Those who braved the rain and fog on the morning of Sunday, January 16, at Northallerton Equestrian Centre were rewarded with a long, gloriously sunny day.

You did, however, have to have some sympathy for the event's course designer and builder, Alan Mewes, as there was a distinct lack of clear rounds. The first class of the day, the 95cm Open, generated only seven clear rounds from a field of more than 25.

Alan's tough layout contributed to the small jump-offs, as many competitors commented on how challenging a course it was, with two events having a very tight right-hand turn into the first jump and awkward last two fences. This was disappointing as his carefully thought out course was superb.

Amy Wall compounded her success of the previous day with a win in the 1.25 Open on Ferndale Summer Breeze. David Harland took first place in both the Norton Heath Newcomers and the 1.10 Open. Jessica Russell secured a great win on Lord Brocket in the Horse and Hound Foxhunter/Blue Riband Qualifier for BSJA.

The Equenox Novice blue chip challenge was won by Lorna Jewitt riding Silver Song. The next seven places also qualified for the Winter Championships at Solihull. For a while it was touch and go as to whether the full eight would qualify, because despite a large and very strong field, again, riders were struggling for that elusive first round clear.

RESULTS: 95cm Warm Up: 1 Stephen Pitt on Connells Destannie, 2 Sue Nelson on Miss Looby Loo, 3 Kelly Smith on Forever and Always. Equenox Novice Blue Chip Qualifier: 1 Lorna Jewitt on Silver Song, 2 Holly Stephenson on Stainsby Free Spirit, 3 S Nurse on Emenence, 4 Angie Bell on Carsander Z, 5 Rebecca Reay on Highling Irish Mist, 6 Sara O'Brien on Acton Matchmaker, 7 E. Nettleton on Carnsdale Cover Girl, 8 Jo Bailey Orchard on Razzle Dazzle. Equisage Discovery: 1 Katherine James on Easylift Lad, 2 John Brannen on Farm Hand, 3 Emma Wright on Kagorus. Norton Heath Newcomers: 1 David Harland on Mulgrave Diplomat, 2 Marine Desse on Lorigan Joe, 3 J Watts Lady on Madhavi. 1.10 Open: 1 David Harland on Seacroft Lad, 2 J Dixon on Quayside Crack On, 3 C Dennis Ringfort on Diva. Horse and Hound Foxhunter/Blue Riband Qualifier for BSJA Scope UK Festival of Showjumping: 1 Jessica Russell on Lord Brocket, 2 Julia Hardy on Just Galopin, 3 Paul Barker on Temple Zandor Z, 4 S Russell on FI Princetown. 1.20 Open: 1 David Harland on Seacroft Lad, 2 P McKeever on Neverland, 3 Alice Walker on Domini. 1.25 Open: 1 Amy Wall on Ferndale Summer Breeze, 2 J. Dixon on Kamishka, 3 J Dixon on Qside Castle Natique

Chip to fight crime

CLEVELAND Studios, a leading specialist on asset and security management, and market Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging, has worked closely with industries to provide tailor-made identification systems.

Following field trials, it launched Saddle-traC at Beta 2004. It now has more than 200 Saddle-traC centres around the country able to install the microchips. The database behind this form of identification now enables the creation of the National Saddle Register.

The technology is backed by a network of scanners already with UK police, as CSL already has this infrastructure in place for similar ID systems in other industries.

The microchip tags are easily retrofitted into new and second-hand saddles. Police and Saddle-traC Centres are able to scan the saddle to read its unique identification number, and verify the legal owner on the National Saddle Register.

CSL backs this up with a lost property register. If a saddle fitted with Saddle-traC is lost or stolen, the owner can contact the company, which will include the details on the lost property register. The register is available to police authorities, Horse and Farm Watch officers, Saddle-traC centres and auction houses.

CSL and Saddle-traC agents also work closely with many police authorities in aiding crime prevention awareness, and providing Microchipping Days - these include Thames Valley, Kent, North and South Yorkshire, and more locally is looking to work on an initiative with Durham Constabulary.

As this new high-tech form of identification is becoming more widely used it is starting to reduce the incidents of theft and aid the recovery of stolen property. CSL is also finalising a similar system for the identification of horse blankets and rugs, which will be available shortly through its Saddle-traC centres.

Fun for young and old

by Chris Dawson

The South Durham Pony Club held its annual Christmas meet at Crawleas, Leasingthorne by kind permission of Mr and Mrs John Stephenson - for perhaps the last time due to the imminent fox hunting ban.

A huge turnout of pony club members from the very young on lead reins, to the more experienced, were supported by Father Christmas driven by Ken Wilson, who delivered presents to all the children. This was a meet that even the grown up members didn't want to miss, as they came out to support the younger riders. Ponies and horse of all different shapes and sizes adorned with brightly coloured tinsel were eager to get on with the job at hand; hunting.

After festive (non-alcoholic) drinks and mince pies they headed off towards Windlestone where they jumped two 'warm-up' fences. Here one or two young riders were seen running on foot after their ponies.

Once in Windlestone everyone settled down, including the hounds who worked well through the cover and round to Eldon, moving on a large loop back towards Windlestone. A variety of fences were tackled. Mrs Stephenson took those who couldn't face jumping them under her wing and found a route around the fences, and then back to catch up with the rest of the field.

A few miles from the meet hounds came back over the road and headed back to the start of the hunt, Leasingthorne.

Although the foxes were slightly hard to come by, the Pony Club members all had a superb day, and only hope that the children's traditional hunt meet will continue for years to come, not only for the South Durham, but for all the hunts nation-wide who also hold the same meet.

Published: 28/01/2005