Britain’s pony riders claimed team bronze today at the FEI Pony European Championships, a first medal for Britain’s youth teams since 2005. The quartet of Rose Hugh-Smith, Rebecca Bell, Erin Williams and Phoebe Peters finished on a final score of 219.667% with gold medallists Germany on 225.795% and the Netherlands in silver with 221.513%.

In consultation with the Senior Selectors, Laura Tomlinson has decided to withdraw her European Championship partner Mistral Hojris, owned by Dr & Mrs W Bechtolsheimer and herself, from the CDIO at Hickstead as he will not be fully fit in time for the competition, 1 – 4 August.  This will give additional time to ensure that he arrives at Herning, Denmark in peak condition for the European Championships (21-25 August).

Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci have made history, claiming individual and freestyle golds at the Pony European Dressage Championships in Arezzo, Italy.

After spearheading Great Britain’s team bronze success, Phoebe (pictured) became the first British under-21 ever to win an individual medal, taking gold for her performance in Saturday’s Individual Championship. Phoebe and Lucci scored 79.04% ahead of Germany’s Semmieke Rothenberger and Deinhard B who scored 78.46% and the Netherlands’ Lisanne Zoutendijk on Champ of Class in bronze with 77.31%.

Before the final competitors had ridden, Phoebe posted on Facebook: “Me and Lucci just scored 79% in the individual test!!! This is a personal best and has taken us into the lead! Can't believe how amazing Lucci was, he is unreal.”

Phoebe, trained by Peter Storr and who rides with a maturity that belies her 14 years, has, in recent months, become to talk of international pony dressage with her mother Tracy’s pony SL Lucci, an 11-year-old Danish brown gelding by Lukas. Phoebe and Lucci appear to be made for each other, her text-book position and poise maintaining the powerful pony in an uphill, exemplary frame throughout their work.

The superbly matched pair were favourites going into Sunday’s freestyle and once again cool-headed Phoebe, who thrives on the pressure of the big occasion, inspired Lucci to use every inch of his athletic frame. Their music, from the films Johnny English and Kung Fu Panda, gave a humorous touch to a seriously good freestyle. Serious enough for a pony freestyle record of 84% and another gold medal! This time, the German and Dutch challengers were reversed with Zoutendijk in silver with 80.77% and Rothenberger a whisker behind in bronze with 80.62%.

Once again posting on Facebook, as the significance her achievement was sinking in, a thrilled Phoebe said: “Lucci has just set off on his way home - returning to England as European champion!! Today we won our second gold medal, this time in the freestyle scoring a new world record of 84%! Would like to thank EVERYONE for their support, help and time it has been the most unbelievable week! X”

Phoebe's success is a great example of Olympic legacy in motion; she, like so many, was inspired by the performances last year by our riders which made her more determined and focused than ever to succeed.

Phoebe’s team compatriots also fared well in the individual stages of the competition with strong placings amongst Europe’s elite. Erin Williams and Dynasty, her mother Claire’s nine-year-old palomino daughter of Deinhard B were placed 71.8% for 11th in the individual test qualifying them for the freestyle where they posted an impressive 74.75% for sixth spot.

Rose Hugh-Smith and Holstein’s Derwisch scored a solid 66.87% for 22nd in the individual and Rebecca Bell with Valido’s Sunshine were just behind on 66.26% for 23rd against the best 54 pony riders in Europe.

For the championships results click here

Visit Top Dressage to see a video of Phoebe's Freestyle performance - click here

Applications are now open for the 2013-2015 cycle of the Sport England funded England Excel Talent Programme.  The Programme has been developed to extend the rider talent pathway below the UK Sport funded World Class Programme, to identify and nurture a pool of up and coming riders who have the potential to go on and win medals in the future.

Applications for the 2013/2014 Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) for Equestrian Sport in England are now open.

2013 marks the eleventh year of the scheme, which for equestrian sport invites applications from riders within the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and showjumping, as well as from para-equestrian dressage riders.

The aim of the scheme is to assist Great Britain's most talented young athletes who wish to optimise the effectiveness of their sport and their academic programmes. 

Further information about the TASS Scheme and Application forms can be found via the links below:

For more information relating to the Equestrian Framework & Eligibility Criteria, FAQ's or to download an Application Form - click here or more general information from the TASS website - click here.

To look at the latest news release regard TASS Applications - click here 

Britain will send four horses to contest the 2013 World Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany over 7 - 11 August 2013. Plus, Anna Ross Davies will compete in the CDI3* with Jane Sewell’s Pegasus MK in the big tour classes.

Five year olds
Susan Pape with Dr H Hereth’s Quassar Du Charry (Hannovarian, by Quaterback x Wolkentanz I)
Tom Goode with Samantha Geddes’ Dior III (KWPN, by Gribaldi)

Six year olds
Victoria Michalke with Duke of Britain (BHHS, by Dimaggio x Rubinstein)
Emile Faurie with Patricia Vaughan’s Duke Ellington (BHHS, by Dimaggio x Rotspon) (pictured)

Follow the news and scores on the event website – click here

Picture from www.ristoaaltonen.co.uk

Dressage breeders had a very successful time at the Hartpury, Baileys Horse Feeds/ British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity held on the 23^rd and 24^th July at Hartpury College. Over the two days, a total of six potential young dressage horses earned elite premiums (score of over 9.00 out of 10); two eventers and one young showjumper also attained elite premiums.

