Great Britain’s Team NAF Pony riders put up an admirable challenge to finish in fourth place at the FEI Pony European Championships in Strzegom, Poland (13 – 18 August 2019).

The team podium was tight, with the top three all within two percent of each other, but it was an exciting squad from Denmark who made history by winning the nation’s first ever team gold. The Danish four broke the German stronghold, which was last interrupted when Britain won team championship honours in 2015. The Dutch quartet all posted scores around the mid-70s to finish on the heels of the Danes, and Germany claimed Bronze.

Britain’s team campaign was robust. On Wednesday, team pathfinder Bonnie Bourne and her lovely gelding Fin C We (Famos x Eiger III) scored a super 69.40%, followed by 71.31% from Izzy Lickley and the charming white-faced Mister Snowman to put Great Britain into overnight Bronze. Thursday morning, Holly Kerslake and the stunning Danish bred Welsh section D stallion Valhalla’s Zorro delivered 70.02% to strengthen the campaign before Annabella Pidgley rode an exciting test with Cognac IX’s (FS Chambertin x Waldemar) to earn the top British score of 71.54%, confirming a great team effort of fourth place.

Denmark’s Alexander Yde Helgstrand (16), son of Andreas and Marianne Helgstrand, was impressive, winning the Individual Gold aboard Adriano B (De Angelo B x Flying Dream) on a score of 78.21%. Alexander’s compatriot Liva Addy Guldager Nielson and D’Artagnan 187 (FS Don’t Worry x Colano) took Silver with Germany’s Shona Benner and Der Kleine Sunnyboy We (Der Feine Lord x Valentino) in Bronze.

Annabella Pidgley rode with maturity to earn the highest accolades for Team NAF in the challenging Individual Test to finish best of the Brits in 14th with Cognac IX. Izzy Lickley presented an accomplished test with Mister Snowman (The Braes My Mobility x Llanarth Most Triton) for 71.40% and 15th, Bonnie Bourne and Fin C We a whisker behind on 69.89% (18th), followed by Holly Kerslake and Valhalla’s Zorro (Lord Matrafal x Fjordglimts Sir Johnson) on 69.64% for 20th place.

Helgstrand takes the hat-trick
There was much to look forward to in the British camp with three Team NAF riders qualifying for the Freestyle to Music final on Sunday. Helgstand and Adriano were once again supreme, earning 82.014% to add to his haul of Golds, and the podium remained the same as the Individual with a Helgstrand, Nielsen, Benner one-two-three. The scores were impressive but, still, the record for all three tests remain in the British hands of Phoebe Peters.

Izzy Lickley rode the test of her life to finish best of the Brits in the Freestyle, taking 10th place with 73.15%, whilst Annabella was 11th with 72.98% and Bonnie 17th on a score of 70.09%.

“Well what can I say,” said Izzy on Izzy Lickley Dressage after her return home to Kingswood Equestrian in Staffordshire. “Now we are finally home and Snowy is enjoying downtime in the field - it has been the most amazing two weeks. Snowman exceeded my expectations of him for this season and to finish with a top 10 placing at the Europeans is something of a dream. He hasn’t dropped below 70% this entire qualification season right up to the final class and he has so much more to give next year.”

Congratulations to all four of our riders for their results. Thanks go to NAF and LeMieux for their support of our Under 21s international teams, as well as Chef d’Equipe Caroline Bell and all those behind the scenes at the Championships who contributed to the riders’ success.



Clockwise from top left: Bonnie Bourne and Fin C We, Annabella Pidgley and Cognac IX, Holly Kerslake and Valhalla's Zorro, Izzy Lickley and Mister Snowman.


Results of the British riders

Team Test
1st Alexander Yde Helgstrand with Adriano B, 77.543% (DEN)
14th Annabella Pidgley with Cognac IX, 71.543% (GBR)
15th Isobel Lickley with Mister Snowman, 71.314% (GBR)
19th Holly Kerslake with Valhalla’s Zorro, 70.029% (GBR)
25th Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We, 69.400% (GBR)

Team Standings
1. Denmark – 226.829
Alexander Yde Helgstrand with Adriano B, 77.543%
Liva Addy Guldager Nielson with D’Artagnan 187, 76.029%
Nathalie Thomassen with Lykkehoejs Dream of Dornik, 73.257%
Thilde Rude Hare with Morgensterns Dakar, 72.857%

2. Netherlands – 225.771
Micky Schelstraete with Elin’s Nonciscador, 75.629%
Floor Van Der Kuijl with Champ of Daily, 75.171%
Robin Heiden with Colourfull Cannonball, 74.971%
Evi Van Rooij with King Stayerhof’s Jango, 74.257%

3. Germany – 224.915
Shona Benner with Der Kleine Sunnyboy We, 75.800%
Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel with Zinq Massimiliano FH, 74.829%
Antonia Busch-Kuffner with Daily Pleasure We, 74.286%
Rose Oatley with Daddy Moon, 67.071%

4. Great Britain – 212.886
Annabella Pidgley with Cognac IX, 71.543%
Isobel Lickley with Mister Snowman, 71.314%
Holly Kerslake with Valhalla’s Zorro, 70.029%
Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We, 69.400%

5. Sweden – 209.915
6. Switzerland – 206.944
7. Austria – 206.171
8. Spain – 206.000
9. Belgium – 204.599
10. Poland – 202.343
11. France 200.143
12. Russian Federation – 199.771
13. Czech Republic – 198.185
14. Hungary – 196.085

Individual Test
1st Alexander Yde Helgstrand with Adriano B, 78.216% (DEN)
14th Annabella Pidgley with Cognac IX, 71.432% (GBR)
15th Isobel Lickley with Mister Snowman, 71.405% (GBR)
18th Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We, 68.892% (GBR)
20th Holly Kerslake with Valhalla’s Zorro, 69.649% (GBR)

Freestyle
1st Alexander Yde Helgstrand with Adriano B, 82.140% (DEN)
10th Isobel Lickley with Mister Snowman, 73.155% (GBR)
11th Annabella Pidgley with Cognac IX, 72.985% (GBR)
17th Bonneville Bourne with Fin C We (70.095% (GBR)

For full results click here
Photo © Adam Fanthorpe

Now in its 18th year, the BD Sheepgate Under 25s Championships continues to attract the UK’s up and coming young riders, as was evidenced over six days of thrilling competition at Sheepgate Equestrian last week (19 – 24 August 2019).

Fifteen year old Betsy Smetham dominated the British Dressage Supporters Club-sponsored FEI Pony Championship. Aboard Amber V (by Orchard Limb-Lopper), her attractive Dutch bred palomino gelding she delivered two strong scores - 68.12% to win the Pony Team test and 70.16% for the Pony Individual, securing the overall FEI Pony Championship in the process. The Kent based pair also achieved second in the Digital Horse Open Freestyle Challenge, scoring 72.50%.

Betsy and Amber (pictured), who is known as Jack, have enjoyed a cracking year so far with promising results at Premier League shows and a top-five placing on their international debut at Hickstead CDIO last month.

“Jack and I have had the best time at Sheepgate U25’s Championships this year, I’m so so pleased that all our work is finally coming together! With a podium finish in every test, and coming away as FEI Pony Champions, I don’t think the week could have gone any better!”

Runaway winner of the Digital Horse Open Freestyle was Oxfordshire rider Maddy Frewin with Christine Kirk’s 12 year old British bred gelding Woodlander Rhythm n Blues, by Woodlander Rockstar. The pair’s captivating Bollywood-inspired freestyle, compiled by Julie Geraghty of Equivisions, was awarded with 76.83% earning them a huge plus-four percent lead. They also the dominated the FEI Junior divisions to take the overall Dengie FEI Junior Championship title.

“It’s been a great start the Sheepgate Under 25s Championships. R ’n’ B gets more expressive in his work, gaining higher marks. Four tests over two days with results ranging from 70.70% to 76.83%, becoming FEI Junior Champion and Open Freestyle Challenge Champion. Over the moon with how consistent his work is now becoming,” said Maddy on Maddy Frewin Dressage.

Taking the honours in the TopSpec FEI Young Rider Championship was Rebecca Baybutt, from Merseyside, with Michelle Swire’s 17 year old Medoc-sired gelding Hey Mambo. They posted two solid scores to take the overall title. Rebecca was part of the winning Northern Platinum team which took the Sheepgate Tack & Togs Medium and above title spearheaded by reigning Equi-Trek Elementary Silver title holders, Bethany Edginton and Frankel.

The FEI Children on Horses title was won by Sophia Marston with her British bred mare Solitaire II (San Amour x Hotline) on scores of 70.38% and 69.81%. Sophia and Solitaire, who train with Michael Eilberg, won the individual Novice and Children on Horses titles at the BD Youth Home International in July.

This unique and popular championships offers an amazing week of competition and friendship for riders and their families. British Dressage thanks Bruce Grant, Sarah Payne, Alex Jewell and the enthusiastic team at Sheepgate Equestrian, and the companies who supported through sponsorship and prizes

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to everyone who took part!

Monday
Class FEI 2a: British Dressage Supporters Club FEI Pony Championship – Team Test
1st Betsy Smetham with Amber V, 68.12%
2nd Mollie Witham with DZL Royal Sunrise, 67.44%
3rd Claudia Davis with Rubinia 37, 67.14%

Class FEI 3a: Dengie FEI Junior Championship – Team Test
1st Maddy Frewin with Woodlander Rhythm n Blues, 72.34%
2nd Emily Coller with Flabbergasted II, 66.49%
3rd Charlotte Neal with Walter’s Fable, 65.36%

Class FEI 4a: TopSpec FEI Young Rider Championship – Team Test
1st Rebecca Baybutt with Hey Mambo, 66.32%
2nd Alicia Lee with Bonita VI, 65.70%
3rd Shona Leckie with Adventure, 65.53%

Class 5a: FEI Children on Horses – Team Test
1st Sophia Marston with Solitaire II, 70.38%
2nd Annabel Coller with My Delilah, 68.27%
3rd Charlotte Hill with Bonhard Alexander, 60.77%

Class 3a: Tucker M & E Building Services Ltd Open Freestyle Challenge – Nov/Elem
1st Sophia Marston with Solitaire II, 74.04%
2nd Rose Foley with Cordici K, 73.46%
3rd Chloe Vell with Joep, 71.94%

Class 4a: Digital Horse Open Freestyle Challenge – Med/Adv Med
1st Maddy Frewin with Woodlander Rhythm n Blues, 72.35%
2nd Claudia Davis with Rubinia 37, 69.39%
3rd Betsy Smetham with Amber, 66.97%

Class 5: KBIS Insurance Services Ltd British Dressage U25s National Advanced Medium Championship
Harriette Williams with Creto
Shona Leckie with Adventure
Shona Lecie with Apart

Tuesday
Class FEI 6: Cheval Unique FEI PYO – PSG/Inter I/Inter II/U25 GP

Class FEI 2b: British Dressage Supporters Club FEI Pony Championship – Team or Individual
1st Betsy Smetham with Amber, 70.16%
2nd Mollie Witham with DZL Royal Sunrise, 68.94%
3rd Claudia Davis with Rubinia 37, 66.10%

Class FEI 3b: Dengie FEI Junior Championship – Team or Individual
1st Maddy Frewin with Woodlander Rhythm n Blues, 70.70%
2nd Charlotte Snape with Camelot III, 68.46%
3rd Matilda Haley with Go, 64.95%

Class FEI 4b: TopSpec Young Rider Championships – Team or Individual
1st Alicia Lee with Bonita VI, 68.29%
2nd Rebecca Baybutt with Hey Mambo, 67.89%
3rd Emily Bradshaw with Enjoy Amaris V, 67.50%

Class FEI 5b: Children on Horses Championships – Team or Individual
1st Sophia Marston with Solitaire, 69.81%
2nd Annabel Coller with My Delilah, 68.01%
3rd Charlotte Hill with Bonhard Alexander, 62.50%

Class 3b: Tucker M & E Building Services Ltd Open Freestyle Challenge – Nov/Elem
1st Chloe Peat with Cremmdalla Crem, 73.62%
2nd Rose Foley with Cordici K, 69.66%
3rd Chloe Vell with Joep, 68.39%

Class 4b: Digital Horse Open Freestyle Challenge – Med/Adv Med
1st Maddy Frewin with Woodlander Rhythm n Blues, 76.83%
2nd Betsy Smetham with Amber, 72.50%
3rd Charlotte Neal with Walter’s Fable, 72.33%

Wednesday
Class 10: Sue Carson Saddles Preliminary section A
1st Ellie Smith with Casper XV, 72.40%
2nd Emma O’Connor with Elwell Master Craftsman, 40.00%
3rd Anna Roberts with Landsbury Dizzy Rascal, 69.80%

Class 10: Sue Carson Saddles Preliminary section B
1st Maggie Howell with Hendricks, 68.80%
2nd Anna Bates with Gitina, 68.40% (69)
=3rd Megan Field with Gwithian Gallant, 68.40% (68)
=3rd Tallulah Murrell with Celestial Navigation, 68.40% (68)

Class 11: Sue Carson Saddles Novice
1st Emily Collings with Chiddock Hour Glass, 70.17%
2nd Sophia Marston with Solitaire II, 69.66%
3rd Emily Coller with Ashley, 68.62%

Thursday
Class 17: Catago British Dressage U25s National Preliminary Championship
1st Flora Hayes with Haybells Cinderella, 69.37%
2nd Rebecca Hutchinson with Shanbally Shadow, 69.20%
3rd Ruby Lewin with CNS Cob Marley, 69.14%

Class 19: Dodson & Horrell British Dressage U25s National Elementary Championship
1st Alexandra Bradbury with Santa Tropez HFD, 74.83%
2nd Matilda Haley with Go, 72.41%
3rd Abigail Taylor with Wind dance, 71.38%

Friday
Class 21a: Digital Horse Open Freestyle Challenge – Nov/Elem
1st Jack Wainwright with Hero, 75.83%
2nd Nalani King with Florence IV, 71.94%
3rd Sally Howell with Son of Orion, 70.00%

