Report from National Champion Jen Englishby
Last year (2006) I competed in the Dressage to Music competition at the Pony Club Championships for the first time. I put my music and floor plan together myself using my home computer so the changes were not that smooth!! I scored a creditable 67%, however the comments reflected that my music did not justify my horses paces.
In 2007 I joined Aspley Guise Riding Club as I had heard that they were an active riding club and often competed in dressage to music…… this proved to be a very good decision!!
I was asked to take part in a dtm demonstration that the club were performing for their members to encourage participation in competitions. I rode my championship test, and was lucky enough to receive some great feedback from Alison Kenward and Dr Roy Tipping.
After establishing a great relationship with fellow AGRC members; John and Joanna Mears and Alison Kenward, their help and expertise was utilised in assisting on my new floor plans and music ready for the 2007 competition season.
Photo courtesy of John Britter
I am also an associate member of the Whaddon Chase Pony Club, and this year I won the Associates section of the DTM competition at the Pony Club Championships. I was able to compete in the ride off where I was placed as a runner up (3rd) overall, with a score of 70% so the standards were very high!!
Gizmo was extremely well behaved which for those that know him... he doesn't always behave so well!!
Alison Kenward, John and Joanna Mears do all of our music through their company Freestyle Dressage, I cannot thank them enough for their constant support and encouragement, which make all of our shows so enjoyable and successful. (Joanna, Eleanor Cloake and myself have qualified for the Freestyle DTM Challenge through Riding Club as well!!).
Photo courtesy of John Britter
I really do recommend that everyone has a go at DTM, it is a very rewarding discipline and with the help of the Freestyle Dressage team, you too could be as successful as we have been in 2007!
I would also like to thank my trainer Sabrina Jones for all of her persistence and patience through the many hours of hard work she puts into Gizmo and me!!!
Jen