LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2014

The 2014 LeMieux National Dressage Championships are almost here! Four days of exhilarating dressage action gets underway tomorrow (18 September) with 22 championship titles up for grabs, ranging from preliminary to grand prix – including the thrilling Shearwater Young Horse Championship and KBIS National Para Championship.

Held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire (18 – 21 September), dressage darling Carl Hester will be vying to attain his ninth National Champion title and break the all-time record –currently co-held by himself and Jennie Loriston-Clarke at eight titles apiece. In the LeMieux grand prix, Carl will be riding Jenny Green’s 13-year-old stallion, Fine Time 13 and Aram Gregory’s Donnerschwee gelding, Dances With Wolves. Both chestnuts have been on fiery form this year but face stiff competition from fellow WEG team mate Michael Eilberg and his father’s 14-year-old Latvian gelding, Marakov; Daniel Watson and Susie Farnon’s 14-year-old Fidermark gelding, Fideramber could also challenge Mr Hester’s record break as they’ve enjoyed great international success in the past year. Other ones to watch include Nikki Crisp (Pasoa), Becky Moody (Caluna) , Spencer Wilton (Numberto) and eventer Ruth Edge (Shadowfax).

It’s a battle of the Hutton family on Thursday and Friday as Pippa, Pammy and Charlie go head-to-head in the Fairfax Saddles PSG and Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I Championships. Charlie will be riding Charlotte Dunkerton’s 12-year-old Danish gelding, Douglas IV in both classes and Judy Peploe’s ten year old Westphalian gelding, Super Blue in the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I. Sister, Pippa will also chasing the two titles on her and her mother’s Dimaggio mare, Duela whilst mum, Pammy, aims to top the leader board with her and her son’s Don Perignon gelding, Abira.

Another family pitting against one another in Fairfax Saddles PSG and Saracen Horse Feed Inter I is the Eilbergs. Fresh from WEG, Michael Eilberg looks like a strong contender in the PSG with crowd favourite, the undefeated eight year old British-bred mare, Woodlander Farouche – owned by Ferdi Eilberg and Alison Walton. He’ll also be riding Julie Deverill’s ten year old Dimaggio mare, Half Moon Dynasty in the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I; crowned the Superflex Inter I Freestyle champion at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships earlier this year, the British-bred mare is definitely one to watch. Competing in both classes with Michael is Julie Deverill’s 11-year-old Furst Heinrich gelding, Fuerst Sinclair whilst sister, Maria will be looking to beat her brother in both classes with Penny Pollard and Hermione Black’s 11-year-old Oldenberg stallion, Royal Concert.

Not content with three horses competing across the length of the competition, Michael will also be vying for the Suregrow Advanced Medium Open Championship with Ferdi Eilberg’s eight year old De Niro stallion, Der Designer. Undefeated and having never scored lower than 76% at advanced medium, this dynamic duo is a must-see on Sunday. However, don’t give them the title just yet as there is fierce competition from Charlotte Fry (Z Flemmenco), Jo Hamilton (Corchapin) and Becky Moody (Carinsio) to name a few.

On Saturday and Sunday, WEG team silver medallist, Gareth Hughes will be hosting the insightful and inspiring HorseQuest Master Class; bringing three horses along to illustrate his points, the 30-minute demo is not to be missed! The weekend also features rider, trainer and BBC commentator, Judy Harvey giving her take on what makes a great freestyle test and father-daughter duo, Paul and Bobby Hayler join forces with western riders David and Sarah Deptford as they perform a Dressage Meets Western quadrille. Click here to find out the times of all performances.

A trip to the Nationals is made all the better by the fantastic shopping experience. And we have increased the size of the shopping village once more with over 70 tradestands, so it’s a great place to kick-start your Christmas shopping! Whether you’re spoiling yourself or your horse with a luxury high-end treat, looking for some brilliant basics or even something for your home or yard, you’re sure to find it at the Nationals. To whet your appetite, you can read the full list of tradestands here.

If you haven’t yet got your ticket for the Nationals, don’t worry! Although advance ticket sales are now closed, tickets are still available on each day of the Championships at the gate. You can also upgrade your ticket to the Nationals Pavilion on Friday (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are now sold out) or covered seating (Thursday, Friday and Saturday are now the only remaining days available). On arrival at the showground, don’t forget to get your Show Programme (available on the gate and at the Secretary’s Office) for all the essential reading on the competitors as well as the all-important schedule. For the full Nationals experience, why not purchase a Radio Nationals headset? These pre-tuned headsets (available from the Secretary’s Office), give you detailed commentary on the classes and help keep you up to date with what’s happening and where, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

And, if you can’t make it to the Nationals, you can keep up to speed with all the goings-on, scores and results by visiting the website here plus end of day reports on this website. You can also get all the latest Championships news, interviews and gossip by following British Dressage on Twitter and Facebook.

Click here to visit the Championships website for detailed information on the event, ticket prices and schedules.

LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2014 classes

Click on the links to see entries and times.

Thursday 18 September

3. Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted Championship

1. Backinaction Preliminary Championship

4. Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted Championship

2. Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Championship

5. TopSpec Intermediate II Championship

Friday 19 September

6. Dodson & Horrell Novice Open Championship

8. KBIS Para Dressage Championship