With the hosts in place for this year’s National Convention in partnership with Harrison Clark Rickerbys, British Dressage is excited to launch our search for a very special combination to join us as a demo rider at Addington Equestrian on 23 – 24 November!

The lucky winner will take part in a session with one of our three hosts, Daniel Bachmann Andersen, Chris Bartle and Michael Eilberg, and hone their skills in a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in the most prestigious training event in the BD calendar.

With this year’s focus on using a varied workout routine and exercises to develop your performance, no matter your level, horse type or competition goals, we want our demo riders to represent YOU, the BD member and competitor!

To be considered for selection, we’re searching for the following:

- Riders to be 16 years old and over
- Consistently achieving 68% or above at the level you are competing at
- Exposure to a big competition environment is favourable, such as a Petplan Equine Area Festival or Quest Championship.

All you need to do to enter is tell us a brief description of why you’d love to be a demo rider at the National Convention, upload a photo of you and your horse, and fill out a few simple questions to tell us more about your competition level and section. The closing date for entries is Sunday 15 September 2019!

Enter our demo rider competition here.

Spread the news about this amazing opportunity! Send to a friend or family member, print off this story and leave it in your yard tack room or share on social media with the hashtag #bdnationalconvention.

If you don’t fancy experiencing the National Convention stage from the saddle, why not join us as a spectator. Early bird discount tickets for members and non-members are still available, click here to buy online.

A high quality entry came forward for the Eastern region’s leg of the 2019 Regional Championship series. Over three days this week (6 – 8 August 2019), Keysoe Equestrian in Bedfordshire played host to the penultimate opportunity to seize a qualification spot for the LeMieux National Championships in September.

Both the Silver and Gold divisions presented double winners – Jessica Ely with Formidable I and Alex Hardwick aboard Glasgow MH. First up, Jessica partnered former show hunter Formidable I (pictured top) to two plus-73% victories - the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver and one of two Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver sections. The scopey nine year old Dutch bred (Vivaldi x Inspekteur) has been competed by Jessica in dressage since September last year. Taking well to his newfound career, the towering gelding’s scores have soared into the 70s at both levels this season, his experience in the show ring and development under Jessica’s care clearly serving him well for the dressage arena.

“I am over the moon,” said Jessica, who produces horses for showing in parallel with her dressage career and is based with her sister Rebecca at their West Yorkshire base. “I really couldn’t be happier with him.”’

Formidable, known at home as Vinnie, is a former show horse, bought by Jessica in January 2018. “I campaigned him for showing last year, though I did buy him with dressage in mind because of his breeding. We won at Cheshire Show, qualifying for HOYS, then after HOYS focused on his new career. He’s a lovely horse, and the experiences he’s had being a show horse have really helped. After competing at HOYS he can cope with any situation!”

Qualifying for the Nationals is the icing on the cake for the 26 year old who won the 2018 Reserve Champion Intermediate Show Riding Type at HOYS with another ride. “It’s been a very good couple of years, and I’m looking forward to doing more dressage. Vinnie is a lovely horse. He has a really good temperament and is very easy to do and deal with.”

One little horse to make a winning impression at the 2018 LeMieux National Championships was the delectable Glasgow MH ridden by Alex Hardwick. Happily, Alex and ‘Buddy’ (pictured right) will make a welcome return to Stoneleigh having won both the Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold and the TopSpec Medium Gold with two dynamic and accomplished performances. Owned by Sally Hardwick, the compact Uphill x Casanova gelding, who stands just 16hh, earned scores of 75.05% and 71.58%.

“The pocket rocket does it again. Glasgow (Buddy) totally rocked it to win the Medium 75 Gold with 71.59%, being Regional Champion for the fourth time! Massive thank you to mumma [Sally Hardwick] for her help and guidance on this mega star,” said Alex on Facebook. Later adding, “Boy wonder does it again. Glasgow smashes out 75% to be crowned champion and [win] another regional title. Do you think he knows just how special he is?!”

Alex also headed a highly competitive Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold with her Dutch bred six year old mare, Izaloe (Jazz x Rhodium).

British Dressage thanks Simon Bates and his team at Keysoe as well as the National class sponsors for their generous support. Congratulations to all competitors and good luck to those heading to the LeMieux National Championships at Stoneleigh Park.

Regional champions:

Backinaction Preliminary Silver A
Daniel Baylis with Qiblah Me, 70.29%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Jessica Ely with Formidable I, 73.95%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Alex Hardwick with Joie De Vivre Prins, 74.32%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver A
Trisha Polson with Crime Suspect, 72.55%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver B
Jessica Ely with Formidable I, 73.39%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Alex Hardwick with Glasgow MH, 75.05%

TopSpec Medium Silver
Robert Barker with River Rise Isabella, 69.50%

TopSpec Medium Gold
Alex Hardwick with Glasgow MH, 71.58%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Rebecca Bates with Ekko Christianslunds Gevalia, 72.63%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Harriette Williams with Creto, 71.89%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Tom Goode with Saint Julian, 72.59%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Sarah Williams with Bohigas W, 70.13%

For full results click here

Photo © Kevin Sparrow

It’s with great sadness and apologies that, in conjunction with BD South West Regional Development Officer Amanda Heath, Duchy College has made the decision to relocate their Petplan Equine Area Festival, scheduled to run on 16-18 August 2019 to near by Bicton Arena.

Following significant investment to renew all ground works, infrastructure and install a new 20 x 60 silica sand mix surface at the College, it’s been agreed that more time is needed to enable the arena to bed in to ensure that it reaches its top class potential for future competitions at Duchy. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond the control of the Duchy team, it’s not been possible to achieve this for the Petplan Equine Area Festival.

Helen West, Arena Manager at Bicton Arena, said “We’re so disappointed for Duchy College not to be able run their show because their new arena is not quite ready for such a high profile competition. We’re delighted to be able to step up and assist them to provide our BD south west members with an alternative venue allowing this show to continue and run as planned, just at a different venue.”

Duchy College Organiser Hazel Young added, “We’re really sad that following the significant investment made to completely renew our outdoor arena, it’s not yet bedded in sufficiently to host such a prestigious event. Time got the better of us, despite the onsite team working hard to get everything to the best standards for competitors. We’re grateful that our neighbours Bicton Arena have been able to step up and support us at such short notice and we are confident that the BD members will have a great show and we wish each and every one of them good luck. We look forward to welcoming them back to Duchy soon.”

All entries for the warm up and Pet Plan classes will be directly transferred to Bicton Arena. Due to the change in venue, we will now only run on Saturday and Sunday which has resulted in the Friday classes now running on Saturday. The warm up classes will now run in 20 x 60 arenas and different tests will be used. Please refer to the attached sheets one and two for more information and details.

All class entry fees will be directly transferred and honoured by Bicton Arena. All stabling and hook ups will be automatically refunded in full by Duchy College, please contact Hazel Young with any queries regarding this.

If you require stabling or hook up, please go to www.bicton-arena.co.uk and following link on the home page in a purple box.

A revised show timetable is attached showing provisional class running times– but please continue to check as this may be subject to change. Late entries are now being taken but only for riders who have met the original qualification criteria for competing at Duchy, these will close at midnight on Tuesday 13 August 2019. Times will be released around 1500 on Thursday 15 August 2019. Bedding and forage may be purchased on arrival. The stabling link will go live at 1000 on Monday 12 August 2019.

No horses will be admitted on site before 1900 on Friday 16 August due to another event being hosted at Bicton on that day.

We thank all members for their affected for their patience. Any questions or enquiries can be directed to Amanda Heath, RDO on 07894 232355.

For three days last week, representatives from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America travelled to East Yorkshire for the popular Bishop Burton CPEDI1*/2*/3* hosted by Bishop Burton College (5 – 9 August 2019).

Great Britain’s Georgia Wilson took the opportunity to give her ride, Midnight, a pre Europeans run. The 23 year old from Wales took three categorical wins in the 3* Grade III divisions aboard the black mare with whom she’ll make her FEI Championship debut in Rotterdam next week.

Showing the quality which earned them a hat-trick at Hartpury CPEDI last month, the stylish pair (pictured earlier this year) claimed the Team, Individual and Freestyle honours by a good margin, no doubt filling them with confidence as they head towards their first team appearance. Georgia, who last year was selected as reserve for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, trains with Sophie Wells who alongside Nicky Greenhill and Mari Durward-Akhurst make up the Rotterdam four.

“Another great international with ‘Mids’,” said Georgia on Facebook. “Three scores 72, 73, 74%, three red ribbons and highest placed British rider out of all the grades over the three days. Onwards and upwards to Rotterdam now. Thanks Sophie Wells for all your help.”

The CPEDI3* Team competition was secured by the home team of Georgia and Midnight, Heather Bennett with Zavailantika (Grade IV), Izzy Palmer with Grand Bolero K (Grade IV), and Amanda Shirtcliffe with New Princess (Grade III), ahead of Ireland and Hong Kong.

Sophie Christiansen introduced her young horse Die Furstin to the international stage, making a stunning debut in the process. They enjoyed a triumphant triple win in the Grade I scoring 71.86%, 72.25% and 74.50% across the Team, Individual and Freestyle tests. Die Furstin (Dankeschon x Fürst Piccolo) is a six year old German bred mare known at home as Stella and owned by Sophie.

The biggest score in the 2* competition was international debutant Jemima Green (30) with Blue Chip Forever (by Johnson), a 13 year old KWPN gelding who she co-owns with Clare Blaskey. This combination was rewarded with scores of 72.35% in the Novice, 69.39% in the Team and 71.17% in the Freestyle.

In the CPEDI1*, Dorset’s Jamie Winduss made his mark aboard Wonnacott by achieving the highest scores across all grades with 68.70%, 68.10% and 70.03% in the two Novice tests and Freestyle respectively. 2019 has been a momentous year for the 17 year old from Christchurch. In March, he was crowned Equissage Pulse Grade I Silver Champion and later, he lead the South West region to victory at the Para Home International – both with the talented Wonnacott, an attractive Lord Sinclair-sired gelding who is owned by Alice Pearse.

Jamie’s para dressage career was initiated at South Bucks RDA a hotbed of talent which has produced numerous big names in the sport, not least Sophie Christiansen and Julie Payne.