Nations Cup
Team GBR led the way over four days international competition at Hickstead showground, headed up by a win for Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes, Michael Eilberg and Nikki Crisp in the final leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2013 pilot series.

As it was the final, the Freestyle was used to score points and the British effort kicked off with 69.700% from Nikki Crisp and her own Pasoa followed by 72.650% for Michael Eilberg (Marakov) and 74.250% from Gareth Hughes (DV Stenjkers Nadonna owned by Elizabeth Brewin). But it was Carl who commanded the team; fabulous passage-piaffe and a wonderful trot extension earning him and his Olympic ride Uthopia the highest score of the class with 81.650%.

This was the first time the pair have competed together since Olympia last Christmas (his pupil Charlotte Dujardin has ridden the KWPN stallion to four victories since then) and Carl was clearly thrilled with his ride.

“It was like being back in the good old days of 2010, I don’t know what happened because he was hot as hell, but he felt like a million dollars! I had a fab ride, it was a great boost for us both. I hadn’t ridden him since the Olympics really and now I’m seriously looking forward to the Europeans in Herning. This has put us both in the right frame of mind”, he said.

Carl and Uthopia will now head out to Denmark to compete as part of the British team at the European championships, 20 - 25 August.

This was the second team win for GBR as part of the four leg competition (the first was at Rotterdam CDIO5* back in June), but it wasn’t quite enough to bag them the series title which at close of play went to The Netherlands (36 points), leaving Great Britain in third place on 29 points after Sweden who tallied 33 points.

Big Tour
Back out together for only the second time this year, Charlotte Dujardin and her beloved “Blueberry” (Valegro), owned jointly by Carl Hester and Roly Luard, were tip top for the individual big tour classes taking clear leads in both the Grand Prix and Special on 81.660% and 85% respectively.

British fans packed the Hickstead stands to see the pair (pictured above) competing on home soil for the first time since Olympia in December last year.

The last twelve months cannot have been easy for 28 year old Dujardin who, before meeting Carl and being offered the ride that would turn out to change her life, was happily relatively unknown and busy forging herself a career as is normal for any young talented horsewoman.

Since making Olympic history, Charlotte has been thrust into the dressage spotlight which, despite huge bonuses, comes with equally big responsibilities – not least of which is coming to terms (as all riders at the very top must do) with the fact that, eventually, Valegro would probably be sold.

It is testament to Carl’s guidance, and her own mettle, that Charlotte has bourn that responsibility with professionalism and a determination to keep looking forward, and it is this focus that has no doubt firmed her ability to keep her eyes firmly fixed on the game, maintaining her and Valegro’s title as number one combination in the world (FEI rankings as of 06/08/2013).

Carl also went individually in the Grand Prix and Special, posting second place to Charlotte and Valegro both times; 75.191% in the GP with Uthopia followed by 73.181% in the Special on Jenny Green’s horse Fine Time 13.

Small Tour
At small tour it was Carl and Charlotte’s Olympic team mate Laura Tomlinson who dominated, with two wins on her father’s nine year old mare Unique VIII (pictured).

Known to her friends somewhat ironically as “Minnie” (she is actually full up 17.2hh with big floppy ears), the lovely mare posted 71.426% in the PSG to beat second placed Anders Dahl and Selten HW (70.632%) followed by 71.132% in the Inter I ahead of Sarah Millis and Furst Rubin on 70.895%.

Laura’s Olympic ride and old friend “Alf” (Mistral Hojris) also made an appearance with team Tomlinson at Hickstead, taking to the main arena on Friday for a training display with the help of Laura’s dad, Dr Bechtolsheimer.

Alf is due to compete with Laura as part of the European team in a couple of weeks, in what could possibly be the last year of his professional career. At 18 years old the handsome chestnut gelding has definitely earned his stripes, having broken plenty of British records and bagged Olympic and European gold. He could be thanked for blazing the trail that made the rest of world stand up and take serious notice of the Brits, after rewarding Laura’s hard work and commitment to him with several big wins at international level from around 2007.

When he does eventually retire it will surely be an emotional end of an era for Laura who describes her best friend as “not realising that he is 18 years old!”

The only Brit able to break into the top three at Inter I Freestyle was Spencer Wilton, riding Jennifer Goodman’s ‘Super Nova’ for third place on 72.300%. This was a good start to the first Inter I Freestyle that the pair have competed together since Spencer took the ride back in March 2012. Previously Goodman’s Super Nova had also been campaigned by Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester at Advanced Medium level.

Youth tests
19 year old Pippa Hutton and her Dimmagio mare Duela led the way in the youth tests, continuing the form they showed at the Young Rider Europeans, winning each of their three Young Rider classes on comfortably plus seventy scores.

Dutch rider Mercedes Verway managed to stop the Brits from winning in any of the Pony tests thanks to another trio of plus seventy scores. Her closest British contender was 16 year old Worcestershire based Amber Barton with her 14 year old chestnut gelding Doctor Little, who came second in the Individual and Team classes.

In the Junior tests the Brits managed to hold on to all three top spots with two wins for Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius II, and another for Jessica Gale and Umbro S.

