A swarm of international riders will be trekking across the country for the fifth instalment of the 2014 Premier League season, starting tomorrow at Wellington Riding, Hants (5 – 8 June).
One of the first competitions of the winter qualification season, over the four days riders will be battling to claim top spots, gather crucial qualification points and, for some, grab their direct qualification ticket through to the LeMieux National Dressage Championships in September.
Tomorrow’s prix st georges kicks off the competition with an appearance from Matt Hicks (pictured with his ride for Sunday’s PSG, Don Carissimo) and his partner, Sheepcote Walnut, who mark this as their first competition since the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships in April this year. Alice Oppenheimer, Kirsty Mepham and Georgie Somerset – who makes this her second PSG with ride Diamant L - will provide stiff competition for first place. Charlie Hutton, Dan Greenwood and Roland Tong are amongst those joining Matt Hicks fighting for direct qualification in the inter I on the same day.
Friday’s competition centres on the dressage stars of the future with international superstar Michael Eilberg introducing Half Moon Di Vinci to the world in the potential international dressage horse five year old class. Andrew Gould, Dan Greenwood, Abigail Hutton and Callum Whitworth are also set to show off their up-and-coming talent in the young horse classes.
International rider, Hayley Watson-Greaves starts the inter II with her own 11-year-old Gribaldi stallion, WG Equus. She also rides her partner of seven years, WG Don Wimero, and partner of six years, WG Rubins Nite, in the same class alongside 25-year-old Zoe Sleigh and dressage stalwart, Pammy Hutton.
Saturday night fever strikes Wellington Riding as riders get the crowd on their feet with the popular freestyles. Alice Oppenheimer, Pippa Hutton and Matt Hicks are among those hoping to dance to victory in the headlining prix st georges freestyle class.
The under 25s dominate Sunday’s festivities; Phoebe Peters aims to continue her epic run of good form with her partner, SL Lucci, but will face stiff competition from those including Bethany-Rose Horobin, Alexandra Hellings and Rebecca Bell to name a few. Jessica Gale and Maisie Scruton are just some of the young riders vying for the junior team test top spot, whereas top U25s riders such as Samantha Thurman-Baker and Gabby Lucas are among those looking to top the young rider team test charts.
Full details of the schedule and start lists can be found by clicking here.