Results of the British riders
CPEDI3*
Grade I Team Test
1st Sophie Christiansen with Die Furstin, 71.86% (GBR)
3rd Diane Green with Miss Remexico, 69.07R (GBR)
6th Caitlyn Saddington with Nirvana Morroko, 67.11% (GBR)

Grade I Individual Test
1st Sophie Christiansen with Die Furstin, 72.25% (GBR)
2nd Diane Green with Miss Remexico, 70.50% (GBR)
6th Caitlyn Saddington with Nirvana Morroko, 65.04% (GBR)

Grade I Freestyle
1st Sophie Christiansen with Die Furstin, 74.50% (GBR)
3rd Diane Green with Miss Remexico, 72.09% (GBR)
4th Caitlyn Saddington with Nirvana Morroko, 68.73% (GBR)

Grade II Team Test
1st Georgia Wilson with Midnight, 72.06% (GBR) - Team
2nd Natasha Adkinson with Sweet Caledonia, 70.61% (GBR)
3rd Julie Payne with Pandora, 68.91% (GBR)

Grade II Individual Test
1st Georgia Wilson with Midnight, 73.32% (GBR) - Team
2nd Julie Payne with Pandora, 70.44% (GBR)
3rd Natasha Adkinson with Sweet Caledonia, 69.18% (GBR)

Grade II Freestyle
1st Georgia Wilson with Midnight, 74.37% (GBR) - Team
2nd Julie Payne with Pandora, 73.80% (GBR)
3rd Natasha Adkinson with Sweet Caledonia, 72.20% (GBR)

Grade III Team Test
1st Amanda Shirtcliffe with New Princess, 69.94% (GBR) - Team
2nd Amanda Shirtcliffe with Remi, 69.29% (GBR)
4th Erin Orford with LJT Diamond Crusador, 68.38% (GBR)

Grade III Individual Test
1st Amanda Shirtcliffe with New Princess, 70.06% (GBR) - Team
4th Erin Orford with LJT Diamond Crusador, 67.68% (GBR)
6th Amanda Shirtcliffe with Remi, 65.82% (GBR)

Grade III Freestyle
1st Amanda Shirtcliffe with New Princess, 74.07% (GBR)
3rd Erin Orford with LJT Diamond Crusador, 71.47% (GBR)

Grade IV Team Test
1st Izzy Palmer with Grand Bolero K, 69.13% (GBR) - Team
2nd Marcelle Ward with Dornroeschen, 69.05% (GBR)
3rd Laura Gulliver with Garuda K, 68.70% (GBR)
4th Heather Bennett with Zavailantika, 67.55% (GBR) - Team
6th Katie Radzik with C’est La Vie, 66.35% (GBR)
7th Julie Blanchard with Echo Supreme, 63.43% (GBR)\

Grade IV Individual Test
1st Marcelle Ward with Dornroeschen, 70.90% (GBR)
2nd Izzy Palmer with Grand Bolero K, 69.37% (GBR) - Team
3rd Laura Gulliver with Garuda K, 67.98% (GBR)
4th Heather Bennett with Zavailantika, 67.46% (GBR) - Team
6th Katie Radzik with C’est La Vie, 65.37% (GBR)

Grade IV Freestyle
1st Marcelle Ward with Dornroeschen, 74.88% (GBR)
2nd Izzy Palmer with Grand Bolero K, 71.16% (GBR)
3rd Laura Gulliver with Garuda K, 70.47% (GBR)

Grade V Team Test
1st Charlotte Cundall with LJT Simply Red, 75.00% (GBR)

Grade V Individual Test
1st Charlotte Cundall with LJT Simply Red, 69.07% (GBR)

Grade V Freestyle
1st Charlotte Cundall with LJT Simply Red, 75.33% (GBR)

Team standings
1st - Great Britain
Georgia Wilson with Midnight
Heather Bennett with Zavailantika
Izzy Palmer with Grand Bolero K
Amanda Shirtcliffe with New Princess

2nd - Ireland
Michael Murphy with Skjoldsgaard Hippo-VO
Angela Lyons with Woodcroft Santa Cruz
Tamsin Addison with Donna Siesta
Lucinda Blakiston with Happy Feet 3

3rd – Hong Kong
Natasha Pui Ting with Baxo
Timothy Tin Chi with Jockey Club Cethegus M
Fleur Schrader with Jockey Club Sarago Raphael

CPEDI2*
Grade I Novice
1st Gabriella Blake with Strong Beau, 68.25% (GBR)
2nd Caitlyn Saddington with Dremallo, 64.95% (GBR)

Grade I Team Test
1st Gabriella Blake with Strong Beau, 68.75% (GBR)
2nd Caitlyn Saddington with Dreamallo, 63.32% (GBR)

Grade I Freestyle
1st Gabriella Blake with Strong Beau, 71.25% (GBR)
2nd Caitlyn Saddington with Dreamallo, 66.17% (GBR)

Grade II Novice
1st Jemima Green with Blue Chip Forever, 72.35% (GBR)

Grade II Team Test
1st Jemima Green with Blue Chip Forever, 69.39% (GBR)

Grade II Freestyle
1st Jemima Green with Blue Chip Forever, 71.17% (GBR)

Grade III Novice
1st Sara Davies with Hundon Lodger, 68.36% (GBR)
2nd Emma Kent with Zandokan, 63.76% (GBR)
3rd Vicky Nurcombe with Rubieux, 61.92% (GBR)

Grade III Team Test
1st Sara Davies with Hundon Lodger, 65.26% (GBR)
2nd Vicky Nurcombe with Rubieux, 57.88% (GBR)
3rd Emma Kent with Zandokan, 51.94% (GBR)

Grade III Freestyle
1st Sara Davies with Hundon Lodger, 66.53% (GBR)

Grade IV Novice
1st Sara Bates with Tango, 67.28% (GBR)
2nd Fiona Maynard with Diesel, 66.97% (GBR)
3rd Keeley Squires with Stanbeck By Request, 62.28% (GBR)

Grade IV Team Test
1st Sara Bates with Tango, 64.10% (GBR)
2nd Fiona Maynard with Diesel, 63.58% (GBR)
3rd Keeley Squires with Stanbeck By Request, 60.83% (GBR)

Grade IV Freestyle
1st Fiona Maynard with Diesel, 68.65% (GBR)
2nd Sara Bates with Tango, 63.49% (GBR)
3rd Keeley Squires with Stanbeck By Request, 61.57% (GBR)

CPEDI1*
Grade I Novice
1st Jamie Winduss with Wonnacott, 68.70% (GBR)

Grade I Novice
1st Jamie Winduss with Wonnacott, 68.10% (GBR)

Grade I Freestyle
Jamie Winduss with Wonnacott, 70.03% (GBR)

Grade II Novice
1st Jane Ogden with Fairview Romeo, 65.04% (GBR)

Grade II Novice
1st Jane Ogden with Fairview Romeo, 64.17% (GBR)

Grade II Freestyle
1st Jane Ogden with Fairview Romeo, 59.23% (GBR)

Grade III Novice
1st Olivia Cornick with Ronaldo V, 67.68% (GBR)

Grade III Novice
1st Olivia Cornick with Ronaldo V, 68.48% (GBR)

Grade III Freestyle
1st Olivia Cornick with Ronaldo V, 66.37% (GBR)

Grade IV Novice
1st Sara Bates with Parsley, 66.59% (GBR)
2nd Alicia Griffiths with Aegrus Ophelia, 66.59% (GBR)
3rd Marcelle Ward with Ivanho, 62.00% (GBR)
4th Katie Radzik with IBA, 57.41% (GBR)

Grade IV Novice
1st Alicia Griffiths with Aegrus Ophelia, 66.24% (GBR)
2nd Sara Bates with Parsley, 65.28% (GBR)
3rd Marcelle Ward with Ivanho, 63.69% (GBR)
4th Katie Radzik with IBA, 62.76% (GBR)

Grade IV Freestyle
1st Sara Bates with Parsley, 67.35% (GBR)
2nd Katie Radzik with IBA, 62.84% (GBR)
3rd Marclle Ward with Ivanho, 61.85% (GBR)
4th Alicia Griffiths with Aegrus Ophelia, 57.90% (GBR)

Grade V Novice
1st Julie Frizzell with Namibian, 63.50% (GBR)

Grade V Novice
1st Julie Frizzell with Namibian, 63.28% (GBR)

Grade V Freestyle
1st Julie Frizzell with Namibian, 61.55% (GBR)

For full results click here
Photo © Kevin Sparrow

As you’ll already be aware, the Sport Operations Committee has been focusing on developing the Championship pathways available within British Dressage. Earlier this year, a Working Group was set up to review, evaluate and analyse our existing Championships in order to make a series of recommendations and proposals for changes to the current system, with effect from 2020 onwards.

The Working Party set out to achieve the following objectives:

- Simplification and evolution of the current Championship structure
- Improved member satisfaction, with increased opportunity
- Reduced administration and central resource
- Development, maintenance and growth of membership
- Increase in competitor participation and starter numbers

Summary of Key Findings

Using an evidence based approach which included analysis of results, a sample of starters, survey feedback and consultation, an imbalance in our current programme was identified, which has had an impact across our sport, on competitors, organisers and officials.

Most of our Championship finals fall in the third and fourth quarter of the year. This results in a congested programme, where members have a number of different Championship options at certain times of the year, but very limited opportunities available at other points in the calendar.

It was also recognised that the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships currently span over three rule books and an 18 month time period, which in itself is far from ideal from a planning perspective. Most importantly, this does not support progression through the levels and has often resulted in confusion amongst some members.

Due to the prolonged time period from Area Festival qualification through to the Championship finals, some horses have already progressed to higher levels – and in some cases have qualified at Regionals for the Winter Championships.

The findings from the recent membership survey supported the recommendations of the Championship Working Group, with 60% saying that they wanted to see the calendar more evenly spread over the course of the year and a third stating that there were too many different championship options available currently.

Since the new competition structure was introduced four years ago, members requested the opportunity to have two championships at Bronze, Silver and Gold. We piloted the Bronze and Summer Music Championships in 2018; however, these have not delivered the cohesive all-inclusive programme that we originally envisaged. In particular, the leader board qualification system caused confusion and was often counter-productive, as riders have stopped competing by mid-season once they fell outside the qualification places. So it actually acted as a disincentive to compete.

In addition, the message back from the Member Survey 2019 was clear: we need to simplify, streamline and consolidate the current competition structure where possible. Therefore our aim is to revitalise the Area Festival Championship Series by essentially mirroring the existing Regional Championship structure to provide consistency and continuity at all levels of the sport.

Exciting Changes Ahead

The first major step is to realign the seasons. The 2020 Members’ Handbook will be effective from 1 December 2019 and will end on 31 December 2020 (and therefore cover a 13 month period, as a one-off), with the aim of establishing two equal competition seasons for each half of the year. So from 2021 the Members’ Handbook will start on 1 January and the two seasons will run from 1 January – 30 June (summer) and then 1 July – 31 December (winter).

Based on the numbers competing, we have decided to stop running the Bronze, Summer Music and Small Tour as separate Championships. Revisions to the Area Festival structure, as outlined below, will mean that the vast majority of opportunities will be covered by the summer series – so members won’t lose any chances to qualify for a Championship.

Plus, all qualifications will now be on a points basis – rather than a mixture of points, percentages and leader boards, which members have often found confusing. Competitors will now just have to check what number of points are required for each level and Championship.

The move to two equal seasons will mean that riders in the Silver section will need to plan ahead, based on their Championship ambitions. It will be necessary to choose your competition pathways carefully, as there will be restrictions on competing in Area Festivals and Regionals in the same calendar year.

