Two Senior International riders - coach Emile Faurie and his pupil Hannah Biggs (pictured) - have travelled abroad to compete together in the CDI4* at Fritzens Shindlhof, Austria.

They will ride in the Big Tour for the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle alongside competitors from 13 other nations at the fairytale venue that is owned by the Swarovski family.

Hannah rides her faithful partner the 14 year old chestnut gelding Weltzin for the Freestyle, while Emile will contest Julie Bradley’s 13 year old gelding Topolino for the Special, who he has partnered since February this year.

With the support of Emile, Hannah and Weltzin have made a real impact at international level this year with four international outings already including two seconds at Grand Prix Special; one at Roosendaal CDI3* and the other at Hamburg CDI4*. This will be their first international Freestlye of 2013.

This will only be the second international outing for the green Topolino or ‘Toppy’, who went to Hamburg CDI4*with Emile back in May and posted an impressive ninth place in the Special despite being a little intimidated by the atmoshpere. With an extra months training under his belt, Emile will be hoping that 'Toppy' should feel a little braver this time around.

The Grand Prix for Special class takes place today (Friday 12 July) at 12.30pm BST, with the top 15 combinations going through to the Special on Sunday at 9am BST.

The Grand Prix for Freestyle class takes place on Saturday (13 July) at 12.30pm BST, with the top 15 combinations going through to the Freestyle on Sunday at 1.30pm BST.

You can watch the action live via Clip My Horse TV here.

For up to date start lists, schedules and results visit the event website here.

Judy Harvey and Kay Maxted contested the Big Tour classes at Vierzon CDI3* (5 – 7 July), coming home with two top five placings for Great Britain.

Riding for the Freestyle on Richard Heley’s 15 year old Fitzcerraldo, List 1 judge Judy (pictured) led the way finishing on 69.300% for third place and bettering her own qualifying score from the Grand Prix class by just under three percent.

Just ahead of Judy were Julia Chevanne (FRA) and Elisabeth Eversfied Koch (SUI) who finished on 71.100% and 71.650% respectively.

In the Special, Kay Maxted (below) rode her own pocket sized KWPN gelding Privaldi and like Judy bettered her own qualifying score to finish fourth with 65.771%. Germany’s Stephan Koberle, winner of the qualifying Grand Prix, took the class with his De Niro gelding Darjeeling on 71.146%.

At Small Tour two riders represented GBR; List 2A judge Harry Payne with Sir Real along with 22 year old Cambridge graduate Lucy Fallen on Nurejev.

It was a case of role reversals when Harry finished two percent ahead of Lucy in the qualifying PSG, followed by a near seven percent lead for Lucy in the Inter I Freestyle.

Harry (pictured below), who co-owns Sir Real with Isobel Laurence, said “We had a lovely show. It was a wonderful venue with lovely stabling and super friendly organisers. He produced a really settled PSG which I was thrilled with but in the Inter I he got tense and some expensive mistakes crept in which cost us dearly.

“He’s already done a couple of Pick Your Own Grand Prix’s this year (in fact, Sir Real won both of those classes back in May at Vale View) so the plan is to compete in some more UK Big Tour classes and perhaps some international Small Tour later in the year.”

For Nurejev and Lucy (who has just completed a year-long law conversion course) it was the first competition in 10 months due to Lucy’s study commitments, and the 18 year old KWPN whom she describes as ‘getting naughtier every year’ was on his toes.

“He was very excited in the PSG and it wasn’t quite the test I’d imagined but my aim was to qualify for the Inter I and we did it.

“The Freestyle was just so much fun despite the 36 degree heat – I don’t think I’ve ever ridden in such hot temperatures! The venue itself was amazing, so friendly, and a really big, supportive crowd. I even signed my first autograph! It was just a great trip.”

The pair, who train with Gareth Hughes, rode to a selection of Nurejev’s ballet compositions, arranged for them by Gaynor Colbourn.

When asked how she plans to combine her riding with a budding law career (she is due to start a training contract with a City firm early next year), Lucy said “Oh no, don’t ask! I’m ignoring that one for the time being. The problem is I really want to do both things, I don’t want to give up the riding. For the time being I live just outside of London and commute into the City, and it works. I’ll find a way to make sure it keeps on working.”

Lucy and Nurejev are travelling to Deaville in six days to compete alongside four other British riders in the CDI3*.

Based in France, 17 year old Amy Bird competed at Vierzon in the six year old Young Horse class with her own gelding Cambel B, taking ninth place.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of BRITISH DRESSAGE will be held at the Guest Lounge, Royal Pavilion, Kenilworth, Warwickshire , CV8 2XZ, on 19 September 2013 at 18.45 for the purpose of considering the matters set out here.

