Equine excellence for dressage duo

INSPECTOR Claire Ackerman copped an equine success, when she was named first-placed novice in one of the UK’s leading dressage competitions.

Claire, who lives in north Beds and works in the control room at Beds Police HQ in Kempston, was part of the England team for the eastern Region at the British Dressage Senior Home International Team Competition last week.

And the team also finished second overall, against sides from across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Claire said: “It’s one of the most high-profile events in British dressage, and attended by most of the top amateur riders in the country.

“There were 32 teams overall, and we came second. But we were even the underdogs in the region, because the London teams were expected to do well this year.”

Claire was classed as a novice because of the age of her horse, a young Hanoverian called Henri.

But this was also the first time that Claire had competed in this event.

She said: “It was nerve-wracking, and there was a lot of pressure on the horses too.

“But Henri is a very intelligent horse, and I am very proud of him. He has been getting lots of extra treats and attention this week.”