Welcome To The Childeric Saddles Little Downham Horse Trials 2019 Thank-you for choosing to compete at Little Downham (1) ODE, this is our 18th year of running affiliated horse trials and we are delighted to receive your entry for this fixture. So far, the 2019 season has run smoothly and without the weather causing disruption to the calendar – BUT please may we have some rain! I will be doing a rain dance for the next few days whilst being secure in the knowledge that our irrigators are poised ready for action. The exciting news in April that Lt Downham has been successful in tendering for an International 3*S and 4*S to be held in early October 2020. I am very excited by the prospect of moving up to international status on the smallest site in the fixture list, whilst wishing that we didn’t clash with Osberton International AGAIN! There really needs to be more weeks in the year so that clashes like this can’t occur but I expect the loyal team at Lt Downham will just make this the ‘Go To’ event in 2021. My thanks go to Sarah Skillin from EquiConsulting for writing a fabulous tender proposal for both Lt Downham and Keysoe, as both these eastern venues move forwards to international status next year. Volunteers are also a major part of any horse trial. Do you realise that I need to find ONE volunteer to every 3 horses to allow you to participate? Just pause to think how much entry fees would need to rise if everyone was paid the minimum wage? Remember to SMILE – make eye contact and say THANK YOU as you walk the course. We are happy to welcome back an army of loyal supporters, in addition to some “virgin fence judges” and some experienced volunteers from other events who have all offered to help at this fixture and their enthusiasm and commitment is crucial to the future success of the sport. This year the eventing community lost a huge personality and even bigger supporter of the sport. Clem Tompsett was a great supporter of Lt Downham, for which I will always be grateful. This weekend we a say another big Thank You in his memory, for how much he’s done for the sport and the local eventing community over the years. THANK YOU EVERYONE, FOR VOLUNTEERING, COMPETING, AND TAKING PART IN OUR GREAT SPORT.
Tina Ure
EVENT INFORMATION TIMETABLE, START TIMES & RESULTS All information can be viewed online via www.bdwp.co.uk/lit Friday - Intermediate - OI - Advanced - Int-Nov - ON - NRF Saturday - Novice - ON - ONu18 - BE100u18 - 5YO - BE100 Friday - BE90 - BE90open - BE100plus - BE100 - BE100open COURSE WALKING The cross-country course will be available to walk for all classes from 2pm on Thursday 30th May. Times of guided course walks will be posted on social media and the BDWP event page. EVENT ADMISSION Admission to the event is FREE. Please follow directions of the event officials when parking. PRIZE GIVING Prize Giving will be held under the secretary's veranda approximately 45 mins after the last horse in each class has finished cross country. Competitors are requested to attend or send a representative on their behalf to prize giving out of respect to organisers and sponsors. DOGS Dogs are welcome on leads. Please be responsible and clear up after them
THANK YOU Tina Ure would like to thank our very generous sponsors for their support: CHILDERIC SADDLES, welcomed back as title sponsors for the duration of the 2019. Offering a prize for the closest to the optimum time in each class. BAILEYS HORSE FEEDS, sponsors of the Novice classes with generous prizes of feed vouchers. AMES NISSAN generous sponsors at Little Downham for 17 years. ROSSDALES EQUINE HOSPITAL, sponsor the BE100u18 & ONu18 generous first aid kit prizes for the top 3 LETTERGOLD, back for the 10th year at Little Downham and we are incredibly grateful for Belinda Drummond’s support, encouragement and friendship. EQUICONSULTING, providers of PR, Marketing, Social Media & Customer Experience services to leading Equestrian brands, as well as sports marketing and athlete management services for elite level riders. FINER STABLES, sponsors of the double clear rosettes for every section. DODSON & HORRELL, sponsors of the Novice Regional Final LYCETTS INSURANCE BROKERS, sponsors of the Advanced and providers of on course hospitality TIGGAS SADDLERY, long time supporters and sponsors of the BE90 BRITISH EVENTING, DELABOND, EQUETECH, ALOERIDE & WITH A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORTERS
https://youtu.be/bmwD7P5dZ34
Dressage Tests
SCORING
BE90/open - test BE97 (2016) BE100/BE100o/100u18 - test BE 107 (2016) Novice/ON - test N131 (2018) ONu18 - test N114 (2016) Int/OI/Int-Nov/NRF - test I117 (2009) Adv - test A124 (2016)
Show Jumping Knocking down an obstacle……………………………..............................……………………….......4 Penalties 1st Disobedience……………………………………………………..................................……………................4 Penalties 2nd Disobedience………………………………………………….................................……….……................8 Penalties 3rd Disobedience……………………………………………………..................................………….................Elimination Fall of competitor………................………………………………..................................….......…..............Elimination First fall of horse…………………………………………………….................................….................…….….Elimination Error of course……………………………………………………....................................................………….…Elimination For every commenced second in excess of time allowed.....................…..1 Penalty Exceeding 24 jumping penalties (not including time)...…...…Compulsory Retirement
Cross Country 1st refusal, run out, circle of horse at obstacle…….……….........................….......20 Penalties 2nd refusal, run out, circle of horse at same obstacle.….............................40 Penalties 3rd refusal, run out, circle of horse at same obstacle.….…..........................Elimination Fall of horse and/or rider at obstacle …………..........................................................Elimination 3rd accumulative refusal (Novice & Above)......................................……......…….Elimination 4th accumulative refusal (BE80-BE100)...................…........................……..........…..Elimination Second penalised fall on course……………………..………………….................................….Elimination Taking the wrong course……………………………………………….....…..................................…..Elimination Exceeding the time limit (twice the optimum time)…….…..............................Elimination Every second over the optimum time………………………...…….........................….......0.4 Penalty Every second over 15 seconds under the optimum time …..................... 0.4 Penalty
