British team stars Carl Hester and Richard Davison returned this week from a successful trip to the FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier in Lyon, France (27 – 29 October 2016).
In the Grand Prix, Carl Hester with his own and Jane de la Mare’s 12-year-old gelding Nip Tuck (pictured earlier this year) sparkled under the lights of the Lyon arena to finish second with an incredible 78.32%. The intense atmosphere at the indoor show didn’t stop ‘Barney’ from doing his best and performing a spook-free routine under the masterful guidance of Carl to notch up scores resulting in a new personal best for the pair in the Grand Prix test. The individual scores ranged from 75.10% to an amazing 80.70% from the judge at C; impressive test sheets showed many nines for the pair in movements such as two-tempi changes, canter half pass, canter pirouettes and rider’s position and seat.
Carl and Barney once again proved their top form in the Grand Prix Freestyle scoring yet another personal best. The popular duo scored 85.02% to gain nearly two percent on their former freestyle PB registered at the Olympia CDI-W in 2015. The five judges, headed by Ground Jury President France’s Isabel Judet, were synonymous in the placings and scores of Carl with every judge putting the combination in second with consistent scores of between 84.56% and 85.78%. These amazing results left Carl five percent clear of defending World Cup Dressage champion Hans Peter Minderhoud whilst providing valuable points towards his ranking in the FEI World Cup Western European league. Speaking from his Facebook page Carl described his performance in the Freestyle as ‘Christmas come early’ to score not one but two personal bests.
It was also a successful event for Richard Davison as he piloted Gwen Meyer’s Bubblingh to 69.56% and 13th in the Grand Prix and 72.42% and 12th in the Grand Prix Freestyle amongst hot competition, with several Olympic combinations featuring in the placings.
Whilst it was a great show for the British riders, both top spots in Lyon belonged to the twice World Cup winner Isabell Werth (Germany) who danced her way to victory with the Don Schufro mare Weihegold Old. The pair improved on their scores from the Olympic Games in Rio earning 83.94% after a solid Grand Prix test before going on to score an elusive 90.09% in the Grand Prix Freestyle, to mark another personal best.
The World Cup Dressage Western European League now moves on to the third leg of the series in Stuttgart, Germany on the 18th November.
Results
Grand Prix
1st - Isabell Werth with Weihegold Old, 83.94% (GER)
2nd - Carl Hester with Nip Tuck, 78.32% (GBR)
13th - Richard Davison with Bubbligh, 69.56% (GBR)
Grand Prix Freestyle
1st - Isabell Werth with Weihegold Old, 90.09% (GER)
2nd - Carl Hester with Nip Tuck, 85.01% (GBR)
12th - Richard Davison with Bubblingh, 72.42% (GBR)
For full results click here