Class 22a: Tucker M & E Building Services Ltd Open Freestyle Challenge – Elem/Med
1st Ellie Roberts with Tyngwndwn Golden Boy, 73.27%
2nd Emily Sutherland with Grace X, 71.35%
3rd Erin George with Sir Chancealot, 68.08%

Class 23: Uvex British Dressage U25s National Novice Championship
1st Eliza Mackworth-Praed with Thacka Playboy, 71.45%
2nd Noah Brook with Gabana HFD, 70.97%
3rd Maddy Frewin with Tottola, 70.86%

Saturday
Class 21b: Digital Horse Open Freestyle Challenge – Nov/Elem
1st Phoebe Corner with Small-land Tapdance, 68.39%
2nd Jack Wainwright with Hero, 68.06%
3rd Logan Wilkieson with Burnockmill Brigadoon, 68.00%

Class 29: Freestyle to Music – Prelim
1st Logan Wilkieson with Burnockmill Brigadoon, 71.11%
2nd Katherine Kirby with Archie XIX, 67.78%
3rd Megan Davie with Jetstream, 67.78%

Class 30: Freestyle to Music – Nov
1st Tichy Sanders with Penrherber Chaconne, 71.94%
2nd Tabitha Leicester with Elegant, 69.72%
3rd Sally Howell with Son of Orion, 68.33%

Class 31: Woodhouses Freestyle to Music – Elem
1st Rose Foley with Cordici K, 73.27%
2nd Amy Charlton with Vanabyt van het Kleuterhof, 72.50%
3rd Ellie Roberts with Tyngwndwn Golden Boy, 71.54%

Class 32: Sheepgate Tack & Togs Children on Horses – Team/Individual Test
1st Eliza Ireson with Saoirse Serenade, 63.46%

Sheepgate Tack & Togs Team Results
Prelim
1st Scottish Kelpies
Rhona Forbes with Lownthwaite Savin
Reece Cunningham with Inside Out II
Niamh Murray with Colourville Zarina
Abigail Gray with Glyncoch Red Rascal

Novice
1st North West Swallows
Amy Charlton with Vanabyt van het Kleuterhof
Madelaine Hinchliff with Fiorendo
Freya Shaw with Estelle Royal Princess

Elementary
1st Central Cobras
India Keates-Robinson with Cubea N
Emily Collings with Chiddock Hour Glass
Amy Aufiero with Celeste V
Demi Howard-Cartwright with The Longhouse Rosadonna

Med/Adv Med/Adv/PSG
1st Northern Platinum
Bethany Edginton with Frankel
Joshua Mellor with Wallenstetin
Charlotte Snape with Camelot III
Rebecca Baybutt with Hey Mambo

For full results click here

The three days were packed with High Profile classes, the finals of Bury Farm’s own championships and regular BD classes – all on one of the hottest weekends of the year. Well done to all the competitors who kept their cool in the heat and a big thank you to all the judges and writers who sweated it out for hours in their judges’ huts and cars.

Maria Eilberg and Hermione Black’s Royal Concert (pictured) dominated the big tour High Profile classes with good wins in the Inter II and the Grand Prix. Maria took over the ride on the beautiful iron grey gelding at Advanced Medium and has produced him through to the highest level. Her Inter II score of 72.28% is one of the pair’s best at the level and Maria commented after her Grand Prix test that she is finding she is able to take more charge of the exuberant gelding and he is becoming more relaxed in the arena. “The more he works the better he is,” she said.

Steph Croxford and Mr Hyde are popular competitors and she was a close runner-up in the first Grand Prix and won the second on the final day. Mr Hyde was a bit distracted indoors by seeing his reflection in the glass in the arena at the end of the diagonal but much more chilled outside where he scored almost 70%.

Lisa Marriott had a good weekend with her super athletic ‘Rocket’, more properly known as Valucio, a 10-year-old gelding by Va-Vite. She later said on social media: “My little hero Rocket just won the Inter II with 68.8% in 30 degrees heat!!! Podium and bubbles what more could you ask for! I was already totally happy with him being fourth last night in the Grand Prix so today was the icing on the cake after a challenging week. It’s tough to make the step up from small tour on a young horse so I’m totally, totally proud of him.”

Nicola McGivern has returned to top level competition with the Coleridge-Smith’s Hotline gelding, WfD Hotstuff. She bred Hotstuff out of Marata, the mother of her Olympic ride, Active Walero, and sold him as a foal. The pair won Saturday’s Inter I. ‘I took the ride in December last year and have been working on getting him fit,” commented Nicola. “He’s very consistent. As a fairly new partnership, we still make little mistakes but he has learned to piaffe and passage and is showing great talent for collection. I think he’s going to be a successful Grand Prix horse.”

The Inter I on the first day was won by Sam Rahmatallah and the British-bred Furst Romancier gelding, Hawtins Falerno. On their debut at the level, Sam achieved her goal of getting the scores she needs to compete internationally. “We’re having an incredible year,” said Sam, who has qualified for the Nationals at Advanced Medium gold and Prix St Georges (PSG) and is a Bicton Summer Regionals champion. Sam bought ‘Doodle’ as a two-year-old so has had a long wait to see him realise his potential at the higher levels but his excellent progress is making it worthwhile.

Jayne Turney is another rider who is having an excellent year and the show was an excellent warm-up for the LeMieux National Championships. She and Shirley Rixon’s Penhaligon’s Jupiter were second in the PSG at Keysoe Summer Regionals and Hartpury Premier League and the winners of the Inter I at Wellington Premier League. They scored a super 72.72%, a personal best, in the PSG, despite the blistering heat. “He’s feeling more secure in the work now – I’ve just got to iron out a few rider mistakes!” said Jayne, who was also second on Charlotte Dujardin’s pony, Cruz III. “It was ‘Tom’s’ fourth PSG so he’s still a little bit green. I’m looking to do his first Inter I soon and that should help him with the PSG.”

The first day’s PSG was won by Rowan Bryson and Lazulith, a reformed character she has owned since he was five. She admits to having ‘real issues’ with the Laudabilis 12-year-old, but judging by his performances over the weekend, he has put his naughty ways behind him. The pair have qualified for both National Championships every year since 2015 and their next goal is an Inter II. This is Rowan’s first ride at this level so she has been upping her game by having schoolmaster lessons at Talland Equitation. “I struggled with the changes for three years – I couldn’t get one, but now his tempis are his party piece,” said Rowan.

Former pony team rider, Lara Kuropatwa and For Season (Fergus) aced their PSG class. The 18-year-old had an anxious wait for the results as they were fourth to go in a massive class of 32. The pair are in their first year of PSG and international young riders competition.

“He’s not done much for a nine-year old and he’s quite a quirky character,” said Lara who was pleased that all her tempi changes came off. She felt that practising full canter pirouettes at home has helped Fergus do better half pirouettes. Lara will be heading off to Bristol University in October to study History of Art but plans to travel home regularly to keep Fergus on his toes.

Nathalie Kayal brought three horses for match practice before the Nationals and went home with a win in the Inter I freestyle with DHI Cleverboy, a second place in the Inter II for DHI Homerun and the Advanced Medium Freestyle win with Graf Lincom CL.
“The timing of this show is perfect as there is time to correct anything before the Nationals,” said Nathalie.
“Today I had a breakthrough with Homerun. He has struggled with the piaffe in the Inter II but he got sevens for it today. It was a mental issue – he didn’t like the idea of trotting on the spot!

“I decided to ride Cleverboy with more power to see how much I could put in at the Nationals. I was very pleased with the trot work but in the canter it was too much in places! All in all it was a positive experience for the Nationals.”

Angus Corrie-Deane rocked the Bury Farm indoor arena to a Tinie Tempah compilation put together by Ros Kay for his aptly named ride, Tiny Tempur. They won the PSG freestyle. The 14-year-old Raikonen gelding was bred by Olympic rider, Fiona Bigwood. “He loves his music although it can divide the judges,” said Angus. “A highlight today was his extended canter which got good marks.”

Bury Farm also ran a championship for its regular competitors. The Prelim title went to Fred Hodges and Keystone Drum Roll, Novice title to Edward Johnson and Faberge Egg, Elementary to Imogen Byers and Hercules and Medium to Femke Meiland and Marvel.

The last championship of the day went to Samantha Thurman-Baker and Gerardo, beating her other ride, Seramai, into second place. It was a busy weekend for Samantha who competed sister Joanna’s rides. Joanne injured her back in a fall from a young horse but was keen to keep her horses match fit. To make sure her top ride, Highcliffe Apollo, stays on top form for the Nationals, she drafted in mum Diane to ride him in the Inter II and GP. To her credit, Diane, who hadn’t competed at that level for over 20 years had good placings in both.

The whole show ran very smoothly with Bury Farm’s well-oiled organising team staying cool in the sun despite the large classes and withdrawals because of the heat.

High ProfileResults

Prix St Georges
Rowan Bryson with Lazulith 68.64% (Friday)
Lara Kuropatwa with Fore Season 70.39 (Saturday)
Jayne Turney with Penhaligon’s Jupiter 72.71 (Sunday)

PSG freestyle
Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur 70.25

Inter I
Sam Rahmatallah with Hawtins Falerno 69.38 (Friday)
Nicola McGivern with WfD Hotstuff 68.9 (Saturday)

Inter I freestyle
Nathalie Kayal with DHI Cleverboy 71.37

Inter II
Maria Eilberg with Royal Concert 72.28 (Friday)
Lisa Marriott with Valucio 68.35. (Sunday)

Grand Prix
Maria Eilberg with Royal Concert 68.73 (Saturday)
Steph Croxford and Mr Hyde 69.1 (Sunday)

Full results are available from the Bury Farm website. 

Ahead of the British Dressage Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12 September at the Oak Tree, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire at approximately 6.30pm, we thought members might like to read the candidate statements provided by Linda Whetstone (sole candidate for Chair) and Judy Harvey (sole candidate for International Director) ahead of the vote for their election on the night.

Both candidates were nominated for the respective roles and no further submissions were received. Their applications were reviewed and subsequently accepted by the Nominations Committee so they will be put forward for ratification by the attending members at the AGM and any Proxy Votes on 12 September.
 

Linda Whetsone Sole candicate for Chair	Judy Harvey Sole candidate for International Driector
Click to download profile	Click to download profile

Final call

The election for the vacancy of Sport Operations Director, where four candidates are involved, closes on Friday 6 September at 5pm. Members will have received a final reminder email yesterday if they’ve not yet voted. If you’re having trouble with your link or haven’t received one please contact Mi-Voice - phone: 0845 241 4148 or email: support@mi-voice.com

Alternatively, you can download a form but these must be received by Mi-Voice by 5pm on Friday.

To download a ballot form - Word (.doc) or PDF (.pdf)

Riders travelled from far and wide for the second ever Summer Music Championships at Sheepgate Equestrian (26 – 28 August 2019) where the leading Lincolnshire venue staged three days of wall-to-wall Freestyles from Prelim to PSG in soaring August temperatures.

Laura Marshall from Southam in Warwickshire danced to a decisive victory in the Novice Silver with the aptly named British Hanoverian mare Cha Cha Herself (pictured). The pair earned a score of 72.31% for their freestyle to a compilation of music from the Harry Potter spin-off fantasy film series, Fantastic Beasts.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to bits,” was Laura’s response. “She [Cha Cha] was 100% on it…quite feisty in the warm up but completely on her A-game during the test. She felt amazing and it was only the third time we’ve ridden through that music.”

Laura and Cha Cha (nine) competed at their first regionals in February earning themselves a wild card for Baileys Novice Freestyle Silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships. The music, a composition by Music in Motion’s Kay Vittori, is dramatic and fits the mare well. “I love riding to it,” commented Laura.

Laura works for Jaguar Land Rover and Cha Cha, who was bred by Paul Friday, is her only horse. “I loved her from the start. She was petite and sharp, but very kind. We had a bit of a setback early on. After being backed in the autumn of her fifth year, she kicked herself badly in the field the following spring which meant an 18 month rehab. It wasn’t easy at the time but it makes me value every moment of riding even more.”

Marsha Webb at Classic Dressage is Laura’s trainer who she says “has been a revelation in our training.”

West Devon grandmother, Sally Pidsley, made the long journey east a profitable one by winning the Preliminary Silver Freestyle with her British bred 15 year old, Tranwheal Tineth Moon. Sally, who's 73 years young, won the 70cm class at the Horse & Hound Grass Roots Eventing Championships just two years ago with this mare, which goes to show that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to competitive riding.

List 2 judge and BDCC Level 3 trainer, Sarah Williams, was the runaway winner of the competitive Medium Gold Freestyle with her talented gelding, San Remo Hitt. The pair achieved a superb 78.61% ahead of Sara-Jane Lanning with Dreamcatcher III and Nicholas Lawson with Fandango V in second and third respectively, both on 75.17%.

Sarah and 11 year old San Remo Hitt (San Remo x Sunset Boulevard) presented a fluent, well executed test to a fitting soundtrack of commanding music. “I am absolutely beyond over the moon,” says Sarah.

British Dressage thanks the team at Sheepgate for delivering 18 classes over three days of competition and all the judges, stewards, writers and volunteers who all helped to make it happen. Congratulations to the winning riders and all those who took part.

This was the final running of the Summer Music Championships before the event’s incorporation into the Petplan Equine Area Festival series from 2020 and beyond. Read more here.


