Congratulations to Tracey McLaughlin

3^rd at the Dressage Championships  

Below is a report written by Tracey  

It was an early start; my mum got me up at 4 am so I could go and get Winston plaited and bathed. Mum and I left Hereford at 6am and it  was a long journey as it was at the championships new venue in Nottinghamshire.  We arrived there at about 9am a bit later than we wanted because the traffic conditions weren't great and it rained the whole way up there.

My dressage test was at 10:50am,so by the time we found the secretary's tent and collected my number as well as something to eat it was time for me to get on.  My arena was running to time, but much to Winston's joy and not mine we were warming up next to the show jumping arenas which wasn't the best helpful as it was so wet and my arena was slightly downhill and few movements didn't go as well as I would have liked but none the less we did our best.  

Winston and I had a dressage mark of 71.48 and the winner on 73.33 This was mine and Winston's 3rd year at the Championships.

In 2006 I did the eventing championships at intermediate level; I won my section and was presented by Zara Phillips, the 'Toytown' trophy.

In 2007 I qualified for both the dressage and eventing championships but in the dressage I was not placed. Although Winston again proved himself by leading from start to finish in my eventing section and I had the 'Toytown' trophy for a further 12 months.  

Sadly this has been my last championships on Winston as I have out grown my loyal champion. He has been the most brilliant horse I have owned yet, but all these amazing results he has given me came with plenty of knock backs through our 5 years together. He has also shown me I have patience which I never knew I would have and the right training is all worth the effort when it pays off. I know this as 5 years ago when I first bought him I was told at a rally that he was a dangerous animal and I was never to take him again. Didn't he just prove those people wrong?

So a big thank you to Georgie Dickinson and Serena Pincus. I owe a lot to Serena who has trained me for the last 4 years and brought mine and Winston's true potential. I have learnt so much from her and really believe Serena was the making of our partnership.

Tracey McLaughlin and Winston (we are all so proud of you!)