‘A turbulent week of weather preceded the first of three horse trials scheduled for Warwick Hall throughout the spring and summer this year. A wonderful win for Burgh by Sands (Cumbria) young rider Freya Gaitskell in the AW Jenkinson Forest Products Under18 Open Novice Section I will have showcased this rider’s keen talents to the British Eventing Youth Coordinators present at the event. Freya finished without jumping or time penalties on her dressage score and this will have been an excellent preparation for her imminent trip to Belsay in Northumberland for the CCI2 L class at international level. The event also saw Tokyo Olympic long listed riders Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson in action and the event attracted a bumper entry to capacity by offering excellent going with a revised and extended set of cross country courses. Local rider Fiona Lloyd from Penrith enjoyed a second placing in the Maiden Marine BE80 Section Z riding Ridgehill Elfin. Emma Little from Carlisle also took home a second on Alecon in the Ruth Clark Equestrian BE90 Section O to maintain their consistent performance. Luckily, the rains falling across the County never affected the sandy venue at Warwick on Eden and whilst the event ran ‘behind closed doors’ competitors were allowed more owners and support crew members to attend under the governing body’s Covid protocols. The Novice show jumping and cross country tracks proved testing for some combinations but a 64% clear round rate rewarded those with a sound partnership over the 3100m maximum 28 effort course. Organiser and course designer Douglas Weymouth Organiser said ‘this was the longest and fullest set of courses at Warwick Hall, taking advantage of the change to the rules. The tracks flowed well, and the revised water fence also worked to keep the riders focused with its 4 elements. Our thanks as ever go to the volunteers who put in a 12 hour shift allowing the sport to be so vibrant in the county.’ The second horse trial at Warwick Hall follows in short order on 19/20 June.’