2019 Summer Music Freestyle Champions:

Preliminary Bronze
Ann Hiles with Bojangles III, 69.54%

Preliminary Silver
Sally Pidsley with Tranwheal Tineth Moon, 68.33%

Preliminary Gold
Jane Lavington with Broadriver Madison, 72.22%

Novice Bronze
Rachel Punch with Annie V, 68.61%

Novice Silver
Laura Marshall with Cha Cha Herself, 72.31%

Novice Gold
Jessica Parr with Gabber D, 73.70%

Elementary Bronze
Patricia Smith with Helios, 68.46%

Elementary Silver
Lesley Wheatley with Fürst Lazio, 70.83%

Elementary Gold
Tyler Bradshaw with Igor VIII, 72.12%

Medium Bronze
Trixi Gingell with Contudo, 72.83%

Medium Silver
Florence Human with Fulgencio, 72.39%

Medium Gold
Sarah Williams with San Remo Hitt, 78.61%

Advanced Medium Bronze
Lucie Dunkeld and Barchetta, 71.17%

Advanced Medium Silver
Katharine Lewis with Albertho B, 75.94%

Advanced Medium Gold
Laura Wollen with Woodcroft Francisco, 72.89%

Prix St Georges Bronze
Tyler Bradshaw with Gijsbert, 70.21%

Prix St Georges Silver
Cazzy Derby with Frenderups De Nice, 68.13%

Prix St Georges Gold
Mark Walters with IceBlue Valentino, 72.38%

For full results click here

The Equissage Pulse Para Bronze and Silver Summer Championships and the British Dressage RDA Intellectual Disability Championships attracted a host of up-and-coming riders to Solihull Riding Club last weekend (31 August – 1 September).

Dorset rider Jemima Green enjoyed a show to remember with a decisive win in the Equissage Pulse Grade II Silver Championship aboard her KWPN gelding Blue Chip Forever (by Johnson). The months-old combination (pictured) posted a score of 72.71% to take the crown in convincing style.

Before taking up para dressage, Jemima (30) was head girl and second rider for a top event rider, as well as eventing her own horses, but that changed in 2015 when she sustained life-altering injuries in a serious car accident. She suffered a spinal cord injury leaving her paralysed from the waist down as well as severe abdominal damage, yet with an extensive rehab programme, Jemima is making great strides in her new sport. In their short time together, she and ‘Jools’, as Blue Chip Forever is known, have been bringing home lots of scores in the 70s and numerous wins.

Jemima took to Facebook to say, “[I] Had such a brilliant time at Solihull Riding Club for the Silver Championships. Blue Chip Forever was a star and scored +72% in the test giving us the win. It was so lovely to have Claire [Blaskey], Jools’ previous owner come and support us too.”

Former General Practitioner, Ursula Treadgold, and her 16 year old British bred gelding Tyler II were the resounding winners of the Grade V Bronze Championships on a score of 71.66%. Ursula, who was forced to retire two-and-a-half years ago after being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which leads to hypermobility, and a cerebellar stroke which affects her balance and coordination, has enjoyed a cracking summer competing in Para, Quest and regular BD competitions. The pair had a great round at the Sparsholt Summer Regionals in July to earn themselves a wild card for the BackinAction Preliminary Silver at the LeMieux National Championships next week.

The biggest accolade in the Bronze divisions went to Sharon Kelsall, from Ashford in Kent, with her Dutch bred gelding Valentino XVIII (River Man x Ulft). This fledgling partnership, with just five months’ competition experience under their belts, achieved an impressive 77.63% in the Grade III. Sharon, who is from Cornilo RDA Group, won a senior title at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury in July and has clearly formed a promising partnership with Valentino who previously competed at Junior FEI and national Small Tour level with young rider Merlyn Latimer Smith.

The Eastern region was well-represented with a win in the Grade IV Bronze for Georgina Maton and Desperaux, a Grade I Bronze title for Sophie Lingfield and Trust April, and the region’s Para Rep Joanne Dagley-Cleworth becoming Grade V Silver Champion.

Running alongside the Equissage Pulse Championships was the second ever running of the Intellectual Disability (ID) Championships which is held in conjunction with the Riding for the Disabled Association. A total of 29 riders came forward under the watchful eyes of para judges Sandra Smith and Sandra Edwards.

The RDA walk test got proceedings underway on Saturday. The first rider down the centre line, Jonathan Rigby riding Charlie, held an early lead with his 70.97%, to be later overtaken by Jess Chapman and Keano from Penni Wells RDA in Elstree. A whopping 73.05% was the score for the Hertfordshire combination of Jess and ‘Oreo’ who claimed the win ahead of runners-up Jodie Williamson and Drunkeen Boy.

The nine-strong walk and trot test was a competitive affair with an incredible five riders breaking the 70% barrier, however it was Danielle Morgan and the gorgeous dun gelding, Goldy, who had the winning edge with a score of 71.12%. Danielle has had a summer to remember, including a successful trip to Hartpury for the RDA Championships in July.

The final test of the day was the RDA walk, trot and canter test which drew a highly competitive field. Penni Wells RDA rider Georgina Maton (29) and her 11 year old Desperados son, Despereaux, scored an immense 74.21% to take the win, before adding to their tally with an Equissage Pulse Grade IV Bronze victory on Sunday.

British Dressage thanks the team at Solihull for running an excellent weekend of competition as well as Equissage Pulse for their generous support. Congratulations to all the championship winners and to everyone who took part.

Full results

Bronze Championships
Grade V
1. Ursula Treadgold and Tyler II, 71.66%
2. Chloe Chadwick and Innocent Flight, 67.61%
3. Caroline Hemitage and Geramiek, 62.73%

Grade IV
1. Georgina Maton and Desperaux, 67.37%
2. Linsey McLaren and Rockefeller, 66.12%

Grade III
1. Sharon Kelsall and Valentino XVIII, 77.63%
2. Thomas Dyer and Henry XVII, 73.19%
3. Veronica Bower and Game Over, 65.27%

Grade II
1. Jane Ogden and Fairview Romeo, 67.64%
2. Jacqueline Walker and Jack Daniels VI, 67.50%
3. Victoria Smith and Louis VII, 62.50%

Grade I
1. Sophie Lingfield and Trust April, 67.81%
2. Katherine Mannion and Ballingowan Lilly, 59.84%

Silver Championships
Grade V
1. Joanne Dagley-Cleworth and Michael Angelo, 66.32%
2. Karen Hale and Santa Sheva, 57.57%

Grade IV
1. Sara Bates with Tango VII, 67.24%
2. Deborah Hounsome and Bolencello, 66.56%
3. Alicia Griffiths and Aegrus Ophelia, 66.12%

Grade III
1. Sharon Kelsall and Valentino XVIII, 68.40%
2. Veronica Bower and Game Over, 66.50%
3. Thomas Dyer and Henry XVII, 66.10%

Grade II
1. Jemima Green and Blue Chip Forever, 72.71%
2. Jessica Phillips and Criminal Girl, 67.06%
3. Victoria Smith and Louis VII, 63.84%

Grade I
1. Gabriella Blake with Strong Beau, 68.00%
2. Jason Marques and Bobby VII, 66.37%
3. Alice Lundy and Ricardo’s Lucky Charm, 59.50%

ID Championships
RDA walk test
1. Jess Chapman and Keano, 73.05%
2. Jodie Williamson and Drunkeen Boy, 72.22%
3. Jonathan Rigby and Charlie. 70.97%

RDA walk and trot
1. Danielle Morgan and Goldy, 71.12%
2. Alfie Armstrong and Ruby, 70.62%
3. Ben Willdigg and Lady Beth of Dargavel, 70.37%

RDA walk, trot and canter
1. Georgina Malton and Despereaux, 74.21%
2. Jonathan Kemp and Zaldaltus, 71.71%
3. Annie Wordley and Brackenbank Flash Harry, 71.18%

The numbers qualifying from Petplan Equine Area Festival Finals to the Championship next April have been released. Please note the following:

1) The number qualifying from each Area Festival Final class will depend on the number of starters in that particular class, according to the conversion charts. The number of qualifications per level varies according to the total number of horses qualified for the Area Festival Finals and the number of spaces available at the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships.

2) Combinations scoring below 63% will not be eligible for qualification for the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championship as stated in the British Dressage Rule Book, UNLESS IT IS BY A WILD CARD

3) A ‘starter’ is a horse that actually enters the competition arena and goes down the centre line, even if it withdraws before finishing.

4) The number of starters will not be known until the class is finished after which the organiser will calculate how many have qualified and mark them on the scoreboard. The number of direct qualifications will be announced at the prize giving. Everyone who has qualified MUST collect a qualification certificate from the secretary before leaving the showground.

5) Official entry packs will be emailed / posted to the RIDER directly from the BD Office in plenty of time for entries to be made to the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championship in April 2020.

6) The names of the combinations awarded wild cards will be put on the BD website in the New year. These spaces will be filled by the highest scoring unqualified combinations from all the Area Festival Finals.

Numbers to qualify

Scores must be 63% and above to qualify to the Championships

PRELIM BRONZE: 1 in 8 qualify
1 - 8 = 1 qualifies
9 - 16 = 2 qualify
17 -24 = 3 qualify
25 - 32 = 4 qualify
33 – 40 = 5 qualify

PRELIM SILVER: 1 in 8 qualify
1 - 8 = 1 qualifies
9 - 16 = 2 qualify
17 -24 = 3 qualify
25 - 32 = 4 qualify
33 – 40 = 5 qualify

PRELIM UNDER 21: 1 in 8 qualify
1 - 8 = 1 qualifies
9 - 16 = 2 qualify
17 -24 = 3 qualify
25 - 32 = 4 qualify
33 – 40 = 5 qualify

NOVICE BRONZE: 1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

NOVICE SILVER: 1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

NOVICE UNDER 21: 1 in 8 qualify
1 - 8 = 1 qualifies
9 - 16 = 2 qualify
17 -24 = 3 qualify
25 - 32 = 4 qualify
33 – 40 = 5 qualify

ELEMENTARY BRONZE:1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

ELEMENTARY SILVER: 1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

ELEMENTARY UNDER 21: 1 in 5 qualify
1 – 5 = 1 qualifies
6 – 10 = 2 qualify
11 – 15 = 3 qualify
16 – 20 = 4 qualify

MEDIUM BRONZE: 1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

MEDIUM SILVER:1 in 8 qualify
1 – 8 = 1 qualifies
9– 16 = 2 qualify
17 – 24 = 3 qualify
25 – 32 = 4 qualify

MEDIUM UNDER 21:1 in 8 qualify
1 – 8 = 1 qualifies
9– 16 = 2 qualify
17 – 24 = 3 qualify
25 – 32 = 4 qualify

ADVANCED MEDIUM BRONZE: 1 in 8 qualify
1 – 8 = 1 qualifies
9– 16 = 2 qualify
17 – 24 = 3 qualify
25 – 32 = 4 qualify

ADVANCED MEDIUM SILVER:1 in 5 qualify
1 – 5 = 1 qualifies
6 – 10 = 2 qualify
11 – 15 = 3 qualify
16 – 20 = 4 qualify

PRIX ST GEORGES BRONZE: 1 in 8 qualify
1 – 8 = 1 qualifies
9– 16 = 2 qualify
17 – 24 = 3 qualify
25 – 32 = 4 qualify

PRIX ST GEORGES SILVER: 1 in 10 qualify
1 – 10 = 1 qualifies
11 – 20 = 2 qualify
21 – 30 = 3 qualify
31 – 40 = 4 qualify

INTERMEDIATE I BRONZE: 1 in 8 qualify
1 – 8 = 1 qualifies
9– 16 = 2 qualify
17 – 24 = 3 qualify
25 – 32 = 4 qualify

INTERMEDIATE I SILVER: 1 in 5 qualify
1 – 5 = 1 qualifies
6– 10 = 2 qualify
11 – 15 = 3 qualify
16 – 20 = 4 qualify

INTERMEDIATE II SILVER: 1 in 2 qualify
1-2 = 1 qualifies
3-4 = 2 qualify
5-6 = 3 qualify
4-8 = 4 qualify

The following riders have been selected to represent Great Britain this week at Waregem CDI3*/CDIU25/CDIYJP in Belgium (12 – 15 September 2019).

CDI3* - Small Tour
Tor Fenwick from Hook, Hampshire with Shaun Measures’ Renoir (OLD) (bay gelding, 10ys, s. Rimskij Korsakov, OLDBG).
Emily Harris from Gillingham, Dorset with Fay Thomas’s Freya FST (chestnut mare, 9ys, s. Fidertanz, BHHS).

CDIU25
Lewis Carrier from Downham Market, Norfolk with his own Diego V (dark bay gelding, 11yrs, s. Spielberg, KWPN).
Isabelle Chaplin from Sevenoaks, Kent with Coral Ingham’s Vincente (dark bay stallion, 17yrs, s. Gribaldi, KWPN) - pictured.

CDIY
Angus Corrie-Deane from Salisbury, Wiltshire with his own Tiny Tempur (bay gelding, 14yrs, s. Raikano, ds. Leonardo 2, RHEIN).
Jasmine Harding-Heitzmann from Ascot, Berkshire with her own Deco (dark bay gelding, 11yrs, s. Valeron, KWPN).

CDIJ
Jessie Kirby from Wallingford, Oxfordshire with her own Belle Amie (black mare, 13yrs, s. Ronaldo, KWPN).
Gemma Owen from Mold, Flintshire with her own Sirius Black (black gelding, 14yrs, s. Stedinger ds. Rotspon, HANN).

CDIP
Olivia Langley from Hinckley, Leicestershire with Bathleyhills Sea Wurzel (grey gelding, 12yrs, s. Caesar 171, ds, Gigman Jacana, SPSS).

Event website
Photo © Adam Fanthorpe

There’s only two more sleeps until the dressage event we’ve all been waiting for – the LeMieux National Championships 2019 (12 – 15 September). For four action packed days of outstanding competition, this great national gathering of British dressage is a dream show for enthusiasts and followers of the sport.

The centrally located Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire will welcome the country’s leading riders alongside a host of talented amateurs, which’ll provide us with high calibre dressage competition at all levels from Prelim right through to the crowning of the LeMieux National Champion at the ultimate level of Grand Prix.

Following standout performances at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam last month. Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes, plus FEI Para Dressage European Championships medallists Sophie Wells, Mari Durward-Akhurst and Georgia Wilson will all be heading to Stoneleigh.

Dujardin is a LeMieux National Championships regular. She loves to support the show and it gives her an unmissable opportunity to expose her up-and-coming horses to the big arena. This year is no exception with her having a total of four rides. There’s Mount St John Valencia in the Fairfax Saddles PSG Gold (Thursday) and the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I Gold (Friday), Gio in the Cavalor Inter II Gold (Thursday) and Hawtins San Floriana in the Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold (Sunday), so visitors on any of these days can get to enjoy seeing her ride.