AGENDA

Ordinary Business

1. To elect Chairman - download a ballot paper

2. To elect Para Director - download a ballot paper

3. To receive the Financial Statements of British Dressage for the year ended 31 December 2012 and the Directors’ and Auditors’ Reports thereon - download the Chairman's review and Financial statement

4. To appoint KPMG as the auditors of British Dressage and to authorise the Board to fix their remuneration

Special Business

The following will be proposed as Special Resolutions:

5. To adopt new Articles of Association for British Dressage in the form tabled before the meeting - download the proposed Articles of Association

6. (if resolution 5 is passed) to adopt a new Memorandum of Association for British Dressage in the form tabled before the meeting - download the proposed Memorandum of Association

7. (if resolution 5 is not passed) to amend the existing Articles of Association of British Dressge by inserting the following new sentence at the end of Article 8.16:

“The Directors may make arrangements, in circumstances where a postal vote would be effective under these Article or the Act, for any resolution to be voted upon by Members utilising the Company’s website or by other means of electronic communication for those members who are able to vote in such manner, provide that (i) access to the relevant part of the website and/or voting ability has suitable login codes and/or password protection to ensure that only persons with the relevant code or password allocated to a Member can vote as that Member and (ii) that the numbers of votes cast for and/or against such resolution shall not be available to Members prior to the conclusion of the applicable ballot. The provisions of Articles 8.17 to 8.21 inclusive shall apply to a ballot conducted using electronic voting as they apply to an exclusively postal ballot.”

By order of the Board

Amanda Bond
Chief Executive
British Dressage, Meriden Business Park, Copse Drive, Meriden, West Midlands, CV5 9RG
Company number: 3443026

Dated: 24 June 2013

Any member of British Dressage entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by this Notice is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his or her place. A proxy need not be a member of British Dressage. The completed proxy form must be received at the registered office not later than 48 hours before the date and time that the meeting is due to commence. Proxy forms can be obtained by writing to the Chief Executive with a stamped addressed envelope.

To download this notice of AGM - click here

To view the Chairman and Para Director candidate profiles - click here

Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin dominated Big Tour at Hartpury CDI (5 – 7 July) with her mentor Carl Hester’s Uthopia. In Friday’s Holiday Inn FEI Grand Prix, the 12 year old Metall-sired stallion left the judges in no doubt who their winner was with all five scores unanimously putting him first. Polish judge Wojtek Markowski at ‘C’ was just shy of 80% but the final score was 76.404%, the combination’s new personal best.

Runners up were Michael Eilberg and Jon and Julie Deverill’s exuberant Dimaggio mare Half Moon Delphi with 73% while Anders Dahl continued his Hickstead Premier League form of the previous week when piloting his wife Fiona’s Wie Atlantico scoring 67.277% to finish third.

It was great for many to see Liebling II back in Britain, this time with new rider Jonna Schelstraete (NED) at only their second international together with a score of 66.064%.

Saturday’s gala night performance featured the Superflex FEI Grand Prix Freestyle and it was again Charlotte and Uthopia on great from. A packed crowd gathered in the Hartpury International Arena to see the duo perform a freestyle together for the first time on ‘home soil’ and they weren’t disappointed despite just four in the class. Performing to Charlotte’s ‘old’ music score which was replaced by the now world famous patriotic tunes, the duo are really ‘growing’ together and becoming more and more of a partnership. A score of 82.625 gave them a clear 13% margin of victory; Canadian judge Cara Whitham awarded them 91% for their artistic mark. See the video, courtesy of Hartpury, below.

For second, third and fourth it was a closer battle and one which divided the judges. In the end, second spot went to Anders and Wie Atlantico with 69.6% while World Class Development rider Amy Stovold was third on Laura Swaine’s exciting Don Schufro sired prospect Debonnet with 67.875%. Fractionally behind were Jonna Schelstraete and Liebling II on 67.250%.

On Sunday, four did battle for the Baileys FEI Grand Prix Special honours and it was Michael and Half Moon Delphi on top with an improved score from Friday of 74.583%, which included a 76%+ score from Norwegian Kjell Myhre. This performance was enough to earn the combination that fourth coveted team place for the European Championships alongside Laura, Carl and Charlotte. Consistent campaigners Daniel Watson and Susie Farnon’s Fideramber were second with 67.188% and they had the news that they’re amongst the nominated combinations for the European Championships should they be required. Third went to Lindsey Roberts’ Walkman BC ridden by Lisa Hopkins on a score of 65.792% with Alice Oppenheimer just behind on 64.938% with Sarah Openheimer’s Headmore Delegate in the horse’s first year at grand prix level.

In the small tour, it was Michael’s turn to be the dominant force and Lynne Crowden’s mare Woodlander Dornroschen was his all-conquering partner. In the 24-strong Monarch Equestrian FEI Prix St Georges class, they edged a 2% victory with 74.316% over the USA’s Katherine Bateson Chandler and Alcazar who train with Carl Hester. Anders Dahl continued his good form, this time with Selten HW. Bred in the USA at HWfarm using Sandro Hit, the striking black gelding is a recent addition to the yard having been purchased at the Equine Elite Auction in December last year. They scored 72.026%. Willow Kemp (Dragon Heart) and Hayley Watson-Greaves (WG Rubins Nite) completed the top five with 71.132% and 70.263% respectively.

In Saturday’s Childeric FEI Inter I, Michael and Woodlander Dornroschen again proved untouchable and upped their performance to score 74.263% for a near 4% win. However there two new names on the leader board this time round. Anne-Marie Perry, a member of the World Class Development squad, was runner up with her striking liver chestnut Feine Dame 52 on 70.5% and third went to the Furst Piccolo sired Fantastic Light, ridden by Zoe Sleigh, a whisker behind on 70.053%. Jane Green riding Theresa Stokes’ W Valentine was fourth with 69.921% with Katherine Bateson Chandler again featuring with Alcazar in fifth on 69.658%.

