Up-and-coming BHS TREC rider Lucy Thompson from South Brent, Devon put in a first class performance to clinch the SEIB BHS Pro-Am TREC Challenge at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
The contest, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers saw riders compete over a BHS TREC course specially designed for the show. They faced challenges such as ducking under ‘low branches’, crossing a wooden bridge, opening and closing a gate and reversing the horse in a narrow corridor of poles.
Lucy (15) faced tough competition from seven top riders, including representatives from showjumping, eventing, the Army, fellow BHS TREC competitor Marie Metcalf and last year’s winner, Kelly Marks. Kelly made a gallant effort to retain her title, but in the end she was just one point short of Lucy’s impressive score.
All the riders rode horses experienced in the sport of BHS TREC. Although Lucy and Marie’s own horses are excellent TREC horses, for fairness the girls drew horses from a pool of unknown horses, the same as all the other competitors. Riders had just 30 minutes to accustom themselves with their mounts. Lucy was riding Sasha – a 15.1hh bay mare owned by Stacey Collins – who was ridden by Laura Bectolsheimer to sixth place in last year’s Pro/Am Challenge.
Speaking after the competition, Lucy said: “I am delighted to win. I never thought I would, especially riding a different pony, I actually thought it was going to go badly! I was really pleased with my score but I still thought Kelly was going to beat me!”
Lucy is a talented young rider and is regarded in the sport as a potential medallist for the future. She has been invited to attend BHS TREC training for potential Young Riders and Senior Team GBR members who will compete in Austria at the European TREC Championships on the 3-5 September 2010.