Though nationwide titles had been on the road on the 2024 Petplan Winter Space Pageant Championships – and riders had been doing all they may to vie for high honours – the supportive and inspiring atmosphere actually re-focussed consideration for this author on why we compete in dressage, and what attracts us to the game.
Specifically, that deep connection and belief with the horse that riders can really feel between the boards – which, at its finest, permits us to put aside our real-world struggles.
This sentiment was completely encapsulated by 16-year-old Ruby Kelly and her palomino gelding Sir Nunn’s Simply Rudi, who completed eighth within the under-21 novice bronze on 66.59%. The category was received by Lydia Holmes on Caramelle with 71.59%.
Ruby and her household initially purchased Rudi in November 2020 to assist with the extreme nervousness and psychological well being struggles Ruby was experiencing relating to highschool and social conditions.
“I later acquired an autism analysis, which defined numerous my struggles with day-to-day life,” says Ruby. “Highschool is tough sufficient at the perfect of instances however I discovered it extremely exhausting so I’m now homeschooled, which permits me extra time to spend with Rudi.
“With out Rudi, I don’t understand how I’d cope – after I’m round him all my worries fade and I’m within the zone with him. I really like him to absolute bits. Whether or not grooming, driving, sitting within the discipline with him and even mucking out his steady, it’s like a type of remedy.”
A snapshot of Ruby Kelly and Sir Nunn’s Simply Rudi’s journey collectively up to now.
Ruby provides that she and the now 13-year-old Rudi tried showjumping, cross-country and exhibiting earlier than realising dressage is the place their ardour was.
“We began with introductory unaffiliated dressage in April 2021 – it wasn’t the prettiest take a look at however after I had that thrill of trotting down the centre line, I couldn’t cease,” explains Ruby.
Since then the mixture has gone on to be prelim dressage to music champions at The Halfway Championships at Hartpury and are common Staff Quest under-21 opponents with the West Midlands Dressage Group Bluebirds.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” says Ruby, who has been helped alongside the best way by Kirsty Imm at Bromyard Equestrian.
“It took some time for me to get used to his little quirks and for each of us to regulate to the gaps in our expertise, however we each perceive one another. He wants a quiet and affected person rider and he has a delicate persona, which helps calm me down after I’m stressed.”
2024 Winter Space Pageant Championships: “To have enjoyable collectively is our primary purpose”
Reflecting on her expertise on the championships, Ruby provides: “The environment was subsequent degree. What I preferred about it was that I acquired to be social in a approach that I really feel snug with – we’re all there to compete so there’s no room to really feel misplaced.
“Saying that, the day earlier than the take a look at Rudi was wild – throwing quite a few shapes within the train ring, which was a bit off-putting however no approach was I going to let it take over our achievement of getting there.
“The stewards had been beautiful serving to us have a number of quiet train slots to calm us each down and though it wasn’t our greatest take a look at, we went down the centre line and halted on the finish, and that was all I ever wished.”
Ruby now has her sights set on the Summer time Petplan Space Pageant Championships – that’s as soon as her GCSEs are out of the best way – however is eager to maintain the expertise as enjoyable as doable.
“Though I’m aggressive I would like to recollect the place we’ve come from, it’s really easy to get forward of your self so I need to cease pressurising myself. To have enjoyable collectively is our primary purpose in the long term.”
Ruby’s mum Charlotte provides how proud it makes her to observe Ruby compete: “The unimaginable bond they’ve, creates a low-stress, non-judgemental interplay which supplies Ruby with an enormous quantity of self-confidence and perception.
“We by no means imagined they’d have this magnetic silent connection so in tune with one another’s feelings – it’s charming to observe.”
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Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Credit score: Future
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