Register with Heronhill

Top international riders joined local competitors at Pontispool Horse Trials this weekend, sponsored for the first time by Heronhill Air Conditioning, based in Wellington. This is the fourth year this popular event has been held at Pontispool Farm, Norton Fitzwarren.

Mary King, Matt Ryan, Tristram Owers and Austin O Connor were all well placed in their sections, with Mary enjoying two wins and a 6th place.

The course, designed and built by Richard Ayre and Richard Mitford Slade, the organiser of the Horse Trials,  runs over 500 acres of traditional parkland. After a long dry spell  considerable time and effort was spent improving the going by the use of a recently purchased aerovator. Competitors were particularly impressed with the beautifully presented fences, many of which had been built in the 2 weeks leading up to the event. They included the new Rodney Powell Designs Ski Jump, the Liftwest Owl Hole and the John Dorse Quarry complex.

The Show Jumping phase proved particularly influential, with very few clear rounds. Next year, this phase will take place in the newly constructed international size outdoor arena.

A number of further competitions are planned at Pontispool Farm throughout the remainder of the year, including the area BSJA 2 day show, the Pony Club Area Trials and a two day carriage driving trials.