Sunday was dancing day for the small tour and in the Albion Saddlemakers FEI Inter I Freestyle, Michael completed his hat-trick of victories with Woodlander Dornroschen, dam of Woodlander Farouche, with an assured performance to fall just shy of the magic 80% barrier on 79.075%. Zoe Sleigh and Fantastic Light, owned by mum Christine, proved how much they enjoy Hartpury and emulated the routine which won them the Superflex Inter I Freestyle at this year’s NAF Winter Championships to notch up a great 75.025% for second. Anne Marie Perry was just behind on Feine Dame with 74.7% with Jane Green and W Valentine just behind on 73.5%. Fifth were Hayley Watson Greaves and WG Rubins Nite with a personal best 72.350%.

For full results – click here.
 

Seven British riders will be in action this weekend on the continent at two CDIs.

Perl Borg CDI4*
18 – 21 July

The Peterhof Dressage Gala will take place for a second year running at the scenic Gestut Peterhof, on the banks of the Mosel river in Germany starting tomorrow. Two Brits with three horses have made the journey. Michael Eilberg will be giving Jon and Julie Deverill’s Half Moon Delphi an outing before they make their Senior Team debut at next month’s European Championships while he has his father Ferdi’s Torino in the small tour classes. Nikki Crisp will be riding her own Pasoa (pictured) in the big tour.

Timetable

18 July
08:00 - FEI Prix St. Georges

19 July
10:00 - Price of the Bottega Conticelli FEI Grand Prix de Dressage (Qualification Grand Prix Freestyle)
14:15 Pice Va-tout FEI Grand Prix de Dressage (Qualification Grand Prix Special)

20 July
09:30 - Price of the "FONTIS Family Office GmbH and Hennerkes, Kirchdörfer & Lorz" FEI Intermediaire I
20:15 - Price of the kohlpharma GmbH FEI Grand Prix Freestyle

21 July
09:00 - Price of the ZURICH-Versicherung Claudia Welter and R+V FEI Intermediaire I - Freestyle
14:00 - Price of the Fürstlich Castell'sche Bank FEI Grand Prix Special

Event website: click here

Deauville CDI3*
18 – 21 July

Also in its second year is Deauville CDI3* and they’ve added a CDIU25 following last year’s successful event. The competition is held in the International Complex, built in 2010 to the highest standards in a beautiful area of Normandy.

Dan Sheriff is our only big tour rider with his own Westfalian stallion Bayford Hall Dallagilo. In the small tour, Alex Hardwick campaigns two horses, Calvin G and Donauwein, both owned by mum Sally while Lucy Fallen riders Adele Rawlinson’s Nurejev . They’re joined by Zoe Sleigh on Christine Sleigh’s Fantastic Light, Inter 1 Freestyle winners at Hartpury CDI two weeks ago. Zoe will also ride in the U25 classes with Rhodez along with Bobby Hayler on Paul Haylers Aldborough Rubinhall.

Timetable

18 July Horse inspections

19 July
 Prix St Georges
 Grand Prix

20 July
Intermediate I
Intermediate II CDIU25 (young riders)
Freestyle Grand Prix

21 July
Grand Prix Special
Grand Prix CDIU25
Freestyle Intermediate I

Event website : click here
 

Yorkshire-based specialist in the breeding of elite dressage horses,Mount St John Equestrian has become the official sponsor of the inaugural Mount St John Dressage Future Elite Championship.  This much-anticipated competition will be held at “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” on Wednesday 9^th October at Birmingham’s NEC.

Hannah Biggs (pictured) and her coach Emile Faurie bagged two top ten placings each during their recent trip to a fairytale Austrian venue for the CDI4* at Fritzens Schindlhof 12 – 14 July.

Emile (below) rode Julie Bradley’s Topolino for the Special, qualifying in the Grand Prix on a score of 66.596% for ninth place.

The pair posted consistent marks across the GP with mostly solid sevens, as well as a 7.5 and two eights during their nine two-time changes - more than enough to get them through to the Special, where they bettered their own positioning to finish seventh overall on 66.563%.

In the Special there were a couple of mistakes in the 15 flying changes that cost marks but the pair boosted their score during the second sequence of nine changes, with eights from the judges at H and B topped up with sevens from the remaining three judges.

It was the seemingly effortless performance of Italy’s Valentina Truppa that led the field with wins in both the qualifying Grand Prix (71.170%) and the Special (72.688%) on her ride Fixdesign Chablis.

For Emile’s pupil, 34 year old Nations Cup rider Hannah, this was a restorative trip after a difficult competition with Weltzin at Aachen CDIO just ten days previous.

Following a massively successful season up to that point, the privately sensitive horse had tried too hard for Hannah and, in her words, ‘pushed himself over the edge’.

But the philosophical and fair Hannah chalked it down to experience, heading to Fritzens to put things right.

She said “Aachen was a bit of a disaster, Weltzin tried too hard and pushed himself over the edge. Not many people realise that he’s actually a really emotionally sensitive horse and it really affected him, so this was a chance to redeem ourselves and get back on track.

“Fritzens was the perfect remedy at just the right time, the setting was truly magical and so peaceful – it was like a dressage dreamland!"

The pair rode Grand Prix for Freestlye – a break from their usual Special over the past few months – and produced a consistent qualifying round for sixth place and 68.489%.

“I wanted a break from the Special and as our new music is nearly completed (Hannah and Weltzin will debut their new music, produced by Tom Hunt, over the winter World Cup season), I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give our current score one last run.

