Twynholm Dressage Rider Fiona Stryjewski and her eight year old Dutch warmblood “Devon-B” that she has owned since 2014 travelled south last weekend to take part in the National Winter Dressage Championships 2016. On the day Fiona and Devon-B came 2nd placed “Amateur rider” in their class and 18th overall.
Fiona Told DGWGO sports news “We travelled down to Preston on Wednesday and stopped in with trainer Clive Halsall for a final training session before travelling down to Hartpury College in Gloucester on Thursday. Though we were not on until Sunday morning, it allowed both myself and Devon to get used to the “electric” atmosphere at the winter championships. We also managed to fit in a training session with Jo Barry in the exercise area on Friday to help us focus.
I was able to watch lots of other combinations compete and by Sunday I was “ready” for our turn in the NAF 5* arena. The whole competition was “Live streamed” online so those people who could not be there were able to watch us compete.
It was an amazing feeling to be in the arena and truly was a “dream come true” Devon was quite nervous about the whole atmosphere but put his brave pants on and did very well to just about keep a lid on it during the test. I knew when we finished we had done the best we could on the day and that was all I could ask for – it was a fabulous experience for myself and Devon and will stand us in great stead for the future. To compete against a class of professional riders as an amateur and to share a warm up with riders being “prepped” by the Olympic Gold medallist – Charlotte Dujardain was quite something, but in my head I the words of advice Les Smith had given me “do not be intimidated by anyone”
Fiona said “The focus is now on the Summer Regional finals in July/August.”
“I would like to thank Elaine Caig of “Excellence in Equestrian bedding” at Crocketford and Andy Sankey of “Sankey Saddles” for their sponsorship which helped with the costs of competing. Thank you to Clive Halsall, Les Smith and Jo Barry for their training and to my parents and friends who were supporting from home.”
Congratulations must go to Kim Young from Clarebrand as she competed in three classes – finishing, 17th, 5th & 12th and was the highest placed amateur in one of her classes too.
