Amanda Edwards, from Wymondham, has been savouring success in the British Dressage Elementary classes at the ILPH on Mercurey, her British Hanovarian. They won both Restricted Elementary classes, qualifying for the BD Winter Semi-Finals at their first attempt.

Amanda Edwards, from Wymondham, has been savouring success in the British Dressage Elementary classes at the ILPH on Mercurey, her British Hanovarian.

They won both Restricted Elementary classes, qualifying for the BD Winter Semi-Finals at their first attempt.

The nine-year-old dark brown gelding won the Elementary 43 with 68.27pc and the Elementary 52 with 71.56pc. Both classes had large entries, with 20 in each class.

“We will now start competing at medium level and we will be trying to establish flying changes over the winter months, so that we can have a go at advanced medium next spring,” said Amanda.

“We started this year still in novice classes and I am amazed and delighted that we have moved up to medium in such a short space of time. A big thank you must go to Pippa Childerhouse, who is my dressage trainer, and Neil Gosnell, who is my showjumping trainer.”

The next outing for the pair will be on Saturday, September 9, at the Lincoln Showground, to compete in the British Riding Club National Championships in the elementary.

They then on to Sheepgate in Boston, Lincolnshire, at the beginning of October to compete in both the novice and elementary classes at the Pet Plan Area Festival.

Unusually for a dressage horse, Mercurey combines flatwork with gymnastic jumping exercises.

“Since we began the jumping he has really relaxed and it much stronger,” saud Amanda.

“It has settled him and he copes so much better with the more advanced dressage movements. We are hoping to qualify for the combined training British dressage championships at the winter championships in April.”

Sue Palmer's Palmfields Nightingale finished the season on a high after winning four major championships at this year's Ponies UK Championship show.

She was also the Homebred and Home Produced Champion at the NPS Championship show two weeks ago.

Nightingale, a seven-year-old brown mare by Yealand Night Owl, has been highly successful in the show ring, including a win at the Horse Of The Year Show.

The Palmer family's tally did not stop there, as Palmfields Stardust, a yearling filly on her third outing, secured the Reserve Championship in the Lee Smith, DJ Riseley Riding Pony Championship, and the three-year-old filly Palmfields Romantic Dream was reserve champion in the Prestige Bankswood Championship.

“All this was down to my son Anthony, who took over showing the ponies in the ring,” said Sue.

“Anthony last stepped into the ring as a seven-year-old aboard a lead rein pony. He enjoyed it so much he is hoping to carry on with showing all of our ponies for the future.”

Redwings Horse Sanctuary will be hosting its first ever horse owners' day on Saturday, September 9 (10am to 3pm), at its Norfolk headquarters at Hapton, south of Norwich. The day will give local horse owners and those working with horses the chance to increase their veterinary knowledge on major conditions such as laminitis and colic. The course at the charity's equine hospital will be led by Redwings' senior veterinary surgeon, Nicola Jarvis. She said: “Offering practical advice to horse owners means we are helping to prevent these serious equine conditions, and people will realise that we are far more than a horse sanctuary, but a source of expert information as well.” The day will include prepared lectures, a practical clinical session, a question and answer session and a tour of the equine hospital. The fee is £35 per delegate and will include a light lunch. For more information or to book, call Nicola Markwell on 01508 481014.

Pat and Ray Butler, from Watton, had a successful day at the Ponies UK Summer Championships at Peterborough. First Crown Court, ridden by Lorna Crook, won the Caldecott Novice Working Hunter Title. Then Penny Black, whose Welsh Stud book registered name is Pontesford Bramble, was third in Frolic Riding Horse and Cob Championship. “Both horses combine their showing with affiliated showjumping, which is our main interest,” said Ray.

There is an EGB pleasure competitive ride on Sunday, September 3, over various distances. This is a rare chance to ride a picturesque route round lakes, through rivers and in the beautiful parkland of Kimberley Hall, near Stowmarket. For an entry form or further details, call 01603 759344 or 01603 759694, or e-mail jananrob@tiscali.co.uk.

There is a Steven Hadley showjumping clinic at the ILPH tomorrow and Saturday, and again on September 11 and 12. For details contact, Sue Cox on 01953 851829.

If you have a story or news for Horse Talk, please call Jeanetta La Four on 01953 498908, e-mail Jeanetta@passionprm.co.uk, or fax 01953 498879.