Sponsored Rider, Lisa Hopkins, Regional Success
The last week was a busy week for sponsored rider Lisa Hopkins at Lisa Hopkins Dressage. With entries for the BD Regionals at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre and The College EC, Keysoe, Lisa looked to secure qualification to the BD National Championships.
Bury Farm Equestrian Centre BD Regionals 7th -10th August 2017
Tuesday 8th August, Novice Gold
Lisa has trained Para Olympic Gold Medallist Natasha Baker MBE for some time now, so with Natasha’s horse, Pilgardens Fireball (Freddie), being relatively new to this level of competition, Natasha gave the Regionals ride to Lisa. For quite a green horse Freddie coped well with the vile weather, flower pots, busy and soggy warm up to gain a respectable 65.93%. Both Lisa and Natasha were thrilled with Freddie’s ability to cope with all that was asked of him and he proved he “Has all the qualities in his temperament and movement to be Natasha’s next superstar.”
Friday 11th August, Elementary Gold
Lisa was handed the ride of Good Guy (Preston) a 17.1hh 6 year old by Apache owned by Margaret Phizacklea a week before his Regional class. Margaret bought this beautiful horse as a 4 year old and had already qualified and ridden him at the BD Winter Finals at Hartpury. Lisa only had him at her yard in Buckinghamshire a week before the Summer Regionals so it’s testimony to Margaret’s training, Lisa’s expertise and Preston’s ability that Lisa and Preston became Regional Champions with a fantastic score of 73.13%.
The College EC, Keysoe 12th-14th August 2017
Saturday 12th August, Medium Gold and Monday 14th August Advanced Medium Gold
Lisa took on the ride of Icon Zander (Zander) a 16.2hh 13yr old by Feinsinn bred by owner Christine Pattle this summer. Lisa will be training him towards PSG and has trained Christine for 18 years! Zander’s Regional competition started with the Medium Gold where the pair narrowly missed out on qualifying for the BD National Championships with a 5th placing on 68.9%. All involved with Zander and Lisa are keeping their fingers crossed for a Wild Card.
The Advanced Medium Gold, despite Lisa taking a wrong line, saw the pair gaining their National Championship qualification with a 2nd placing on 68.46%. Lisa says “Zander has been so consistent over these Regionals and all the hard work has paid off, his owner Christine Pattle is delighted and so proud of her homebred by Feinsinn.”
With two rides at the BD National Championships this September, it’s no wonder Lisa is thrilled not only for herself but for the owners of two very special horses.
Lisa holds flatwork clinics here at New Hatches Livery and Rehabilitation Centre, the next clinic date is September 2nd. These clinics fill incredibly quickly so if you couldn’t get a space on this one keep checking on our social media pages for up and coming dates.
