2011

2011 REPORT

Jo Chipperfield takes first place ahead of Oliver Townend and Piggy French

in the Advanced Intermediate at Poplar Park One Day Event 2011

After her win, Jo Chipperfield said “I didn’t expect to win against such a high quality field. On Your Marks has not been out since last October and is somewhat lazy at home”. Olympic hopeful, Oliver Townend took the first three places in the Intermediate Section M, but Piggy French and Jakata ended their day with a fall in the water in the Advanced Intermediate.

Some new combinations have been added to the course which prompted very positive feedback from all competitors. These included a new pre-novice combination at the bottom of the hill, by the Road Closed fence and a set of ‘corners’ in the water meadow, enjoying experimental new ‘frangible’ fences – designed to be safer for both riders and horses.

The very experienced organising team are supported by 150 volunteers a day to run the event, manage the crowds and take care of spectator safety. Nat Dixon, from Sandy, Beds, who won Section G with Taipan Tommy said “I chose to come to Poplar because the course is one of the best in the country, with good going and excellent organisation”.

On Sunday, local rider Oliver Signy achieved a credible 3rd place, with Armando, on a final score of 28.2pts behind Andrew James and Zodibanta and Hilton, ridden by Roxanne De Ville in BE100 Section J.

Stylish combination, Amelia James (13) of Creeting and Canal Mosstown Murphy, turned heads in the showjumping and cross country, however, 12 year old Bethany-Rose Horobin, riding Boy Romeo was 2nd in her BE 90 section and 12 year olds, Jemima Upton from Chelmsford riding Killeen Oisin and Katherine Cross from Bury St Edmunds riding Ronnan Benit both held their own against older, more experienced riders.

Local girl, Mary Edmundson has spent the winter at a racing yard and commented that she had benefited from lots of support and coaching. Her excellent dressage score of 23 pts riding Mr Mystery Man, led to an unassailable lead in the BE100, Section I.

On Saturday, Alexandra Symington and Tapageur Nor Mand came off the cross country with a beaming smile that said it all. Fighting serious illness, Alexandra has spent 5 years working towards entering this event and was tired but ecstatic that she had completed with some style!

Alongside the East Anglian Air Ambulance and major volunteering supporters from the Riding for the Disabled charity, Poplar Park aims to support the 23rd Royal Engineers Wounded and Injured Soldiers fund. Based at Rock Barracks, Sappers Bailey and Parsons said they knew virtually nothing about Eventing but were enjoying the sunshine and were selling a good number of wrist bands to raise additional cash. Both have been trained as Drivers by the army and were enjoying their posting to Suffolk.

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