It was another fine day at Hartpury for the second installment of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships. With one music title, straight classes at medium and elementary and two Petplan Equine honours up for grabs, it was destined to be a day of fantastic action.
Albion Medium Restricted
Rickmansworth rider Daisy Coakley (pictured) made it a NAF Five Star Dressage Championships to remember when she won her second title of the show today. Riding Aimee Witkin’s British bred eight year old Bing, Daisy took the Albion Medium Restricted Championship with just 0.6% of an advantage. She also rode her eventer Urbanus VI, owned by Felicity Norrie, into fourth spot. Daisy won the Spillers Medium restricted freestyle with Judy Frimston-Williams’ Cleopatra yesterday.
Daisy commented; “I’m really pleased with him today – he rose to the occasion. Sometimes he can be tight in the trot work but not today; he was fluent and expressive. His medium trot and half pass felt lovely. Extended canter is always amazing and I can’t help but smile riding it.
“He came second to Deya (Cleopatra) at last year’s Nationals in the Elementary Championships and today’s test was 1000% better; it’s so great that he’s moved up a level but and come out on top. We’ve started riding in a double so he looks the part and he’s filled out and matured in a year – I think he’s even grown. He’s certainly progressed mentally as well as physically. We get some amazing work at home from him but the challenge is producing the same in that seven minute slot you get in a test.”
Daisy took on the ride in June last year to carry the good work of his owner Aimee and they’ve bonded well; winning 18 of their 21 starts together. Daisy added; “He likes to be the centre of attention at home – if you’re not looking at him, he’ll make sure he does something to make sure you do!
Daisy recently finished as runner up in the Young Professionals Award which searches for our stars of the future. She says it really helped her focus on her goals and she now has a five point plan on how to get there. Part of that plan is to move up and establish herself at advanced medium level and she’s already started; “We’ve played with changes with a view to moving to advanced medium but left them until after the Championships but we can crack on now!”
On her second ride Urbanbus VI, Daisy said; “I’m so thrilled with him – this isn’t his normal thing. We competed at Gatcombe Horse Trials recently and I got a 24 for my dressage. The judge called me over and asked if I competed in pure dressage when I said ‘yes’ she said it shows!” The pair are aiming for the CIC2* European Championships this year.
Petplan Equine Area Festival Advanced Medium Restricted Championship
The relatively new pairing of Amy Nash and Half Moon Revelation were the clear victors in the Petplan Equine Area Festival Advanced Medium Restricted Championship. The duo have been together for just eight months but they still put up a score of 70.81% to be the only score over the magic 70% barrier.
“It’s just fab! I’m really pleased; he really listened to me all the way and tried to please. His extended walk was great; he’s active and floaty,” said a delighted Amy.
19 year old Amy is from Bedfordshire and bought the British-bred Half Moon Revelation after spotting the Relevant-sired gelding on the BD website classifieds. He’d been expertly produced by Hannah Biggs and Amy says he’s taught her a lot in a short time. She trains with Dan Greenwood and Natalie Banks and is looking to step up a level and contest Young Rider classes. “I purchased my tail coat today in the tradestands!” Amy said with a huge smile.
Amy said ‘Whatsit’, as he’s known at home, a chilled out chap who hacks most days. “He’s not your average high maintenance dressage horse. He’s a pleasure to have around and loves cuddles.
Amy has a four year old at home also who she’s qualified for the Young Horse Championships later in the year.
Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open
It’s been a whirlwind year for Buckinghamshire’s Robert Waine and his win today at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships has been the icing on the cake. Partnering Linda Bennett’s eye-catching British-bred Rhodesia, he won the Equitop Myoplast Elementary Open title with a great 73.28%.
“It’s just incredible. I couldn’t have asked anymore of him today. I just sit there and he gives his all; I’m so lucky to ride him,” said a clearly elated Rob. By Keystone Rhondeo, Rhodesia was purchased by his owner at just three days old from breeder Eddie Blaas. When Rob took on the ride over, the horse had done very little and in a short space of time they’ve won their first National title. “If I do nothing else with him, I’d be happy but I’m hoping that he’ll give me that union flag on my pocket!” said Rob.
Based in Hedgerley, Rob took on his own yard in August 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. He trains periodically with Carl Hester and took Rhodesia for a tune up after his regionals which brought them to Hartpury in great shape. “The plan is to take him slow but he has everything. We did our first medium recently and scored 75% and I know the most amazing trot is in there so we’ll see,” concluded Rob.
Petplan Equine Area Festival Elementary Restricted Championship
Young dressage rider Katie Hills (17) from Dorchester rode San Rubiosa, her eight-year-old British-bred mare to victory in the Petplan Equine Elementary Restricted Area Festival Championship. The young combination stamped its authority with a score of 71.55% to head the class of 30 riders who had made it through from the 60-strong first round.
“She was so good,” said a delighted Katie. “She was very soft and easy, and coped well with the atmosphere even though she’s not been to a show like this before. I didn’t know what to expect but she’s behaved very calmly, even in the busy warm-up.”
Katie, who trains with international grand prix rider Hannah Biggs, found San Rubiosa through Nikki Crisp. “I contacted Nikki about a horse she had for sale but it wasn’t suitable. She then suggested I look at San Rubiosa, who was at her business partner Jemma Harding’s yard near us in Dorset. I liked the mare straight away. She’s my first horse after coming off ponies and she’s just right for me. She’s really easy and her temperament is lovely.”
Talking about San Rubiosa’s life at home, Katie said: “We do a bit of jumping and a lot of our schooling is done on hacks. She’s easy to train and if ever we encounter problems in training, we always get through them.”
Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle
Hampshire dressage rider Sara-Jane Lanning was the decisive winner of the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Open Music Freestyle Championship riding Mi Amigo (Zardin Firfod x Lauries Crusador) her low mileage 12-year-old Danish gelding to score 77.50%.
Mi Amigo, a tall and charismatic powerhouse, although lacking experience, has an obvious trust in his partner. Sara-Jane was emotional as she left the arena following the prize giving: “I can barely speak. He was absolutely petrified in there but he listened to me. He’d stood in the field for six years before I bought him in November so to be here now is…” she tailed off.
“He’d competed successfully at novice level as a five-year-old,” continued Sara-Jane, “but then due to circumstances was turned away for years. I wasn’t looking to buy a horse but his owner invited me to take a look in case I knew of someone who might be interested. I went to see him then texted the owner that weekend saying ‘I can’t stop thinking about that horse’.”
For a full pdf of results click here or visit www.bdchampionships.com