Final Score The lowest combined, three phase, penalty score is the winner
OFFICIALS Organiser & Land Owner & XC Designer Tina Ure
BE Steward
BE Scorer
Victoria Steele
Wendy Evans
Adv Course Designer BE Regional Co-Ordinator Jonathan Clissold
Phillip Surl
Secretary
H&S Officer
SJ Course Designer
BE Technical Advisor
Sarah Robinson
Paul Monks
Sue Peasley
David Merrett
Secretary Team Polly Taylor -Ruth Warnes - Jo Meningen - Ros Blackmore
Sponsors, Volunteers, Marketing & XC Steward Sarah Skillin
Medical Officers
Paramedics
Dr Daryl Freeman & Dr Meg Hardman
APMS Medical Services
Veterinary Officers
Horse Ambulance
Farrier
Laura Tolit
Nick Jones
Ben Duthie
Show Jumping Stewards/Judges Lesley Murdoch - Mary Jordan - others TBC
Cross Country Control Julie Skillin - Sam Baker - Benjie Unwin
Cross Country Start Jen & Jan Le Miere - Dudley Thompson - Rachel Laws Clare Tallboys - Murial Calder - Rachel Casbon
Score Collectors
Score Boards
The Lush Team
Sue Peck & Co
Scorers Jane Jonasson - Liz Wilson - Julie Issacson - Mary Owen - Felicity Alexander - Lena Legge - Aline Turner - Ann Jones - Terri Bates - Hannah
Dressage Stewards/Judges Janis Young - Michael Daniels - Dena Green - Anna Wilks - Debbie Morgan - Anne Graham - Linda Pearce - Mary Thornley - Janet Watson - Julie Corrigan - Rebekah Middleton - Ann Bostock - Anita Darken - Michele Clare - Alex Gingell - Laura Leicester - Tracey Trotter
CAN A GIRTH FIX A PROBLEM Saddle specialist Tricia Bracegirdle of Childéric Saddles takes a look at the subject of girthing your horse and gives readers her top tips and advice in this often sensitive area When looking at a girth one has to remember that it's not just the bit that goes under the belly - it's also about the girth straps/billets too. Conformation plays a large role in determining which type of girth you combine with your saddle. Here we share some examples to highlight four very different horses and needs. In the first image, the shape of this horse will tend to send a saddle backwards. The billets coming from the saddle should follow the girth line. The shoulder on this Thoroughbred will move back into the middle of the circle which, if there were a billet there, would push the girth backwards. The fact there is no barrel would also add to the 'going backwards' problem. If your girth from your saddle came from any other place than the green line it will go backwards. No matter how tight, elasticated or not, it will move back. The fact this horse is also croup high will not help in this situation. The position of the buckles on a short girth is not as important for horse as they shouldn't be a problem because they won't be anywhere near the elbow but still a good rule to follow. REMEMBER - using a breastplate to keep a saddle in place is a good idea with this type of horse but ONLY IF THE SADDLE FITS and preferably the girthing is in the right place. This horse (two, opposite) brings entirely different issues with the girthing. I Watch for rubbing and galls behind the elbow - in the circled area. Also make sure if using a short girth with a single flap saddle that the buckles must not be too close the elbow - we have seen horses who present lame simply from knocking the girth buckles. This horse would also want a fairly slim girth behind the elbow but one which would require as much surface contact as possible underneath.
If you are are using a front billet on this horse we would need to make sure its not restricting his deltoideus and triceps muscles (shown in the white circle) as they are very close to the billet. If using a short girth the buckles would need to be above the elbow. There's very little room to play with here so it has to be right. On first glance you might think that this horse (three) would not have any girth issues, but look again - the yellow line is showing how far the barrel comes into the girth line. What this will do is push the girth forward, so again you risk getting sore in the girth area and buckle problems. If your girth is completely vertical (the pink line), this will cause the saddle to lift at the back which will then add pressure points to the trapezius muscles - all this movement will also help send the saddle forward. The green lines are what would be the perfect solution for this horse for jumping or flatwork as the saddle must stay in the middle of his back.  REMEMBER, rubbing happens from movement so if your saddle is trying to move forward or backward there will be rubbing. Rubbing underneath can also indicate negative movement in the saddle. With the correct girthing on the saddle we would recommend a girth that is shaped behind the elbow and is made with a material which is quite firm. If the webbing is too soft it will crunch up and have no effect. If using a short girth the buckles should be above the elbow. The more shaped the girth the more specific it is for the horse. A wrong shaped girth can contribute to the girth and saddle moving. Two examples are: a stud guard on a horse with a big barrel can help send the saddle forward and a forward shaped girth (which usually helps keep a saddle and girth back) will accelerate the movement back on say a horse in picture one. in our final image, we are presented with a horse that potentially has the ability to send a saddle backwards. The buckle must be above the elbow
and the girth must sit back of the caudal deep pectoral (pecs). You shouldn't have too many problems with the girth as long as the buckle is above the elbow. The yellow line is the horse's natural girth line the green lines would be the perfect positioning for the girth straps. If we were looking to fit a close contact jump saddle, only the back green line would work well. When looking at your saddle fit it is imperative to also look at the girth and choice of saddle pad as both can make a huge difference. Please remember, sores from girths may be nothing to do with the saddle fit or horses conformation - the area should be kept clean and the girth cleaned regularly and if its cracked or split , always replace it.