Petplan Equine Area Festival Series 2020 – a new era for grass roots competition

Having consulted with our sponsors Petplan Equine and venue organisers, who have been very supportive of our plans, we’re delighted to announce that we will be introducing a two season Area Festival Series from next year onwards; a new Championship in the summer months to complement the existing Area Festival Series in the winter. This includes a new addition, the Summer Area Festival Music Championship for Silver and Bronze sections.

The 2019 Petplan Area Festival Championships that is currently underway will take place at Hartpury as usual in April 2020. Qualification for the inaugural Petplan Equine Summer Area Festivals will start on 1 December to qualify for the Summer Championships, which will take place in September 2020 (at a venue to be confirmed). Qualification for the Winter Area Festivals then starts on 1 June, with the Winter Area Festival Championships once again at Hartpury in April 2021.

The new Petplan Equine Area Festival structure will feature:

• Two distinct seasons, providing equal qualification periods from 2021 onwards.
• A points based qualification system, in line with BD Regional Championships.
• Between 16 and 18 Summer Area Festivals, mapped to provide a geographical spread across the country, with the Championship taking place in September.
• Music classes included at the Summer Area Festivals Championships for Bronze and Silver sections, from Prelim to Inter I.
• Between eight and 10 Winter Area Festivals, again spread across the regions to provide a good geographical spread, with the Championship Finals at Hartpury, alongside the Winter Championships in April.

Due to limited demand and relatively small numbers of qualifying combinations, Inter II will no longer be part of the Area Festival Championship Series and we will look to incorporate this elsewhere within the competition structure. A separate Working Group has been set up to consider the championship options available at FEI levels for Small, Medium and Big Tour, with further proposals to follow.

The move to incorporate the music sections within the Summer Area Festivals mean that Gold Music sections will no longer feature as part of the summer series. Taking on board feedback we have received from members, it is important we re-affirm the status of the Area Festival Series as the grass roots championships for riders in the Bronze and Silver sections.

In addition, there will no longer be separate Under 21 classes. Instead, the top scoring U21 rider at each level will receive a rosette to recognise their achievements.

These proposals were discussed in detail and approved by the Sport Operations Committee and Board last month, so we wanted to let all members know more about these exciting plans at the earliest opportunity. Whether you’re a competitor, owner, organiser, official or supporter, we hope that you will welcome this evolution of our Championship programme, ahead of implementing the new-look structure later this year.

Full details on the relevant rule changes, including the qualification and eligibility criteria, will be announced at the end of August in time for inclusion in the 2020 Members’ Handbook.. For now, we've prepared a FAQ document to help with any questions. Initial expressions of interest have been received from organisers and a formal tendering process will take place over the coming weeks before allocating Area Festival fixtures to venues for the next three year cycle, beginning in 2020.

These initiatives are in direct response to feedback we have received from members and follow extensive data analysis. As this demonstrates, we’ve listened to you and taken your comments on board: 70% of you said that the competition structure is currently too complex, 51% wanted more straightforward rules and 60% wanted to see a more even spread of the calendar.

We hope that these new initiatives will go some way to addressing these points and that members will embrace this revised championship structure, heralding an exciting new era for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals – our longest running, most popular and successful competition series.

To see the email sent to paid members yesterday - click here

Bicton was beset by heavy rain and gale force winds but this didn’t put off competitors determined to secure their golden tickets for the LeMieux National Championships at the final Regional of the season.

The organisers put on a great show, despite the weather, with a lovely extra touch of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers for the winners, just like the big continental shows, courtesy of Halley Floral Design. 

International Grand Prix rider and former British team member at Junior, Young Rider andU25 levels, Becky Edwards, was on top form. She aced the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I with her homebred mare, Fantasia I (Roxy) winning with a personal best score of 71.54% (pictured).

Roxy was bred by Becky’s mum Leigh and is by Florencio out of Leigh’s Advanced mare, Baroness III (by Barloewe). The 10-year-old mare has been lightly competed and started her Small Tour campaign in November last year. “I’ve been doing a bit more competing to give her more experience and confidence in the arena and felt like it all came together in the test,” said Rebecca, who lives near Henley. “The Inter I seems to suit her better than the Prix St Georges (PSG). She got nines for her halt and rein back, extended and collected walks and eights for her trot work and lateral movements.”

Second in the Inter I and hoping for a wild card was Emily Harris and Fay Thomas’s Freya FST. They had better luck in the Fairfax PSG where they won the title on 70.75%. Emily has been riding the Fidertanz x Weltmeyer nine-year-old mare since she was three. The pair has had an exciting year, with placings internationally at Deauville and Le Mans. “This is her first year of campaigning at Small Tour and she suddenly feels she’s got her confidence,” commented Emily. “She’s a horse who likes to know what she’s doing. I know there’s more power in her but I’m letting her enjoy herself this year.”

Off-spring of Hawtins Stud foundation mare, World Finest, took two titles with Sam Rahmatallah winning the Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold on her own Hawtins Falerno (by Fuerst Romancier) and Lucinda Elliot on Judith Davis’s Hawtins Bellegra (by Belissimo) took the TopSpec Medium Gold title.

Sam has owned Hawtins Falerno (Doodle) since she persuaded Judith to sell him as a two-year-old. “I had set my heart on a Fuerst Romancier horse and went to see one of her four-year-olds but saw Doodle and loved him. It’s a great honour to have him and I try and do him justice,” said Sam who was also reserve champion in the Fairfax PSG with him. “This Advanced Medium isn’t my favourite test but we got eights for our serpentine. He felt up for it and had lots of power. I train every week with Mike Eilberg and we’re pushing onto Grand Prix work which makes him stronger. We’re hoping to do our first international at Keysoe later this year.”

Hawtins Bellegra (Foxy) is a lovely substantial chestnut mare that Lucinda has been riding for about 18 months. “She’s a great mare – bold, but sensible and not spooky,” commented Lucinda rides for Hawtins and trains with Serena Pincus. “She tried her hardest and it was a clean test. Her canter work is her highlight and she has amazing reach in her half passes. I’m working on getting more expression and power and being more accurate in the test.”

Jenny Martell travelled all the way from Amy Woodhead’s yard in Lincolnshire. She was rewarded with the Equine Construction advanced medium silver title with Jade Ivy–Guyton’s 11-year-old For Compliment gelding, Fiderstan. “This was only his fifth Advanced Medium test so he was put in at the deep end,” explained Jenny. “He wasn’t foot perfect but he coped really well. He’s really green so I wasn’t expecting to win at all.”

Jenny and Fiderstan are the current Theraplate UK Medium Silver winter champions and it will be Jenny’s first appearance at the LeMieux Nationals.

Cath Creemer’s accident prone ride, Floris (Wynton x 007), has been hard to keep on the road so she was absolutely thrilled with his victory in the TopSpec Medium Silver and winning her first regional sash. Floris is owned by Sandra Biddlecombe who imported him from Holland. “He didn’t make any mistakes – though I made a couple!” said Cath, who trains with David Pincus. “It will be the first time at the Nationals for him.”

Sadie Smith is no stranger to regional titles and added another sash to her collection in the Childeric Elementary gold with Imhotep, Carl Hester and Coral Ingham’s six-year-old Everdale x Vivaldi gelding. ‘Pete’ and Sadie were third at the Winters at Spillers Novice Freestyle Gold this year and this boy has a good chance of success at the Nationals if he can keep a lid on his exuberance. “In the Novice on the first day he was so naughty – he bucked in the canter,” said Sadie. “This is a horse that never runs out of energy, even though he lives out in the field. On the Saturday we got up early and did the arena walk and then I rode him and put him away. The only way he copes is if he’s a little bit tired. He was much more settled and relaxed in the Elementary test – I think Novice is too boring for him. He needs more to think about!”

“He’s an amazing horse for the future. I absolutely love him because he’s so powerful to ride.”

It’s probably safe to conjecture that Simon Lawrance will be the only Hunt Master dancing between the white boards at Stoneleigh. Simon, who evented to 5* level and continues to coach in the displine, is Joint Master and Field Master of the Heythrop Hunt but is now adding dressage to his list of talents.

His mount Sir Wilfred was bought with a dressage career in mind and has made a great start, heading for the pair’s first LeMieux National Championships at Elementary Silver, sponsored by Childeric.

Simon bought the Samba Hit III x Weltmeyer seven-year-old a year ago from his breeder, Dan Henson, and owns him with Mel Buckler. He started competing him in March and they have now won eight out of their ten classes. Wilfred was also second in the TopSpec Medium with a plus-70% score, so fingers crossed for a wild card.

“He was a bit starstruck at the atmosphere, particularly in the medium,” said Simon, who scored over 72% in the Elementary class. “He’s very nice and trainable and I’m lucky to have him. I’d love to have more dressage horses to ride.”

Lucy Amy and Jaliva (Mary) gave a super performance in the Dodson & Horell Novice Gold, which the judges obviously liked as the pair had the highest score of the show – 74.14%. They were almost four per cent ahead of the field.

Lucy bought Mary from Holland from a video as a two-year-old. Now five, she was only backed at Christmas and Lucy believes she is the best five-year-old she’s ever ridden. “She’s got loads of energy and, although she’s still a bit green, she has a good tempo and is nice in her frame,” commented Lucy. “I had a lesson the day before the show with Roland Tong which really helped.”

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver winners, Ellie Maguire and Frouke (by Junior STV) didn’t have the best preparation for Bicton as a recent move left them without an arena to practice in. “She’s now quite established at Novice so luckily she remembered everything. I had quite low expectations so was very excited to win,” recalled Ellie. “She’s a late starter, only being backed as a five-year-old, and she’s also had time off with ulcers. She’s very trainable and consistent.” After her test, Ellie discovered she had competed with only three shoes. Frouke spooked as she trotted around the outside of the arena and pulled off a shoe.

Jessica Colvin and her 11-year-old skewbald mare, Dreamer V, will be making their first appearance at the Lemieux National Championships this year in the BackinAction Prelim Silver championship.

After competing in the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships last year, Dreamer was diagnosed with kissing spine which required injections and a substantial rehabilitation programme. “I got back on in November and have spent the months getting her stronger and fitter,” said Jessica who works part-time as an estate agent. “This was the biggest competition we’ve been to since Hartpury and I wasn’t sure how she would deal with the wind and the rain. Once she got onto the centre line she was fine, she knew her job.”

Jessica has owned the pretty cob mare for four years and it is a great achievement to have got her past her problems so effectively.

British Dressage thanks the team at Bicton Arena as well as the National class sponsors for their generous support. Bicton was the last summer regional so congratulations and good luck to all competitors heading to the LeMieux National Championships at Stoneleigh Park.