“I was pleased with the Grand Prix, we had no major mistakes but I could feel that Weltzin was still a little tense so I kept my foot off the gas because it was important that I give him an easy confidence building round.”

The strategy paid off as Weltzin went on to produce a relaxed Freestyle to finish on 73.65% for fifth place and a PB for their record books. “We just went in there and enjoyed ourselves – Weltzin felt in a better frame, both mentally and physically, and we came out with a Freestyle personal best. It couldn’t have been a better result and we’re both coming home feeling a lot happier.

It was the unstoppable Italian Valentina Truppa who again topped the leader board across the Grand Prix for Freestyle, this time on Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno, scoring 76.553% in the GP and 79.48% in the Freestyle.

For full results visit the Fritzens Shindlhof website here.
 

British riders dominated during the CPEDI3* held over three days during the Hartpury Festival of Dressage, 3 – 5 July.

International competitors travelled from across the globe to take part in the first of two FEI para competitions held this year in the UK; the second takes place 18 – 21 July at Bishop Burton College Equestrian Centre.

Nine nations started, with combinations from as far away as Canada and Hong Kong, but nobody could touch the Brits who finished with wins in every single class across all grades over the three days of competition.

Para-Equestrian Dressage National Coach, Michel Assouline, said “ Hartpury produced some great reults and was a useful exercise being the final competition where selectors had to decide on the squad for the Europeans at Hernig in August.

“The selection element along with the well deserved winter break that some of the horses have had did increase pressure on the riders, but this was cetainly not apparent in their performances and they all came away with with reliable marks that reflected their progression.

“We are very lucky to have so many top class horses thanks to the generosity of our owners and sponsors (Henrietta Cheetham’s Lady Joseph Trust owns three horses currently, LJT Akilles, LJT Lucas and LJT Solitaire) and we couldn’t achieve any of this either without the continued support from World Class and Lottery funding.”

Grade 1a
It was nearly at total wipe out at Grade 1a when only one non-GBR rider made it into the top three of any of the classes.

Ireland’s bubbly Paralympian Geraldine Savage took third place in the Individual Championships test with her ride Blues Tip Top Too on a score of 66.522% but Brits Sophie Christiansen (Janeiro 6, pictured above) and Anne Dunham (LJT Lucas Normark) could not be knocked off their perch, producing a string of plus seventy scores to bag them first and second respectively in every single class.

Emma Sheardown joined her British team mates by taking third spot in the Freestyle on another whopping score of 72.450% with her 15 year old gelding Purdy’s Dream.

Grade 1b
Nobody could budge the top three at Grade 1b with Lee Pearson, Ricky Balshaw and Stinna Tange Kaastrup (DNK) taking first, second and third place respectively in each class.

Riding his ‘new’ horse Zion (Lee has actually been riding the 17hh KWPN since 2010, but has concentrated solely on him since the retirement of his Olympic horse Gentleman back in 2012), Pearson (pictured) posted his best score in Friday’s Freestyle finishing on 75.050%.

2013 has been a good year for former Paralympain Balshaw, 26, who suffered a broken back after a bad fall at home back in 2011. Since then he has fully recovered and had been searching for a new equestrian partner, whom he has now found with the help of the Lady Joseph Trust in the form of LJT Engaards Solitaire. The pair have been selected for this year’s European team and have been ear marked by fans as hopefuls for Rio.

Grade II
Three ladies stole the show at Grade II as Brits Natasha Baker (Cabral) and Erin Orford (Nirvana Morroko), along with Canadian Lauren Barwick, held on to the top three spots in every class.

Natasha took first place every time, never scoring below 73%, but it was in the Freestyle (video below) that she and the horse she co owns with her mum and Christian Landolt had most impact, when they scored a massive 78.250% - over four percent higher than second placed Brit Erin Orford and her ride who is co-owned by Diana Barley.

All the way from Canada, Lauren Barwick and her ride Off to Paris, beat Erin to second place in the Team Test, leaving them both with a blue and yellow rosette at the end of three days competition.

Grade III
There was only space for Britain, France and Canada in the Grade III tests, as riders from the three nations took the first three places in each class.

Paralympic gold medallist Deb Criddle (pictured) rode LJT Akilles to first place in every test, her highest score in the Freestyle at 74% while Frenchman Vladimir Vinchon and his ride Bo VB took second place across the board.

Louise Studer (FRA) wasn’t able to break the 60 barrier but managed to secure two of the third places with 64.415% in the Individual Championship Test and 69.900% in the Freestyle.

Canadian Roberta Anne Sheffield completed the Grade III quartet by riding for third place in the Team Test on Wednesday with a score of 65.474%.

Grade IV
Brit Sophie Wells (pictured) dominated at Grade IV, taking first place in each of the three classes with her 11 year old KWPN gelding Valerius.

Valerius is second in Sophie’s string to her Paralympic horse Pinocchio and she hopes to take him to the Europeans at Hernig in August.

Together they posted the highest score of the whole competition, with 80.200% in the Freestyle.

Alongside Sophie, Frenchwoman Nathalie Bizet and her ride Rubica 3 swept the board, taking second place in every class. Their highest score was in the Freestyle at 73.400%.

Vanessa Knight (GBR) and Ireland’s Rosemary Gaffney shared third place honours, Rosemary in both the Individual Championship and Team tests, and Vanessa in the Freestyle, riding her ten year old stallion Balistro 4.

