Sunny Saumur for Britain's 'Golden Girl'

Saumur CDI3* gets underway today at France’s National Riding School, the Cadre Noir.

Spanning four days (2 May – 5 May), the International venue will host Small Tour and Big Tour classes (including Pony, Junior and Young Rider) and Great Britain is sure to be well represented across all sections, with names including Carl Hester (pictured with ride Dances With Wolves), Charlotte Dujardin, Gareth Hughes and Nikki Crisp appearing in the starter lists plus a strong youth team fresh from Winter Championship success.

Perhaps most exciting for the UK audience will be the anticipated return to International competition for Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin since her ride on Valegro at Olympia in December 2012. This will be Charlotte’s debut with Car Hester’s Olympic horse Uthopia, and all eyes are set to be glued on the newly paired combination.

In her usual style, Charlotte seemed to be as cool as a cucumber, taking to Facebook earlier in the week to post ‘Off to Saumur now, hope it’s sunny - I am really looking forward to competing Uthopia. Will keep you all posted! Wish me luck!’

With such an exciting line up, dressage fans will be pleased to hear that they can follow the action via a live stream at www.topiberian.com with up-to-date results here.

Timetable

Thursday 2 May - For Thursdays full startlist and times see here

GP for GPS
Carl Hester and Dances With Wolves
Nikki Crisp and Pasoa
Gareth Hughes and DV Stenkjers Nadonna

Juniors Team (CDIO)
Georgia Davis and Richmans Manta
Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina
Charlotte Fry and Remming
Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius

Young Riders Team (CDI)
Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg
Jessica Knapton and Di Spirito

Young Riders Team (CDIO)
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Douglas IV
Eilidh Grant and Comanche Crumble

Friday 3 May

GP for FSM
Carl Hester and Fine Time IV
Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia
Sarah Millis and HP Frontier

Pony Team (CDI)
Amber Barton and Doctor Little
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight

Pony Team (CDIO)
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight
Bethany Horobin and Gigolo
Rose Hugh-Smith and Holsteins Derwisch
Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci

Young Riders Individual (CDI)
Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg
Jessica Knapton and Di Spirito

Young Riders Individual (CDIO)
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Douglas IV
Eilidh Grant and Comanche Crumble

Saturday 4 May

Grand Prix Special (dependent on qualification)
Carl Hester and Dances With Wolves
Nikki Crisp and Pasoa
Gareth Hughes and DV Stenkjers Nadonna

Pony Individual (CDI)
Amber Barton and Doctor Little
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight

Pony Individual (CDIO)
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight
Bethany Horobin and Gigolo
Rose Hugh-Smith and Holsteins Derwisch
Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci

Juniors Individual (CDIO)
Georgia Davis and Richmans Manta
Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina
Charlotte Fry and Remming
Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius

Young Riders FSM (CDI) (dependent on qualification)
Ryan Todd and Charlex Eskebjerg
Jessica Knapton and Di Spirito

Sunday 5 May

Pony FSM (CDI) (dependent on qualification)
Amber Barton and Doctor Little
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight

Young Riders FSM (CDIO) (dependent on qualification)
Samantha Thurman-Baker and Douglas IV
Eilidh Grant and Comanche Crumble

Grand Prix FSM (dependent on qualification)
Carl Hester and Fine Time IV
Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia
Sarah Millis and HP Frontier

Pony FSM (CDIO) (dependent on qualification)
Rebecca Bell and Valido’s Starlight
Bethany Horobin and Gigolo
Rose Hugh-Smith and Holsteins Derwisch
Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci

Junior FSM (CDIO)
Georgia Davis and Richmans Manta
Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina
Charlotte Fry and Remming
Gabrielle Lucas and Laurentius