Regional champions:

Backinaction Preliminary Silver
Jessica Colvin and Dreamer V 71.03

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Ellie Maguire and Frouke 71.91

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Lucy Amy with Jaliva 74.14

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver
Simon Lawrence and Sir Wilfred 72.4

Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Sadie Smith with Imhotep 72.03

TopSpec Medium Silver
Cath Creemer with Floris 71.3

TopSpec Medium Gold
Lucinda Elliot with Hawtins Bellegra 71.17

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Jennifer Martell with Fiderstan 67.89

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Sam Rahmatallah with Hawtins Falerno 71.1

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
Emily Harris with Freya FST 70.75

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Becky Edwards with Fantasia I 71.54.

British Dressage can now announce the wild cards for this year’s LeMieux National Dressage Championships. Congratulations to all the riders, owners and horses concerned.

PLEASE NOTE – The close of entries date for wild cards is Tuesday 20 August 2019.

NO late entries will be accepted

You must make your entry online via My Riding Life by visiting the Entries/Times/Results page on www.bdchampionships.com

Please contact the office immediately via email if you will not be attending the LeMieux Championships to enable your place to be passed down to the next eligible combination.

BackinAction Preliminary Silver
Stephanie Graves, Rockwell Blue, 72.41%
Samantha Crosdil, Venezia 1, 71.84%
Ursula Treadgold, Tyler II, 71.44%
Eliza Mackworth-Praed, Thacka Playboy, 71.38%
Katie Robotham, My Lady Myfanwy, 71.15%
Laura Barrow, Angel II, 70.98%
Chloe Arnold, Full House, 70.92%
Jennifer Colbourne, Alvescot Dakato, 70.57%
Melissa Percy, Giolita, 70.46%
Sally Crane, Florance, 70.23%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Jordan Kavanagh, Billy James, 70.62%
Louise Moses, Forever Endeavor, 70.12%
Kathy Staples, John Travolta 11, 70.12%
Bethan Young, Jackpots Forsetti, 70.06%
Louise Robson, Remi 11, 70.00%
Clare Bennett, Jozef S, 69.94%
Laura Hill, Jobarde-E, 69.81%
Natasha Baker, Keystone Dawn Chorus, 69.69% 168 coll

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Jennifer Johnston Harman, Jazzman MfS, 71.98%
Jayne Turney, Fred Astaire WD, 71.73%
Dan Greenwood, SJL Baks Zacco, 71.48%
Nikki Barker, Dan Icarus, 71.48%
Lotte Seal, Fenix, 71.23%
Sara Squires, Laetitius C, 70.93%
Claire Ballantyne, Dvorak, 70.86%
Antonia Brown, Impulz De B, 70.74%
Jennifer Harkness, Inouk, 70.62%
Dianne Breeze, Fittipaldi, 70.56%

Childéric Elementary Silver
Lyndsay Gammon, Glorestan Jazz, 71.20%
Claire Johnston, Sensation, 70.94%
Roberta Collyer, Fiasco II, 70.83%
Janine Jansen, Spitfire III, 70.57%
Danielle Brown, Wasara, 70.52%
Emma Murray, Wainthropp, 70.31%
Cath Creemer, Floris, 70.00%

Childéric Elementary Gold
Melissa Chapman, TCE Jubilant Al Sno, 71.98%
Nicky Heale, Furstinclaire, 71.35 %
Sara Squires, Billy Jean D, 70.99%
Melanie Phillips, Ruxton Shogun, 70.94%
Jayne Turney, Donna Frederica, 70.94%
Nick Lawson, Fandango V, 70.89%
Benjamin Franklin, De Angelis, 70.83%
Nikki Barker, History, 70.63% 173 coll

TopSpec Medium Silver
Simon Lawrance, Sir Wilfred, 70.99%
Hazel McCorriston, Blue Hors Zagato, 70.86%
Sissel Hansen, Le Rondine, 69.32%
Katie Owens, Saffira, 69.10%
Niki Compton, Roulette MKM, 68.87%
Linda Barnes, First Miss Sunrise A.S., 68.51%
Debra Fews, Fabizio, 68.38%
Patsy Bartram, Donisbroc, 68.33%
Ali Govani, San Salvador III, 68.20%

TopSpec Medium Gold
Nicky Heale, Furstinclaire, 70.77%
Jo Barry, Goofy La Perle, 70.18%
Laura Wollen, Ivan Carlos, 69.82%
Georgina Roden, Harley, 69.77%
Lucy Cartwright, Grandio, 69.73%
Eilidh Grant, Mount St John Doornroos II, 69.73%
Joshua Hill, Mallards Sirena, 69.19%
Darcas Lever, Flying Dream II, 68.92%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Taylor Denness, Amaro O, 69.52%
Jane Morris, Quinet Du Buisson Z, 69.47%
Rebecca Marsden, El Zorro, 69.39%
Antonia Brown, SJL Jackson, 69.39%
Charlotte Hollis, Suitably Gracious, 68.99%
Millie Gover, Kamil T, 68.86%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
None at present – to be advised

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
Premier Leagues
None at present – to be advised
Regionals
None at present – to be advised

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Premier League
None at present – to be advised
Regionals
None at present – to be advised

Cavalor Intermediate II Gold
None at present – to be advised

LeMieux Grand Prix Gold
All riders will be contacted individually early next week. If you qualified directly by winning a Premier League GP and DO NOT intend competing, can you please let the office know by emailing Charlene Bryant. 

Shearwater Young Horse Championships

4yr old
King Boy ridden by Dylan Deutrom 8.1
First Lady ridden by Semke Meiland 8.06
Keystone Drum Role ridden by Fred Hodges 8.04
Princess Florina ridden by Georgina Day 8.02

5yr old
Djoe Dimagio ridden by Katie Bailey 8.02
TCE Jubilant al Sno ridden by Melissa Chapman 8.0
Jenny Wren ridden by Ashley Jenkins 7.9
Active Scalini ridden by Charlie Hutton 7.86

6yr old
SP Bento ridden by Judy Harvey 7.98
Freeman ridden by Hannah Biggs 7.98
Woodlander St Louis Blues ridden by Carsten Sandrock 7.84
Hawtins Quattro ridden by Lucinda Elliot 7.84

All four British horses are safely through today’s Horse Inspection and looked a picture thanks to the stunning efforts of our grooms Alan, Lucy, Steph and Claire. Emma & Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle, Ann Cory, Lady Anne Evans and Carl Hester’s Hawtins Delicato, Gareth & Rebecca Hughes and Julia Hornig’s Classic Briolinca and Lottie Fry and Van Olst Horses’ Dark Legend all sailed through without issue.

One of the favourites, Bella Rose, the ride of Isabell Werth, showed she’s feeling well ahead of the competition with some unscheduled above the ground moves but was passed fit and well ahead helping Germany to defend their team gold won two years ago in Gothenburg.

The British riders then had chance to have a close inspection of the impressive main arena which also went smoothly with each horse running through a few Grand Prix essentials in between the showers.

The para horses have also arrived and are settled into their stables with the riders arriving late this afternoon. The news in is that Nicki Greenhill will now ride her second horse, King Edward I as her first ride, Betty Boo, hasn’t recovered adequately from being cast in her stable.

In the draw this evening, Britain came out of the hat in a favourable 14th out 15 teams with hosts the Netherlands last to go. The Germans are 12th with Sweden 13th making it a very competitive last few riders in each cycle.

Performance Manager Caroline Griffith named the team order as debutante Lottie Fry as our pathfinder with ‘Darkie’ at 11:40 CET/10:40 BST and then Gareth Hughes and Briolinca ending day two at 15:50 CET/14:50 BST.

Then on Tuesday 20 August it’s Carl Hester and ‘Del’ in action at 11:00 CET/10:00 BST before Charlotte Dujardin hopefully rides for a medal at 14:50 CET/13:50 BST with Freestyle.

The GP action will be on FEI TV by subscription but it’s worth checking the FEI You Tube Channel or FEI Dressage Facebook page too.

Follow us on social media for updates, scores and quotes from the riders.

Full start times and results – click here

Full British TV coverage:

BBC
Thursday 22 August
9am – Showjumping team competition day one (Red Button live coverage)

Friday 23 August
10am – Showjumping team competition day one (Red Button repeat)
2pm – Showjumping team competition day two (Red Button live coverage)

Saturday 24 August
2pm– Dressage Freestyle individual competition (Red Button live coverage)

Sunday 25 August
10am – Dressage Freestyle individual competition (Red Button repeat)
2pm – Showjumping individual competition (Red Button live coverage)

Monday 26 August
10am – Showjumping individual competition (Red Button repeat)
1pm – Highlights (BBC2)

Click here to access Red Button live coverage
*timings and discipline coverage may be subject to change

Horse & Country TV

Saturday 24 August – 8pm – Dressage Grand Prix team competition highlights
Tuesday 27 August – 8pm Dressage Grand Prix Special individual competition highlights
Wednesday 28 August – 8pm – Showjumping team competition highlights
Thursday 29 August – 8pm – Dressage Freestyle individual competition highlights
Friday 30 August 8pm – Showjumping individual competition highlights

It’s been fabulous day one at the Longines FEI European Championships in Rotterdam for Team GBR with two riders complete for most teams. Charlotte Fry rode for the first time under the Senior flag with Dark Legend while Gareth Hughes firmly laid a few demons to rest with Classic Briolinca and both gave the assembled British contingent of fans much to cheer about.

It was a meteoric start to Charlotte Fry’s senior Team GBR career riding the 11 year old Zucchero x Tango gelding Dark Legend whom she jointly owns with her employers, Van Olst Horses. There was a sharp intake of breath as ‘Darkie’ routed himself to the spot as he caught sight of the imposing Rotterdam Arena but it’s a normal trick for the cheeky chap and like a well-oiled machine, her support team leapt to action to coax him in. There was another anxious moment as groom Claire struggled to unclip the lead rein but once free, the pair set sail on their familiarisation lap around the arena and they looked at home.

After an inattentive first halt, he first passage/piaffe tour was super and the changes all secure, easily getting the 15 one time changes in. The canter zig zag was exceptionally tidy and accomplished and the final halt was also short but present to end a performance all concerned could be proud of. All seven members of the judging panel agreed on their performance with each awarding 74% with differing fractions afterwards but 74.31% was the final score which put them, and the team, into second after the first round of riders.

For someone so young, she appeared to thrive from the added pressure of going first for the team and while Darkie was nervous, she kept him fairly calm and impressed with her ability under the extreme conditions. Afterwards she said; “I’m really pleased – he was amazing. He was a little nervous going in – almost star struck – but he gave me all he had in there. He can be a nervy horse but we’ve been together such a long time and I know his so well. I quite enjoy the pressure and the hype! I don’t think it really sunk in until I arrived.”

Second last rider of the day was Gareth Hughes for Team GBR with his own, wife Rebecca and Julia Hornig’s Classic Briolinca (Trento B x Royal Dance). The duo has been in fine fettle this year with strong performances but today was the ideal opportunity to shine. And they did just that.