Results as follows:

Wednesday 3 July

Para Team Test Grade IV
1st Sophie Wells and Valerius (GBR), 74.095%
2nd Nathalie Bizet and Rubica 3 (FRA), 68.833%
3rd Rosemary Gaffney and Ustero (IRL), 68.619%

Para Team Test Grade III
1st Deborah Criddle and LJT Akilles (GBR), 68.579%
2nd Vladimir Vinchon and Bo VB (FRA), 66.474%
3rd Roberta Anne Sheffield and Wonderboy (CAN), 65.474%

Para Team Test Grade II
1st Natasha Baker and Cabral (GBR), 73.588%
2nd Lauren Barwick and Off to Paris (CAN), 71.382%
3rd Erin Orford and Nirvana Morroko (GBR), 69.529%

Para Team Test Grade Ia
1st Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 (GBR), 77.435%
2nd Anne Dunham and LJT Lucas Normark (GBR), 74.304%
3rd Emma Sheardown and Purdy's Dream (GBR), 70.391%

Para Team Test Grade Ib
1st Lee Pearson and Zion (GBR), 71.680%
2nd Ricky Balshaw and LJT Engaards Solitaire (GBR), 70.760%
3rd Stinna Tange Kaastrup and Steffi Graf (DNK), 69.760%

Thursday 4 July

Para Individual Championship Test Grade III
1st Deborah Criddle and LJT Akilles (GBR), 71.439%
2nd Vladimir Vinchon and Bo VB (FRA), 66.878%
3rd Louise Studer and Flint (FRA), 64.415%

Para Individual Championship Test Grade IV
1st Sophie Wells and Valerius (GBR), 72.976%
2nd Nathalie Bizet and Rubica 3 (FRA), 69.119%
3rd Rosemary Gaffney and Aldham Mill Dubloon (IRL), 67.167%

Para Individual Championship Test Grade Ia
1st Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 (GBR), 76.783%
2nd Anne Dunham and LJT Lucas Normark (GBR), 73.870%
3rd Geraldine Savage and Blues Tip Top Too (IRL), 66.522%

Para Individual Championship Test Grade Ib
1st Lee Pearson and Zion (GBR), 69.966%
2nd Ricky Balshaw and LJT Engaards Solitaire (GBR), 69.655%
3rd Stinna Tange Kaastrup and Steffi Graf (DNK), 65.207%

Para Individual Championship Test Grade II
1st Natasha Baker and Cabral (GBR), 73.171%
2nd Erin Orford and Nirvana Morroko (GBR), 68.343%
3rd Lauren Barwick and Off to Paris (GBR), 66.857%

Friday 5 July

Para Freestyle Test Grade II
1st Natasha Baker and Cabral (GBR), 78.250%
2nd Erin Orford and Nirvana Morroko (GBR), 74.000%
3rd Lauren Barwick and Off to Paris (CAN), 72.500%

Para Freestyle Test Grade Ia
1st Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 (GBR), 79.050%
2nd Anne Dunham and LJT Lucas Normark (GBR), 76.650%
3rd Emma Sheardown and Purdy's Dream (GBR), 72.450%

Para Freestyle Test Grade Ib
1ST Lee Pearson and Zion (GBR), 75.050%
2ND Ricky Balshaw and LJT Engaards Solitaire (GBR), 73.200%
3RD Stinna Tange Kaastrup and Steffi Graf (DNK), 71.350%

Para Freestyle Test Grade III
1st Deborah Criddle and LJT Akilles (GBR), 74.000%
2nd Vladimir Vinchon and Bo VB (FRA), 71.300%
3RD Louise Studer and Flint (FRA), 69.900%

Para Freestyle Test Grade IV
1ST Sophie and Wells and Valerius (GBR), 80.200%
2ND Nathalie Bizet and Rubica 3 (FRA), 73.400%
3rd Vanessa Knight and Balistro 4 (GBR), 69.350%
 

Images Kevin Sparrow 2013.
 

A 23-strong British squad are at Bishop Burton CPEDI which gets underway today (18/07/13) with senior 1 and 2 star classes alongside junior and young rider. For many, it will be their first taste of international competition and their toughest test to date but will give vital experience - and of course the added benefit of being able to claim ‘I rode for Britain’!

CPEDI2*

Grade Ib
Lorna Lee riding her own Newlands Sando Hit
Natasha Adkinson riding her own Undercover 7
Amy Willmott riding Dr Jackie Walker’s Woodlands Boy

Grade II
Emma Douglas riding her own Cartoon Topcat
Alex Sutton riding Christine Channing’s Da Vinci II
Amanda Shirtcliffe riding F J Wells’ Run of the Mill

Grade III
Diana Man riding her own Dalgaards Nick
Ruth Quartly riding her own Romario IV
Heather Bennett riding her own Zavailantika and Cocon
Jane Boothroyd riding her own Johnson Jaz
Martin Mathews riding Mrs Vivian Bathurst’s Perry

Grade IV
Tamsin Addison riding her own Don Proviano
Kathryn Gallagher riding her own Waragon
Nicola Naylor riding her own Klein Roderijs Cocktail

CPEDIYR

Grade III
Georgia Wilson riding her own Avanti and Avantie
Katherine Cooksley riding her own Roh-Gold
Mari Durward-Akhurst riding Glesni Owen’s Sky O’Hara

Grade IV
Lauren Rathbone riding her own Tequillia H

CPEDIJ

Grade III
Lydia Aucott riding her own Milo IV
Ashleigh Jones riding her own, Aranka
Kate Hunter riding Mrs J Leonard’s Pro-Mo

The competition has been supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s England Excel Talent Programme with funding from the National Lottery through Sport England.

