Report from FOTH Chef D’Equipe, Libby Richards
Great day at Smallwood this Sunday – terrific wind – trickiest part of the course was getting past the marquee to the collecting ring area – many faults incurred here – but not by our intrepid teams, the Arrows (Sally Filby, Sally Vickers, Catriona Henderson and Andrew Stout), the Sabres (Libby Richards, Hannah Mulliner, Lucy Filby and Zoe Beresford) and the Blades (Sue O’Leary, Kim Treloar, Hannah Mulliner (different horse!!) and Jo Trelawney – who all show jumped and cross countries beautifully – loads of double clears, so all down to the dreaded optimum time – Catriona only missed an individual place by a whisker, and Sally F and Libby upheld the Flag for the Aged rather splendidly (despite Libby as Chef d’Equipe before the day walking the course three times and each time walking it incorrectly – fortunately the extra jump she and Holly were so pleased with was not cross flagged, so no elimination ensued….) – and the really important news – the Arrows were an excellent second and there is a good chance they should qualify for the national finals at Aston le Walls – we await news from Head Office. Many congrats to Sally and Sally and Andrew and Catriona. The Sabres were 6th. Thanks too to great helpers, Jane and Dawn and Karen and Sonya and Kathy and Rachel and Holly – they smiled from dawn to dusk – much appreciated.
It was a pleasure to be involved in this qualifier – thanks to all lovely team members – passports, medical armbands, hats and body protector checks and vaccination certificates all in order – instant response to all requests (they were all most reasonable of course…) and great riding on the day.
Final comment – Brook’s team form thing to fill in on the website is fantastic for chefs – thanks so much, Brook – please could any member interested in teams who has not yet completed the form do so when convenient – do back up your interest with a word with the relevant chefs, but for the entry and declaration forms it is life changing!!!!!