Press room

Demi Howard-Cartwright and her horse Arad Sapphire, known as Saffy, competed at her first Petplan Equine Area Festival this weekend at Oldencraig, Surrey. The popular, regional dressage competition hosted classes ranging from Preliminary through to Intermediate I. Competitors have to qualify for an Area Festival by achieving a minimum of two scores of 60-62% or above in the qualifying period, an outstanding accomplishment in itself.

Demi and Saffy, scored a very respectable 62.51% in the Preliminary Bronze Class earning them 20th place. However, this young rider was determined she could do better. Demi and Saffy have already been out competing to gain their three qualifying scores again in order to compete at the Crofton Manor Petplan Equine Area Festival in October. Determined Demi commented, "I had great fun at the Petplan Equine Area Festival at Oldencraig, but Saffy was a bit spooky in the arena and we can definitely do better. I am back at school now, so will be riding every evening and weekend in preparation for the next Petplan Equine Area Festival where I have set myself the challenge of a top 10 result. Fingers crossed!"

The Petplan Equine Area Festivals or "Petplans" as they are known by dressage fans and competitors are held at a variety of top competition venues across the UK and gives riders the chance to compete under championship-style conditions, testing the skills of horse and rider combinations. The growth of the Petplan Equine Area Festivals reflects the fantastic support from British Dressage adding value to the competition schedule particularly for the amateur competitor.

Kate Hopkins, Marketing Executive commented, "We are very pleased for Demi and Saffy, their result at Oldencraig was especially impressive at such a young age, but the ambition Demi shows is a sign of a future star. The Petplan Equine Area Festivals are designed to give back to our customers, supporting amateur riders such as Demi in their quest for success. We wish Demi and Saffy the very best of luck at Crofton Manor. This is Petplan Equine’s 18th year sponsoring the Area Festivals giving true amateur riders a taste of the big time! We congratulate all riders who qualified for the Area Festival at Oldencraig and hope they enjoyed their day."

To find out more about the Petplan Equine Area Festival series please visit: www.petplanequine.co.uk/dressage

Back to Press Room

For more information please contact:

Name	Telephone	Email
Charlotte Gibbs	(0208) 707 8335	charlotte.gibbs@allianz.co.uk

Follow Petplan Equine social media:

Facebook www.facebook.com/PetplanEquineUK

Twitter @PetplanEquine

YouTube www.youtube.com/user/PetplanUK

• Petplan Equine offers comprehensive insurance cover for horses and ponies aged from 30 days. Established 27 years ago, Petplan Equine understands the evolving equestrian market and strives to enhance knowledge and understanding of the equine world through employing horse enthusiasts and working closely with the equine industry.
• Petplan Equine is part of the Petplan brand. Founded in 1976, Petplan is the UK's largest pet insurance provider, offering comprehensive cover for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses.

Note to editors:

Media enquiries: for further information, please contact:

Bridget Jennings or Amy Garland at JB Promotions by email: Petplan-equine@jbpromotions.co.uk t: (01458) 250 200