CIAT New Forest
September 2024
- Rosemary Neale -
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The inaugural CIAT in the New Forest took place on September 14th and 15th 2024 and what a success it was! Organisers Modris Kesans and BDS Area Commissioner Sam Searle both worked tirelessly leading up to the event to ensure it ticked every box in terms of conviviality, efficiency and everything which characterises an AIAT event. All the AIAT events this year have had their own flavour and character, and this one was no exception. The event was New Forest themed with the traditional goody bags full of ‘forest style’ items, for example a key ring made from deer horn, and even the traditional plaque was made of wood with the logo burnt on using a local manufacturer to source the plaques!
The event started with the now almost ‘de rigeur’ Friday evening welcome party – this time with a delicious hog roast, bar in a horsebox and singing and dancing till the wee small hours! Participants were up early the following morning getting ready for the first phase, Presentation which made use of the permanent arenas in New Park, home to the New Forest Show with the permanent seating around the arena making it comfortable for the many spectators. The Presentation phase saw the three judges, Richard Lanni (who was President of the Jury), Caroline Douglas and Elizabeth-Cartwright-Hignett stationed in the arena to scrutinise the 18 turnouts including three newcomers Chris King, Alison Trevette and Molly Turner and, excitingly, Sylvie Devacht all the way from Belgium with her delightful Hackney pony put to a Spindle back Cut under Gig by Herford and Son . All three judges commented on the exceptional standard of the turnouts awarding several 20s – and there were no less than 12 sub-10 scores in the Presentation!!!
After a short break the participants headed off to drive a lovely Routier all through the New Forest taking in many of the iconic sights. Along the way they had to tackle the obligatory Passages Controlees (PC) or difficulties which were a straight rail, a one-handed left-hand circle, a rein back (cunningly hidden behind a bush which caught a number of people out!), the carpet, and of course the Drinking Glass or Champagne.
Varnished dog carts seemed to be the order of the day with Road Club members Roger Derryman driving his pair of Gelderlanders to a Sporting Dog Cart by Kinross of Scotland , Rosemary Neale, Chair of AIAT, driving her pair of Welsh Section Cs to a Four Wheel dog cart by Yerbury of Frome and Jimmy Jeffery driving his own pair of Highland x Friesians to a Four wheel Dog Cart by Jacksons of Edinburgh. It was good to see former BDS Area Commissioner Roger Page first time out this year driving a pair of cobs to an 1854 Demi-Mail Phaeton by Bouillon of France.
Our organisers had arranged a splendid New Forest themed gala dinner at the Careys Manor Hotel on the Saturday night with a talented magician entertaining the guests throughout dinner which was followed by a raffle and auction. The rosette for Best Presentation was awarded to a delighted Rosemary Neale who said that the award is a recognition not just of her efforts but of the teamwork that goes into presentation - Martin Wilkinson for the carriage and her groom Kate Egan for turning the ponies out to perfection.
Sunday saw the final phase of the competition, the Maniabilite or cones, again in the lovely permanent arena. Technical delegate Paul Mills, ably assisted by AIAT recruit Paul van Sickle from the USA, had devised an intricate but flowing course which produced only two double clear rounds from Sylvie Devacht and Rosemary Neale. Jimmy Jeffries 0.2 time penalty kept him in first place in the Horse Pairs and overall Supreme Champion with Rosemary’s double clear gaining her Reserve Supreme. Hot on their heels though was Jane Purcell White with her home-bred Abbotswood Double Delight to an 1890 varnished Dog Cart who headed up a six-strong Single Pony Class. The Single Horse class was won by Jimmy Tate with his lovely coloured horse Alby to a 1910 Spindle Back Gig By Raworth of Oxford. An emotional second place in the Single Horse class was claimed by Antonia Gallop driving Brickell Black Supreme (Monty to his friends) to a 1901 Panel Cart by Slacks in his last AIAT event before a well-deserved retirement.
Our thanks must go to all the amazing volunteers who turned up in numbers to enable us to play and also to the kind and generous sponsors who donated prizes for the raffle. Also to the judges, the Technical delegate and of course to our wonderful horses and ponies!
CIAT New Forest 2024
RESULTS
Judges:
Richard Lanni, Elizabeth Cartwright-Hignett, Caroline Douglas
A1 – Single Pony
1. Jayne Purcell White
2. Sylvie Devacht (Belgium)
3. Alison Trevett
4. Geraldine Pearson
5. Linda Williams
6. Molly Turner
A2 – Single Horse
1. Jimmy Tate
2. Antonia Gallop
3. Trish Lebus
4. Chris King
5. Tina Woodley
A3 – Pony Pair
1. Rosemary Neale
A4 – Horse Pair
1. Jimmy Jeffery
2. Roger Page
3. Roger Derryman
A5 – Tandems
1. Eleanor Stevens
A7 – Very Small Equine
1. Deborah Adams
Best Presentation – Rosemary Neale
Best Lady Whip – Rosemary Neale
Best Gentleman Whip – Jimmy Jeffery
Highest Placed newcomer – Alison Trevett
Supreme Champion - Jimmy Jeffery
Reserve Champion – Rosemary Neale