As the 13 year old trotted up the centre line, memories of Compiegne CDIO still fresh where she didn’t halt sprung to mind but today, there was no sign and four feet planted square and still. Moments later, that was followed by a second square halt and neat reign back which was rewarded with an aggregate 8.2 from the seven judges. The first extended trot diagonals were conservative but with good reason. She’d done two excellent halts and the piaffes was next, her nemisys...but no worries, they were duly executed, the first tentatively, the second looking very secure. As a violin rendition of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ echoed out of the tannoy, a really pleasing canter tour unfolded. Fifteen clean one time changes and two tight pirouettes, all scoring eight or more followed.

Confidence now high, Gareth let Briolinca fly on the final extended trot to further boost the marks. It looked good and he needed 75% plus to keep Britain’s hopes of silver strong. The final score was confirmed as 76.31% which was exactly what was needed and even better, a new personal best score for the duo. It’s also Gareth’s career best Grand Prix score – what a day to do it!

“Phew…it’s been such a long day! I had about four hours sleep last night with anxiety and then that horrible fall fast asleep just before your alarm. When you’re riding that late in the day it’s tough here. There’s nowhere to go and have some quiet time. The lorries are a long way away and when I’m nervous, I get tired so normally I’d go and watch a DVD or sleep but instead I’ve been watching the others. That gives you time worry about what could go wrong which isn’t good as you focus on the negative. But I didn’t let that happen today!

“Normally if I get the halt and walk, I don’t get the piaffe and vice versa but today, I got them all! She tried so hard and I couldn’t be happier. Everyone knows the issues we’ve had with the horse; I owe so much to my team. Ben [Benson] the farrier, Rob [Cnockaert] and Steph [Sharples] my groom have worked hard to get her here and myself, Rebecca and Julia [Hornig] are so grateful. Lottie did a great job to ride with nerves of steel.”

Sadly the team from Luxembourg are out of the competition as Nicolas Wagner was eliminated for blood in the mouth after his ride reared and must have nicked his mouth in the process. As they had a team of three, this rules them out. France’s Charlotte Chalvignac also fell foul of the judges when the judge at C, Isabel Judet, rang the bell for unlevel strides.

The Germans were in a dominant mood as expected and look untouchable for gold with an 80.23% already on the board from Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH but the battle for silver will make day two a nail biter!

Full results and start times for tomorrow – click here

Photos © Kevin Sparrow

Following their test, a routine post-test inspection by the FEI stewards revealed a small trace of blood on the flank of Mount St John Freestyle, the ride of Charlotte Dujardin. As is the FEI rules, any blood found during this inspection results in elimination.

Having consulted with our dressage team veterinarian, Andre Buthe, who also inspected the horse, we feel this decision is fair in respect that the welfare of our horses and riders is absolutely paramount. We will not be appealing their decision.

In the short journey from the inspection area to the stable, the rub site remained dry and clean.

Vikki Underwood, Chef de Mission for Great Britain, commented: “This is extremely difficult because in Britain we pride ourselves on our animal welfare. Charlotte is one of our most respected and talented athletes, who dearly loves her horses, but she would not hesitate to accept this decision. It takes a great deal of teamwork to get the horses and riders to a championship, and all the connections will be devastated, but the horse is fit and well and will contest many more championships. This obviously means the end of the European Championships for Charlotte and Freestyle, but she’ll be with us cheering on the remaining three combinations.”

Charlotte Dujardin commented: “I’m obviously absolutely devastated – nothing like this has ever happened to me before. The health and welfare of my horses is always my number one priority, but of course I accept the decision.”

Emma and Jill Blundell, owners of Mount St John Freestyle, commented: “We fully support Charlotte. Today’s was a great performance, but we accept the decision. We know how seriously Charlotte takes the welfare of our horse and we’re proud to have her ride for us.”

It’s been a rollercoaster day in Rotterdam at the FEI Longines Dressage European Championships. It was team medals day and the pressure was on not only for Euro medals but qualification spots for Tokyo.

The last 24 hours for Carl Hester have been emotional. Lottie Fry holds a very special place in his heart having ridden with her mum Laura on the 1992 Barcelona Olympic team and helped her throughout her career while Gareth Hughes is one of his best friends. He coached and watched them both perform above expectation yesterday but today, it was his turn to deliver the goods.
Few would expect someone with Carl’s experience, talent and gift to experience nerves, but he does. There’s always the pressure of expectation on his shoulders and his ride, Hawtins Delicato, who he owns with long term and loyal supporters Ann Cory and Lady Anne Evans, has not been the easiest of rides this year with a few niggly mistakes at competitions meaning a mistake free performance and top score have eluded them in the build-up.

As Hester’s test time neared, the heavens opened having been a fine but chilly morning and when he entered the arena and the crowd took time to settle in their seats, organise umbrellas and sort coats which didn’t help as Carl tried is best to reassure the 11 year old Diamond Hit British bred. The first halt was fairly square with ‘Del’ looking in relaxed mode. A couple of crows took residence in the ‘M’ corner of the arena, pecking about and totally unaware of the magnitude of what was going on around them, only flying off as Del rounded the corner to set sail in extended trot. It’s a moment when Carl will be grateful for his menagerie of birds at home as many horses would have spooked but it just made Del feel right at home, as if they were in the school back in Gloucestershire.

Carl and Del glided along in effortless half passes followed by a brief halt before the rein back and the sun then appeared from behind the crowd. Clean two and one time changes, sometimes an issue, were clean and earned over eight on average from the seven judges. Just the final tricky line which sometimes is a piaffe too far but not today, Del was obliging and then to a final jubilant halt. It looked like a good score was coming. 78.32% was the final percentage, a new personal best for the duo by just over 1% from their last championship outing at the World Equestrian Games.

“It’s a huge relief and I’m glad my plan for the year has worked out. I’ve kept him [Hawtins Delicato] at home most of the year to build his confidence and today, he went in and was brilliant. I always ride him on the careful side but today, I rode for everything. He has so much quality but quality means nothing where there are mistakes,” he told the mixed zone afterwards.
“If I only manage a mistake free test once a year, this is the time to do it! I’m still learning about him and in the warm up it was as if he rose out of ashes – he was wild! But once we were in the arena, I felt I could trust him. He’s still young experience wise and it’s all about letting go. I’m actually looking forward to the Special as that’s HIS test,” he concluded.

As the final riders then started for each team, thoughts not only turned to today’s medals but the all-important final qualification chance for the Tokyo Olympics next year. Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, France and Switzerland all vying for the three places on offer.

Then the drama of the day unfolded… The penultimate combination of the day were Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle, owned by Emma and Jill Blundell and the tension around the arena was at danger levels. Germany had already secured gold with a stellar performance from Isabell Werth and Bella Rose to score 85.65%. With Sweden’s final rider, Patrik Kittel giving them a team score of 229.92, Charlotte needed 75.24% to secure team silver.

A good entry was followed by a spectacular first trot extension to click click click click from the orchestra of photographers. The half passes were athletic and flowed across the arena with ease. There was a blip in one sweep of the zig zag which scored just 5.8 from the judges but as the end of the test neared, the nines were flowing for the final extended trot and passage/piaffe centre line. It was a performance which looked enough to give us silver and the final score of 81.91% confirmed it.

Edward Gal was the final rider with Glock’s Zonik for the home nation and the tension levels rose, if it were possible as the hunt was on for a bronze in a battle with Sweden. They posted 78.75% which was enough – it was a celebration of orange that their national hero had done it.

But after the initial elation of a job well done and a hard fought silver for the British came the news that Charlotte Had been eliminated during the FEI Steward check which happens post test for all competitors. A trace of blood had been found on the mare’s side. The rules stipulate that any blood is elimination and all the riders accept this – horse welfare is paramount.

This promoted the Netherlands to silver and Sweden up on to the podium in third with Germany the clear victors to retain their European title. This left Britain fourth, but only just. Our riders have performed amazingly and even with the devastating news of Charlotte’s elimination, we finished fourth and just 0.93% off a medal. Personal best performances from Carl and Gareth and a debut to be proud of from Lottie show the healthy state of dressage in Britain.

Quotes from the official Team GBR statement –

Vikki Underwood, Chef de Mission for Great Britain, commented: “This is extremely difficult because in Britain we pride ourselves on our animal welfare. Charlotte is one of our most respected and talented athletes, who dearly loves her horses, but she would not hesitate to accept this decision. It takes a great deal of teamwork to get the horses and riders to a championship, and all the connections will be devastated, but the horse is fit and well and will contest many more championships. This obviously means the end of the European Championships for Charlotte and Freestyle, but she’ll be with us cheering on the remaining three combinations.”

Charlotte Dujardin commented: “I’m obviously absolutely devastated – nothing like this has ever happened to me before. The health and welfare of my horses is always my number one priority, but of course I accept the decision.”

Emma and Jill Blundell, owners of Mount St John Freestyle, commented: “We fully support Charlotte. Today’s was a great performance, but we accept the decision. We know how seriously Charlotte takes the welfare of our horse and we’re proud to have her ride for us.”

The dressage combinations have a rest day tomorrow and are back in action on Thursday in the Grand Prix Special where Carl, Gareth and Lottie will be competing for individual honours.

The para horses were all passed fit and well in their inspection so the action gets underway tomorrow with Mari Duward-Akhurst and Sky O’Hara in action in the Grade I and Georgia Wilson riding Midnight in Grade II. Times weren’t available at the time of writing. The action will be free to air on the FEI You Tube Channel so you can cheer Mari and Georgia on.

Full results and times – click here

Photo – c Kevin Sparrow

Today was the first day for the paras to take to the arena, set in the woods in the shadow of the main Rotterdam Arena with their FEI European Championship Individual tests for Grades I, II and III. As well as individual medals at stake, the test acts as a qualifier for the championship finale, the Freestyle with the top eight riders qualifying in each grade. It was a historic day for Team GBR as two riders made their debut on a Championship team, and neither disappointed.

The Grade II contingent was first under the judging panel as the morning sun shone brightly. Georgia Wilson (23) was the first Brit in action with her own and her parent’s Midnight, a ten year old by Hilkens Black Delight. Georgia is under the charge of Sophie Wells and she’s really brought the duo along in the last 12 months, culminating in this first team call up.

Their test started brightly with some strong work – excellent immobility in the halt, good crossing in the leg yield, an accurate three loop serpentine all flowed with the exceptional regularity required for good marks in para dressage. The final halt was a good one and as Georgia turned back towards A to exit, that familiar smile beamed bright, she was pleased with the performance and as a final score of 73.47% was announced, it was justified.

That was enough to give her silver behind multi-Paralympian Pepo Puch from Austria with his new ride, Sailor’s Blue who scored 75.23% and in bronze was another ‘veteran’ para duo, Nicole den Dulk and Wallace NOP for the home side on 73.35% so quite the company to be in for the rider from Conwy.

After her test she told us; “It was completely nerve racking but I’m glad that first test is out of the way! I had a dilemma if to carry two whips or not but Sophie [Wells] told me to stick with the plan. She’s amazing and doesn’t spook really. When she’s listens, she loves to flick her toes!”

Georgia’s trainer Sophie Wells, also competing in Rotterdam in the Grade V with Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction added; “Once I’d let her go, I was nervous as I was out of control but I’m so pleased - it was pretty mistake free.”