Hughes, who returned home from the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam as the highest-placed Brit, has Sintano Van Hof Olympia in Thursday’s Fairfax Saddles PSG, KK Dominant in the Cavalor Inter II Gold the same day and he goes Sunday in the super-hot Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold. Gareth also hosts the popular weekend LeMieux Masterclass on Saturday at 15:57 and Sunday at 15:56. Expect top training tips and insights from one of the sport’s most popular characters.

Three of the fab four who won team silver at the FEI Para Dressage Europeans in Rotterdam will be competing. Mari Durward-Akhurst with younger ride Lebensfreude, and Grade II Freestyle European Champion Georgia Wilson with Midnight contest the Equissage Pulse Para Gold Championships, whilst Sophie Wells and C Fatal Attraction go head to head with the able-bodied riders in the Fairfax Saddles PSG Gold and the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I. Mari, Georgia and Sophie will be joined on Saturday by fourth team member Nicky Greenhill as we raise a glass to their medal success in our ‘salute to the medallists’ parade at 16:27 in the LeMieux Arena.

The Shearwater Young Dressage Horse Finals are always interesting, with the top young horses in Great Britain going head-to-head for the titles. All finalists will compete on Saturday performing their age specific tests, before the top four from each age group go through to Sunday’s final where Philipp Hess joins us a ride judge to assess their future potential. Philip, son of FEI 4* Judge Christoph Hess, is a young professional rider who has gained much respect and acclaim as a test rider at the Bundeschampionate as well as at the German stallion performance tests and this year’s Pavo Cup Finals in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

Super Saturday
Following a successful debut year, the Anglo European Studbook is delighted to return to Stoneleigh in partnership with Brightwells on Saturday with another superb selection of 20 handpicked foals from world class bloodlines. Viewing stables will be open throughout the day where interested buyers can meet the foals and their breeders, and the auction starts at approximately 19:00 in the LeMieux Arena. For the full catalogue click here.

The British Equestrian Vaulting squad that headed to the FEI Vaulting World Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands in July takes centre stage at 17:41 on Saturday, then Sunday at 17:20 it’s the turn of some of Vaulting’s rising stars. It’s been an exciting year for British Equestrian Vaulting as the relatively new team all performed beyond expectations at the championships, despite being together for a matter of months. Prepare to amazed by these awe-inspiring displays of artistry, athleticism and horsemanship.

Don’t forget there’s huge range of trade stands for that much needed retail therapy plus a good selection of food outlets to enjoy during your day out.

On arrival at the showground, get your essential programme (available at the gate, at the Secretary’s Office, at the BD stand and from the roving programme sellers) for exclusive interviews, all the essential reading on the competitors as well as the all-important schedule. For the full Nationals experience, why not purchase a Radio Nationals headset? These pre–tuned headsets (available from the Secretary’s Office and the BD Stand) give you detailed commentary on the classes and help keep you up to date with what’s happening and where, ensuring you don’t miss a thing. Alternatively, listeners can tune in on their mobile phone.

If you can’t make it to the Nationals, you can keep up-to-speed with the scores, results and more by visiting www.britishdressage.co.uk, www.bdchampionships.com, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

And if you haven’t yet got your tickets for the Nationals, don’t worry! Although advance ticket sales are now closed, tickets are available on each day of the Championships at the gate. Click here to visit the Championships website for detailed information on the event, ticket prices and schedules.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday 12/09/2019
7:50 BackinAction Preliminary Silver
7:50 Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
10:25 Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver
12:05 Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
14:35 Cavalor Intermediate II Gold

Friday 13/09/2019
7:50 Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
7:50 Equissage Pulse Para Dressage Gold - Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, Grade IV,Grade V
10:10 Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
13:15 Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
14:10 TopSpec Medium Silver

Saturday 14/09/2019
7:50 Assessment & Pre-Judging Shearwater 4yo Young Horse
7:50 TopSpec Medium Gold
9:05 Assessment & Pre-Judging Shearwater 5yo Young Horse
10:25 Assessment & Pre-Judging Shearwater 6yo Young Horse
11:40 LeMieux Grand Prix Gold
14:59 Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Freestyle Gold

Sunday 15/09/2019
7:50 Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
7:50 Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
11:55 Final of the Shearwater 4yo Young Horse
13:40 Final of the Shearwater 5yo Young Horse
14:25 Final of the Shearwater 6yo Young Horse
15:20 Horse Health Grand Prix Freestyle Gold

The team at BDHQ is hard at work compiling the 2020 BD Members' Handbook, which will be in circulation at the end of October, in advance of coming into effect from 1 December 2019. There's a lot of work that goes into bringing it together, taking on board input for Directors, technical committees and staff, so co-ordinating this effort is no small feat!

All major rule changes are now finalised, so this gives us chance to give you a preview of what's coming so you can start the Summer Season well prepared. In mid-August, we shared the findings of the Championship Pathway and Calendar Review Panel, where the main recommendations centred around the ever-popular Petplan Equine Area Festivals. As promised, we've now got more information about qualification criteria for you.

When your Members’ Handbook arrives, please do take time to read through it carefully as not all of the changes are covered fully here.

Seasons
We’re working towards the competition year starting on 1 January (as opposed to 1 December), so the two qualification seasons will be slightly different in 2019/2020:

Summer: 1 December 2019 – 30 June 2020
Winter: 1 July – 31 December 2020

From 2021, we’ll move to two six monthly seasons: 1 January – 30 June (summer) and 1 July – 31 December (winter). The 2020 Members’ Handbook will therefore cover a thirteen month period, as a one-off, while subsequent editions will start on 1 January.

Horse registrations
The 2020 Members’ Handbook will mandate six-monthly Equine Influenza boosters, instead of yearly vaccinations. If you’re currently outside the six month period from your last vaccination, we recommend you have a booster, but you may wait until your next annual renewal date to start your six-monthly vaccination. There’s no need to restart with an initial course, unless otherwise advised by your vet.

The requirement of 'the full course or booster must have been administered at least seven days before the competition' remains the same as in previous years.

Any horse found without adequate and up to date vaccinations will not be allowed to compete with BD and will be suspended until this is rectified. You'll be well aware of the high incidence of reported EI cases across the UK this year, so it's imperative that we all take responsibility to minimise the spread of this disease by bringing our national vaccination requirements in line with FEI rules and advice from senior veterinary experts.

All horses must now be microchipped to be registered with BD. This is a legal requirement.

Associated Championships
Our range of Associated Championships continue to go from strength to strength – and for 2020 they’ll be running with separate Bronze, Silver and Gold sections at the finals. This opens up the competition to a new range of riders, while still protecting those less experienced combinations.

Tests ridden per day
The rule has been re-worded to provide clarification:

- If a horse competes at Intro/Prelim/Novice it may only compete in four tests at that level or below per day
- If a horse competes at Elementary/Medium/Advanced Medium it may only compete in three tests at that level or below per day
- If a horse competes at PSG/Inter I it may only compete in two tests at that level or below per day
- If a horse competes at Inter II/A/B GP it may not compete in any other test on the same day, including HC.

Rider substitutions
Substituted riders will not be permitted after close of entries at Regional Championships to allow time for the office to verify eligibility and membership/registration status.

Warm up
Only the combination entered into a competition may warm up for their class. The rules which apply to para riders in Grade I – III competitions still apply.

HC competing
Group 3 riders and above are permitted to ride HC at PSG or above.

Blood while competing
The FEI blood rule will be adopted in BD national competitions with the following wording:

If blood is noticed on a horse during the warm up, the Steward will approach the rider and make them aware of it. If the blood is on the flanks, nose, mouth or lips the rider should be made aware that if they are unable to stop the bleeding immediately they should retire from that class. Failure to do this will result in the steward notifying the Judge at C.

Where blood is seen by the judge(s) when the competitor is in the area surrounding the competition arena or in the competition, before, during or after the test, the judge at C must eliminate that combination from that class.

Where blood is found by a steward during the horse inspection after the test has been completed the details of the occurrence must be noted. Only when blood is found on the flanks, nose, mouth or lips can the Steward then take the necessary steps to advise the Judge at C who must then, on production of the evidence collated by the steward, eliminate that combination from that class. Blood as a result of abuse rather than accidental damage (i.e. a knock to a leg or fly bite) is the only occurrence that a steward may act upon.

New guidelines on hyperflexion
The following will be listed in the Handbook:

Hyperflexion is not permitted or tolerated from any rider or combination. Stewards will now refer any hyperflexion seen to the judge at C or the organiser immediately. The combination will be eliminated from the competition.

Tack and Equipment updates:
- All saddles (including treeless) must have a cantle and pommel
- All colour stirrups are now permitted.

Ideal Saddles Combined Training
Combinations will now be able to compete and qualify on Class Tickets
Riders and horses at the Championship can be registered Club or above
Prelim and Novice sections will only be open to combinations who have not ridden at Medium or above
New classes called ‘All-comers’ introduced which are open to everyone – one features Elementary 42 with 90cm jumping and the second will ride Elementary 50 with 1m jumping.

Petplan Equine Area Festivals
Many of you will have read our recent update on the Championship Pathway and Calendar review which detailed the new era for Area Festivals. To summarise:

- There will be two distinct seasons, providing equal qualification periods from 2020/2021 onward
- 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 around half of the Summer Area Festivals for Bronze and Silver sections, from Prelim to Inter I which qualify for a Championship.
- Between eight and 10 Winter Area Festivals, again positioned across the regions to provide a good geographical spread, with the Championship Finals at Hartpury, alongside the Winter Championships in April.
- Inter II and separate Under 21 sections will no longer part of the AF Championships. Inter II will be accommodated elsewhere and we'll update members as soon as any details are finalised while the highest placed under 21 rider will be awarded a rosette in each section.

Further updates for you:

The Working Party reviewing FEI level competitions and championships on offer with BD is still hard at work with a number of options being looked at to insure riders at Small, Medium and Big Tour have fair opportunity to compete and qualify for championships. We’ll keep you informed with any updates as these plans come to fruition over coming weeks.

The qualification detail for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals has now been finalised. As mentioned, riders will work on a points basis like the Regionals do. Those points will be as follows:

At least one point for each level/section must be gained from a qualifier test.

From the Area Festivals, you need to finish in the top two of your class. Any unfilled places will be awarded by the wild card system.

Qualification for the new Summer Music classes as part of some of the Area Festivals (around 10, still to be finalised) will be two scores of 63% or above at each level/section. To reach the Championship, combinations will need to be first or second - and again wildcards will be offered to fill any spaces at the Championship.

The selection process for venues to host the summer Petplan Equine Area Festivals is well advanced following the original expressions of interest from organisers. A mapping exercise has been completed with the tender process resulting in a shortlist of venues for our new Fixtures Allocation Panel to consider. We’re anticipating that the 2020 summer programme will be formally announced by early to mid-October at the latest. Further details will follow as soon as they're available.

We’re aware of some questions that have been raised by some members over the incoming rule which mandates six monthly boosters against Equine Influenza (EI) and would like to provide further information about the rationale behind this decision.

For much of 2019, the United Kingdom has been affected by outbreaks of EI, which initially hit the national news headlines in February, although the number of cases actually peaked as recently as July. As a National Governing Body, the welfare of equines competing under our rules has to remain paramount at all times – and it’s our responsibility, along with every horse owner, to help negate the spread of this virus.

Throughout the course of this year, we’ve been acting on advice and evidence from our veterinary and industry colleagues on the BEF High Health Steering Group, the Equine Infectious Disease Advisory Group and the Animal Health Trust (AHT). We took the decision not to change our vaccination requirements mid-season during the initial outbreak, instead strongly recommending that a six month booster be given, while continually monitoring the situation based on the latest updates from the AHT.

Boosters within six months of competing have been compulsory for FEI competitors for some time and British Eventing made an immediate rule change to implement the same vaccination regulations for all BE competitions.

A priority for the BEF High Health Steering Group, which was set up at the start of this year and is chaired by Dr Jane Nixon, has been driving harmonisation of vaccination rules across the Federation. All member bodies will be required to follow the same protocol, so that the intervals for first three vaccinations are all aligned, whatever the discipline, with a minimum requirement of annual vaccinations and six monthly boosters strongly advised.

While this is a positive step to improve vaccination rates across the equine population, as a high profile Olympic sport we believe it is important to lead by example, based on the expert veterinary advice on offer, by mandating six monthly boosters as a requirement of competing with British Dressage from 1 December 2019 onwards.

As a result of the outbreak in February, a number of our show venues have already taken the decision to mandate six monthly boosters, particularly equine colleges or those that have large livery facilities. This has led to some confusion among members as to the different vaccination requirements from venue to venue, which has necessitated additional checks before competing.

Obviously our preference is to have a consistent approach across all of our venues, with a clear policy that all members can follow. However, we appreciate that this is a significant move, so we wanted to ensure that we considered the advice provided by veterinary experts before amending our competition rules. All of the evidence points to the efficacy of vaccinations reducing after six months, hence the decision taken by the British Dressage Board of Directors to act accordingly.

Dr Richard Newton, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at the Animal Health Trust, has been instrumental in providing the necessary advice and input on this matter. In his words: “There is strong scientific evidence from both previous outbreak investigations and mathematical modelling projects to support that the herd immunity arising from adopting six monthly instead of 12 monthly booster vaccination will be enhanced.”

In the most recent AHT update, Dr Newton reinforces this point: “We believe it is through the actions of responsible horse owners who have heeded the advice to vaccinate their animals in light of the increased infectious risk that has contributed to the decline in the number of outbreaks we are seeing now. However, Equine Influenza remains a threat to the horse population and therefore owners should continue to remain vigilant and follow the advice to boost their horse’s vaccination if it was given more than six months ago.”

Dr Jane Nixon MA VETMB BSC MRCVS, Chair of the BEF High Health Steering Group, added; “It’s welcome news that British Dressage are implementing six monthly boosters in their vaccination regulations. We’re in the middle of an equine flu epidemic, with over 220 reported outbreaks alone so far in 2019 – and outbreak case includes a number of horses so there are thousands affected; marking a staggering increase on last year, when only two outbreaks were confirmed in the UK.

