The Swiss derby is made up of 2 parts, 1 = dressage & 2= a mini marathon of about 3Km with six obstacles which can include a set of cones to focus the accuracy after the speed of the obstacle.

The dressage began with the Novice class, which had 6 entries.  Sara asher took the honours [71pens],second was Theresa Killick [75pens]with Christine Lyte [76pens] taking third.In the open class there were also 6 entries and First was David Wagstaff-Myers with only 52pens ,second was Sarah Braybrook [67pens] then a large gap to third place John Cooke [81]

Christine Lyte started the marathon but it was Theresa Killick who took Obstacle 1 in 40.6secs, with Peter Linder [57.6secs] second and third was Carol Wood [62.5secs].In the open class Duncan Seth-Smith [32] took first from Sarah Braybrook [38] and third was Sheila Brookes [54.5] with her pair.

Obstacle 2 , a  mixture of fence panels and tight turns, including a small ditch that which Rambo was seen to jump on the way to the finish. In the novice class Christine Lyte [58]took the win from Theresa Killick [63] with Sue Smith and Mint [73] third. Open class saw David Wagstaff-Myers [42] and his coloured pony first from Duncan [46] and Sarh  [50] third.

The route then followed the fence line to what should have been the water Obstacle 3 but rabbits and badgers had made the bank into the water too dangerous so three sets of cones were set to catch competitors out. Here there were some penalties awarded for knocking the cones Christine Lyte [28] went clear for the win from Theresa Killick [31] with 5 penalties. John Cook took [24] the open win with a clear run from Sarah Braybrook [25] with 5 penalties.

Obstacle 4 was a short course between trees just outside of the main hall. Carol Wood had designed the route this year and it was quite twisty. Theresa K [55] lead the novice class from second Sara Asher [71] and third was Christine L [74]. Duncan Seth-Smith [45.6] liked this one and took the win from David Wagstaff-Myers [46] with sarah B [51] third.The course took in several compulsory gates to spread out the distance but no one was eliminated for missing them this year.

We also had a extra field to take us down to Obstacle 5 which was made up of post and rails and trees. The obstacle had to be altered because of a wasp nest but it was still challenging. Sara Asher [50] led the novice class with Peter Linder [65] second after Christine missed a gate and was eliminated. Duncan and David were again neck and neck, but Duncan[31] managed some tighter turns with Rambo and David [34] took second.

It was then across the stream to the final obstacle. Obstacle 6 was set in a stand of pine trees. Peter Linder [53] took the novice win from Sara Asher [55] while David [37] swapped places with Duncan [38] to take the open win, and Sarah and John Cooke tied for third.

The route then went straight into a series of cones which caught a few competitors out and by this time Mint had given his all and Sue Smith retired him. Only Duncan and Sarah escaped with a clear run.

This year there was no fly past by the Red Arrows but the event had improved from the year before and hopefully we will be back again next year.

Thanks to the team who gave up Saturday to build the course and everyone who helped to pack up on Sunday. A Special thank you to the Stewards and Dressage Judge as well as Carol Wood for collating the scores.
 

Full results