Next up under the British flag was Buckinghamshire 25 year old Mari Duward-Akhurst riding Glensi Owen’s 20 year old Sky O’Hara (below). Proudly wearing her British team Flying Changes jacket for the first time, Mari, who trains with Rob Waine, started with great purpose and determination with some accurate riding being rewarded with sevens and more. The elegant, leggy duo impressed but as the test went on, ‘Sky’ became unsettled by a horse misbehaving out of the arena and let out several whinnies. Mari knows him so well and kept her cool…and his focus to finish well for 70.10% which at the end of the 17 starters left her seventh so securing a spot in Sunday’s Freestyle. 

It was a tough battle for gold in the Grade I with a tie on 75.036% but a countback of the collectives gave gold to Jens-Lasse Dokkan for Norway with new ride Aladdin over multi-medallist Italy’s Sara Morganti riding Royal Delight. Bronze is headed to Latvia for Rihard Snikus and his ride Kind of the Dance – a perfect name for a horse whose rider is a part time DJ!

Mari said after her ride; “It was quite good to have him so ‘up’ – I’m really happy! I was nervous before but not once I got on – we’re a team and once we went down the centerline together, it was all good. He’s chilled but always rises to the occasion. I’m hoping it’ll be a bit easier the next time but today I’m very pleased with most of my test.”

It’s the turn of Grades IV and V tomorrow in the shape of Nicky Greenhill and King Edward (GIV) at 10:46 and Sophie Wells and C Fatal Attraction (GV) at 13.59.Georgia will have to wait until tomorrow evening for her time on the podium as all five grades will be presented together.

The dressage trio are in Grand Prix Special action for individual medals and first up is Lottie Fry with her own and Van Olst Horses’ Dark Legend at 17.40, then it’s Carl Hester with Ann Cory, Lady Anne Evans and his own Hawtins Delicato at 19:20 while Gareth Hughes completes the British medal bid with Classic Briolinca who he co-owns with wife Rebecca and Julia Hornig, owner and proprietor of Classic Dressage at 20:00 – all times are BST.

A busy day for the fourth day with five riders in action – keep up to date with times and results on this link. The para tests are available on free to view FEI You Tube while the GP Special is on air on FEI TV which requires a subscription to watch.

Day two of the para Individual competition in Rotterdam produced as second silver for Team GBR and a place for all four riders in Sunday’s Freestyle finale. Under cloudless skies throughout the day, Grades IV and V battled it out for the medals, with Britain fielding a rider in each.

The Grade IV was up first and it was Nicki Greenhill’s debut and a place in history as Britain’s first visually impaired team member. Nicky hasn’t had the smoothest build up since her arrival on Dutch soil…travel issues for guide dog Sparky, a wasp sting, which she’s allergic to, resulting in a trip to the local hospital and husband Gary who’s a vital part of her riding as her guide and caller losing his voice! But this is a lady made of strong stuff and is the ace of coping with what’s thrown at her with great calmness and stoicism.

Riding Gary and her own King Edward I, Nicki was given a last minute confidence boost when her trainer Charlotte Dujardin arrived to help with the final preparations and as ‘Eddie’ was very on his toes, her advice was much welcome.

As Nicky was completing her pre-test trot around the arena, the audio device that calls ‘C’ to help her orientate failed so Angela Weiss had to quickly step in, further distraction for Nicky. Plus the young Eddie was getting more and more agitated, not the calm, placid ride Nicky was hoping for. But she did an excellent job under testing conditions. She has a system of three callers; one at ‘C’ who also moves to ‘B’ as mentioned, one who moves between ‘K’ and ‘F’ and then husband Gary at X. They all call the letters as she approaches and hits the markers for her to work out where to start and finish the movements – it a real case of trust.

There was a heart stopping moment when Eddie spooked at Ange at C as it was highly irregular for her to be there and then a slight miscommunication with Gary which gave a wobble in a cross diagonal movement. There was plenty of quality throughout and Nicky, who must have had her own nerves, gave her young charge a great, confidence giving ride to score 69.53% for fourth place and a spot to dance on Sunday.

The class was won by Sanne Voets for the Netherlands on a whopping 76.65%.

Nicky said afterwards; “It's been a challenging week and not getting less challenging yet. I had my sting on Tuesday, ended up in hospital and that wasn't ideal, then Gary lost his voice up until today so that was a bit worrying. I had a great day on Eddie yesterday so felt quite confident coming in but then he was really tricky in the warm up. He was really nervous, to be honest I’m very grateful to have got in and got round. I just felt I couldn't really let him go as I thought he would never stop. It was a bit of safe riding and just had to ride horse I had on day but he'll learn from it and come out more confident next time. The venue been challenging as it’s so huge, really hard for me to orientate, a million paths in the forest. The longer we’re here the more I’m getting used to it.”

It was then the turn of the team ‘veteran’…at the age of 29! Grade V is renowned for the rivalry between Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium in the form of Wells, Hosmar and George and today’s battle promised to be a good one.

Frank Hosmar set the early pace with 75.81% so Sophie knew what she had to achieve and looked in determined mood with Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction, or Jorge. A conservative extended trot to start was followed by some bright, energetic work with Jorge clearly buoyed by a good sized crowd, who had of course come to watch him in particular. Tight half pirouettes, excellent fluidity in the half passes and skilled simple changes flowed. The walk wasn’t the best it could be today with Jorge on a mission rather than taking his time. As they halted, the score was trending very near Frank’s – it was going to be a nail biter…scores between 74 and 76 fluttered up as the marks came in and it felt an eternity before the final score of 75.59% flashed up…it was just 0.21% short of gold.

Belgian Michele George finished in bronze with her new ride Best for 8 on 72.57%.

Sophie said afterwards; “He was a little tense today and really picked up when he spotted all the people watching. He’s never at his best on day one but there were no big mistakes. If I can get that sort of mark with the tension then when the quality comes we’ll be happy. Today was about dealing with the horse, not disturbing things…but that’s Jorge for you! As we’re in the Netherlands, I thought I’d give Frank [Hosmar] a little present to start with!”

When asked if there was more or less pressure after losing their unbeaten team record last year: “It happened and the world kept turning! There’s less but we know the Dutch will be strong and there’s a number of nations coming up. We have three inexperienced riders and we’ll just do the best we can, the results will look after themselves. Over the last two days, it’s great to see so many nations in the medals – so exciting! We’re here for the team medal, anything after that is a bonus.”

It was medal day so Sophie didn’t have long to wait for her silver and her protégé Georgia Wilson got her first taste of a Championship podium having won silver with Midnight in the Grade II.

On to the Team test tomorrow and it’s Grades I, II and III in action. Mari and Sky are on at 08:08 and then Georgia and Midnight at 15.32 (times BST). Full start lists and results – click here

Remember you can watch on the FEI You Tube Channel.
 

It was a battle royale in the first opportunity for individual dressage medals in the Grand Prix Special this evening at the Longines FEI European Championships. With the Germans on fire this week, few would take a bet against them making a clean sweep of the medals on offer.

First to go for the British was Lottie Fry riding Dark Legend, whom she co owns with her employers, Van Olst Horses and they were in determined mood. It was a beautiful evening in Rotterdam with the daylight beginning to fade in favour of the floodlights and the crowd were in boisterous mood, typically Dutch as they love their dressage.

Darkie was cheeky to start by not standing for more than a millisecond but Lottie is clever with him and moved on into the first extended where she maintained a good rhythm and continued in that vein throughout with some well ridden transitions in the numerous changes of pace within pace. They did manage to halt fully at the end – Lottie winning that battle on this occasion. 73.81% was the score which left her among the leaders at the time.

He was a bit more on his toes tonight than yesterday – he’s never ridden with noise in an arena like that and I’m really happy with the way he coped,” said Lottie. “Doing Aachen was great preparation though. His trot work felt really amazing but there’s nothing in the test that I wasn’t pleased with.”

She was asked how her first senior championship was going; “It’s exciting, it’s still not really sunk in that I’m here. I love the atmosphere and Darkie will learn to love it too!” she joked.

Carl Hester has felt under the weather since arriving in the Netherlands but an early night gave him just the boost needed to wake in determined mood to aim for a top ten finish and even a hunger for a medal.

As the daylight finally faded and the floodlights took hold, Carl entered after a break to a crowd still settling in their seats with Ann Cory, Lady Anne Evans and his own British bred Hawtins Delicato. Despite the ruckus, Del appeared settled and focused on his rider. Everything flowed beautifully as every trademark Hester test does and the marks piled in.

The piaffe looked secure with just a bit of hesitation in the transitions out in to passage but this will come with more strength, he is just 11 after all. He nailed the tricky canter strike off and then gave a clean line of two time changes for an average of 8.4 but sadly the ones weren’t clean…a missed change was spotted but didn’t put them out of their rhythm and they quickly recovered but the damage was done.. average of 4.1 which dragged down the score. This was rectified however with the ones on the centreline which earned 8.5. It looked promising – perhaps not a PB with the error in the ones – but not far off. The score was confirmed as 77.5% which looked like it would give him the top ten placing he hoped for.

Carl was very happy with a job well done. “He was totally rideable tonight. He halted, he piaffed…and I actually rode out of them as I had my instructions to do so. I really have to focus on the positives tonight and now keep up this moment to improve my ranking – I want to be back in the top ten. He now needs to get out there more so the judges have the confidence to give him the marks he deserves.”

Then it was Gareth Hughes as the final Brit with Classic Briolinca, owned by Julia Hornig, Rebecca Hughes and Gareth and the mare looked a picture as she glided around to the back drop of a rendition of U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’. Plenty of eights flowed for elegant and athletic work; the Special really suiting the Trento B 13 year old. As the test built, so did the marks with a great deal of passage, Briolinca’s party piece. He was approaching the then leaders score…just a loss of rhythm in the final extended trot was the only negative and as they came to a halt, the crowd knew it was close and 78.08% was confirmed. It was a new lifetime best score for Gareth!

A stunned Gareth (pictured top) said; “This just doesn’t happen…not to me… At home, you ride, you train, you question your ability. You then go up the steps of riding internationally, being on teams but to finish in the top ten at a Championship is something else. It’s so special to be doing this on this mare. She’s been with us since a three year old when my wife Rebecca spotted her and we’ve had our fair share of issues. It’s tough in there, we’re judged on every step and I’m not a big name but this has just been a dream. She tried her heart out in there, even though she had never been in an atmosphere like that before, under floodlights and with so much noise. This is the stuff dreams are made of, and I couldn’t believe that score.”

In the end, Isabell Werth claimed her 19th European gold medal of her career with Bella Rose on 86.53% while fellow country woman Dorothy Schneider finished second on 85.46% after leading for a great deal of the class with Showtime FRH. Denmark’s Catherine Dufour secured bronze with Atterupgaard’s Cassidy.

