The first Intermediate Masters took place at the Fairfax & Favor Rockingham International Horse Trials over the weekend, with Melissa Joannides taking the prestigious title of Rockingham Intermediate Master 2022.
Rockingham Intermediate Master, Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali
Following the success of the Novice Masters last season, a pilot for a new Intermediate Masters Series has been introduced this year; starting at Rockingham. The Masters competitions provide unique opportunities for riders competing at national level, such as performing a bespoke dressage test, competing in an international sized 20m x 60m dressage arena and having the option to wear a tailcoat
Eva Carrier wearing her tailcoat whilst competing in the Intermediate Masters at Rockingham International with Omars Lass (image, Hannah Cole)
Melissa and Patch Ali led the class at Rockingham from start to finish, taking the lead with their dressage score of 24.9 and adding no further penalties throughout the competition. It was a consistent performance throughout the three phases, very deserving of this prestigious title.
“We entered the Intermediate Masters after doing the Novice Masters with another horse last season,” said Melissa. “The prizes have been really generous and are a great incentive for entering the Masters Series classes, especially with the prizes for things like best dressage and nearest the optimum time, as well as winning.
“It was our first time coming to Rockingham and we loved it. It’s been a great event – really good atmosphere, good crowds and a nice flowing cross country course. This Intermediate Masters class has set us up nicely for the rest of the season with our plans to go up the levels again.”
In addition to the honour of becoming the Rockingham Intermediate Master, Melissa also received a whole load of fantastic prizes, including a HorseQuest winner’s rug, EHOA sponsored crystal decanter and championship rosette, British Eventing winner’s sash and rosette and prize bundles from both Bates Saddles and HorseQuest.
Melissa receives her prizes from event organisers, Lizzie and James Saunders Watson
Everyone had plenty to take home, with the top placed riders receiving further rosettes and prizes and each competitor that took part being given a stable plaque bearing all sponsors names and a passport cover from HorseQuest.
The top six riders also earned themselves a ticket for the ‘Masters’ Big Prize Draw! The draw will take place at the end of all Novice and Intermediate Masters legs, with the overall winner receiving a year’s British Eventing membership for horse and rider, a year’s feed for one horse from Baileys and a £500 voucher from Jump for Joy. A runner up will also receive a £500 Jump for Joy voucher.
Our Top Six at Rockingham Castle, each receiving a ticket are:
- Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali (24.9)
- Lucy Robinson and Cosmic Charm (28.6)
- Therese Viklund and Vesicula (29.8)
- Charlotte Parry-Ashcroft and Wil Jack B King (30.8)
- Melanie Wilder and Coquin Du Bidou (31.4)
- Joanne Earle and Craic In Time (36.5)
Five of the six ‘Masters’ Big Prize Draw! ticket winners at Rockingham
There were also a number of special awards presented by BETTALIFE, where the winner will be sent 1kg of PharmaPRO Total Equine Support:
Best dressage – Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali (24.9)
Highest climber – Imogen Coughlan and Bee Naround
Highest placed veteran – Melanie Wilder and Coquin Du Bidou
Combination closest to the optimum time on the cross country – Melissa Joannides and Patch Ali
The next Masters competition in the calendar will be the Intermediate Masters at Belsay International, 1-5 June.
The Masters are supported by the British Eventing partnership with funding from sponsors and partners including Baileys Horse Feeds, Bates Saddles, Bettalife, the EHOAand HorseQuest providing the prize money and prizes for the Novice Masters and Intermediate Masters Series, with further generous support from Jump 4 Joy in respect of the prize draw.