Also supported by: British Dressage, Para Dressage Training Trust, Global Para Dressage, Patrick Wilkinson Saddlers and Riverside Carriages

For more information, times and results – click here
 

Great Britain’s team finished in seventh place and produced some impressive individual rides at the Young Rider European Dressage Championships, Compiègne, France last weekend (9 – 14 July 2013).

The team was made up of Samantha Thurman-Baker (Douglas IV), Pippa Hutton (Duela), Olivia Oakeley (Donna Summer) and Amy Woodhead (Pardon) - the reserve combination who stepped up following Eilidh Grant’s tough decision to withdraw her ride, Comanche Crumble due to a suspected pollen allergy (see BD website news story 4 July).

In the team test, both Pippa (pictured) and Olivia rode solid, assured tests scoring 70% and 69.73% respectively for 10th and 11th place amongst Europe’s elite. For Samantha Thurman-Baker, all her tact was put to the test as her ride, Douglas IV, was affected by the occasion. Samantha did a skilful job on the talented but low-mileage 11-year-old son of Diamond Hit who is owned by Aram Gregory. She rode in her trademark mature manner to instil confidence in him to score 63.78% for 37th. Amy Woodhead and Pardon were just behind on 63.76% for 38th.

Team gold went to the Netherlands, on a team average score of 72.46%. Silver went to Germany (71.22%) and team bronze to Belgium (69.71%). The British quartet came seventh on 67.84%, less than two percent behind the medals.

Next came the individual phase of the competition. Olivia and Donna Summer, her 12-year-old son of Dimaggio, rode another solid test for 70.31% and 13th place and Pippa aboard Philip Woof’s Duela, an 11-year-old chestnut mare, also by Dimaggio, posted 70.26% for 15th - both combinations securing a spot in the freestyle and a shot at individual honours. Samantha and Amy improved on their team test results. Samantha and Douglas scored 67.60% for 24th whilst Amy and Pardon, her 16-year-old stallion by Jonggors Weyden, scored 65.13% for 36th.

The ever-increasing standard of international dressage as a whole was reflected at the championships, with no fewer than 17 plus 70% scores in the individual test which was headed by Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy on 77.78%. This promised a thrilling freestyle finale to determine individual honours - and it didn’t disappoint.

Olivia moved up to 12th position following her 70.65% freestyle performance and early to go Pippa scored 73.20% to lead, with a look-in for an individual medal, until the very last three riders to go. It was not to be however, as the final big-scoring trio representing Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, one-by-one managed to edge the Brit out of the coveted medal zone. Never-the-less, fourth place is an outstanding achievement, only ever reached once before by a British Young Rider – Charlotte Edmonds with Broomford Locarno at Pratoni del Vivaro back in 2002.

“Pippa’s a very cool customer under pressure – it’s where she really scores. She rode a fantastic freestyle,” said GB Chef d’Equipe Claire Moir. “Her result was down to flair, choreography and the confidence to take calculated risks. When it was suggested that she ride the three-time changes with one hand she simply said ‘OK, right’. The whole family [the Hutton family] has a great deal of experience in Juniors and Young Riders. Pippa has grown up with it so she knew the score – she knows how it all works.

“Amy had a few mistakes and her horse wasn’t quite ‘through’ enough but as she was pulled in late from team reserve, she didn’t have an ideal preparation. It’s never an easy place to be. Sam did a masterly job with Douglas. The horse had stage fright but Sam’s a very intelligent, capable rider and she did a really good job."

Olivia and Samantha are on the UK Sport funded World Class Development Programme which aims to identify talented riders and maximise their potential. Claire explained: “World Class has been a great support for Olivia and Sam, and having Carl [Hester] there to help was invaluable. It’s not the time for big alterations but having that person who you trust and understand there is a huge help.

“The Europeans is always different from any other show. We didn’t win a medal but are definitely on the right route. All we have to do now is not make mistakes – riders have got to have a clear round - then it will be within our grasp. It was a very positive experience and the riders will come back even more determined. It was a very cohesive team and the riders coped so well with the highs and lows. There was such a good team atmosphere. All four riders are professionals already in their own right - they’re seasoned campaigners which makes my life easier,” said Claire. “They’re mature riders at a young age which was very noticeable.

Claire was quick to praise the northern France venue: “It was a wonderful show and a beautiful place. It was so well organised and the marks, sheets and results were all out very quickly. It was one of the best Europeans.”

