The Petplan Equine Summer Area Festival is one of the UK’s largest equine festivals, welcoming over 1,000 horses and their riders in a variety of dressage events.
With seven titles up for grabs on the first day of the festival, Bedford’s Claire Ackerman secured the Prix St George’s Silver Freestyle title aboard her 17-year old gelding, Woodcroft Heinrich.
While the pair are experienced in the dressage arena, this is the first time they have danced to music “in quite some time”, with Claire prepared to take a risk for the event.
“We wanted to do something different”
“We thought we wanted to do something a bit different”, said Claire of her winning performance.
“We went for a disco theme. We have Amy Stuart and a bit of ‘Saturday Night Fever’ as well as ‘The Hussle’ and that suits him down to the ground. It was something I could really get into.”
It was this upbeat theme that the judges loved which earned them a score of 71.25% and a win that Claire was delighted with.
“We have had quite a long journey together, but he is such a generous horse and we have been to the Championships at every level. I am so chuffed with him; he owes me nothing, he’s such a brilliant horse and he’s such a nice person to be with.
“I love him to bits, so much so that I’ve bought a foal which is a half-brother to him as his temperament is so good.
“I am hoping to do Inter II and perhaps get to Grand Prix before he hangs up his hooves, he’s still got plenty of life left in him yet and we hope to keep going up through the levels.”
The timings of the competition were back on track following difficulties following the Covid pandemic, with qualification for the Area Festivals across England, Wales and Scotland on the cards.
“We know how much this competition means to all of the competitors, commented Rosie Bee, Brand Marketing Executive at Petplan Equine.
“We never get tired of hearing about their competition journeys and the highs and lows along the way. I am so happy to congratulate Claire and Woodcroft Heinrich on their triumph today. We wish them the very best of luck for the future.”