Results as follows:

CDIO 3* FEI NATIONS CUP Team Results
1ST GBR (Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes, Michael Eilberg, Nikki Crisp) 76.183%
2ND USA (Kathleen Raine, Guenter Seidel, Shelly Francis, Arlene Page) 75.258%
3RD GER (Jenny Lang, Matthias Kempkes, Johanna Von Fircks, Stephan Koberle) 73.267%

CDI Prix St Georges
1st Laura Tomlinson and Unique VIII, 71.526%
2nd Anders Dahl and Selten HW 70.632%
3rd Zoe Sleigh and Fantastic Light, 70.368%

N.A.F. CDI Junior Team Test
1st Jessica Gale and Umbro S, 70.270%
2nd Imofei Rusakof and Zidane, 67.883%
3rd Jessica Gale and Rebellski, 67.748%

N.A.F. CDI Young Rider Team Test
1st Phillipa Hutton and Duela, 71.491%
2nd Olivia Towers and Flyaway Wish, 69.298%
3rd Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg, 67.807%

N.A.F. CDI Pony Team Test
1st Mercedes Verway and Brouwershaven's Nairobi, 70.769%
2nd Amber Barton and Doctor Little, 67.564%
3rd Angus Corrie-Deane and Grayswood Orlando, 65.385%

CDI Intermediaire I
1st Laura Tomlinson and Unique VIII, 71.132%
2nd Sarah Millis and Furst Rubin, 70.895%
3rd Shelly Francis and Danilo, 70.658%

CDIO 3* Grand Prix 
1st Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, 81.660%
2nd Carl Hester and Uthopia, 75.191%
3rd Guenter Seidel and Coral Reef Wylea, 73.043%

CDI Junior Individual Test
1st Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius II, 69.956%
2nd Jessica Gale and Umbro S, 68.289%
3rd Timofei Rusakof and Zidane, 66.974%

CDI Young Rider Individual Test
1st Phillipa Hutton and Duela, 70.263%
2nd Astrid Westburg-Rikheim and Cartier NB, 68.991%
3rd Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg, 68.640%

CDI Pony Individual Test
1st Mercedes Verway and Brouwershaven's Nairobi, 71.992%
2nd Amber Barton and Doctor Little, 67.398%
3rd Chloe Vell and Le Chiffre, 67.317%

CDIO 3* Grand Prix Special
1st Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, 85.000%
2nd Carl Hester and Fine Time 13, 73.813%
3rd Lara Griffith and Andretti H, 70.021%

CDI Junior Freestyle Test
1st Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius II, 71.550%
2nd Jessica Gale and Umbro S, 70.300%
3rd Rebecca Edwards and Ufano II, 68.850%

CDI Young Rider Freestyle Test
1st Phillipa Hutton and Duela, 73.200%
2nd Astrid Westburg-Rikheim and Cartier NB, 71.775%
3rd Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg, 68.550%

CDI Pony Freestyle Test
1st Mercedes Verway and Brouwershaven's Nairobi, 72.075%
2nd Bo Oudhof and Day of La Divinia, 69.875%
3rd Amber Barton and Doctor Little, 69.725%

Hickstead British Young Horse 5yr International Championship
1st Sarah Kingswell and The Contact People Destiny D, 80.60%
2nd Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Wimoweh, 80.00%
3rd Daniel Sherriff and Dance of Decadence, 72.40%

CDI Intermediaire I Freestyle
1ST Christianne Goes and Accountancy Ultimo, 73.725%
2ND Luis Principe and Surprise, 72.325%
3RD Spencer Wilton and Goodmans Super Nova, 72.300%

Hickstead British Young Horse 5yr National Championship
1st Daniel Sherriff and Dance of Decadence, 84.600%
2nd Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 84.000%
3rd Sarah Kingswell and The Contact People Destiny D, 83.000%

Hickstead British Young Horse 5yr International Semi-Final
1st Paul Hayler and Lonswelt, 82.000%
2nd Sarah Kingswell and The Contact People Destiny D, 80.000%
3rd Daniel Sherriff and Dance of Decadence, 78.800%

Hickstead British Young Horse 6yr National Championship
1st Becky Moody and Carinsio, 83.000%
2nd Daisy Coakley and Cleopatra 2, 82.600%
3rd Alice Oppenheimer and Tantoni Sir Socrates, 81.600%

Hickstead British Young Horse 6yr International Semi-Final
1st Becky Moody and Carinsio, 86.800%
2nd Alice Oppenheimer and Tantoni Sir Socrates, 86.600%
3rd Hannah Biggs and Don Caledonia, 85.400%

Hickstead British Young Horse 6yr International Championship
1st Becky Moody and Carinsio, 87.20%
2nd Alice Oppenheimer and Tantoni Sir Socrates, 81.40%
3rd Jessica Thompson and Danilo II, 80.80%

For comprehensive results visit the Dressage at Hickstead webiste here

Pictures courtesy of Risto Aaltonen and FEI Photo Catalogue

Today marks the year anniversary when Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Tomlinson (then Bechtolsheimer) changed dressage in Britain with an Olympic team gold medal at London. With their horses, Valegro, Uthopia and Mistal Hojris, they put dressage on the map, won over a completely new legion of fans and put our sport in every major newspaper in the country - we've never seen the like.