Full results – click here

It’s a rest day for the dressage riders before the Freestyle finale on Saturday and the top 15 go through from this evening, Gareth and Carl included.

Mari Durward-Akhurst got Equestrian Team GBR’s quest for gold underway bright and early on day five of the FEI European Championships yesterday in Rotterdam. Riding the evergreen 20 year old Sky O’Hara for Glensi Owen, Mari and trainer Rob Waine took the decision with the rest of the team to bring up a companion horse for the test to settle Sky’s nerves in the Team test. Sophie Wells’ ride C Fatal Attraction duly did the honours and it looked to have paid off.

The twists and turns of the Grade I team test were tackled with great determination with average marks of seven to seven point five flashing up on the arena side scoreboard. The only worrying moment came in the halt across the arena at X when there was a crash of bottles being emptied somewhere on site and Sky’s attention was momentarily taken elsewhere but Mari was straight back on the case to establish the consistency and flow they’d shown previously to end well. It looked like a 70%+ performance and the score was confirmed at 70.89% - a new PB by 0.32. It left them in sixth overall but an excellent start to the team tally.

“It was quite noisy in there but he was much better than the other day. We’ve never tried him with a companion horse before but it seems to have worked – we needed to try something to have him more relaxed. Something caught his attention in the halt but I got him back quickly. Sky has an amazing walk but it’s all about getting the in between – not too fast, not too slow. I don’t really like the team test much, it doesn’t suit me as I have to work quite hard on the circles with my disability. But it’s a good start for the team!” Mari told us afterwards.

So how as she found her first Championship? “It’s amazing to be here. There’s such an atmosphere and bumping in to riders like Carl [Hester] and Charlotte [Dujardin] is incredible,” she beamed.

Grade II rider Georgia Wilson from Conwy has been busy winning a new legion of fans with many impressed by her fabulous outlook and positive attitude. She and her parent’s British bred Midnight have come here well prepared by mentor Sophie Wells but it’s the way they’ve handled the pressure of a Championship debut which has caught the eye.

It was a long build up as they were the third last combination of the day. A good start brought the eights and nines rolling in from the judges and their halt at C was about as square and immobile as you could see but just one nine was awarded. A Georgia rode every step to keep the accuracy and rhythm and earn every mark possible for a final score of 74.75% - a new personal best score. More importantly, a great boost to the team total.

Afterward, Georgia told us; “I had to think hard on how to waste a morning so I watched Heartland on Netflix to keep myself busy. She was very good but I had to work to keep the trot I had outside in there. Sophie has had me do so many transitions, we’ve been working really hard on them and been videoing every step to improve. The preparation and hard work has worked as I was happy with the halts and free walk which Sophie has been nagging me on.”

And her take on her first Championship experience; “It’s very different to a normal international. You have to remember your accreditation and there’s lots of waiting but it’s been amazing but scary, it’s not really sunk it!”

On to day two of the Team competition and it looked like the gold was the Netherlands’s to lose but Great Britain, Denmark and Belgium were all guaranteed to give it their all.

Sophie Wells has been working hard to get Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction more comfortable with the arena in a bid to boost their score from the Individual test. He’s been on companion horse duty and hand walked to the arena from the stables a few times but would their plan pay off?

‘Jorge’ certainly looked spritely in the final warm up so as she was given the go ahead to enter the arena ahead of starting, she dropper her reins and let him walk calmly on a long rein in a bid to get him to relax. Judge at C rang her bell and Sophie picked Jorge up ready to start. Things were certainly calmer than the Individual test with lovely medium trot work, two super simple changes and she was able to ‘attack’ her extended canter unlike her previous test. As they halted for the final time, it looked to be a superior performance. But sometimes in dressage, it’s hard to predict and the score of 75.65% was on a par with Thursday despite a more relaxed, harmonious performance.

“That was a lot better than before. He was more relaxed and showed better quality…but I guess the judges didn’t quite agree as the score was much the same. He was quite unsettled in the 20 minute box, I’m not really sure why so I went back to my approach when he was a baby of walking around the arena on a long rein before the test which worked. I’d have liked a better score for the team; you get one chance to pull it out of the bag but I’m pleased with it all. I was aiming for a PB but judges in different positions have different opinions,” said Sophie.

It was enough for second once again behind Frank Hosmar for the home team on 75.86% which was a huge leap for the Netherlands towards gold.

The final rider for Team GBR was Grade IV visually impaired rider Nicky Greenhill riding King Edward I whom she owns with husband Gary. As previously reported, it’s been tough debut week for Nicky but ‘Ed’ has settled better and Nicky has been able to make progress on his relaxation. The Dutch team had been building well through the day and a stunning 77.15% from their anchor rider Sanne Voets all but secured gold – Nicky would need 76% plus to challenge and as this is only her and Ed’s fourth international, it was going to be a huge ask.

The warm up went much smoother than the other day but in the adjoining Rotterdam Arena, the Grand Prix Freestyle was building to fever-pitch and the music was as loud as the boisterous crowd. Nicky of course relies on the guidance of callers to navigate the arena and she could barely hear their calls which made things tricky. The judges seemed to have their fingers stuck on the six, six point five and seven button until the final halt which merited an eight from four of the five judges. The final score came up as 69.57%, a valiant effort in testing conditions and a new personal best by over two percent. It was to be the discard score such were the performances by the other trio but Nicky will be buoyed by a confidence bolstering ride ahead of tomorrow’s freestyle.

“It’s very hot and it was hard as that music of Carl’s was very, very loud, so I was struggling to hear my callers, but we got to the end! We turned the background music down, then his was turned up really loud. But he was a really good boy and much more confident than he was the other day, so I couldn’t ask him for any more than that. He has found it really difficult [here this week], he’s struggled in this environment as it is so much more electric than he is used to but it’s great to get him here and grow in confidence and he will learn from it.

“I’ve had quite a lot thrown at me this week but it has been great and just highlights the team work. The team around me have just been amazing and I’m so grateful to them as it is just so much work behind the scenes going on and it is fantastic to be part of that. The silver medal has put the icing on the cake. We didn’t come here with any expectations and three of us are newbies so that is amazing.”

So it was gold to the Netherlands with a total of 227.03 which is an extended margin of victory over the Brits in silver on 221.30, a comfortable near five percent ahead of Denmark in bronze on 216.49.

Team ‘veteran’ Sophie Wells summed up by saying; “Historically we’ve been so strong but the other nations have put money and time into developing the sport but have no fear, we’ll be hunting them down in Tokyo!”

It’s on to Freestyle tomorrow to bring this year’s FEI European Championships to a thrilling climax and all four riders will be in action.

Start times and results – click here.

The climax of the Longines FEI Dressage European Championships proved as hot as the August weather this afternoon in Rotterdam. Germany were expected to dominate with their three leading ladies but what would the medal order be?

Jessica von Bredow–Werndl firmly laid the challenge down with TSF Dalera BB with a grand freestyle display to post 89.10% but Isabell Werth and Bella Rose have just dominated this week. As their test went progressed it was looking tight and with the score shooting to over 90% and then down to the low 80s… As Isabell progressed to her final halt in one-handed passage with crowd in perfect hand clap rhythm it was clear this was going to be close…90.87% it was.

Dorothee Schneider riding Showtime was the remaining realistic threat and their test was truly impressive – powerful, artistic and with good harmony. The wait for the final score felt like ages…90….point 56% - just missing the gold to ensure Isabell defended her Euro crown.

The two British representatives had truly mixed fortunes… Carl Hester was first up with his own, Ann Cory and Lady Anne Evans’s Hawtins Delicato. ‘Del’ came into the atmospheric arena which was packed to the rafters and looked like he could breathe fire – definitely more electric than his two previous tests. Carl had chosen to use an older freestyle featuring ‘Cry Me a River’, music from The Last Mohicans and God save the King which was made famous by Uthopia.
It was technically difficult but on a good day, nothing that is beyond Del’s capability. But today, he wasn’t really playing ball and even the brilliance of Mr Hester couldn’t coax high scoring work from him. The final score was 70.73% which left them in an eventual 14th place.

“Today was another lesson learned with him. He’s been so good this week I gave him an easy day yesterday and he warmed up well but then he became crispy around the edge and he wasn’t as rideable as he’s been. Am I disappointed? Yes, of course but for me, it’s all about the Grand Prix and the Special,” Carl said.

As is his way, Carl was still philosophical; “It’s been a brilliant week for the team disregarding the fact we lost a medal. For Lottie and Gareth to come here and perform as they have is really exciting. We had an ‘easy’ silver and closer to gold than we expected. We have four great horses and four great riders ahead of next year and now we’ve just got to pull it together and get it right at the same time.”

Gareth Hughes followed immediately with his own, wife Rebecca and Julia Hornig’s Classic Briolinca and they were brimming with confidence after their stunning Grand Prix Special test. Riding to a new programme set to music from the hit TV historical time travel series Outlander, the duo looked hot with temperatures around 30 degrees and the electric environment (which
Gareth later described as being ‘like a cauldron’) but ready to perform. They didn’t quite hit the first halt and salute, brief really but then the magic began. Expressive half passes, superb piaffe work including pirouettes and a half pass zig zag, and oodles of great canter pirouettes wowed the audience. Despite the tough conditions it was a strong performance and earned 80.12% - a new PB by nearly four percent. Amazingly, this was just their fourth international Freestyle together.

Gareth explained; “There’s so much noise in there! It’s hot too and there’s lots of movement as people are fanning themselves. She got strong on me but I knew we could pick up points on her passage and pirouettes. I decided to go with a simpler routine before we came here and during the week I thought maybe I should have gone for something tougher but now I’m glad I stuck with it! It was tough in there – if horses can cope in there, they can cope anywhere! To score a PB in each of my tests has been amazing and as have all involved with the team this week.”

Their final place was tenth – if anyone had told Gareth he’d be the tenth best in Europe at the end of a long week, he wouldn’t have believed it. However the Warwickshire rider has ridden like the professional he is and produced results all knew he could.

So what’s next for him and the Trento B mare? “I probably won’t campaign her much over the winter indoors but I’ll speak with the Selectors to work on a plan for next year and then just hope they say ‘konnichiwa’ to a place on the team,” he said hopefully. Bring on Tokyo…

Thanks to the team behind the team from Team GBR who which is only possible through our vital funding form UK Sport, via the National Lottery and to our owners and grooms who support these combinations and enable the dressage public to enjoy their performances and make us proud.

For full results – click here

It was hot day in Rotterdam for the final action of the 2019 Longines FEI European Championships and the heat was as intense as the competition. First up for Team GBR was 23 year old Georgia Wilson from Conwy and she really upset the form book by claiming a debut European gold medal in the Grade II Freestyle Championship. A personal best 78.18% with Midnight, by Hilkens Black Delight, was enough to beat two time Paralympian Pepo Puch from Austria who was one of the first to congratulate her when her score was announced. Riding to music from Tarzan by David Newman, it was picture of pure joy and harmony from the duo on debut – in fact it’s their first international competition outside the UK! A clever floorplan devised after her mentor Sophie Wells had a dream while sleeping was perfect for the British bred mare, who Georgia owns with her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson.

