Shetland Steeplechase Commentary - Canterbury A. & P. Showgrounds 2003

We had a great bunch of riders for this year's premier event who were as keen as mustard. They religiously attended daily training sessions for three weeks, despite having their own ponies (sometimes two) to ride and care for when they eventually got home.
We had some fun times, especially with the newcomers Leswick and Hawkwing who both had to be taught the ropes, and CJ who required quite a lot of urging to actually get him to move!.

Here is a brief run-down of the competitors:

Freddy (skewbald) Freddy, whose passion in life appears to be eating, has the natural get up and go when under saddle. He was ridden by Katie Meredith (10) who was out to win come-what-may (and this they achieved) - Katie normally jumps fences around the 1 metre height, which is higher than Freddy! Prior to the event Freddy was for sale, but now has been withdrawn from the market due to pressure and bribery from undisclosed sources!
Finesse (black) the smallest in the field at 9 hh, and the only equine female representative , was ridden by the tiniest jockey Emma (9) who also can be seen jumping 1 metre high jumps normally. Intense rivalry between Finesse and Freddy (or was it the girls!) at training sessions made sure they were both racing fit. Finesse in previous years had specialized in coming last, but with a competitive, light rider on board, and despite nearly being taken out by another pony, Emma did well to finish a close 4th.
Archie (dun skewbald) was ridden by Hollie (Freddy's ex-jockey). Archie would have been content to just plod around but as this was Hollie's last steeplechase, she had other ideas. Hollie's original mount was scratched so she scrunched herself up on the smaller Archie, shortened her stirrups and rode Archie well into 3rd place
C.J. (black). C.J. was the monster of the field at about 10.2hh He had taken out Champion Adult Shetland at the show 2 days prior and with his laid back attitude saw no reason to prove himself further so stopped at the first fence - unfortunately Rachel didn't. Rachel remounted, C.J. responded and they finished 5th=. This was Rachel's last steeplechase also - why do these riders have to grow.
Leswick (chestnut) was the dark horse in the field as it turned out and gave his rider Raissa many frustrating moments in training as he just would not canter - why should he when he could trot flat out and had been taught not to canter when in-hand and in harness. He discovered the gait - cantering - 48 hours before the event and took off after Freddy, finishing 2nd much to the shock of his rider who just hung on from all accounts.
Hawk Wing (skewbald) This solid wee man was a replacement at the last minute when Kimberley was pulled out. When he arrived I began to wonder if he had even been broken in as he had us in fits when all he wanted to do was go backwards or kick out his back legs but once he got going, would canter round and stand right off his jumps - a real natural. He had a crash course of a week's training and despite not finishing the course, looked the part and, hey, someone has to finish last!
Sam I Am (black) was the baby of the field at just 5 years. Unlike the others, he was not resident at the Lewis School of Equitation and just had the one practice with the field. Sam didnÕt bat an eye as he is usually out there one-day eventing, and he was happy to cruise along at his own pace and finished 5th=.
Sinbad (grey) this little man from the Sumner Valley Riding School was the veteran at 18 years and had won the last four steeplechases, however, this was not to be his day and he did not complete the course.

The main emphasis on this spectacle is for ponies and jockeys to have fun and to entertain the crowd. Who wins or loses is not important (not to us anyway!) While we tried not to emphasize competitiveness, the majority of the riders are seasoned one-day event riders and compete at Springston Trophy level, so when the heat went on, it is hardly surprising that the pace went with it! Already the jockeys are talking about Steeplechase 2004 and are keen to start training earlier Ð parents beware! Huge thanks to all the lovely parents who carted their children to & from my place after school each day Ð many travelling large distances, and for going that extra mile for us.

In the early days we were scratching our heads to find small, experienced riders who could cope with both riding Shetlands (harder to stay aboard than larger ponies believe me) and the race atmosphere, but now as the event is well established, word is spreading and we have a pool of riders already for next year.

Many thanks also to the owners who entrusted their 'race horses' with us.

Well done Jockeys - you were a pleasure to work with and we look forward to seeing many of you again next year.

Lesley