continues unabated with a training night on Thursday 3rd November followed by unaffiliated dressage on Sunday.

As ever, the day began with an intro test and a delighted Nicola Shields and Ballyskeagh Liah took first place with a score of plus 75 per cent. Nicola is well known at Howe Country Centre as the owner of the inhouse tack shop and Liah is an 11 year old Clydesdale x ISH who Nicola has owned for almost two years.

Nicola hopes to develop her partnership with all rounder Liah and tackle some showjumping and showcross over the winter before progressing her up the dressage grades in the Spring.

Nicola and Lia managed to bag a second rosette in their first ever prelim test by coming fourth in a large class.

Emma Stuart and Fondi scored double success with wins in both prelim classes on the day with plus 70 per cent scores with Howe regular Taylor Bell and Miller taking second place in the first prelim class.

Callie Herd came second in the second prelim class with My Highland Clover and went one better in Novice 27 to claim the red rosette. Callie has lately been training with Grand Prix rider, Matthew Burnett, on one of his teaching trips north from his base in Gloucestershire.

Catherine Cousar riding Joyce Ferguson’s One’s a Wish posted the highest score of the day in Novice 34 with a massive 82 per cent and then went on to also win the Elementary 42 class.

Local vet Laura Rennie and her Polish warmblood, Medusa claimed second place in Novice 34 whilst Howe regular, Zoe Penman, claimed the second place in Elementary 42.

Coming up in November at Highfield at Howe there is unaffiliated showjumping and showcross as well as regular events of showjumping training night and riding lessons.

Most of the centre’s events can be booked online by competitors.

Blazin Saddles, the centre café, is open for both meals and snacks throughout all competitions and has a big screen so that competitors can watch the action from the main arena whilst sitting comfortably.