“We all need to help control the spread of the virus and vaccination unequivocally does just that. There have been several peer-reviewed scientific papers which support vaccination, including six monthly boosters, which should not leave any responsible horse owner in doubt that this is the right way forward.”

Jason Brautigam, Chief Executive of British Dressage, commented: “It is vitally important that we take our collective responsibility to reduce the risk of Equine Influenza in the UK and we need to base our vaccination rules on the latest advice from veterinary experts. It is the responsible approach for a National Governing Body to take and, as we continually emphasise, horse welfare must remain at the heart of everything we do in BD.”

The exact wording of the new rule will be as follows:
 
Equine Influenza Vaccination

To protect the health of the other competing horses and the biosecurity of the venue, a valid passport must accompany the horse to all competitions and be produced on request. Failure to comply is a disciplinary offence and will debar the horse from competing at the event for which it has been entered. A horse will not be permitted to compete unless it has a current vaccination against equine influenza which complies with the following conditions:

• An initial course of two injections for primary vaccination, not less than 21 days and not more than 92 days apart, are required before being eligible to compete.

• A first booster injection must be given between 150 and 215 days after the second injection of primary vaccination

• Subsequent booster injections must be given at regular intervals of not more than 12 months, commencing after the first booster injection.

• The most recent booster injection must have been given within six calendar months prior to the horse competing.

• The full course or booster must have been administered at least seven days before the competition.

The vaccination record(s) in the horse’s passport, must be completed, signed and stamped line by line, by an appropriate veterinary surgeon (who is neither the owner nor the rider of the horse). For those competing under FEI rules, please refer to FEI rules. The responsibility to comply with this rule lies with the competitor, who should consult with their veterinarian.

Horses being found without adequate and up to date vaccinations will not be allowed to compete and will be barred from competing until such a time that they have been given their first and second vaccinations. Membership and Horse Registration will be suspended for any horses and their owners in breach of this rule.

Horse Microchipping

There is also a degree of confusion around microchipping, as we've made it a requirement for registration, with effect from 1 December 2019. A law was passed in June 2018 which came into effect on 1 October last year for all horses to be microchipped, with a two year implementation period. The deadlines to have your horse microchipped expire on 1 October 2020 for England, 12 February 2021 for Wales and 28 March 2021 for Scotland. After this time, non-compliance may be liable for a fixed penalty notice and fine.

The law is in place and active, as from 1 October last year, hence us introducing the requirement ahead of the legal enforcement deadline so members are ready and not at risk of incurring unnecessary fines. Microchipping is part of the Equine ID project from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) alongside passports and registration on the Central Equine Database in a bid to prevent abuse and improve welfare. As part of responsible horse ownership, we are all required to comply with this law.

Warm September sun shone on a breezy Stoneleigh Park today for the opening day of the LeMieux National Championships 2019 as competitors and spectators alike enjoyed a packed programme of first rate competition. The first five champions of the week were crowned, and inspirational stories and exciting combinations for the future revealed.

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
The first title of the 2019 LeMieux National Championships provided a story befitting of the occasion. It was Taylor Denness riding her own 14 year old Negro son Amaro O (pictured) who took the spoils in the Equine Construction Advanced Medium. Watching the proud pair take their lap of honour it just looked like two great friends enjoying their day out but when you get to meet Taylor, you soon realise there’s much more to the duo.

At just 22, Taylor, from Didmarton in Gloucestershire, is still quite new to the higher levels and she’s climbed the ladder with Timmy as he was her 12th birthday present when he was just four. It’s not been a smooth journey as he was born with a condition which means he has just 70% vision both eyes which means there’s a great deal of trust between them.

“I’m still in shock! Things like this just don’t happen to me! I was really pleased with my test as he’s is quite difficult to ride but he’s so genuine and always gives 110%. It was an amazing test – almost like a fairytale; it was one of those tests where I was happy and the mark didn’t matter. He has so many quirks but today he was a gentleman, not a Tasmanian Devil!” Taylor said afterwards.

It wasn’t a great start as on arrival yesterday ‘Timmy’ was quite wild and not really listening so Taylor’s hopes for today’s test were not high; “I just wanted to get round really!” she exclaimed. “He has a judge’s box phobia as he can’t see them properly and add the sound of the tannoy, the wind, the marquees, it was a lot for him to take in. He’s been so difficult all his career. When he was younger, I had List 1 judges who said I should give up with him or give him to someone else which was quite hard as a teenager but I held my nerve.” Today, all that hard work and dedication paid off.

It’s not just Timmy’s quirks that Taylor has to manage. She has Chronic Fibromyalgia and a secondary condition which leads to hypermobility of the joints so they’re prone to dislocating. “It’s quite restricting for me – I actually fell down the stairs last week and have a few good bruises!,” said Taylor.

The decade old pairing qualified on a wild card after finishing third at the Regional so, coupled with the training difficulties, health issues for both horse and rider and others telling her to give up, Taylor and Timmy are proof never to give up on your dreams. Even if he still won’t have a rosette on his bridle!

BackinAction Preliminary Silver
Oxfordshire event rider and Nationals first-timer Chloe Arnold rode to a resounding victory in the BackinAction Preliminary Silver Championship aboard Caroline Bell’s exciting young prospect Full House. Their winning test earned a mark of 72.356%.

“It’ll take a while to sink in as it’s quite an achievement!” said Chloe after her lap of honour aboard the gorgeous chestnut seven year old in front of the Thursday afternoon crowd.

Chloe is based with Full House’s owner Caroline Bell who she works for, and is starting the Florencio I x Falkland gelding’s education in preparation for Caroline’s daughter Rebecca Bell to take over the ride. She trains with Caron Roberts. “It’s a lot of thanks to Caron Roberts and her training that got be me here today.”

“We brought Otto [Full House] here for the experience and it’s all gone rather well.” said Chloe. “I was really pleased with the test. He kept calm, he listened and was really focused on me. I couldn’t be any happier.”

Chloe modesty said, “I just need to focus on keeping him looking like a dressage horse, but I can pull it off when I need to pull it off. Dressage is definitely different and there’s a lot of bling involved, but I’m really enjoying it. I do have to go and do the odd event though just to get keep my feet off the ground! But no, I do enjoy the dressage.”

“She [Chloe] doesn’t give herself enough credit,” chipped in Otto’s future partner, Rebecca. “She really does a brilliant job with the young horses.”

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver
With just two marks in it, the Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver marked an emphatic victory for Mount St John Stud as resident rider Aimee Gascoigne took the top spoils with the talented mare Mount St John Diva Dannabrog. The duo’s supreme test warranted 71.87% from the panel of judges – John Robinson, Richard Baldwin and Pat Watts.

Still a relatively new partnership, for Aimee the occasion was one to remember! Having joined the Mount St John team in May with a view to taking up a grooming position, Aimee has successfully contested her first Premier League, Summer Regionals and now the National Championships with a win at each. Speaking about her partnership with Diva she said, “Emma’s given me an amazing opportunity to ride this horse, she’s awesome and she loves it when she goes in there! The test was really good after a really good warm up from Paul Fielder. I went the right way, with no mistakes and I remembered the give and retake!”

Diva, a former World Equestrian Games medallist for Para Dressage star Natasha Baker, enjoyed another moment in the spotlight: “She’s very laid back at home and was a bit more awake here in the bigger atmosphere, but she’s such a professional horse she takes it all in her stride!”

Proud owner Emma Blundell is looking ahead to the Winter Championships where they’ll look to step up to Medium level and perhaps have a go at Freestyle to Music classes. “Aimee does a lot with the young horses at home but I think it’s important for her to have something a bit older to ride to develop for the younger ones, at the moment she’s backing our three year olds.” Aimee added, “It makes it worthwhile, getting on the young ones one day and then going around the prize giving at the Nationals the next!”

The win marks a successful start to another busy week for Emma and the Mount St John team as five of their horses vie for the titles, as well as a host of more home-breds contesting the championships for several other yards, owners and riders.

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
Charlotte Dujardin and relatively new ride Mount St John Valencia claimed the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold on the opening day of the LeMieux National Championships. Always a Nationals highlight, the class again featured a star-studded line up 30 with the top ten all above the 70% mark.

Gareth Hughes, Sophie Wells, Katie Bailey and Luis Principe all put up a good fight but it was Dujardin and super talent Mount St John Valencia who enjoyed a decisive victory with a score of 75.447% from the judging panel of Andrea Smith, Peter Storr, Nick Burton, Sarah Leitch and Clive Halsall.

“She’s still quite new to me,” said Charlotte. “I did a couple of Advanced Mediums to start, just to get my bearings really. She did her first PSG at Hartpury, then Somerford Park followed by Hartpury Premier League [where they won the Small Tour double], and this was her fourth one. So she’s very low mileage.”

“I was really pleased, because in the warm up it didn’t feel very windy, then I went into that arena and I swear to God, it is the windiest arena ever and as you’re coming towards those tents and marquees, the noise is phenomenal and you don’t appreciate it until you’re in there. We had a blip in the canter transition at the end of the walk, the walk was a bit on edge, but it was the first time we got the changes in the test. I was really really pleased with her, especially for her fourth one [PSG], and to get that score even with a few errors.”

“She’s so cool and so elastic,” enthused Charlotte. “She’s hot and fiery and she loves to work. She’s a mare that if you give her confidence, she’ll do anything. She lacks a bit of self-confidence, but when you’re there and almost hold her hand she just does it. When I first saw her, I knew she was my type of horse.”

Cavalor Intermediate II Gold
At just 16hh the diminutive Gio proved that talent and heart outweigh height in the Cavalor Inter II as Charlotte Dujardin piloted her own talented son of the late Apache to victory with no less than 78.34%.

Speaking about her season with eight year old Gio Charlotte commented, “He’s so talented at piaffe and passage so I thought I’d keep him at home for a while and then aim to ride an Inter II at Hartpury, we went, gave it a go, he got 78% - not bad for a first attempt! It’s all so natural for him.”

“He’s the bravest little horse, he’s so genuine and he never changes – I couldn’t have asked for a better test,” she continued about their performance in today’s Cavalor showdown. ”He has a heart of gold – he’s gone from Advanced Medium this time last year to Inter II this year. I don’t want to rush him so we’ll go home and he’ll have a little holiday. He’ll definitely be a Tokyo contender – why not!”

“There’s no show like it,” Charlotte added about returning to the Nationals at Stoneleigh. “The two arenas, the banners, the flags! It’s really good to be back.”

Charlotte makes at least  two more appearances this week with a ride in tomorrow’s Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I on her second winner on day one, Mount St John Valencia, before Hawtins San Floriana has a shot at the Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold on Sunday morning.

Second place went to the Kroll family’s KK Dominant in the experienced hands of Team GBR’s Gareth Hughes, whilst Vicky Thompson Winfield and the stunning palomino Artist claimed third.

Photo c Kevin Sparrow

For full results click here

Though unlucky for some, Friday 13 treated the knowledgabele crowd at Stoneleigh to a day of top-notch dressage in fine weather on day two of the LeMieux National Championships. 

It had to happen sooner or later…and today was the day. Gareth Hughes scored a resounding victory in the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I Gold Championship riding Judy Firmston Williams and his own Sandro Hit sired Sintano Van Hof Olympia with an athletic performance to score 75.21%.

Probably what you’d expect from the Warwickshire rider brimming with confidence after his rides in Rotterdam a matter of weeks ago but it’s the fact that he beat none other than Charlotte Dujardin to take the title and spoil her Nationals strike rate. In yesterday’s Fairfax Saddles PSG, it was Charlotte who took the honours with Mount St John Valencia but today, the expressive mare was on her toes with a few costly mistakes while Gareth and Sintano Van Hof Olympia were on song and well settled to the task at hand. The nine year old, discovered in the Netherlands by Rebecca when set the task to ‘find something really special’ by Judy, really impressed yesterday but today took it to the next level.

“He’s pretty nice, isn’t he?!” joked Gareth. “Today he felt like a Grand Prix horse in there. He has all the talent but now just needs the patience. He’s quite like Classic Briolinca to ride; the harder you work them, the more they love it but they’re super sensitive.  I’m thrilled for his owner Judy who bought him as a six year old, we’re so excited by him. The Grand Prix will really suit him as it’ll close him up more but for now it’s a case of building confidence, strength and security.

Para super star Sophie Wells earned her place ont he podium today with Charlotte Hoggs' C Fatal Attraction after fourth in the PSG yesterday.

Gareth will take Sintano Van Hof Olympia to Keysoe CDI in October and on to his first Eruopean trip in France before taking the Winter to consolidate his work before coming out at Inter II next spring with a view to a Grand Prix debut later in the year – something everyone will be eagerly awaiting.

Equissage Pulse Para Gold Championships

A sunny Friday morning set the scene for the 2019 Equissage Pulse Para Gold Championships at Stoneleigh Park as leading UK para dressage riders went head to head for the national finals of all five grades in front of judges Mary Ann Horn (E), Sarah Leitch (C) and John Robinson (M).

Grade I
Fresh from a victory in the Equissage Pulse Para Silver Championships, the year-long partnership of Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau (by Spinway Blakethorn) continued their good form with a 68.155% victory in the Grade I division ahead of second placed Mari Durward-Akhurst with Lebensfreunde (67.738%).

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Gabriella told us after the prize-giving. “I wasn’t expecting this as I was riding against the best, but he was as good as gold. I couldn’t have asked for anything better today, I really couldn’t have. It’s the biggest atmosphere I’ve ridden in.

“I was really pleased with my halts. It can be difficult to halt, and stay halted every time I ask him, but he was very good.”

Describing Strong Beau ‘the person’, Gabriella said, “He can be cheeky. Not ridden – he’s good ridden, but he can be bolshie from the ground. He definitely knows he’s the main man! But to ride, he knows when I’m on. He looks after me.”

Grade II
Georgia Wilson and Midnight, who recently brought Freestyle Gold back from the FEI Para Dressage European Championships in Rotterdam, won the Grade II Championship with an exciting personal best score of 77.843%

“We definitely had more power today – now I need to learn to sit to it! She [Midnight] tried her best, I just needed to ride a bit better,” said Georgia in the same self-critical way that we so often see in her trainer Sophie Wells. “When I get that trot from her, I can back off and be a passenger; we’re working on using my seat and core more.”