Buoyed by the showjumping team's gold the day before, the trio headed into the Special day with the narrowest of margins - just a lead of 0.56% over Germany.  It was a clash of the titans beneath the Queen's House at Greenwich in front of a capacity 23,000 audience and Britain came out on top. 

The three riders along with their support staff, owners, grooms with the backing of the UK Sport lottery-funded World Class Performance team, showed that Britain is a true force to be reckoned with in the dressage world.

Thank you to you all - we're all eagerly awaiting the European Championships in a few weeks!

Relive the story from last year – click here.

17 year old British rider Jessica Gale and her ten year old gelding Rebellski have travelled to Belgium to compete at Junior level in the brand new CDI competition in Kapellen, 8 – 11 August.

Hosted by Belgian O-judge Mariette Withages and the Duke of Newcastle Riding Club, this major dressage fixture will be home to Young Horse, youth rider and U25 classes, as well as small tour and big tour.

Hampshire based Jessica, who trains with Matt Hicks and Gareth Hughes, has owned and competed the 16hh dark bay since 2010, when they started out together at Prelim level. Since then they have risen through the ranks and Kapellen will be their first international competition as a pair.

Jessica owns and competes a second horse, 12 year old Jazz gelding Umbro S, who took Jess to her first ever international competition at Vidauban back in 2012, where they won the Junior Team test.

Both Rebellski and Umbro S were out just last week with Jessica for the Junior classes at Hickstead CDI3*, Rebellski finishing third in the Team test and Umbro S first in the team and second in the Freestyle.

Jessica and Rebellski will compete in the Team test today followed by the Individual test on Saturday. If they perform well enough then they could go on to compete in the Freestyle on Sunday.

There’s just over a week left for 18 – 25 year olds to apply to the prestigious British Dressage Young Professional’s Awards 2013.

Entries have been coming in thick and fast from young people across the country who believe that they have what it takes to forge a career in the dressage industry and entries will close on Friday 16 August.

The competition is open to everybody and we don’t just want to hear from aspiring riders – we will be just as pleased to receive applications from young people who are aiming towards a professional career in coaching or yard management. We just ask that you can prove you have the dedication, talent and qualities to be the complete professional.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend one of three training days in October with either Carl Hester, Richard Davison or Peter Storr, where they will be assessed both in the saddle and on the ground.

From this, six contestants will go forward to the final at Talland in March 2014, where there will be a total training prize fund of £7000, plus development guidance from selected experts, up for grabs.

One of last year’s winners, Donald Fraser, spent his development fund on several training days and courses, including a trip to Germany, as well as marketing materials and obtaining his HGV licence.

He said “I learned so much from the competition and it was great rubbing shoulders with such legendary dressage professionals. The Young Professionals Award has given my career a huge boost and I’m really looking forward to making the most of the opportunities it has opened up to me. I just hope that I can give something back in return.”

Donald (pictured) is now travelling around the country sharing his story, and advice, with other young people who have the passion and determination to make dressage their career.

So if you, or somebody you know, have got what it takes then don’t delay and download the application form here– rememberentries close on Friday 16 August 2013. Good luck!

Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) and the 16-year-old Jerich Parzival will be heading to the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships, part of the ECCO FEI European Championships, in Herning (DEN) later this month as world number one.

Jo Hamilton dominated the recent Scottish Regional Championships at the Rowallan Activity Centre (3 - 4 August) with a hat trick of wins on two six-year-olds, both sired by Negro.

She headed the Stretch & Flex Elementary Open and Dressage Deluxe Medium Open with Corpachin (pictured). Jo also gained the highest score of the regionals in the elementary with 73.79% on “Colin”, whom she owns with Lady Hope.

Jo has had much success in young horse classes with this British-bred gelding and will be vying for another national title, having won the novice open national championships last year.

“We’ve had a breakthrough by moving up to medium level as the challenge focuses his mind. He was the most relaxed he’s ever been, which meant I could ask for more expression in the trot work,” she said.

Jo, who trains with Carl Hester, also headed the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open with Cantos. Jo was given the ride last year by Carl and his new owner since the spring, Judith Douglas Miller, has allowed Jo to continue competing him.

“I’ve really come up trumps. Both horses are such genuine characters and try their hearts out,” said Jo, who will be competing at the Nationals on three horses as she has also qualified Vivaldi at prix st georges level. “It was lovely to have him already qualified as you never know what will happen at the regionals. The novice class was particularly hot and there was no clear favourite, so it matters how you perform on the day.”

Hot on Jo’s heels in both the elementary and medium classes was Hannah Guild (25) riding Corienta, her athletic six-year-old KWPN mare by Santano.

Eilidh Grant had some reparation for her tough decision to withdraw her ride Comanche Crumble from the Young Rider European Dressage Championships last month and concentrate on qualifying for next month’s Nationals.

“Crumble”, a 17-year-old British-bred mare by Cassander owned by Eilidh’s mum Lorraine, had been suffering from a suspected pollen allergy, but was on great form here to win both the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges and Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I.

