Day two of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships provided nine fabulous champions for the crowds despite grey skies and rain in the air for much of the competition. Berkshire rider Spencer Wilton retained his Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate title but with a new rising star. This time he partnered Jayne Lancashire’s expressive Tchaikovsky-sired Alfons. It was a mammoth class of 31 and Wilton took advantage of a late draw to steal the class from long-time leader, Charlie Hutton with Charlotte Dunkerton’s Douglas IV (72.82%). Spencer and Alfons made their championship debut yesterday and were hoping for a PSG-Inter I double as they enjoyed at Hickstead Premier League in June.
However, the elegant bay gelding had other ideas, using his party trick flying changes to celebrate his championship debut…but when they weren’t quite required! Today Spencer had his full attention and he was much more settled for a truly pleasing picture. Last to go Michael Eilberg with the Deverill’s British-bred Half Moon Dynasty came close to an upset but were just short with a great 71.84% for third.
Spencer beamed; “Very pleased with him today after yesterday’s flying changes episode. I got them today, apart from he threw in an extra few! But from the mistakes, he was the best he’s ever been; he feels more consistent and the movements are safe. I’ve had six weeks off with a bulging disc in my back so have only had about three weeks’ preparation to get here so really happy with the performances. He’s really come on in that time though, his strength and condition has really developed. I’m looking forward to the music, even though we’ve had hardly and time to practice!”
Today's top 14 go forward to Sunday’s Inter I Freestyle and the highest combined score from the two Saracens Horse Feeds classes will walk away with the Supreme Champion accolade.
Current European Pony team and individual silver-medallist, Phoebe Peters (15) conquered the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open Championship. Riding two new young talents, both owned by Charlotte Dujardin, Phoebe not only won the title but also took the one-two.
Early on, Phoebe set the standard aboard five-year-old horse Edison H, an elegant Dutch-bred son of Ampere with a substantial 73.21%. Then followed a number of top-rate combinations, but none could match ‘Eddie’. That was until Phoebe’s second ride, this time with the five-year-old pony Cruz III, a chestnut gelding by Caesar 171. Phoebe rode ‘Tom’, as he’s known to his friends, for 73.59% to topple her own lead and secure the one-two.
“I came here with no expectations – they’re young and I just wanted to give them a good experience and enjoy their tests - so to win is amazing,” smiled Phoebe, “and it feels special that I could do it for Charlotte and pay her back for her belief in me.”
“Cruz is very level-headed and rose to the occasion. He’s confident and really wanted to show off to the crowds. Eddie on the other hand needs a bit more reassurance, but he’s improved so much in competition and has dealt with the atmosphere well.”
Phoebe has forged a great partnership with the 16.2hh Edison H, her first horse she’s had to ride since hitting the big time as an international pony rider. “The first time I rode him I got on and couldn’t stop smiling. I could feel his ability and we just hit it off. We’ll train him up through the grades.”
“Cruz we feel he has the talent to be a future FEI pony, so the next aim with him will be to get qualifying scores at medium for pony training."
Phoebe was quick to thank her sponsors – Classic Dressage, Zebra Products, NAF and Antares.
Aberdeenshire rider, Debbie Murray partnered her six-year-old British-bred gelding Fancy Man MFS (Cidertanz x De Niro) to head the leader board in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted Championship with a fantastic 71.44%.
“I’m thrilled with him,” said Debbie, clearly delighted. “I had no expectations coming - I just wanted to do a nice test, so it hasn’t sunk in yet! ‘Fendi’ was a little sticky at the start of the test but he soon settled, got in to it and felt amazing.”
No strangers to the winner’s enclosure, Debbie and Fendi won the winter preliminary championship back in April and have since made a confident step to the next rung of the ladder. “He’s such a willing horse and is very good to train. I’m looking forward to moving towards Elementary next year.”
Debbie bought Fendi from Moray Firth Stud as a foal and has educated him herself with the help of trainers Harry Payne and Jennifer Johnston. Both Harry and Jennifer were at Stoneleigh to support her. “They’ve helped hugely,” said Debbie, “particularly in encouraging me to keep him off the leg.”
Debbie who runs a livery yard made the trip to Stoneleigh with the support of her Dad, Michael Murray, behind the wheel - total journey time of 10 ½ hours over two days – with a lot of support through social media behind them.
Eventer, Owen Cooper stormed the Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted championship, taking the title with a strong score of 71.73%. The only score in the class to break the 70% barrier, Oxfordshire-based Owen topped the leader board with Wendy McKay’s seven-year-old British-bred stallion, Don Dante II.
Trained by Caroline Hunt and Judy Harvey, today marks the duo’s second trip to the Nationals – their first being in the young horse classes.
Referring to his ride of two years, Owen exclaimed; “He was really good; his general way of going was excellent with just a couple of little mistakes. He loves coming to places like this, he thinks they’re just put on for him.”
“His first crop of foals were born this year and they’re just like him with his temperament… and confidence!” He continued, “We’re hoping to compete him at advanced medium soon as he finds it all quite easy and we’ll see where that takes us.”