Talking about upcoming competition plans for the Hilkens Black Delight x Cassander 10 year old, Georgia said, “After Rotterdam, I thought she’d be tired but she’s recovered really quickly and after today’s performance we’ve decided to definitely go to Keysoe CPEDI in October for more practice.”

Grade III
2017 European Team Gold and reigning World Team Silver medallist Erin Orford claimed the Grade III with Dior UKH on a score of 70.098% - a great prep for Keysoe CPEDI in two weeks’ time. Erin and the 16 year old chestnut Dimaggio x Hitchcock mare, who is owned by Annabel Whittet, scored 70.098% ahead of Amanda Shirtcliffe who filled second and third New Princess and Remi II respectively.

“We’re having a really good year and she’s been very consistent in her performances. She’s won all the national stuff, and then we had the three wins at Hartpury CPEDI, so this win is a really nice way to finish the national season,” commented Erin. “She felt very fresh today so we had some moments of brilliance, and a couple of little mistakes because of that, but it’s great knowing what’s in there. She has so much scope in her paces and gives a really great feeling.

“She [Dior] hasn’t been back here for a couple of years. It’s a really good atmosphere here at Stoneleigh, it’s a great show. It’s so busy and the horses can feel it, even early this morning.”

Grade IV
Laura Gulliver and the well-known small tour stallion Woodcroft Garuda K earned a decisive victory in the Grade IV division. The 18 year old Trakehner son of Münchhausen and his young rider earned a score of 68.862%.

“I’m thrilled to bits,” said Laura. “I got the ride on him in November and it’s big thanks to the Woodcroft Stud who own him for giving me this opportunity. He’s a very loveable stallion, he has a super temperament and he’s really adapted to the paras with me. He’s meant to have a quieter life, but clearly he’s loving the occasion. He loves the atmosphere – the bigger the show the better for him.

“We now go on to Keysoe CPEDI3* in two weeks,” said Laura, who trains with Judy Harvey and has mentoring from Clive Milkins. “This is only my seventh show, so it’s still early days really. It’s very exciting.”

Grade V
Charlotte Cundall and the lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Simply Red, the sole competitors in the Grade V, rode an expressive test for 69.524% despite a handful of mistakes.

“It’s a bit difficult when you’re the only one competing but I decided to use it as a training opportunity in the atmosphere under top judges,” explained Charlotte. “I tried pushing different buttons and experimenting which resulted in a few mistakes but I’m happy. Paul Hayler warmed me up which was great and we’ve been working on injecting the power while keeping him in balance and it was very positive today. I’d like to thank Equissage for their support, both of the class and me personally – Red loves his Pulse!”

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold

After an early start to the day, Victoria Maw and her own six year old Benito Dorato topped a highly competitive Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold with 73.29%. The starting line-up oozed class and the standard proved high as the top ten each rode to plus 70% scores.

Speaking about her test with the home-produced Benny an elated Victoria said, “I was really pleased, he had really good balance the whole way through and he felt so fluent. It just went really nicely! He stayed nicely connected the whole way, there were no major mistakes perhaps just a small loss of balance in the second medium trot just before the canter transition.”

“His party piece is the medium canter,” she continued, “There are so many layers, you put your leg on and he keeps going up the gears – you feel like a kid in a sweet shop riding him!”

Benny has been owned by Victoria from the age of just three days old, after she purchased him as a foal in Germany. He spent three years growing up in his home country before moving back to the Lincolnshire based rider who’s sympathetically produced him with a varied approach to working: “He likes jumping, and he does a bit of everything at home. He hacks, goes on the treadmill – he does a little bit of everything to keep him happy!”

Rider and BDCC Level 3 coach Victoria brought a winning mind-set to her test today setting three goals before the test to help focus her performance, “It helps to take away the pressure and be realistic about the results. Anything above the goals set are a bonus - He’s been producing consistent scores but I was still a bit shocked to get that score. He’s not seen anything like this, he was so confident today and when he went inside those boards he did everything I asked, it was such a nice feeling.”

Victoria paid credit to long-time coach Tracy Woodhead who warmed her up for today’s test describing the day as an emotional occasion, “I was on edge the whole time waiting for the class to finish!”

“It’s a very special place to compete,” Victoria added about her trip to Stoneleigh, “You don’t get to compete here for regular shows so it’s a big occasion to ride in that arena for the National Championships.”

Completing the top three were Nikki Barker on board Dan Icarus and Alex Hardwick with Joie De Vivre Prins.

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver

The Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver Championship proved a battle of future para horsepower talent – and what a great battle it was. Paralympic Gold Medalist Natasha Baker took the lead when about half way down the running order with her newest star Keystone Dawn Chorus, a British bred mare by Dimaggio, with a great 72.77%. This pairing is very much in the early stages but there was plenty of potential on show today.

It was an agonizing wait as combinations tried to topple Tash and Lottie and they held their lead right up to the last competitor, Louise Robson riding her own and Amanda Ratcliffe’s Remi II. It was a second trip around the arena for ‘Kevin’ today having done the Grade III Championship with Amanda to finish third. Louise, who's well known in the dressage world for her talents in transorming race horses in to dressage diva, trains Amanda and they’ve built quite a formidable relationship in the para world and Kevin has very much been a project for them as he’s not been straightforward so their expectations of today weren’t too high. However, Kevin, British bred by Desert Moon took it all in his stride and surpassed all expectations for a 73.02% score and the Novice Silver title on Louise's debut in the hallowed arena at Stoneleigh.

“My aim really was to keep him in the warm up and get round! He came here with another rider to do the Trailblazers and was…interesting. I did think a few days ago I might actually be safer on one of my race horses!” explained a jubilant Louise.
She continued, “Plus, he’d gone really well for Amanda earlier in the para championships but I can’t carry a whip or use my voice! Amanda and I work well together – normally it’s me feeding back how he feels but today, she could give me the advice.
“I’ve been riding him to give him arena experience and get him forward off the leg to help Amanda bring him on as a para horse. He’s got huge paces and I think as a result he did a lot as a young horse and just became a bit angry with riders. We use a lot positive reinforcement! He can be lazy but you have to ride him positively and his heart is ruled by his stomach!”

The win marks a huge step in progress towards the Louise and Amanda’s end goal, a place on Team GBR. “Today really felt like we’ve started his Tokyo campaign. He really held his own and we know there’s so much more to come and that’s exciting. Taking him to Doha CEPDI was a risk but it made him – he came back a dressage horse. To achieve this on him is really special. We’ve taken so much time with him, worked hard and come so far…to win is just reward,” said Louise.

“It has been a great day here at the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver and Gold Championships and we have watched some very competitive tests. Congratulations to all the horse and rider combinations that have taken part, especially to the deserving winners Louise and Victori." Anna Horrell, Director at Dodson & Horrell, summed up.

TopSpec Medium Silver

Rob Barker, a rider with a superb LeMieux National Championships record, continued his winning ways taking a third title in three consecutive years. This time it was victory in the TopSpec Medium Silver in the concluding hours of day two of the championships on board Charlotte Dujardin’s River Rise Isabella, the tall six year old daughter of Don Frederic impressing the judges panel to earn 70.37%.

“She’s an amazing horse,” Rob enthused about his winning ride, “she’s still getting used to the bigger atmospheres and she’s a lot more used to the local shows but she gets better and better every time. I’ve done quite a lot with her but I’ve had a lot of help from Charlotte. She has no weakness it’s just experience!”

About his test today Rob continued, “last year she didn’t walk when she came here but I got my walk today which I was really pleased with. We take it step by step with her to produce her as a horse for the future, I kept a lid on it today and it was good fun. Her walk, trot and canter is amazing it’s just about steering her and making sure I do the right thing!”

As winning owner Charlotte walked into another prize giving in the LeMieux arena, Rob was quick to praise her as a great support and coach. “Charlotte doesn’t put any pressure on but I put a lot on myself. She helps me a lot and I want to do well because she gives a lot of time to me so I want to give it back in a way.”

Charlotte will make the decisions on what’s next for the super talented mare, Rob concluded “I’m so lucky to be able to ride her and every time I sit on her I’m grateful, we just take it day by day.”

Second place belonged to Maria Collins who scored 69.56% with her Dorothy Taylor’s Exclusive Gem, whilst Maisie Hodge and her own Garant H completed the top three with 68.56%. A special mention goes to fourth placed horse Floris, who scored 68.45% with Cath Creemer in the saddle, for being a stellar prize giving stand in for an excited River Rise Isabellla.

Full results - click here

Photos c Kevin Sparrow

It was certainly a case of super sunny Saturday for day three of the LeMieux National Championships at Stoneleigh Park with the unque show ground basking in warm autumnal sunshine form morning until dusk. Three worthy champions - all from the equine mecca of Gloucestershire were crowned while our finallists for the Shearwater Young Horse Championships over the three age categories were decided for tomorrow's grand finale. 

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Freestyle

The feature Saturday afternoon class, the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Freestyle was won for the third consecutive year by Charlotte Dujardin. The withdrawal of Gareth Hughes, who opted to save young star Sintano Van Hof Olympia for another day, left the class wide open, but it was Dujardin who took the advantage. Aboard Mount St John Stud’s Mount St John Valencia (pictured above) she wowed the crowds and judges with a programme packed with punch and power to a delightful soundtrack from the animated film Snowman and the Snowdog.

After their Fairfax Saddles PSG victory on Thursday, yesterday the mare had costly mistakes in the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I which paved the way for Gareth Hughes to take the win, but today Charlotte was able to tone down the mare’s enthusiasm to pull off a high energy, expressive and this time, clean performance. A mark of 76.82% was on the board from the judging panel of Debbie Wardle (E), Penelope Lang (H), Nick Burton (C), Sandy Phillips (M) and Linda Whetstone (B), with Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Davina, and Katie Bailey with Eagle Nouvelle on their heels with 74.05% and 73.05% respectively.

“She has all the go in the world,” said Charlotte of the Vivaldi sired eight year old. “That was her third Inter I yesterday and her first ever music so she’s never had to go through the programme. We hadn’t even practised it at home, I just hoped that on the day it would go OK, and it did! I was really, really pleased with her, I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

“The horse is such a trier,” continued Charlotte. “She’s been doing that work since July, so really no time at all. She qualified at Hartpury and has just come on and on.”

“Yesterday, it was just little tiny blips that were expensive. All the difficult things she did really well. They were just silly mistakes because she was trying almost too hard. That probably cost me the class, but she’s young, she’s inexperienced, and that all comes with time and confidence. Then today I just wanted to give her a good ride and have a nice clear round.

“This afternoon she was hot to trot, and in the canter I was like ‘whoa slow down’, but even though she’s like that, she still tries. She still waits and she stays with me, so I can’t ask for more. I really enjoyed it.”

LeMieux Grand Prix Gold

This particular weekend in September has been targeted by Carl Hester since he sat with the calendar to plan 2019, with three titles the target with his own and Jane de la Mare’s Nip Tuck. Today was part one, the LeMieux Grand Prix and it was certainly a case of mission accomplished. At 15, the Don Ruto sired gelding certainly knows his job - according to Carl, “he could do the Grand Prix with his eyes closed” but nothing is ever a given with Barney as can be unpredictable. But today, he looked delighted to be on such a big stage in the beautiful early autumnal sunshine and was on best behaviour.

Lara Butler set the pace with Dr Wilfried Bechlosheimer’s home bred Kristjan after the first group of riders with a strong score of 73.06% - a great effort for the 14 year old in his first full season of Grand Prix. Her mentor Laura Tomlinson came very close to overtaking Lara with the striking black stallion Duvals Capri Sonne Jr, also owned by Dr Bechtolsheimer, but some errors in the one and two time tempi changes pegged the score back to 71.06% - one day it’ll all fall into place for a clear round for the Rhodium 12 year old.

Hot favourites to take the title, Carl and Barney delighted the gathered crowd as they swept effortlessly through the test to post 75.82%, their highest score of 2019, which awarded Carl his 66th Nationals title in a career spanning thirty years.

“I had a dreamy ride – he just was on top form. He’s happy to be here and in the warm up I knew he was going to give me a great ride. There was just one little mistake which was a shame. We’ve now got a really varied routine for Barney which is working extremely well and he’s fresh, sound and supple. What more can you do with a 15 year old Grand Prix horse – you can’t keep schooling. I ride him twice a week and Jane and Rob [Barker] mix hacking with some jumping,” beamed Carl.

“It’s special bringing him here. He won medals alongside Valegro for years so didn’t compete at the Nationals and it’s great to bring him for people to watch as he’s a crowd pleaser. Year on year he comes up with the goods and when you think Jane and I bought him for £1000 and had no expectations but he achieved so much for us, it’s a tale everyone can enjoy. He’s been a dream for everyone involved,” he said, with the adoration for this gentle giant clear in his expression.

Carl and Barney return tomorrow for to attempt parts two and three, the Horse Health GP Freestyle title and of course the coveted LeMieux National Champion’s crown, which would be number ten for the Gloucestershire rider. Any bookmakers around have probably stopped taking bets as the odds could only be in favour of the dynamic duo.

TopSpec Medium Gold

The elegant British-bred His Highness was crowned king of the TopSpec Medium Gold under the expert guidance of local rider Ashley Jenkins; the duo scored 73.94% to top another competitive class in the Horse Health arena.

Owned by Jamie Reynolds and Cherry Elvin, and bred by Cat Austin, His Highness (Wynton x Fabriano) is no stranger to success at the LeMieux National Championships, having won the Novice Gold title in 2017. “He just went in there, and focused,” Ashley said of the seven year old’s TopSpec performance, “The suppleness, frame and balance were really good. He was Novice Champion in 2017 and placed third in the Elementary last year, he’s been really consistent.”

“We’ll crack on with the changes now, he loves his work and loves to learn new things. We’ve had him since he was a foal, he was bred by my friend Cat Austin,” Ashley continued, discussing the former KWPN foal Champion, “He’s not been easy but we have a really good relationship, he used to be really scared of things but he takes lots of confidence from me now. He can take a long time to get used to different surroundings!”