In the Visualise Sportswear Preliminary, Jennifer Wisdom rode the Welsh cob Pentrefelin Serena to take the class with an impressive score of nearly 72%. Jennifer (16) from Carluke, has been riding the six-year-old Welsh section D mare by Pentrefelin Sorento out of Knavestock Seren for two years.

Hertfordshire-based dressage and event rider Daisy Coakley (20) claimed her first national dressage title on her first visit to the Espayo National Dressage Championships last year when she won the preliminary finals.

At this year’s Eastern Regionals at The College EC, Keysoe, Daisy rode the same horse, Judy Firmston-Williams’ six-year-old KWPN mare Cleopatra II (pictured), to victory in both the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open and Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted qualifiers with two of the highest scores of the show.

Daisy first rode ‘Daya’ when Judy’s rider and Daisy’s trainer Alison Berman was expecting at the beginning of last year. Since then, they have won another national title, the Winter Elementary Restricted Music Freestyle Championships.

Daisy, who also competes her own intermediate eventer and is a member of the GB young rider event program, seems surprised by her dressage success: “Daya and I just clicked and now I also ride another couple of young dressage horses.

“Daya has a brilliant temperament and paces; she earns nines for her walk and has won five out of six regionals with more than 70%. She has a sane brain, tries hard and loves to learn, which is why she is so consistent. She can get grumpy when she’s frustrated learning something new, but you put her to bed and she thinks about it. Then you take her out the next day and she can do it. We’re hoping to take her to medium level next as her training is going so well.”

Michael Eilberg rode Lawrence and Alison Reddy’s 10-year-old Fuerst Heinrich offspring, Fuerst Sinclair to victory in both the Dressage Deluxe Medium Open and Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open qualifiers.

The gelding, who stands nearly 18hh, first came to the yard aged seven as an entire and was gelded within the first year.
Michael says: “He is quite a big horse to wagon around, but he is surprisingly maneuverable. My girlfriend Maya [Goldberg, who works at the Eilberg’s yard] is only about 5’5” and used to compete him at elementary level for me. He is capable of scoring really good marks and we are close to PSG level.”

Sophie Wells and her own 11-year-old Valerius enjoyed a confidence boosting win in the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I in the run up to the ecco FEI Para-Equestrian European Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark (21-25 August).

She will be defending the European Grade IV titles she won at Moorsele in 2011 with the KWPN gelding by Flemmingh, known as Reece, whom she has trained herself from a youngster.

Picture © www.kevinsparrow.co.uk

Visualise Sportswear Preliminary
Mandy Denley and Zhowbink (owner: Rider) 70.91%
Rebecca Wallis and Romanno Fillielingh (owner: Rider) 70.76%
Charlotte Hussey and Singing Skyjacker (owner: Claire Knowles) 69.24%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Fern Roach and Rockzanne (owner: Rider) 68.62%
Naomi Smith and Fabio Scalini (owner: Rider ) 68.05%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Daisy Coakley and Cleopatra II (owner: Judy Firmston-Williams) 74.48%
Donna Jones and Truffle Royale (owner: Lorraine Sattin) 70.23%
Paul Friday and Flamingo (owner: Christine Trendell) 69.54%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Daisy Coakley and Cleopatra II (owner: Judy Firmston-Williams) 76.46%
Regula Stricker and Pimmento (owner: Rider), 71.25%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Garry Williams and Furst Edition II (owner: Tony Cockshutt) 70.52%
Edward Johnson and Arrow (owner: Rider) 70.31%
Hannah Gilbert and Rossgold Rubina (owner: Rider) 70%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Louise Jenkinson-Dix and Cadifor Harry (owner: Rider) 69.10%
Jenine Jones and Keystone Ricardo (owner: Rider) 68.92%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Michael Eilberg and Fuerst Sinclair (owner: Alison Reddy) 72.16%
Alice Oppenheimer and Tantoni Sir Socratates (owner: Georgina Pole-Carew) 72.07%
Paul Friday and Roman Noir Himself (owner: Christine Trendell & Rider) 71.26%
Nicky Patrick and Supersonic Hit (owner: Rider) 70.63%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted
Julie Coope and Don Dimitri (owner: Rider) 67.81%
Nicky Jennings and Bodelicious (owner: Rider) 66.75%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open
Michael Eilberg and Fuerst Sinclair (owner: Alison Reddy) 70%
Paul Hayler and Diamond Jubilee (owner: Rider) 68.86%
Daniel Greenwood and Angelo VI (owner: Lisa Price) 68.77%
Tayley Reeve-Smith and Special (owner: Rider) 68.68

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Michel Assouline and Streisand (owner: Margaret Wyatt, Mette Assouline & Rider) 68.86%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Sophie Wells and Valerius (owner: Rider) 70.83%
 

Junior European teammates and best friends Charlotte Fry and Maisie Scruton, both aged 17, enjoyed a successful Northern Regional Championships, which was held at their base, Fry’s Aike Grange Stud.

Lottie and her grandmother’s nine-year-old Z Flemmenco (pictured) won the Dressage Deluxe Medium Open with the top percentage of the regional and their personal best score at the level of 73.33%.

Lottie has competed the 16.2hh Dutch gelding by Flemmingh for the past two years and has had an amazing season with six wins on the trot at medium and advanced medium level since April, as well as qualifying him for the nationals in the advanced medium on another personal best score at that level.

