Anna Ross Davies, groom Gina Suddaby and Jane Sewell’s Pegasus MK were the sole British representatives at the spectacular CHI Al Shaqab in Doha which featured showjumping, dressage, vaulting and endurance.
21 combinations came forwards for the Grand Prix on Friday (14 March) in the stunning air conditioned arena under judges Leif Tornblad (DEN), Isabel Jude (FRA), Ghislain Fouarge (NED), Irina Maknami (RUS) and Andrew Gardner (GBR). The winner was Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein from Denmark with her loyal partner Digby – their 75.74% earned them a healthy €10,000!
Anna and MK showed a few competition nerves – it was their first big show since Aachen last year – so there were some mistakes but on the whole showed a picture of harmony to score 64.48%. That left them in 17th place and it then was on to Saturday’s GP Special.
Anna took to Facebook after her test to say: “Lots of spooking in the big arena at Al Shaqab today, including us! Some lovely work in between but a couple of daft mistakes in the easy bits, trotted in the single flying change at the end of the extended canter and misunderstanding in passage canter transition where he was attempting a good old look at the cameras lama style! Nice half passes, zig zag and the p’s were good too – I’m looking forward to tomorrow if we can lose the camera wobbles he’s going well.”
Six combinations elected for the Special and it was a tight contest. The winner was Swiss rider Melanie Hofmann with GB Cazzago C CH on 67.608%. A more composed Pegasus MK was on the money with Anna and they enjoyed a podium finish in third with 66.667%. Anna’s Facebook comment; “Couldn't be prouder of MK who battled the demons (cameras!), ate the frog, manned up to the job (despite being a bit scared still) and came 3rd in the Grand Prix Special 5* in the big arena!! It's a difficult test for him which he’s only ever done once before in his entire career with 5 trot extensions and 2 sets of one tempis but he nailed them all. What a guy! Carrots all round and er... Orange juice to celebrate for the team! Thanks so much to everyone for your support - it definitely helped give Pegasus wings!”
Watch Anna’s test below:
The Freestyle was claimed by the grand prix victors, Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein and Digby with a fabulous 80.875% and a cheque for €30,000.
MK and his groom Gina are en route back in Britain after flying to Belgium from Doha…Anna’s back to normal…and on teaching duty at Cholderton this morning!
Well done on the trip of a lifetime to Anna, Gina, Jane and of course MK.
You can catch Anna in action as part of the Gala evening performances at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships 9 – 13 April 2014 – click here for more.
For results from Al Shaqab – CLICK HERE
Thanks to Gina for the picture - fresh from Saturday's prizegiving!