ONES TO WATCH ANDREW NICHOLSON (NZL) Has won the LDHT Advanced more times than anyone else, but has never completed inside the time. A 6 time Olympian, 1990 World Champion and long time world number 1. Not to mention the 5 Burghley wins.
PIGGY FRENCH GBR) Reigning Badminton Champion and member of the Team GBR Gold Medal winning WEG squad. The most inform rider on the planet this season!
GEMMA TATTERSALL (GBR) Team Gold Medallist from WEG with Arctic Soul. Childeric Saddles ambassador & 2017 Event Rider Masters Champion.
IMOGEN MURRAY (GBR) Highest climber after dressage at Badminton 2018 & 2019. One of the most consistently impressive crosscountry riders. CAROLINE POWELL (NZL) SIR MARK TODD (NZL) A legend of the sport and one of the Burghley winner in 2010 with Lenamore. First NZ woman to win a 4*. Listed in most successful event riders of all time. Brings Kiltubrid Rhapsody to the NZ Herald as one of the 50 women to shape the face of NZ sport. Now the Advanced - a class he is yet to based locally near Newmarket. Won win! Olympic Team Bronze at London 2012.
BUBBY UPTON (GBR) Started off in the Newmarket & Thurlow PC and represented them at the PC Championships 6 times. Individual and team Silver medallist at Pony Europeans in 2014. Won Team Bronze at Junior European Champs in 2016. Won Junior Europeans in 2017 with Eros DHI. Won her Advanced debut with Fernhill Rockstar at Allerton and finished 3rd here last year.
SPECIAL PRIZES Tiggas Saddlery BE90 & BE90 Open Vouchers to the top 3 in each section
Childeric Saddles BE100 & BE100 Open Branded prizes to the winners of the BE100 sections
Rossdales BE100u18 & ONu18 Rossdales first aid kits to top 3 riders
Bailey's Horse Feeds Novice & ON Vouchers from Baileys for Top 3 riders
Lettergold Intermediate Little Downham champagne glasses to the winners, plus a bottle of Champagne from Lettergold
Lycetts Advanced Little Downham Crystal Glasses to the top 3 and branded prizes from Lycetts
All Classes Rosettes to 10th place in all classes, with Little Downham coffee mugs to those that attend prize giving.
#LDHT SOCIAL Little Downham has joined the technical revolution and not only can you enjoy our digital programme but you can join in with the action across Facebook, Twitter & Instagram,
www.facebook.com/LittleDownhamHorseTrials
www.twitter.com/lt_downham_int
LittleDownhamHT
Enjoy - and don't forget when chatting about us on social to use the hashtag #LDHT2019 Please do also tag our sponsors in your posts as well as Little Downham Horse Trials and Ely Eventing Centre.
RESERVATION OF RIGHTS The organiser has the right To cancel any class or event. To divide any class. To transfer competitors between sections of a class. To alter the advertised times. To refuse any entry. Disclaimer of liability Save for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the organisers or anyone for whom they are in law responsible, neither the organisers of the event to which these rules apply, nor British Eventing Ltd, nor any agent, employee or representative of these bodies accepts any liability for any accident, loss, damage, injury or illness to horses, owners, riders, spectators, land, cars, their contents, and accessories or to any other person or property whatsoever, whether caused by their negligence, breach of contract or in any way whatsoever. Health and safety The organiser of this event has taken reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone present. For these measures to be effective, everyone must take reasonable precautions to avoid and prevent accidents occurring and must obey the instructions of the organiser and all officials and stewards. The organisers advise that, due to the uneven and in parts irregular terrain at this event, it may be difficult at times for spectators to move around freely and easily, as a result of which it may not be suitable for those spectators who suffer from certain medical conditions. All spectators enter the event at their own risk and are advised to ware suitable footwear. The organisers shall not incur any liability, except as required by law, in respect of any injury or damage to any spectators howsoever sustained. When on the course spectators must look out for horses, especially those approaching from behind them and must take special care in the warm up and collecting ring areas. A.T.V and Motorcycles are not permitted to be ridden at this event, except by appointed officials. All dogs must be on a short lead at all times. Please clear up behind them or leave them in the lorry park with your horsebox.