Lottie, who trains with Carl Hester and is planning to move to his yard full-time next summer, said: “We had a week’s training at Carl’s just before the regionals, so his brain was in the right place. He is nervous when he’s competing, so I have to give him confidence and he is growing in confidence every time out. I was asking him for more in the test and he gave it to me. We even got a nine for a simple change.

“Last year at the nationals he was petrified, but I’m hoping that he will be more settled this time, especially as we will be competing in two tests this time.”

Maisie, who recently moved her horses to Fry’s, finished second riding her 12-year-old 14.1hh stallion Rembrandt DDH by Renoir, with whom she was a member of the British team at the 2011 and 2012 European Pony Championships.

“He won the warm-up class with 76% the day before, which set us up nicely for the regional test. He made no mistakes and was so focused and rideable.”

Then Maisie rode her own Junior European Championship partner Hot Chocolate to head the extremely competitive Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open.

Maisie, who has had the ride on the 16-year-old Oldenburg mare by Sandro Hit since last September, said: “I was nervous, but she handled the pressure well considering she’s quite hot; being on edge helped as she had a lot of presence and her work was full of expression.”

Becky Moody and the eight-year-old Don Angelo won the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I on 70.18%, their personal best at the level. The Danone offspring is owned by Swedish young rider Josie Gyllensward.

Becky, who trains with David Hunt and her sister Hannah, said: “Josie bought him two years ago when she based herself here. We’ve been sharing him; Josie competes him in young riders and I’ve been bringing him on at small tour level.

“He is massively talented but a little green at this level. I felt I had to help him a little too much, but he will be fantastic. He’s also qualified directly at PSG level,” said Becky, who will have a total of six horses at the nationals.

Picture © www.kevinsparrow.co.uk

Visualise Sportswear Preliminary
Maria Brocklesby and Dativ XL (owner: Rider) 71.97%
Debby Dunleavy and Jet Set S (owner: Rider) 70.91%
Claire Ryder and Gromit (owner: Rider) 70.61%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Daisy Powell and C No Limit (owner: Rider) 70.23%
Elenna Carroll and Moviman (owner: Gemma Appleton) 68.62%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Allison Mercer and Early Morn II (owner: Rider) 71.72%
Laura Jarvis and Contender (owner: Rider) 70.46%
Tom Graham and Breicho (owner: Henry Boswell) 70.23%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Rebecca Kingswood and Aramis I (owner: Rider) 70.21%
Deniqua Westwood and Rummaggio (owner: Rider) 69.9%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Amanda Barrett and Fiderico (owner: Rider) 68.54%
Laura Woodcock and Whispers (owner: Rider) 68.44%
Rebekah Cox and Sarana CDS (owner: Mrs A Abel-Smith) 68.33%
Kate Johnson and RS Mylo (owner: Vanessa Worthington) 68.23%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Kate Walters and Freddy (owner: Andrew Fletcher) 69.55%
Julie Stacey and Profile (owner: Michael Franklin) 68.02%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Charlotte Fry and Z Flemmenco (owner: Rosemary Shewen) 73.33%
Maisie Scruton and Rembrandt DDH (owner: Rider) 72.52%
Sarah Higgins and Delicata (owner: Rider) 71.08%
Becky Moody and Madams Miss Maria (owner: Rider) 69.64%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted
Craig Millard and Worldly Wise (owner: Sally Hoyle) 67.63%
Natalie Widdowson and Gorgeous George IV (owner: Rider) 65.79%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open
Maisie Scruton and Hot Chocolate 43 (owner: Rider) 71.32%
Melissa Chapman and DHI Work Of Art (owner: Rider) 71.05%
Sonia Baines and Waverly (owner: Claire Williams) 70.70%
Charlotte Fry and Z Flemmenco (owner: Rosemary Shewen) 70%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Emma Corbett and Furst Diamantino (owner: Rider) 67.72%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Becky Moody and Don Angelo (owner: Josie Gyllensward) 70.18%
 

Hayley Watson-Greaves and WG Don Wimero won a competitive Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I at the second of the 2013 summer regional championships, which took place at Sparsholt College.
 

Four combinations scored plus-70%, which included Hayley with WG Rubins Nite in third place.

Hayley, who trains with Carl Hester, was last to go with the 10-year-old Don Primero gelding she has owned since he was three. She just edged ahead of Nicola Buchanan and Zidyllic-s by 0.18% with a score of 71.45%.

This will be Wimero’s second visit to the nationals, having competed there at novice level in 2009. Since then, he has had more experience of the big show atmosphere, finishing fourth in the Prix St Georges Freestyle Championships at this year’s Winter Championships with more than 71%.

Hayley now has two horses qualified for the Espayo National Dressage Championships, having won the Intermediate II with WG Rubins Nite at the Keysoe Premier League.

“Every year, I aim to qualify for the nationals; it has a fantastic atmosphere and you are competing against the best in the country,” said Hayley, who buys all her horses as either two- or three-year-olds.
“Wimero is such a sweetheart, but he can become over-excited. We always think of him when we hear Beyonce’s song Sweet Dreams, which has the lyrics ‘you could be a sweet dream or beautiful nightmare’. I’m hoping he’s going to be a sweet dream at the nationals!”