Team results:
Gold: Netherlands 72.46%
Silver: Germany 71.22%
Bronze: Belgium 69.71%
Fourth: Sweden 69.56%
Fifth: Denmark 69.50%
Sixth: Austria 68.02%
Seventh: Great Britain 67.84%
Eighth: Norway 65.57%
Ninth: France 65.29%
Tenth: Poland 63.23%
Eleventh: Spain 62.50%

Individual test:
1st: Cathrine Dufour, Atterupgaards Cassidy (DEN) 77.78%
2nd: Juliette Piotrowski, Sir Diamond (GER) 76.42%
3rd: Stephanie Kooyman, Winston (NED) 76.39%
13th: Olivia Oakeley, Donna Summer (GBR) 70.31%
15th: Pippa Hutton, Duela (GBR) 70.26%
24th: Samantha Thurman-Baker, Douglas IV (GBR) 67.60%
36th: Amy Woodhead, Pardon (GBR) 65.13%

Freestyle:
Gold: Cathrine Dufour, Atterupgaards Cassidy (DEN) 83.60%
Silver: Stephanie Kooyman, Winston (NED) 79.22%
Bronze: Juliette Piotrowski, Sir Diamond (GER) 76.42%
Fourth: Pippa Hutton, Duela (GBR) 73.20%
Twelfth: Olivia Oakeley, Donna Summer (GBR) 70.65%

For full results click here

We’re sad to report that Bethany-Rose Horobin has been forced to withdraw her pony Gigolo from the British Pony Team for next week’s European Championships in Arezzo, Italy (23 – 28 July). Whilst at team training at the Unicorn Centre, Gigolo was found to have a minor injury and the veterinary advice is not to make the long journey to Italy.

This brings in Oxfordshire rider Rebecca Bell (13) with Caroline Bell’s Valido’s Sunshine (pictured) to join Rose Hugh-Smith (Holsteins Derwisch), Phoebe Peters (SL Lucci) and Erin Williams (Dynasty) . The combination has been together for three years and although this will be their team debut, they have plenty of International experience having travelled to compete on the continent a number of times including spring trips to Saumur and Compiegne in France.

Chief Pony Selector Jenny Ward commented; “It’s always a blow to have to make changes at such a late stage but the pony’s welfare is at the heart of our decision. While I’m certain Bethany-Rose is disappointed, she has a whole career ahead of her and potentially two more years of pony competition with Gigolo so we have to think of the future. Rebecca will bring much to the team and we’re all looking forward to heading to Italy to perform to our best.”

Along with Showjumping and Eventing, the competition gets underway at the 32-hectare Arezzo Equestrian Centre with the Team test on Wednesday, continuing Thursday when the team medals will be decided. It’s then down to individual honours with two days of the individual test to qualify for a coveted freestyle place when the individual European Champion will be crowned on Sunday. Follow the action on the event website, including live streaming, or British Dressage will be on Facebook and Twitter with updates.

Two up and coming British riders have been given the chance of a life-time to compete alongside their senior counter parts in the CDIU25 at the Herning European Championships in Denmark (19 – 25 August 2012). Emily Cousins and Samantha Thurman-Baker have been given the nod to compete and will make the trip with the British Senior team of Carl Hester, Laura Tomlinson, Charlotte Dujardin and Michael Eilberg.

Emily Cousins’ partner will be her mother Elaine’s Solo Bachelorette who she’s ridden since 2006. They were winners of the U25 Grand Prix at Somerford Premier League in May and have some 70%+ scores at Grand Prix.

World Class Development rider Samantha Thurman-Baker, fresh from the Young Rider European Championships, will ride her own long term partner Spring Pascal (pictured). The fiery but ever so talented British-bred took the Grand Prix class at Hartpury Premier League by storm, wining on 69.23% and were second at Hickstead Premier League with 72%+.

The two will contest the FEI Intermediate II on 21 August and on to Grand Prix on 23 August.

Event website – click here.
 

Being a young rider on the international circuit is no mean feat. You have to learn to control your emotions, be humble in victory and keep your chin up when it doesn’t quite go to plan.

Luckily for Team GBR, their chef d’equipe Islay Auty has her eyes firmly fixed on a future that belongs to the four girls who travelled to Compiegne, France, for the Junior European Championships 9 - 14 July.

Over the winter their training has been focused on long term development, not just results, and imparting the learning that will help them to cope with the highs and lows that dressage invariably affords the riders brave enough to take a chance at the top.

And it’s this fortitude that Georgia Davis (17), Charlotte Fry (17), Maisie Scruton (17) and Chloe Vell (15) will have had to call on during five days of highs and lows that saw Great Britain just 1.5% off a medal winning position in the company of their counterparts from 21 nations across the globe – a near miss that the seasoned pro might find hard to relish.

Islay has been working closely with Caroline Griffith (Development Leader for Team GBR) who went out to Compiegne to support the girls. The direction of the youth training is increasingly mirroring that of World Class, the heart of which revolves around riders learning to take responsibility for their own development. This is a lesson well acquired from the beginning in a sport that ultimately depends on one’s own performance.

It was the consistent performance of Germany’s Johanne Von Danwit, who posted first in all three classes, that won Germany the gold medal on 72.414%, and Great Britain just weren’t quite able to catch the coat tails of Denmark who took the bronze on a score 68.865%.

The atmosphere at a competition of this scale can be overwhelming for the most sterling of senior riders; and this was a young team with only two of the girls, Maisie and Lottie, having come from ponies – a jump which Islay likens to ‘Studying for your A- Levels to taking your finals at Uni – it’s a completely different ballgame.’ For Georgia and Chloe the ascent was even more mountainous.

On hand was Carl Hester, who travelled to Compiegne to help the team warm up and prepare for such a colossal occasion.

Islay said “Carl was inspirational and we were so lucky to have him there supporting us. He was a real celeb with all the foreign riders queuing up to have their photos taken with him, it was very entertaining!”

