Collective Equestrian excelled at this year’s National Dressage Championships, held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire last weekend.
Collective Equestrian founder and Grand Prix dressage rider, Jonny Clarke-West notched up an impressive third place in the Advanced Medium Gold class on his ride Zick Zack Toftegaard (‘Zak’) – a fantastic result given the high standard of entries at this year’s show (the class was won by none other than Olympic Champion Charlotte Dujardin!) and the fact that this is the horse’s first year of competition.
Commenting on the result, Jonny said, “I was planning on trying to sneak into the top 10 in each class as Zick Zack Toftegaard is a very low mileage horse in his first year of competition. When we got into the top four in the Medium Gold on the Saturday I thought to myself that if he’s relaxed and focused in the warm-up for Sunday’s Advanced Medium I will really go for it. And, that meant, we managed to go one better to land 3rd in the Advanced Medium Gold. I’m absolutely delighted!”
Outside of the National Dressage Championships, the Collective Equestrian ‘Team’ continues to shine. Laura Garnett and her horse Caretta, who train with Jonny have qualified for the Petplan Area Festival – a major achievement since the pairing have only recently started competing at British Dressage competitions. Meanwhile Collective Equestrian trainer Liza Allen and her ride Pioneer Rosie (owned by Rachel Jones and Roy Broughton) took the Prix St George class at Solihull Riding Club with a score of 72% and then proceeded to go on to win the Intermediate 1 class.
Under the expert tuition of Liza, both Collective Equestrian scholarship riders are doing well, with Frankie Somerfield coming in 8th at Bicton BE90 and Caitlin Clancy winning her section with both ponies – an amazing result given that this was her very first affiliated British Dressage showProfessor Weller has been an active member of the equine veterinary profession for over two decades, working in primary practice, clinical research and referral practice. She has served on BEVA Council for three years, on both the Allied Professionals Committee and the Education Committee.
Renate graduated from the University of Munich and went on to spend a year in the US before returning to Germany to work in equine practice. She moved to the UK to become a senior clinical research scholar in large animal diagnostic imaging at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). She then joined the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy in Munich, where she completed her Dr.Vet.Med thesis. Following two years in California she returned to the RVC to do a PhD. Since 2005 Renate has been employed at the RVC, dividing her time between clincial work in large animal diagnostic imaging and research in imaging, locomotor biomechanics and veterinary education.
Professor Weller said: “I am committed to the vision of a BEVA that fully listens to and embodies the interests of those it represents in all discussions over the future of our profession, and the education and regulation of the allied professions to whom our clients may turn. I aim to help equip BEVA members with the necessary tools to progress our truly wonderful profession into the future you want to create.”
Neil Townsend RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery European Specialist in Equine Dentistry at Three Counties Equine Hospital, Gloucestershire, Meredith Smith, Consultant Senior Clinician in Equine Diagnostic Imaging at the Animal Health Trust, Suffolk and Kate Maxwell, Director of Severn Edge Veterinary Group, Shropshire have been elected as new members of BEVA Council. Existing member Huw Griffith, Stud Vet at Liphook Equine Hospital, Hampshire, has been elected for a second term. Professor Weller will take the reins of President in 2018 – 19, following Jonathan Pycock’s term in 2017 -18 and Vicki Nicholls’ Presidency in 2016 – 17.