Rider and groom at Anna Ross Davies’s Altogether Equestrian for the past two years, Beth Bainbridge qualified at two levels with Friedrichshein.

Beth won the Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open and was runner-up in the Dressage Deluxe Medium Open with her own “Fritz”. Beth, who has trained the 10-year-old by Fabriano from a four-year-old, said: “He was a lazy little s** before he came here and now he’s Champion the Wonder Horse!”

Proud trainer Anna said: “Beth still can’t believe it. It was a big open class with several Olympic riders. Instead of wilting, she rode her socks off and beat them all.

“Fritz has super changes – big and uphill – the only problem is looking elegant on him while he’s doing them. He’s done a couple of PSGs already and we are hoping to take him international next year.”

Sharon Edwards and Rivaal won the Stretch & Flex Elementary Open with 73.13% and posted the highest score of this regional championship.

Sharon’s mum Jenny owns the nine-year-old Danish-bred gelding by Blue Hors Romanov, who competed at his first nationals last year.
 

“We bought him as an unbroken three-year-old to sell, but couldn’t bring ourselves to let him go as we felt he’s quite special; he’s by far the most talented horse I’ve ridden.

“Because he’s so good at home, I hadn’t taken him to many shows and he had led a bit of a sheltered life. My aim this year has been to campaign him and get him used to buzzy show atmospheres as last year’s nationals was a disaster; he’s like a Duracell battery when he’s running on his nerves. It absolutely came off at Sparsholt and I’m intrigued to see what happens at the nationals this year!”

Picture © www.kevinsparrow.co.uk

Visualise Sportswear Preliminary
Jasmine Clare and Rohdstar (owner: Rider) 73.03%
Ruth Stevens and Flamenco II (owner: Rider) 70%
Lisa Smith and Fly By Star (owner: Rider) 69.85%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Vickie Archer and Burlyn’s Bold As Brass (owner: Hilary Davey & Rider) 71.61%
Amy Francis and Fables First Magnum (owner: Sue Griffith) 71.26%
Ruth Stevens and Flamenco II (owner: Rider) 70.23%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open
Cecilia Hawthorne and Calgary (owner: Rider) 71.95%
Holly Browne and Sigurd (owner: Rider) 70.57%
Amy Blount and Sweetheart (owner: Hillary Davey & Jennie Loriston-Clarke) 69.43%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted
Anna Lawson and Carentino Z (owner: Rider) 72.08%
Jon Pavitt and Keystone Walente (owner: Fiona Pavitt), 67.29%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Sharon Edwards and Rivaal (owner: Johanna Edwards) 73.13%
Nadine Gregory and Candover Dramatico (owner: Rider) 72.50%
Jacky Stolper and Die Oder Kien (owner: Rider) 71.15%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Hannah Bates and Essentially M and S (owner: Rider) 69.91%
Laura Gillespie and Flane Rockingham (owner: Rider) 68.20%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Debbie Poynter and Keystone For Real (owner: Rider), 70.90%
Beth Bainbridge and Friedrichshein (owner: Rider) 69.91%
Lucy Cartwright and Samba Dancer (owner: Christie Edwards & Audrey Lawrence) 69.10%
Emile Faurie and Duke Ellington (owner: Patricia Vaughan) 69.01%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted
Claire Randall and Decree (owner: Angela Collins) 69.04%
Charlie Sawyer and Zandiego (owner: Elizabeth Steer) 67.98%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open
Beth Bainbridge and Friedrichshein (owner: Rider) 71.23%
Emile Faurie and Ebony VIII (owner: Michael Franklin) 70.26%
Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Roxanne (owner: Sarah Oppenheimer) 67.54%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Laura Tomlinson and Unique VIII (owner: Wilfried Bechtolsheimer) 71.23%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Hayley Watson-Greaves and WG Don Wimero (owner: Rider) 71.45%
 

Dubbed the supermodel of the dressage world, Woodlander Farouche did not disappoint at the most competitive of the seven area finals, the Central Regional Championships at Addington Manor EC, scoring the highest percentage across the board with more than 77% in the Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open.

Having won the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses as a five- and six-year-old, the latter with a record score, the seven-year-old Furst Heinrich mare, piloted by Michael Eilberg, made her main circuit debut in May and this was only her fourth advanced medium test.

Expectations for this horse are always ridiculously high, but even more so since she scored more than 83% in the advanced medium at the Hartpury Premier League in July.

Michael said: “Her test at Hartpury was flawless. You don’t produce a test like that every day, so this was always going to be a let down in a way. She was a little nervous: she spooked on a circle and struck off on the wrong leg in the walk-canter transition, but her walk, extensions and flying changes were superb.”

Michael enjoyed further success, this time in the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I with the nine-year-old Dimaggio mare, Half Moon Dynasty.

He said: “I was chuffed with her as she’s not done much at this level - it was her fourth Intermediate I – and is not fully established, but she has so much quality and we pulled off a great test.”

Rob Waine topped what he described as a “fantastic” week. He’s moved to his new training and livery yard in Beaconsfield and won the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open Section B and the Stretch & Flex Elementary Open with Rhodesia (pictured), thereby securing his first trip to the summer nationals.