Called up as a reserve the weekend before they travelled, Georgia Davis went first and rode for every single mark, producing a credible opening performance on her ten year old gelding Richmans Manta. They posted 66.595% in the Team test and 63.211% in the Individual, but it wasn’t quite enough to get them through to the Freestyle.

With her late mother Laura’s ride Remming (owned by Leslie Connor,) Charlotte Fry led the way posting tenth in the Team test on 69.459% followed by a new British record – 72.362% for the first fifth ever for GBR Juniors in the Individual.

Lottie and Remming (pictured above during their lap of honor at the Winter Championships earlier this year) went on to ride the Kur with adapted music that her mum had made for Remming’s Prix St Georges Freestyle and with a couple of mistakes they still came in for eighth on a score of 74.725%.

Maisie Scruton managed to better her own score to 68.789% in the Individual after a cheeky slight of hand by her 16 year old Hot Chocolate in the Team test. The mare managed to get her tongue over the bit leaving Maisie to steer for a well rescued 64.946%.

Youngest member of the squad, 15 year old Chloe Vell, rode her nine year old mare Kaja Di Valentina for two consistent scores, 65.500% and 65.946% in the Individual and Team tests respectively.

Overall the squad held on and achieved a respectable seventh team place but were disappointed to not have all achieved personally as per their performances over the past year. “But there is no substitute for experience, and this was an amazing experience”, added Islay.

“It’s human nature to be disappointed when you hope and work for something that doesn’t quite come off but it is part of their learning and I’m very optimistic that they will be able to process this in a positive way. We were less than two percent off a medal and that’s an amazing achievement.

“When we got home David Trott text me, he just said “remember how many times the Senior team were nearly there before they achieved their own success.”

This will be a sentiment well worth remembering for a group of girls who have the mettle to strive for their dreams and a very bright future ahead of them.

Britain has put a substantial definite entry forward for this year’s international Hickstead fixture, 1 – 4 August, which features the final leg of the inaugural FEI Nations Cup Dressage ^TM plus CDI3*/P/J/Y.    Eight teams are entered including the top three in the standings, namely the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, Britain are currently fifth.  

Halstead-based rider Sammie Gualtieri (22) was deemed the winner of the BYRDS A Squad Final which took place at Hartpury College on Saturday 6 July as part of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

Sammie (pictured), from the Eastern region, was one of nine young riders selected from the previous weekend’s BYRDS Inter-Regional competition for a place at the Final which is focused purely on the talent of the rider – particularly their effectiveness, tact, feel and empathy with the horse.

During the first stages of the Final, the nine riders’ skill and adaptability was put to the test as they swapped rides to show their ability to adjust to different horses. The top three: Gualtieri, plus Amy Blount from the Southern region and Ellie Jolleys from the North-West, were selected to go forwards to the gala evening where they rode a unique test written specifically for this competition – the A Squad Final Test (2012).

Sammie impressed the judge, international rider Anna Ross-Davies, with her stylish riding and was duly awarded first place and a £500 training grant. Second went to Amy Blount and third to Ellie Jolleys.

Many thanks go to event organiser Philip Cheetham, event secretary Rachel Moss and Hartpury College for hosting the final and allowing the ride-off to take place during the gala evening. Also, thanks must go to Janet Horswill and Moira Lafferty for co-ordinating the day and ensuring that all ran smoothly, and Geoff Simpson for stewarding.
 

It was a successful trip to Germany for our two riders at Perl CDI4* with both riders securing top eight placings in the big tour classes. World Class Performance rider Michael Eilberg posted two 70%+ scores in the grand prix and special with Jon and Julie Deverill’s Half Moon Delphi to confirm they were a good choice for next month’s European Championships while Nikki Crisp and Pasoa were as consistent as ever with 67%+ scores in both tests.

In Friday’s grand prix to qualify for the special, there was tough competition from the home team with seasoned campaigner Isabell Werth earning a fabulous 76.277% with her nine year old mare Bella Rose while European reserve combination Nadine Capellmann and Girasol were second with 72.915%. This left Michael and ‘Maggie’ third with 71.745% but two judges did place him second. 69.064% gave Nikki sixth with ‘P’. This meant both riders qualified for the Special.

Another few days to settle into the venue gave the Dimaggio-sired Half Moon Delphi increased confidence and they picked up extra marks to score 73.854% which put them second behind Werth who again dominated with Bella Rose, a full four percent ahead of Michael – certainly a horse to watch closely for the future. Third went to Swiss rider Marcela Krinke-Susmelj riding Smeyers Molberg on 72.708%. Nikki, a member of the World Class Development squad, and Pasoa couldn’t build on their grand prix run and scored 67.875% for eighth.

In the small tour classes, Michael took his father’s Torino for some international ‘mileage’ and 68.079% gave them 14th place in the prix st georges. In Saturday’s Inter I freestyle, the combination really pulled out the stops and broke the 70% barrier with 70.35% to lie sixth.

Full results – click here.
 

The definite entries for the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships are now finalised, with 20 countries confirming their participation in both disciplines.

Deauville proved a happy hunting ground for British riders last weekend in France, none more so than Daniel Sherriff who claimed his hat-trick of French Freestyle wins with his own Bayford Hall Dallaglio. Plus, inform Zoe Sleigh added to her impressive 2013 prize haul with a win at Inter II.

The 2013 summer regional championships got underway at the North West Regional Championships at Somerford Park Farm in Cheshire, 20 – 21 July.