This year’s Trailblazers Championships will be a true family affair for the Dixon family, mum Laura has qualified for the Dodson & Horrell Senior Prelim dressage, while her two young daughters 5 year old Chloe and 4 year old Emily have also claimed their tickets for this summer’s prestigious championship final at Stoneleigh Park 27 July - 3 August.
The family are based in Skipton, North Yorkshire and qualified at Osbaldeston (showing) and Northallerton (dressage). SEIB Trailblazers Championships is a firm favourite with the family, Laura has competed and qualified four years in a row and is now thrilled to introduce her two young daughters.
Both girls have qualified with the families 8 year old Shetland pony Maysie who is on loan from Renshaw Shetland Ponies. This amazing mare is highly regarded by the Dixon family and has been with them for 3 years and has taught Chloe and Emily everything they know about riding, with the assistance from instructor Emily Wilkinson.
“Maysie has a very cheeky nature as well as being rather greedy and regularly tests the foliage around the dressage arena prior to the test starting” said Laura, “I would be very surprised if she doesn't sample some of the arrangements at Trailblazers!”
Chloe who is in Year 1, enjoyed two seasons of lead rein showing before announcing that she wanted to take up dressage and has qualified for the Dodson & Horrell Junior Intro Dressage Championship. While younger sister Emily along with Maysie have qualified for the Lead Rein Showing.
Laura will be competing in the Dodson & Horrell Senior Prelim Dressage with her 10 year old Irish Sport Horse Bess (Abergwaun Design). Thanks to weekly lessons from Russell Wright, Laura is feeling a very positive about this year’s championships.
“We always have a wonderful time at Trailblazers, the whole event is always very well run, all the organisers are incredibly helpful and friendly,” said Laura, “We have made some friendships with competitor's from around the country that we keep in touch with and encourage each other to re-qualify and look forward to meeting up with again year after year.”
“Anyone thinking of having a go really should try it, it is a joy and privilege to compete at such a big event and my girls clearly want to follow in my footsteps and we can't wait for July!”