“He’s actually really grumpy but he’s a big character – that’s what makes him special!” the talented rider concluded about his winning ride who he’s hoping to produce to Grand Prix, before thanking Dan Greenwood and Jamie Reynolds for their continued support.

Team NAF Pony rider Annabella Pidgley placed second with her 2019 European Pony Championships partner Cognax IX and Alex Hardwick placed third on board her mother Sally’s small but might Glasgow MH, another former championships winner.

The popular Shearwater Young Dressage Horse Championships are a highlight on the final day of competition at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. 2019’s three show-stopping finals didn’t disappoint as three worthy winners took home the accolades. Denmark’s Susan Baarup, David Hunt and rider judge Philip Hess were the panel to deliver the much awaited judgement.

Shearwater Four Year Old Championship

The four year old division got the 2019 Shearwater Young Horse Championships underway and it was the perfect start with four outstanding contendors in British bred mare Hawtins Floresta (s. Follow Me), stallion King IV (s. Governor), British bred Waverley Fellini (s. Furstenball) and the German bred mare Special Diva (s. Sezuan).

Ride judge Philip Hess took time with each one and carefully considered their positives and any faults before reporting back to fellow judges Susanne Baarup and David Hunt. There was a clear favourite for the trio, Special Diva under rider Tom Goode. The leggy elegant mare had it all and Philip clearly loved his ride on her. It wasn’t just the talent on the day which shone but the clear potential for future work and progress.

Susan Baarup commented after the announcement of the winning horse; “This has been a very high quality line up and some horses showed themselves off better than others. Our winner is full of quality with a very clear walk, active trot, a canter with uphill tendency and nice overall mechanic. Her rideablity was outstanding and Philip really enjoyed riding her; we rewarded her with a general impression mark of 9.5.”

Tom, stable jockey for Emile Faurie, has been riding ‘Diva’ since March when the owner, Isabelle Bergmann, who bought her from a foal auction, sent her over to Emile from Germany. Their aim was age classes this year and have their target for next year of the five year old World Young Horse Championships.

This is clearly a horse which Tom loves to ride; “She’s so intelligent and finds everything so natural – she’s the most amazing horse I’ve ever sat on! Her canter feels like you’re flying and she has the perfect mix of being hot but never naughty. Her temperament and trainability are superb.

“This is only her fourth show and she’s quite noise sensitive so I’m really glad today I could show her off to her best as yesterday there were a few nerves.”

Shearwater Five Year Old Championship

After a thrilling four year old section, the Shearwater Insurance Five Year Old candidates took centre stage in the LeMieux arena to be put through their paces by Philip Hess.

Judith Davis’ exquisite Lemonys Nicket mare Hawtins Lirica topped yesterday’s qualifier under Hawtins Stud stable rider Lucinda Elliot and continued to impress in today’s examination. Speaking direct from the saddle Philip provided expert analysis: “she’s a very sensitive horse with fabulous movement, I was very positively impressed when I saw her in the test yesterday and also today under her rider!”

“She’s a horse with great opportunities and it’s just important to get a feeling for her now to make her relaxed but she has a lot of cadence and quality,” Hess continued whilst clearly enjoying his test ride, “She has lots of motivation and this is what we like as dressage riders. The more I canter the more she gets comfortable with me and it’s an amazing feeling in trot - It’s a pleasure to ride this talented horse.”

Next up, Astrid Bolton’s Femme Fatale, a powerful daughter from Paul Schockemohle’s popular stallion Foundation. “She rode a positive test yesterday and we [judges] thought we’d try to bring the horse just a bit more uphill – I’d like to see her pull the nose more in front. I want to open her in the frame and I can tell you that the first trot steps feel really comfortable!”

The tall, dark mare presented yesterday by Sammie Gualtieri was another to impress the 2019 guest judge, “I just can say after the first few rounds - I like her! When you look to her ears she’s really concentrated with her ears in front, she makes a really cooperative impression so compliments to this nice mare but also to the rider.” In canter, Philip worked on producing extended and collected strides, as well as a little counter canter before making a transition to trot to change the rein, his word ‘Brilliant’. His concluding comment, “when you have horses like her, you enjoy dressage riding! It’s fun and a pleasure and I know why then dressage is such a nice sport when you have a horse as comfortable and easy to ride as this. I am positive and thank you very much for allowing me to ride this nice mare.”

Alex Hardwick’s Joie de Vivre Prins (Expression x Uphill) scored 7.69 in yesterday’s preliminary round. “This nice bay gelding made a good test yesterday but I try now to make him a little bit more soft, more loose in my rein and hand,” Philip discussed his aims for the brief but effective session before complimenting how easy the horse was to work with, particularly in canter.

“He understands what I like, he’s really cooperative and also here a horse with lots of potential – he will learn to more by himself, a little more self-carriage but I’m happy and he’s a really nice horse with a good future. He also reacts well in walk, I’ve asked him to go forwards and he’s now doing it by himself.” Philip concluded as he also praised how impressed he was with the progress of the horse throughout the session.

Our final horse coming forwards to rider judging was Sara Lucas’ SJL Baks Zacco, the Blue Hors Zack offspring has impressed this year, from his appearance in the BD Young Horse Forums at the start of the year through to the Shearwater Semi Finals this summer. His performance under Philip continued his form.

“This gelding made a positive impression throughout yesterday’s test. He was cooperative and did a nice job but the judges said the horse could have some more energy and a little more self-carriage and cadence. He’s managing with a new rider positively, he understands quickly what I want.”

Hess was impressed with the charming gelding’s great attitude to his work, “The feeling of the judges and my riding is that you can improve very easily and quickly this horse! This is a sports partner! He makes a nice ride, I feel so comfortable in canter I could canter to the airport in Birmingham!” His concluding comment: “I’m absolutely positively impressed with this horse – compliments to the rider, he’s done very well otherwise I couldn’t do the exercises so nicely. Definitely on the correct way of training and for me a positive feeling. I feel really happy and comfortable on him!”

Following a brief deliberation between our judges, the decision was made. For a second consecutive year the Shearwater crown was given to the outstanding Hawtins Lirica with the runner up position going to Astrid Bolton’s Femme Fatale.

“She shows great potential and anything you ask she just finds so easy! She just picks everything up so well. She is quite hot but she’s not spooky at all.” Lucinda complimented her ‘favourite horse’, “She’s very powerful and so go-ey her engine is amazing, she always takes you - it’s a lovely feeling.”

Judith Davis’ wonder mare will now head home and hopefully prepare for another shot at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses following a successful trip to Ermelo this year to fly the British flag.

Shearwater Six Year Old Championships

The top-four six year olds from yesterday’s first round came forward for the Sunday afternoon final. All four showed much promise as future Grand Prix horses, however it was the sublime German gelding Freeman (Foundation x Ehrentanz), owned by David and Sarah Johnson of Equine Construction, who was declared the 2019 Shearwater Six Year Old Champion by judges David Hunt (GBR), Susanne Baarup (DEN) and ride-judge Philip Hess (GER).

The Shearwater classes are a firm Stoneleigh favourite, and the stands were packed in anticipation of watching Philip Hess test ride the top young horses. Philip, son of FEI 4* Judge Christoph Hess, is a young professional rider who has gained much respect and acclaim as a test rider at the Bundeschampionate as well as at the German stallion performance tests and this year’s Pavo Cup Finals in Ermelo, the Netherlands. This is the first time he’s played this role in the UK.

First up for Philip to assess was Freeman. Philip commenced his appraisal with the comments, “This is a very impressive horse with a lot of potential. After first round of trot, it’s a great feeling. He has swing through the body and by nature, he’s uphill. My aim is to keep him a little round. From time to time he pulls, but it’s a positive feel. I like them soft, but the trot movement feels really nice.

“Ask a little shoulder in, half circle, same other way. Keeping in front of my inside leg so I can feel he understands what I’m asking. In the half pass, there could be more flexion and bending but he’s only six. It’s important to keep him soft and smooth. I can get more cadence, yes it’s a good feeling.

Talking about the canter Philip commented, “I feel super comfortable. I feel I could do a pirouette. And it’s a super smooth transition to walk.”

"And the extended canter - it feels mega. The collecting is super too. He’s listening, feels very nice in the transitions and is definitely a horse that I can say is on the right way of training. He ends in a relaxed and nice way. I am absolutely happy. A big compliment for this wonderful sport horse and the rider for training him so well.”

Next up was Michael Eilberg’s super-talent Dante VX (Dante Weltino x Quattro B), owned by Geri Eilberg. “He was a little nervous to start, which is normal in this atmosphere with another rider,” commented Philip. “I’ll give him a few moments to relax, and then I can have influence. There’s a little lack of communication but it’s no problem, he’s developing positively in these few moments.

Philip moved the athletic bay through shoulder in, half circle, half pass. “The half pass, this is really good for a six year old horse. He gives a nice feeling, flexion and bending. He’s now more my friend. He gives me a good feeling and more cadence.

“In canter, it’s important that he waits for me. Now you see, on the short side, he comes for a moment behind me. It’s useful to use the canter to bring him forward again, to bring him back to relaxation." Philip rode counter canter and extended canter, "Very positive and the extension is good. I think this is another horse with potential, a horse that is hot enough, he wants to work. The rider needs to keep him soft in the contact and closed behind, but his experienced rider will do a good job with the training.”

Assessing Judy Harvey's ride SP Bento, Philip said, “He had a really positive impact when the rider warmed him up for us. From the first two rounds (of the arena) – I like him. He’s nice in the contact, good in my hands, listening to my aids. In the shoulder in right, he’s not 100 percent in front of me. So I make him straight, in front of leg, then ask again.

In the canter work, Philip said, “The horse has a lot of quality but the rider needs to pay attention that he’s always 100 percent in front of her. The canter gives me a really great feeling. It’s uphill, and when I can keep him more in front, it’s really nice. You can hear his teeth the whole time, so perhaps there’s not 100 percent relaxation.

“I would like to ride him more, but time in Britain is running too quickly!” joked Philip. “It’s a very good feeling. The horse definitely has great potential and I think the rider will manage very well.

“This quite beautiful chestnut gelding gives me a very comfortable feeling,” said Philip about Judith Davis's Hawtins Quattro. “I find it really easy to ride this horse in trot. I have a super nice, comfortable feeling in the sitting trot. He’s really nice to ride. I think for the training it’s important to keep him a little in front of the vertical and open the neck. He’s a lovely horse, now the half pass.” In the half pass, SP Bento showed a good reaction. “Perhaps for the future, more improvement of flexion and bending.”

In the canter, Philip commented that from time to time the horse is a little strong. “This can be solved though and he gives me a nice collected canter feeling. He listens and responds, then he’s a horse you can bring easily to relaxation. Philip summed up his ride, “This makes really fun to the rider the sympathetic and wonderful horse. I understand him and I think he understands me.”

“It's been a pleasure to be here in Britain and I’ve enjoyed the weekend very much. It’s a super team here, with very nice colleagues to work alongside,” he concluded.

After a final consultation between the judges, the final order was announced – Hannah Biggs and Freeman, Lucinda Elliott and Hawtins Quattro, Judy Harvey and SP Bento, and Michael Eilberg and Dante VX.

“I found him at the Westphalian Elite Auction," said Hannah about Freeman. "I actually met the owners here three years ago for the first time [when the Johnson’s spotted her talent competing in the Equine Construction Advanced Medium] and they were looking for a rider for their young horses. We later had a conversation about finding a good young horse. Then I was at the auction a couple of months later when I found him, so I called David up and said “You know that promise? Do you fancy buying a horse!” she laughed.

“So then yes, he suddenly came to England and he’s been with me ever since, and Carl [Hester] helps us. We’ve taken it really slowly with a lot of hacking and ground work because he’s big-moving and sensitive, so we didn’t want to push him too much and too young. This is the first year we’ve really competed him seriously.

“I always knew he was a special horse and am just so proud of him.”

Describing what caught her eye, when she first saw Freeman at auction, Hannah said, “When I first saw him move, he just moved through every inch of his body, everything just oozed quality. He was a little bit naughty with one of the auction riders who didn’t ride him very well, which put everyone else off. It was at that moment I thought “he’s mine!” because I knew I could cope with him. It was just meant to be.

“It was the most nerve-wracking five minutes of my life watching Philip ride him today. I know what an amazing feeling the horse gives and when I heard Philip use the word ‘mega’ at one point, I knew that he could feel that. It's such an honour to ride this horse."

“I couldn’t do it without David and Sarah Johnson, they are very supportive,” added Hannah.

Full results
Photos by Kevin Sparrow Photography.

Day four of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships dawned, another beautiful day, another spectular schedule of competition and the final titles waited to be claimed by those who proved best of the best.

Horse Health Grand Prix Freestyle and National Championship

The Horse Health Grand Prix Freestyle, the jewel in the LeMieux National Championships crown, drew a knowledgeable crowd to Stoneleigh Park this afternoon. Ten combinations came forward and the competition was strong but it was the maestro himself, Carl Hester, who secured the class and his tenth National Champion title.

Carl and Nip Tuck rode the incredibly technical freestyle that they performed in Rio to earn the winning score of 78.47%, ahead of Lara Butler and Kristjan (75.55%) and Louise Bell with Into the Blue (73.60%).

At the half way mark, Maria Eilberg and the stunning grey Royal Concert had the lead with their brilliant Rod Stewart compilation which earned them 73.20%. Louise Bell and Into the Blue later delighted with a fun, expressive performance to the sound of Sweet Home Alabama and The Greatest Showman, the roan gelding and his rider showing off an extensive piaffe-passage tour. Josh Vietti’s Despacito set the canter off well, and there was great interpretation of music. A secure test with the horse showing a good ability to collect earned them 73.60%.

Next in, Laura Tomlinson and Duval’s Capri Sonne Jr, showed much ability riding to their familiar reggae routine, which many will associate with former ride Andretti H. The performance was tinged with some tension with ‘Cas’ not quite settled in mouth, but when it all comes together, it’s going to be spectacular as the stallion has so much ability. 69.67% was their score today.

