Pennine Camp and Tournament 2003
This year's Pennine Camp and proceeding tournament took place from 12th to 17th August and was held at Caythorpe Equestrian Centre, near Grantham.
It was the first time our club used the venue, and the facilities were superb, providing plenty of fields, showers and even flushing toilets, something of a novelty for polocrosse competitions!
The wonderful weather we've been experiencing over the last few weeks continued which meant we all got the chance to work on our t-shirt tans. Although the sunshine meant we weren't flooded off the campsite, it unfortunately didn't help the already-hard ground which could be found all over the country.
Training during the camp began on Tuesday 12th August with many groups of varying levels of ability benefiting from the excellent experience and teaching of Martin Brookes, Ellen Brookes, Rachel Johnson (some of Pennine's own), Shelley King and Sarah Barrand. The next three days saw numerous mounted and on-foot sessions take place for every group with notable improvements evident amongst those taking part in the tournament over the weekend.
However, it wasn't always all work and no play for the trainers and their pupils, some very competitive rounders games took place and a trip to a nearby ten-pin bowling alley was also organised. It's safe to say everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Pennine camp and it was all nicely rounded off with the chance to put newly acquired skills and tactics to the test during the weekend's competition.
Numerous Pennine members spent most of their Friday off marking out the pitches, drawing up the order of play and doing various other jobs to ensure the weekend's tournament would run as smoothly as possible, and with 92 players attending the competition, our annual event was a great success, particularly for Pennine teams. After two days of electrifying play, Pennine came out as winners of two divisions and numerous Best Number awards. Our B and C Grade teams won their divisions with a second place in the A Grade and a Pennine C Grade section joined forces with a Northern Lions section to come a close second in the C division. Pennine horses also won both of the Best Horse awards, with Edward Beckerlegge's Abby winning the senior prize and Joel Sics' Incy winning the junior title.
Unfortunately the Pennine D division team was disqualified and although they couldn't win due to their exclusion, the team won every match they played, producing some delightful teamwork and wonderful polocrosse to watch.
So, big congratulations
to all our members who took part in the camp and tournament. Thank you to everyone
involved in the organisation and running of our event, you know who you are
and it wouldn't have worked without you. An extra-special thank you to Mr and
Mrs Currah who kindly gave us the permission to use the fantastic facilities
of their Equestrian Centre and also thanks Mrs Currah for putting on some delicious
food (and drink!) during the weekend.