With the pretty pastels and ice cream tails, the Summer Ice Creams dressage has arguably one of the most popular rosette themes on the calendar.
These tests feature a 'demi volte and incline back to the track' - otherwise known as a teardrop or in our case an ice cream! Each test features at least two (one short, one long) to introduce riders at all levels to this useful method of changing the rein.
For 2022 we introduced our *new* Harmony Awards: the ethos of Demi Dressage has always been to encourage kind and correct riding. Many riders will be rewarded for this simply in their placings: a harmonious test is more likely to score higher. However, there are times where we see a particularly pleasing test that might not necessarily be the highest scoring, but pony and rider are working well in partnership together, and that is what our new Harmony Awards are about.
This month we awarded one Harmony Award, to a Demi Dressage regular who has methodically and sensitively progressed not only up the levels but onto a bigger pony too - well done to India and Fliss (Blue).
We had a small entry this month, largely due to the slightly shorter event window as we had to fit judging in before our lovely judge went on holiday! For once, this meant that we managed to get the bigger Yellow class judged early on, and so the results were posted in class order.
"SUMMER ICE CREAM" RESULTS - GREEN
First up our first level, the Greens! These walk-only tests can be ridden on or off the lead rein. Our lower levels work laterally not just sequentially - so you can try a Green off the lead if you have previously been competing at either Green Lead Rein OR Yellow Lead Rein.
GREEN: (Off lead and Lead Rein combined due to low entries)
1st - Evie and Shadow - 71.9%
2nd - Xanthe and Rainbow - 67.2%
3rd - Benjamin and Millie - 66.9%
4th - Isla and Gypsy - 65.6%
5th - Evelyn and Toodles - 61.3%
6th - Rosie and Toodles - 60.6%
Highest Placed Welsh Pony sponsored by Four Paws and a Pencil goes to Xanthe and Rainbow.
"SUMMER ICE CREAM" RESULTS - YELLOW
Running in order this month, our second set of results is the Yellow tests! These simple child-friendly walk-trot tests can be ridden on or off the lead rein or assisted to help young riders come off the lead.
YELLOW:
1st - Immy and Willow - 77.9%
2nd - Jule and Minimouse - 72.4%
3rd - Florence and Peppa - 70.8%
4th - Layla and Make Your Own Luck - 69.7%
5th - Elly and Fifi - 68.9%
=6th - Hollie and Finley - 67.6%
=6th - Rubi and Gypsy - 67.6%
7th - Holly and Pride - 67.1%
8th - Sophie and Teelings Little Legs - 63.2%
YELLOW (Assisted):
1st - Hector and Hunney - 69.2%
2nd - Ellis and Rocky the Rockstar - 68.9%
3rd - Quinn and Peppa - 66.8%
4th - Ivy and Tangle - 64.2%
YELLOW (Lead Rein):
1st - Allegra and Hunney - 67.6%
2nd - Aveline and Endellion - 66.6%
3rd - Sebastian and Endellion - 65.8%
4th - Alyss and Skye - 63.7%
The Highest Placed Welsh Pony specials sponsored by Four Paws and a Pencil go to Florence and Peppa, Hector and Hunney, and Allegra and Hunney.
An extra well done to Jule and Minimouse, this is the highest score/placing we've ever seen from a riding school rider!
"SUMMER ICE CREAM" RESULTS - YELLOW-PLUS
Staying in order this month, our third set of results is the popular Yellow-Plus class! These full-length walk-trot tests are child-friendly versions of BD Intros and perfect for riders established in their trot work and looking to consolidate their test-riding abilities before moving up to tests with canter in them.
YELLOW-PLUS:
1st - Isaac and Robbie - 74.8%
2nd - Anouk and Ringo - 71.2%
3rd - Hermione and Harvey - 67.1%
4th - Megan and Bambi - 66.4%
5th - Emily and Chester - 64.8%
6th - Hannah and Dolly - 64%
7th - Tabitha and Spot - 63.8%
8th - Laura and Bluebell - 61.9%
The Highest Placed Welsh Pony special sponsored by Four Paws and a Pencil goes to Anouk and Ringo.
"SUMMER ICE CREAM" RESULTS - BLUE
Staying in order this month, our fourth set of results is our super Blue class! Blue tests are a Demi Dressage special because the canter movement is always very simple, typically just the long side of the arena. This makes it perfect for riders getting to grips with 'third gear'!
BLUE:
1st - Caitlin and Milly - 77.5%
2nd - India and Fliss - 74.6%
3rd - Isaac and Robbie - 71.7%
4th - Freya and Eric - 69.4%
5th - Ruby and Mickey - 66.3%
6th - Kelsey and Bambi - 65.8%
The Highest Placed Welsh Pony special sponsored by Four Paws and a Pencil goes to Caitlin and Milly.
"SUMMER ICE CREAM" RESULTS - RED
Our final set of results is the more taxing Red class! We demand a higher standard of riding in these Red tests, with riders competent in their canter work and understanding the principles of presenting a good test having worked up from our lower levels. Don't be scared to give it a try though, it still maintains our Demi Dressage ethos of being encouraging and fun!
RED:
1st - Anna and Katy - 73.5%
2nd - Jed and Songbird - 70.7%
3rd - Ffion and Rocky the Rockstar - 65%
4th - Ffion and Popstars Royal Appointment - 64.3%
5th - Harriet and Daisy-Pony - 63.3%
The Highest Placed Welsh Pony special sponsored by Four Paws and a Pencil goes to Anna and Katy
Well done everyone!
Our next event is the very popular "Unicorn Waterfall" July Dressage. This event is a favourite with our young riders because we invite you all to dress your wonderful ponies up as the treasured unicorns that they are - and this year the special Best Unicorn rosettes for each class have been sponsored by Pony Passion! We also have an extra special 'Supreme Unicorn' rosette whereby the best unicorns in each class will be put forward to Pony Passion's owner Carly for judging, where one will be crowned the overall supreme unicorn with an extra special rosette <3
The "Unicorn Waterfall" tests can be downloaded from the Current Event page, and the closing date is Sunday 31st July.