Day one at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury always brings the welcome spectacle of the Nirvana Spa Para winter dressage championships. It wasn’t the largest field across the four grades but it was certainly full of quality.
Fresh from a successful trip to Deauville CPEDI in France last week, Grade IV ‘veteran’ Sophie Wells piloted Dr Deborah Amesley-Williams’ Forever Himself to a second national title to add to the one he won with Sophie at the Nationals last September. The Florestan sired gelding isn’t a typical para horse but under Sophie, he’s really turning out to be a good addition to her string since taking on the ride from his owner last year. Their score of 69.58% gave them nearly a five percent victory margin.
Sophie commented; “It was a challenging ride to say the least but I was pleased with how he coped. It’s his first time at Hartpury and it is a really different atmosphere. He did listen and any mistakes were genuine and not him being tricky. He’s grown up a lot over the winter and we’re now aiming him at small tour classes at the Premier Leagues.”
In the Grade III, Heather Bennett came out on top with her own Zavailantika with the top score of the day across all para section of 72.93%. Heather has partnered the 10 year old mare for 12 months so she’s still new to para dressage. Heather said; “I’m pleased with that. It’s our biggest test to date and it was all quite daunting! But she took it all in her stride as she normally does!”
A recent addition to the BEF Excel Talent Programme, Heather imported the Rhodium sired mare from Holland and they’re heading off to represent Britain at the Moorsele CPEDI3* in Belgium in a couple of weeks time. A former keen showjumper, Heather turned to para dressage after breaking her neck in a jumping accident and admits; “I shouldn’t really ride but you know what us lot are like, we just do!”
left to right: Emma Douglas, Heather Bennett and Sophie Wells
Emma Douglas claimed her first National title today in the Grade II with her long-term equine partner Cartoon Topcat. A beaming Emma said; “It’s our first time here and he can be really spooky by I managed to keep him focused; just really pleased with how the test went and I could be really accurate.”
Eventing was Emma’s discipline of choice before a freak accident schooling at home lead to her being paralysed from the waist down. Eight years on, para dressage has really helped with her muscle function and she’s defied doctors and now has limited feeling and use but she still relies on a wheelchair to get about. “I’m certain the riding has made a difference to my rehabilitation – I wouldn’t have made the progress without it.” Now 20, Cartoon Topcat has been with Emma for 11 years and she evented him regularly before her accident but he’s now taken her to a national para dressage title. Originally from Inverness, Emma has moved to Buckinghamshire to her trainer Sacha Hamilton’s yard to train towards her goals.
A name which has been missing for some time in the para dressage world is Michael Murphy. He’s been out recovering from a double spinal fusion operation to help correct a curvature of the spine arising from Dejerine-sottas, the condition he was born with. But, fully recovered, 16 year old Michael made his return to Hartpury a winning one with Sarah Peck’s strikingly marked piebald Jago (pictured top). Jago has been looking after Michael during his rehabilitation and while he searches for his next superstar.
A smiling Michael commented; “It’s good to be back. Following my operation, I almost had to learn to ride with a different body – now I sit like I’m proud to be on a horse! I’m grateful to Sarah Peck for letting me bring Jago. He was the first horse I got on after my operation as he’s reliable and he’s looked after me for about six months. He’s been a star.”
Jago will now return to his role at Penniwells RDA Centre where Michael started his riding aged five as he has a new partner in Aura, an exciting six year old prospect by Don Schufro bred at Hof Kasselmann in Germany. Michael said; “She’ll be out competing soon but we’ll take it slowly; I’m really looking forward to it.”
Full results - click here
Photos copyright www.kevinsparrow.com