Five days of exciting competition took place at the popular West Sussex venue Hickstead last week (20 – 25 June).
Topping both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special was Vicky Thompson Winfield with the striking PRE stallion Mango Jacaro owned by Sam Francis; the unbeatable duo scored 71.16% and 73.33%. Next up for the Rondeño Ix sired Mango Jacaro and Vicky will be the Hartpury CDI3* where they’ll line up in the 44 strong field for the big tour competition. In the Grand Prix Freestyle it was Paul Hayler with Rubenhall to top the podium scoring an impressive 74.50%. The grey stallion was previously campaigned by Bobby Hayler who travelled over for a surprise visit to Hickstead from her current base in Germany much to the delight of her friends, family and of course ‘Ruben’.
The small tour classes saw wins split between ten different riders each achieving great scores. Nathalie Kayal produced the highest of these at Intermediare I level with her own DHI Homerun who earned 74.08%. Nathalie also finished second in the same class with her other ride DHI Bravo, making her the only rider of the week to score a one-two. Speaking on Facebook about a great week of placings Nathalie said, ‘could not be prouder of Bravo and Joseph (aka Homerun). Yesterday we were pleased with 6th in the PSG and 2nd in the Inter 1. But today they really excelled themselves by coming 4th in the PSG and 1st and 2nd in the Inter 1! Joseph even got a 9 for one of his canter pirouettes!’
British Under 25s team member Ryan Todd made a winning return to the Premier League arena with his 2016 European Championship partner Charlex Eskjberg. The elegant bay scored 68.95% to top the U25s GP leader board ahead of Elizabeth Allen and Pippa Hutton. Immogen Chant with World Dancer topped the Young Rider Individual test whilst in the Junior category it was Oliver Weston with Ibis who emerged victorious in both the team and individual sections. Oliver trains with Sarah Millis at her West Sussex base and has recorded several exciting CDI results this year for his home country of Poland. Winning the hot pony classes was Annabella Pidgley with the Danish bred Farbenfroh. Aboard the former European Championship medalist Annabella has notched up multiple wins at Premier Leagues this season and continued her form at Hickstead scoring 71.75% and 69.76% in two exciting classes.
Congratulations to all competitors, class winners and combinations who earned direct qualification tickets for the Le Mieux National Championships in September.
Premier League winners
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
1st Charlie Hutton with Seagry Sanay, 69.87%
Inter A
1st Rachel Skeffinton with Bakkergardens Monty, 65.76%
Inter I
1st Hannah Biggs with Camarillo-Calimero, 70.70%
Monarch Equestrian Inter II
1st Rachel Skeffinton with Bakkergardens Monty, 66.55%
National Young Horse 5 YO
1st Elizabeth Frayling with Helenaa, 79.20%
International Young Horse 5YO
1st Zoe Leishman with Virtue V, 78%
National Young Horse 6 YO
1st Penny Brookes with Deluca, 85%
International Young Horse 6YO
1st Sarah Millis with Dude III, 80.80%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
1st Zoe Sleigh with Finero, 72.02%
Inter I
1st Nathalie Kayal with DHI Homerun, 74.08%
Monarch Equestrian Inter II
1st Matt Frost with AMD Don Rosso II, 70.18%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
1st Andrew Gould with Esquire, 71.05%
LeMieux Grand Prix
1st Vicky Thompson Winfield with Mango Jacaro, 71.16%
Under 25 Grand Prix
1st Ryan Todd with Charlex Eskjberg, 68.95%
Junior Team Test
1st Oliver Weston with Ibis, 66.89%
Pony Team Test
1st Annabella Pidgley with Farbenfroh, 71.75%
Inter I
1st Kate Smith with De La Veiga, 70.31%
Equine Construction Advanced Medium 96
1st Suzanne Lavandera with Keystone Daganay, 70.86%
Young Rider Individual Test
1st Immogen Chant with World Dancer, 66.93%
Junior Individual Test
1st Oliver Weston with Ibis, 68.55%
Pony Individual Test
1st Annabella Pidgley with Farbenfroh, 69.76%
Prix St Georges Freestyle
1st Ruth Hole with Winnetou GEP, 71.79%
Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Paul Hayler with Rubinhall, 74.50%
Grand Prix Special
1st Vicky Thompson Winfield with Mango Jacaro, 73.33%
Full results - click here