Lara Butler and Kristjan entered next to Amazing Grace in passage. Accompanied by Thin Lizzy‘s Whisky in the Jar and Scotland the Brave, their test had bags of energy, high points and flair. A misunderstanding into half pass left was costly, the extended canter impressed and the one-time changes very confident. Ultimately second place was theirs with 75.55%.

The penultimate pair Carl Hester and Nip Tuck entered in passage to a good square halt, straight into piaffe-passage tour, including turning piaffe, to their familiar Rio music. Carl is so confident with this horse and the two time changes on a curve and the 23 one-time changes on a curve were beautiful. The canter pirouettes both ways were high quality, there was one moment when something in the grandstand caught the attention of ‘Barney’, but his mind was soon back on the job. The extended trot was cautious but beautifully balanced, and overall the test beautifully presented for a great reception from crowd and a score of 78.47% from the judging panel.

Last to go Sadie Smith and Keystone Dynamite showed a lot of energy and talent with some super highlights. There score was 72.85% despite some miscommunications, so what a promising combination for the future with more experience under their belts.

After the prize-giving, Carl told us, “That first centreline has some impact! He did 23 one time changes without an error and then I had one small blip on the straight but that was it. He knows that test so well and gives all he has, he’s just so obedient. It’s nice now that he enjoys it rather than being terrified, but then again at 15, he should really! It’s a really difficult programme and he makes it look easy.

“It’s nice to get my tenth National Champion title with him. He deserves it for what he’s given to British dressage – he’s represented Britain at European, World and Olympic level and always been so solid – he was due this win." 

Barney currently lives at Rob Barker’s yard and he’ll train with Carl to work towards a Grand Prix debut. “I’ll keep schooling him twice a week to keep him sharp and Rob can learn from him which will only help his riding and his skills for his own horses. If I hadn’t had a ‘leg up’ like this when I was younger, I’d never be where I am today so it’s important. Barney still has a lot to give and I don’t think he’ll ever retire!”

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold

The Headmore Stud is enjoying a fabulous LeMieux National Championships, with their horses in the frame all week. Alice Oppenheimer was runner up in yesterday’s Saracen Horse Inter I with top ride Headmore Davina but today she secured her first win of the show.

With another liver chestnut Headmore-bred mare, the up and coming Headmore Bella Ruby, Alice claimed a highly competitive Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold with 73.71% ahead of Jane Turney and Cruz III (72.26%) and Sam Rahmatalla with Hawtins Falerno in third (71.78%).

“I was so pleased with her today,” beamed Alice. “She had the Medium yesterday, and she warmed up OK, but I got in the ring and she was so hot that I had to ride a safe test. I was quite disappointed with the feel I got in the ring yesterday, just because I know she can go so much better. She still got 70% though, and I thought if she can still get that, when she feels like that, I’m on to a winner – I can’t really complain.

“Today, she was so much more relaxed, so much more rideable, and I’m so surprised as it’s only her first season Advanced Medium,” said Alice of the Belissimo M x Rubinstein seven year old. “I was just coming here for the experience, I thought she’d be too green to do this well but she just gave me such a super ride in there.

“I need to thank my farrier Tom Smith. A couple of weeks ago we just slightly changed her shoeing to give her a little bit more support. I felt that I’d lost the quality in her changes, and we discussed it and felt that she could do with a little bit of help, a bit more support on her shoeing, and she’s been like a different horse since. She nailed it today and I’m so proud of her. Mum cried and I cried!

“I love that horse, she’s so special,” concluded Alice. “She’s just so lovely to ride, she’s got everything you want. She’s supple, she’s hot on the leg, she’s good in the contact, she’s clever, and she’s a real character on the yard.”

Childeric Saddles Elementary Gold

Becky Moody staked her claim in the Childeric Saddles Elementary Gold Championships as she rode to a one-two with two rising stars, James Bond and Jagerbomb. The winning margin is almost as impressive as the result itself as Becky scored an identical mark of 74.56% with Jo Cooper’s five year old stallion James Bond just pipping the home-bred Jagerbomb to the post on collectives, there were just two marks in it!

“He’s [James Bond] such a talented horse and has a really good attitude. Jagerbomb isn’t so talented but the more I do with him the more he’s developing,” Becky said about her two promising partners, “Jagerbomb did a really tidy, neat, correct test. His canter work and simple changes, transitions were really good – the other horse is much more talented but he just pulls it out the bag with the consistency and tidiness.”

“Both of these horses in their different ways are future Grand Prix horses,” Becky continued, “I’d like to keep hold of both of them!”

“I’d hoped James Bond would do well, he was second in the Novice to Charlotte at the Winters and e’s a really cool horse so I’d hoped he would score well! It’s been a pretty epic weekend, we’ve had six horses and ridden 11 tests so thanks to my wonderful team – the weather has definitely helped too, it’s been amazing!”

Becky will now focus on training and strengthening James Bond, known as Q at home, over the winter with a view to working towards Medium and Advanced Medium in the New Year. Whilst ‘Bomb’ will aim for the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, “It’s good for him to get out and do a bit, he’s a bit more edgy out of the two – he’s very good boy but he’s the one we’ve done the arena walks with this week! The long term aim with both is Grand Prix so it’s just working towards that.”

Full results
Photos by Kevin Sparrow Photography

Interim Chair Linda Whetsone welcomed everyone and introduced the Board members to the audience before handing to Chief Executive Jason Brautigam (JB) for the formal business of the Annual General Meeting.

Apologies were read from Susie Cumine, David Trott and Peter & Sue Baxter before moving on to the resolutions as follows:

1. To elect the Chairman – Proxy votes; 75 for, 2 against and 2 void papers. In the room there were no votes against so the motion was duly carried to elect Linda Whetstone as Chairman.

2. To elect the International Director - Proxy votes; 77 for and zero against. In the room there were no votes against so the motion was unanimously carried to elect Judy Harvey as International Director.

3. To elect the Sports Operations Director– four candidates came forward and were subsequently approved by the Nominations Committee to go to the membership for election. An electronic ballot was held by independent company Mi-Voice who reported 1517 votes. The results were as follows:
Simon Bates – 538 votes
Sandy Phillips – 354 votes
Kelly Thompson – 311 votes
Ros Ingledew – 304 votes
Simon Bates was duly elected to the role of Sport Operations Director.

4. To receive the Financial Statements of British Dressage for the year ended 31 December 2018 and the Directors’ and Auditors’ Reports thereon.
Finance Director Caroline Godfrey ran through the accounts and reported turnover for BD was up 4% and a profit of £303,909 was returned. Iryndeep Kaur-Delay, Senior Statutory Auditor from KPMG updated the meeting and said there were no audit issues or changes to the presentation. They approved the accounts on 13 June 2019. The vote was put to the room and carried unanimously.

5. To appoint, pending the outcome of the tender process, the chosen auditors of British Dressage and to authorise the Board to fix their remuneration.
A panel carried out an Audit Tender for our Auditors this year. KPMG elected not to tender but five companies were interviewed for best fit. Mazars were selected by the panel and subsequently approved by the Board. It motion was put to the room and unanimously carried.

That was the end of the formal business and Linda then opened the Members’ Meeting where there were presentations from the CEO and Board members (see the pdf of the slides).

Points of note:
CEO: there will be no members’ forum on the new BD website. Costs are coming in at £16 – 24K for an appropriate site and the Board feel this money would be better spent elsewhere. BD will be using other social media channels more effectively for interactive content like webinars, Twitter/FB Q&A, etc.

Judges: Peter Storr emphasised that candidates in the current exam system will have opportunity in 2020 to finish their qualification and if unsuccessful, they’ll move to the new system in 2021.

International: Judy Harvey clarified that three horse and rider combinations will be in the team for the Tokyo Olympics with a fourth travelling reserve who may be substituted into the team for the Grand Prix Special to decide the team medals.

Sport Operations: Tamsyn Cowie explained the new 2020 Petplan Equine Area Festival venues were still being worked on and a mapping exercise was taking place to spread the venues so that members had access to an Area Festival within a two hour drive.

Questions from the floor

Would BD consider aligning with the FEI on the vaccination rules of six months with a 21 day grace period?
JB – the final wording is still being worked on for the 2020 rules and he would ask the Board to look at it as well as a dispensation system for horses who have severe reactions.

With the new flu regulations, would BD consider a six month membership?
JB said he and the Board will look at a six monthly horse registrations.

With the new season split of two six monthly periods, how would BD insure results are in in time for the three week entry window ahead of Regionals?
TC said the new IT system will help dramatically as the Phase IV priority is the upload of results into the database directly to speed up the process so there shouldn’t be the delays as previously. Lou Jones added that qualifications will be sent as they’re gained so members should be aware they’ve qualified.

Questions submitted prior to the meeting

50% of the BD Board has not contested an election, they’re appointed or elected unopposed – this is an issue?
JB said often the calibre of people who come forward mean they are the only applicant for vacancies. All roles are advertised and all applicants must go through a process with the Nominations Committee to make sure they’re fit for office so there are checks in place. As a volunteer role requiring a great deal of commitment, there may just be people who are unwilling to come forward –
the Board is only as good as those who come forward.

Some NGBs have 100% appointed boards whereas BD have a largely democratic process except where we need particular skillsets and have appointed Directors (as per the Mems and Arts) such as Suzanne Homewood in the new Business Development Director role. We may look to similar for an HR Director.

Would we consider using Mi-Voice for all elections so that members could take part in a simple yes or no vote where there is one candidate?
JB said it was a fair point and would be looked into.

Download PDF of presentation sildes (pictures have been removed to reduce file size). Full formal minutes will be publisheed in due course. 

Results of the riders who represented Great Britain at Waregem CD3*/CDIU25/CDIY/J/P in Belgium (12 – 15 September 2019).

CDI3* Prix St Georges
1. Corentin Pottier with Gotilas du Feuillard, 73.676% (FRA)
9. Emily Harris with Freya FST, 68.873% (GBR) - pictured earlier this year
15. Tor Fenwick with Renoir (Old), 65.931% (GBR)

CDI3* Intermediate I
1. Thibault Vandenberghe with Santiago Song, 73.235% (BEL)
11. Emily Harris with Freya FST, 66.824% (GBR)
14. Tor Fenwick with Renoir (Old), 65.618% (GBR)

CDI3* Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Thibault Vandenberghe with Santiago Song, 77.770% (BEL)
11. Emily Harris with Freya FST, 68.935% (GBR)
12. Tor Fenwick with Renoir (Old), 67.850% (GBR)

CDIU25 Inter II
1. Mercedes Verwey with Four Seasons 19, 69.206% (NED)
4. Lewis Carrier with Diego V. 65.971% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix
1. Aleksandra Maksakova, 70.564% (RUS)
5. Lewis Carrier with Diego V, 65.974% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Team Test
1. Kim Burschik with Filaro Old, 71.373% (GER)
15. Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 66.176% (GBR)
19. Jasmine Harding Heitzmann with Deco, 63.725% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Individual Test
1. Luna Laabs with Wild Willy Granly, 73.578% (GER)
9. Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 66.863% (GBR)
17. Jasmine Harding Heitzmann with Deco, 64.167% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Freestyle
1. Luna Laabs with Wild Willy Granly, 74.475% (GER)
10. Angus Corrie-Deane with Tiny Tempur, 67.558% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Team Test
1. Micky Schelstraete with Grand-Charmeur, 70.808% (NED)
5. Gemma Owen with Sirius Black, 68.687% (GBR)
10. Jessie Kirby with Belle Amie, 66.162% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Individual Test
1. Micky Schelstraete with Grand-Charmeur, 73.824% (NED)
9. Gemma Owen with Sirius Black, 67.696% (GBR)
13. Jessie Kirby with Belle Amie, 65.392% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Freestyle
1. Lara van Nek with Amazing Comeback, 75.717% (NED)
4. Gemma Owen with Sirius Black, 73.792% (GBR)

CDIP Pony Team Test
1. Lara van Nek with Brouwershaven’s Nairobi, 73.524% (NED)
17. Olivia Langley with Bathleyhills Sea Wurzel, 64.905% (GBR)

CDIP Pony Individual Test
1. Josephine Gert Nielsen with Dot Com, 74.595% (DEN)
12. Olivia Langley with Bathleyhills Sea Wurzel, 65.901% (GBR)

For full results click here

Photo © Kevin Sparrow

Returning with a new look for 2019/2020, the Ideal Saddles Combined Training is all set to jump back into the BD calendar next month.

Keeping up with the growing popularity of our super winter season championship, the Sports Operations team was delighted to announce several key changes to the series earlier in the summer ahead of the 2019/2020 qualifiers.

Speaking ahead of this year’s competition, Ideal Saddles Product Development Manager Jim Revilles commented, “We’re delighted to continue our support of the British Dressage Combined Training series. The winter months can be long and, let’s face it, a bit depressing here in the UK! But the Combined Training series is a great way for riders to keep motivated and to keep progressing in their training over the winter, while having a lot of fun! The entire Ideal Saddles team wishes the very best of luck to all competitors for the series ahead.”

Rules re-cap

Combinations are now able to compete and qualify for the Championship final as Associate members on class tickets, with riders and horses going forwards to the Championship holding Club registrations or higher. Prelim and Novice sections are now only open to combinations who have not ridden at Medium or above – but for those with more dressage experience, have a go at our brand new Elementary level classes with two jumping options. 

Levels (BD Dressage Test/Showjumping Maximum Height)

• Prelim 2 with 70cm
• Prelim 18 with 80cm
• Novice 24 with 90cm
• Novice 34 with 100cm
• Elementary 42 with 90cm
• Elementary 50 with 100cm

Find all the dates for this year’s series here, there are 19 qualifiers to choose from up and down the country whilst the championship final returns to Field House EC in Staffordshire on 15 March 2020.Take a look at our interactive venue map to plan your show!

Find out more about the Ideal Saddles Combined Training series or enter your qualifier online via BD Schedules. 

The formal minutes from the Annual General Meeting of British Dressage held on 12 September 2019 at the Oak Tree at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire are now available for publication.

Dowload PDF of formal minutes

Download PDF of presentation sildes (pictures have been removed to reduce file size)