Page 169 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Kirsty Betts - Show Jumping at the UK Armed Forces Kirsty Betts - Show Jumping at the UK Armed Forces Sami Slater, Jo Evans take a lap of honour at the
Equestrian Championships Equestrian Championships UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championships

out for competitions hours from home, the jumping classes. It was a challenging, but A New Start
enthusiasm of Kirsty Betts, Jo Evans and fun experience, getting the team horses to
Steve George who each had to start new the competition centre with all of their kit By Corporal Kirsty Betts
partnerships with new horses and get out and the right dress for the team riders to
there and start from scratch. The hours compete in dressage and show jumping. So I have recently started a new
driven Louise Norris to compete for the The team of Sami Slater, Kirsty Betts, and partnership with my young mare ‘Tuttie’
team at Royal Windsor Horse Show and for myself took first place in the team jumping aka G.I Jolie, I bought her in September
all our riders the hard work, muck, aching which was amazing considering the very 2015 as a four year old. Since buying her
muscles and practice, practice, practice – experienced teams that we beat. I have had many highs and lows already,
they are all a credit to the AGC. Above all In May, I had the honour of competing wondering if she would make the grade
though this sport is fun, come and join us with the team at the Royal Windsor Horse to be my next competitive horse and take
even if you’ve never been near a horse, Show in front of her Majesty the Queen. me up the ranks. Tuttie’s first debut for
give it a go and see how you get on. We were the first ever AGC team to jump the military was at the UK Armed Forces
at Windsor and it was a privilege to parade Equestrian Championships in April 2016,
in the main arena after jumping a clear where not only was this her first stay away
Sporting Challenges round in the morning and to salute the show, it was her first appearance for the
Queen, on horseback in full uniform. AGC team. She behaved impeccably, and
By Staff Sergeant Jo Evans In June we came back down to earth and really shone, coming away with three
took part in our first ever one day event double clears in the jumping and an
It’s been an honour and achievement to held at Larkhill. Although our dressage individual fourth place in the dressage.
finally successfully compete for the AGC left us with areas to work on she was First in the Novice Team jumping and
with my horse ‘Irish Beauty’ (Beau) in a machine around the cross country, being over all Novice Champion. I couldn’t
various disciplines this year after returning jumping clear and inside the time. We have been prouder.
from Germany. will be competing cross country again in Since April I have continued to work
Our competitive year started in April with October at the Army and Royal Artillery with Tuttie in all areas to build a tighter
the Highclere Hunter Trials, a civilian Hunter Trails where I hope all our training bond, better strength and ability to have
event; this was the first time I’d taken Beau will make a difference and see us back in her perform to the best she can. I have
out so I was delighted when she jumped the prizes. continued to enter her in civilian shows
clear and inside the time to get placed This sport is very physically and mentally locally with good achievements.
sixth overall. demanding. it is time consuming and there I now look forward to participating in my
The first Military Competition took place are plenty of lows, but the highs always first Dressage Championships for the AGC
in April at the UK Armed Forces Equestrian keep you coming back for more, being where I hope to push me and my horse to
Championships, at Addington Manor. part of the AGC team has really helped get our best score to date. Next year I hope
Over the two days of competition we me improve and the support has been to ride in AGC team kit at The Royal
competed in a mix of dressage and show fantastic.

Laura Mitchell – Dressage at the UK Armed Forces
Bella Mayo - Dressage Training Bella Mayo - Jump Training
Equestrian Championships

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