Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 became the 2014 British Para Dressage Champions, a title they have won for the third year in a row, at Dressage at Hickstead.
Grade 1a rider Sophie, who was out of action for three months after surgery to remove a lump at the top of her femur in January, said: “Having a break has helped me as it’s hard to sustain being at the top all year round, but I’m happy to be back in the arena at a big competition.”
Sophie is on the lookout for a new trainer in the South Bucks area as her coach for the past 15 years, Clive Milkins, is moving onto pastures new.
Their partnership has been one of the most successful and enduring, described by both as being like a marriage. Clive is likely to move abroad and is in the middle of negotiations with job offers from Hong Kong and America.
Sophie said: “We can now both take it on to the next chapter.”
Natasha Baker dominated the Grade II, finishing second in the overall championships with her London 2012 partner Cabral, having won both her warm-up and championship tests.
Tash, who was thoroughly enjoying the comforts of her luxury new horsebox, Daphne, on her first outing, said: “We won all three classes at Deauville earlier this year and three days after that we scored our personal best of 78%. He feels really good at the moment.”
Third overall was a relative newcomer to para dressage, Heather Bennett and her 10-year-old mare Zavailantika, known as Tika. Heather used to be an international show jumper until 11 years ago, when she broke her neck in a warm-up show for the Hickstead Derby.
Grade III rider Heather, who has been unbeaten all year in her grade, said: “I was out of the saddle for two years. Then I rode this mare who flipped over and smashed up my leg, so I was out of action for another 12 months.”
It was while she was being classified for para show jumping that Jane Goldsmith approached her and suggested she try para dressage.
“I’ve been into dressage for four years now and have a stable yard full of dressage horses instead of show jumpers,” she said.
During her show jumping career, Heather was UK’s leading show jumper and worked for Paul Schockemoehle for 12 months.
Grade IV rider Sophie Wells also had an extremely successful outing. It was a busy one as she was competing a total of four horses, including in the Premier League show, which was running concurrently.
In the warm up and open championship, Sophie finished first with Valerius and second with C Fatal Attraction, whom she chose to ride in the overall finale.
“Valerius is a little behind in fitness training as he had an injury at the end of May. He was a little fresh on the first test, but today he really listened. I am thrilled as it’s only his fifth competition this year.”
Sophie was also chuffed with her Rio prospect, the seven-year-old C Fatal Attraction, whom she has had since March last year.
“This was his para championships as he only started competing in para dressage in May. It’s been a great experience and exposure for him.”
Having won both his warm-up and championship, Grade 1b rider Lee Pearson chose not to contest Zion in the finale as he faced a five-hour drive home.
Lee has ridden the 10-year-old “Kevin” for four years and has rested him since winning every test he entered in France earlier this year.
“Kevin is growing stronger every year. He just goes into the arena and does his job. I can even hack him out on my own, gallop him across fields or ride him through Stoke-on-Trent – he is Mr Consistent.”
For the full results, please visit the Dressage at Hickstead website.
Photo copyright www.lesliebliss.co.uk
2014 Champions
Restricted
Grade IV - Julie Frizzell & DCUK Crazy Diamond
Grade III - Izzy Palmer & Gregonne Coco Chanel
Grade II - Jane Lishman & Lily Delight
Grade IB - Amy Willmot & Woodlands Boy
Open
Grade IV - Sophie Wells & Valerius
Grade III - Heather Bennett & Zavailantika
Grade II - Natasha Baker & Cabral
Grade Ib - Lee Peason & Zion
Grade Ia - Sophie Christiansen & Janeiro 6
Overall Champions - Sophie Christiansen & Janeiro 6