Rob, who is trained by Louise Spate, has had the ride on the six-year-old 17.3hh British-bred gelding by Keystone Rhondeo since last November: “Linda Bennett bought him as a three-day-old foal because of his amazing walk. I started teaching them in February last year and then Lynne offered me the ride after a few months; she didn’t have to ask me twice and we haven’t looked back since.

“Having qualified at novice level, we thought we’d try him in a couple of elementary classes, which he won with more than 70%, so then we decided we might as well try and qualify him at that level and won at Patchetts with more than 73%.

“He keeps on getting stronger and is so sweet natured,” says Rob, who reckons the key to their success is Granny Smith apples. “He is obsessed by them and has to have one before I ride him, otherwise he’s not happy. They may be more expensive than Polos, but we will be stocking up on them before Stoneleigh!”

The third double winner was Gareth Hughes. He won the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges with the 10-year-old Sandro Hit stallion, Samba Hit III, whom he has competed since last May, as well as the highly competitive Dressage Deluxe Medium Open with Classic Briolinca, in which seven combinations went through to the nationals.
Gareth’s wife Rebecca talent spotted the latter, a seven-year-old mare by Trento B as a three-year-old and Gareth has ridden her for the past two years.

After already securing two places at the nationals by winning the novice open and elementary restricted at the Eastern Regionals with Judy Firmston-Williams’ Cleopatra II, Daisy Coakley earned another place at the nationals with Bing, also by Trento B, after winning the Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted Section A with more than 75%.

Daisy has been unbeaten in all seven tests she has entered with Bing, a seven-year-old gelding owned by Melise Witkin and Judy.

She said: “It’s going to be interesting as Daya and Bing will be up against each other for the first time in the elementary. It will be a showdown and I really don’t know who will come out on top.”

Picture © www.kevinsparrow.co.uk

RESULTS

Visualise Sportswear Preliminary – Section A
Ashley Jenkins and Lukien Von Tespe (owner: Dan Greenwood & Jamie Reynolds) 72.27%
Emilia Wogan and Radway Harlequin (owner: Alicia Patrick) 71.36%

Visualise Sportswear Preliminary – Section B
Caroline Bunce and Moonlight Serenade (owner: Rider) 72.27%
Katie Davies and Tinkers Tomahawk (owner: Rider) 68.79%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted
Kirsty Borton and Longacre Clorde (owner: Paula Cook) 68.74%
Liz Mackenze and Hotlinels (owner: Rider) 68.51%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open – Section A
Rebecca Cowderoy and Celicia (owner: Tony Cockshutt) 74.60%
Garry Williams and Furst Edition II (owner: Rider) 74.02%
Nathalie Kayal and DHI Clever Boy (owner: Rider) 72.99%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Open – Section B
Robert Waine and Rhodesia (owner: Linda Bennett) 70.92%
Sarah King Wells and The Contact People Destiny D (owner: Rider) 70.34%
Nathalie Kayal and DHI Bravo (owner: Rider) 69.77%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted – Section A
Daisy Coakley and Bing (owner: Aimee Witkin and Judy Firmston-Williams) 75.10%
Jade Clark and Uno Diamond (owner: Sue Brennan) 72.19%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted – Section B
Tracey Lawson and Alfero (owner: Rider) 71.56%
Marsha Webb and Rosario Royale (owner: Lorraine Sattin) 69.38%
Rebecca Haryett and Bjornsun (owner: Rider) 69.38%

Stretch & Flex Elementary Open
Robert Waine and Rhodesia (owner: Lynne Bennett) 73.13%
Nathalie Kayal and DHI Bravo (owner: Rider) 73.02%
Caroline Princz and Praestegardens Dan (owner: Rider) 71.15%
Mat Burnett and Nibeley Union Hit (owner: Rider) 70.83%
Stephanie Toogood and Florian Himself (owner: Christine Trendell) 69.58%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted
Helen Philip and Rubens (owner: Rider) 70.36%
Lisa Price and Angelo VI (owner: Rider) 68.47%

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open
Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca (owner: Rebecca Hughes) 72.70%
Lisa Hopkins and Coole Contender (owner: Margaret Phizacklea) 72.43%
Sam Dewar and Parsons Resume (owner: Alexandra Boyce & Rider) 71.62%
Daniel Odell and Amour G (owner: Pippa Childerhouse) 70.45%
Paul Friday and Christoph Himself (owner: Rider ) 70.36%
Judy Harvey and Blitz (owner: Rider) 70.18%
Nikki Crisp and Ardie (owner: Anne King) 69.55%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted
Fiona Bull and Pipers Ustnar (owner: Rider) 68.16%
Casey Mckenna and DHI Zanzibar (owner: Mary Gerrie) 67.72%

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open
Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche (owner: Ferdi Eilberg & Lynne Crowden) 77.11%
Maria Eilberg and Royal Concert (owner: Penny Pollard & Hermione Black) 70.79%
Jacky Stolper and Luciano Pavarotti (owner: Caroline Wheatley-Hubbard & Rider) 70.35%
Lucy Cartwright and Fergana (owner: Carole Felton) 69.12

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Gareth Hughes and Samba Hit III (owner: Kate Byron) 71.10%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I
Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Dynasty (owner: Julie Deverill) 71.80%