On June 20 and 21, 2026, driving club De Sterruiters from Haaksbergen organized its annual SWM driving competition. The weather was fine, almost tropical even. With some adjustments to the program, starting the classes earlier, and providing the competition grounds with extra water points, it was decided to let the competition go ahead.
Lynley Benneker participated in class L with Stapleford Shake A Leg (nickname Shaky), and Gerard Horst, with Now Or Never (nickname Brammetje), in the Para class.
The program started on Saturday, June 20, with the dressage and cones. Gerard had to drive first for the De Heemhoeve driving team. The question then is, in warm weather, how long do you want to warm up for the dressage and the subsequent cones ?
The dressage test did not go entirely as planned; Brammetje made a lackluster impression, and things that are normally not a problem, such as walking and standing still, were now an issue. Unfortunately. The jury's verdict was scores ranging from 52.25 to 60.75%, resulting in 70.13 penalty points.
The cones test went well, briskly and flawlessly up to gate 16. At that moment, Gerard lost a rein and failed to exit gate 17. Thinking that a gate taken was no longer a gate, he rode through gate 6 again. Unfortunately, that is not how it works in dressage, and Gerard was called out and thus eliminated.
In the afternoon, it was Lynley's turn to drive the dressage and cones test with Shaky. As usual, Shaky entered the arena fresh and spirited with Lynley at the reins and performed a beautiful dressage test. This resulted in a score of 62.92 to 67.92%, or 56.67 penalty points and a 4th place in the dressage.
Lynley managed to complete the cones test with Shaky well within the allotted time, so 0 penalty points for time. However, unfortunately, the combination knocked down one ball and incurred 3.00 penalty points. This resulted in a 5th place in the skills competition, and consequently a 5th place in the overall intermediate standings!
On Sunday, June 21, Gerard had to start first in the marathon with Brammetje. That was nice given the warm weather. Course A, with a shortened length of 5,200 meters, was completed at a steady pace within the set time limits. In the obstacle course, with a length of 7,400 meters, the first obstacle was taken with some hesitation, but Brammetje grew into the obstacle. And that had an effect on subsequent obstacles, although these can and must be taken even faster.
Around midday, and with temperatures having risen by then, it was Lynley's turn to ride the marathon with Shaky. As usual, Shaky started off impetuously on section A (apparently a boring part for her?). Consequently, section A was completed neatly within the set time.
By the time Lynley had to tackle the obstacle course in the marathon with Shaky, the temperature had risen to over 25 degrees. And with such temperatures, it becomes a tough challenge for Shaky with her height of 1.30 meters. A respectable score of 80.18 penalty points was achieved.
However, due to an oversight with the clocks and the pony being cooled down with extra water, section B was not completed within the set time, resulting in an additional 6.5 penalty points.
All in all, the marathon resulted in a score of 96.68 penalty points and an 8th place finish. With a total score of 156.35 penalty points, Lynley achieved a nice 7th place in the overall standings with Shaky. A score for 1 profit point.
Thanks to the helpful grooms Roos, Leanne, Tessa, and Gerard, we were once again able to enjoy participating in the well-organized competition in Haaksbergen.