“I was awake at 4am this morning so I’m quite glad I could actually ride today! My legs were more shaky than normal this morning so in a way I was just happy to get her round. I was a bit ahead of my music so had to think hard on how to use the arena. I was really pleased with my medium trot and free walk…and I think I got all my halts! It’s been an amazing week, Midnight has never even been abroad before and she’s coped so well and been really easy,” she said after the test.
“Secretly all week I’ve been dreaming about winning a watch but I didn’t dare tell anyone! I’m not sure if I’ll cry when I get on the podium, we’ll see.” Well, we can report that she kept her cool and the only tears of the day were those after the test, from everyone not just Georgia.

Trainer and mentor Sophie Wells added; “I honestly had a dream in the middle of the night about the floorplan and we put it together the next morning about a year ago. Sometimes you just come up with a floorplan that fits like a glove. It’s Jorge’s trot music [C Fatal Attraction] so if I was going to give it to anyone, it had to be Georgia. During the test, my heart was going mental – it’s so much harder watching. She’s amazing, she has such a great feel and mindset, she just gets on with it. I know this is just the beginning.”

Buckinghmashire’s Mari Durward-Akhurst (25) ended her championship debut with a hat-trick of personal best scores in each test with a 75.4% to finish just off the podium in fourth in the Grade I riding Glensi Owen’s Sky O’Hara in temperatures approaching 30 degrees. Riding to music from the Disney epic Beauty and the Beast, it was an inspiring performance, the only worrying moment came when Sky kicked out during the three loop serpentine with a bothersome fly but much of the walk work was of the highest calibre. A huge smile proved that Mari was pleased with her final performance of the Championships and an equally big grin from trainer and groom for the week Rob Waine showed he was proud of his pupils.

“Well it’s certainly good practice for Tokyo in there!” exclaimed Mari. “My score really reflect our performance and I think that’s the best the test has ever gone – I was spot on with my music. Sky kicked out in the serpentine movement at a fly but that was the only thing. He was back to the Sky I know today and certainly proved he doesn’t act his age [20]. This is actually the test which stresses me out the most as getting it spot on isn’t easy!”

When Mari was asked for her reflection on her Championship, she said; “It was incredible to get silver with the team. I’ve always dreamt of winning a medal and I can’t wait to get the chance to do it again; I know the Paralympics is a massive step up. The team have been so supportive of each other – Sky and I have loved every minute!”

Lincolnshire 29 year old Sophie Wells ended her 2019 Longines FEI European Championship campaign with third silver medal, the 32nd of her career, in the Grade V individual Freestyle competition riding Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction. Their score of 78.37% was only bettered by rival Frank Hosmar from the host nation, the Netherlands, on 79.90%. The test oozed quality…huge reach in the half pass, brave extended canter with strides as long as a horse two or three hands bigger than ‘Jorge’ actually is and light extended trot diagonals with great ground cover all set to beautiful, emotive music in a floorplan which must be near maximum difficutly.

“I’m really pleased with him but I’m not sure what more I could have done for the judges. I love this music which Tom [Hunt] did with me for the World Equestrian Games last year and today the simple changes were good; the extended canter, the half passes, all cool, there was no tension today. You’ve got to perform in there and everything has to come together and whatever the result, I know I’m taking the best horse home,” reflected Sophie.

“We came here feeling a team medal was going to be a challenge and gold was most definitely out of reach so the silver is amazing. People expect top performances out of me but Georgia was an unknown and I know that what we’ve seen this week isn’t her best week which makes it even more exciting,” she concluded.

Britain’s first ever visually impaired para team rider Nicky Greenhill from Surrey finished her debut week at the Longines FEI European Championship on a high with 71.33% in the Grade IV Freestyle riding her own and husband Gary’s King Edward I. It was the first competitive freestyle they’ve ridden together and finished just off the podium in fourth. Nicky has made a huge impression on the competition as all watch in amazement at her horsemanship – it’s al – and her guide dog Sparky has won a legion of fans!

“I’m really pleased. Having not done a freestyle with him I had no idea how it would go. The music I had done for him specially as he’s so big and powerful and it really suits him. I was really pleased with all the canter work; his stride is so massive in the extended you get to the other side before you know it! He was a proper star, and so was my husband Gary. He can sense when I’m getting a bit lost and he knows how to call to get me on track,” Nicky said afterward.

As the final competitor of the day, and the Championship, what are Nicky’s thoughts on the week? “Now it’s all done, it feels weird. It was such a long time coming and now we’re done. I’m happy with how I’ve coped as you never know. Ed has got better and better too and it’s been the making of him. The team behind the scenes is amazing and the other disciplines have been so supportive which I wasn’t expecting. And of course Sparky now has her own fan club!” she concluded.

So it was just a single rendition of God Save the Queen in the main Rotterdam arena this week for Georgia’s stunning performance today but we have four riders who will have learned a great deal about themselves, their horses and what being part of a Championship team means which is priceless. Today marks one year until the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics which is the perfect day for a gold medal performance, what will the next 365 days bring for these riders? But for now, Georgia’s just happy to spend time admiring her watch…and gold medal!

The 22nd annual National Dressage Championships return to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 12 – 15 September this year, supported once again by LeMieux, the leading brand of luxury horse wear and dressage essentials.

Advanced ticket sales close next Wednesday 4 September! Don't miss your chance to benefit from BD members' discounts and pre-booking benefits on all entry tickets! Call the ticket hotline from Monday to Saturday between 9am - 7pm on 07791 318721, download the postal application form or buy tickets online.

The competition

Renowned for being the platform to launch the careers of champions, the action in the LeMieux and Horse Health arenas will once again see the very best of British gather to do battle for the 25 titles on offer. From Prelim to Grand Prix, be inspired by the huge variety of riders and horses heading to Stoneleigh, no matter your level.

The weekend’s programme features the Shearwater Young Dressage Horse Championships and the ultimate competition, the LeMieux National Grand Prix Championship. Last year’s National Champion crown belonged to Lara Butler with Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad, join us this year to see who’ll be the rider to take home the highest accolade in the BD collection. There’s a stellar line up of National stars due to contest the title, including none other than Carl Hester with his Olympic partner Nip Tuck. Hear about Carl’s expectations for the week here.

Gareth Hughes heads weekend entertainment

Joining us for Saturday and Sunday’s popular Master Class fixture is Team GBR high-flyer Gareth Hughes. Gareth’s enjoying the season of dreams on board Grand Prix super-mare Classic Briolinca and his string of rising stars including KK Dominant and Sintano van hof Olympia, two horses with direct qualification tickets to the National Championships. Visit Stoneleigh for the weekend to enjoy a super two part Master Class where Gareth will share his top training tips for success.

Joining Gareth for the weekend performances are the English Vaulting Squad who visit Stoneleigh fresh from a successful trip to the FEI European Championships! Enjoy their dazzling display of talent and artistry on Saturday and Sunday amidst the LeMieux Grand Prix competition.

Plan your visit

Truly a spectator-friendly event, enjoy panoramic views from a range of vantage points around the show’s first class open plan layout. The open working-in is undoubtedly a highlight offering the unique opportunity to watch riders prepare for their test, whilst the covered grandstand seating at the C end of the competition arena is perfect for those who want to camp out for the day and enjoy every second of the show under protection from the elements. Covered grandstand seats are available from an additional £8 daily, find out more here.

Looking for a touch of luxury? The popular Andrews Bowen Nationals Pavilion provides the perfect setting for enjoying dressage in style. Relax, have a bite to eat and enjoy the action with friends in comfortable surroundings. We recommend booking sooner rather than later to guarantee your place, click here to buy your tickets online.

Why not make a horsey holiday of the week and stay with us for the duration? Choose from a four day or two day camping pass with caravans, horseboxes and tents welcome! The Nationals Camp Site is close to the stable area on site and is the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere and really feel part of the Championships.

General admission tickets start from £14 with BD Members’ benefiting from an advanced ticket sales discount. Don’t forget there are also a range of hospitality options on offer if you want to make your trip to the Nationals a day to remember.

Find out more about visiting the LeMieux National Championships here.

The Member Survey 2019 was a major initiative for the team at HQ this spring and thank you to all who took the time to complete the questionnaire. We received a total of 3,715 responses overall – that’s a 23% participation rate – which surpassed our expectations. A strong mix of riders, officials and owners, with a good cross section of members from Full to Club and Youth to Para, across the various different levels and sections, has given us a huge amount of data and feedback to digest.

We focused on two main areas; membership and competitions. A huge majority of 97% of members say that access to affiliated competitions is their primary motivator with 68% saying it’s extremely important. So this highlights why it’s absolutely vital that we get things right in this key area.

Access to competitions scored a satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5, which shows that members are largely happy with what’s currently on offer. But there’s no room for complacency and you gave us plenty of valuable feedback on areas that you feel could be improved, which we have fed into the strategic planning process, so rest assured that we have taken all of your comments on board.

In particular, there is still some concern that our rules, eligibility and qualification processes are difficult to understand, with 70% saying that the competition structure is too complex and 51% wanting more straightforward rules. So the clear message is to simplify, streamline and consolidate the existing system, so that our sport is easier to navigate, while still providing a good choice and range of competition opportunities for riders at all levels.

Measuring the development of your horse, progressing up the competition ladder, qualifying for championships, and having fun while competing were the prime motivations for all member groups, so we need to ensure the structure facilitates these priorities. Other headline results revealed that:

• 97% enjoy competing with us, with 83% indicating that they have good access to competitions within reach of where they live and 82% happy that there was a clear distinction between the grass roots and professionals.
• 84% agreed that qualifying was an achievable goal and 71% stated that the championship offer currently suits their needs
• However, 60% want to see the calendar more evenly spread over the course of the year, while 60% also think that there are currently too many different championship options.

While many of you felt that the competition structure and rules were too complex, 58% still said that eligibility and qualification was easy to understand. There is some disparity in the results, perhaps reflecting the polarised views among members, so this is something we clearly still need to address in order to ensure that the sport is seen as accessible to all.

Above all else, we’re a membership organisation so we wanted to gauge just how satisfied you are with us and the results are very encouraging:
• 81% of you say that we are a professional and successful organisation, with over 70% also agreeing that we are passionate about our sport and respectful to members.
• Overall, you gave us a satisfaction rating of 7.0 out of 10, with 43% awarding an 8 or more.
• Those who’ve had contact with the team at BDHQ rated us as 7.8 out of 10, with 62% going 8 or higher.
• The regional teams, staff and volunteers, also got a big thumbs up, with an average of 8.0 and 68% scoring between 8 and 10.

A massive 96% of respondents said they’re likely, highly likely or will definitely renew their membership, which is another big positive – and we are extremely grateful for your ongoing support.

We’ve put together an infographic of the survey findings which highlights some of the key findings and outlines some of the plans in the pipeline to address them - click on the graphic below to download.