British riders impressed with a number of victories and podium placings at Saumur CDI3* held at the Cadre Noir in Saumur, France 25-28 September 2014.
Hannah Biggs and Weltzin (pictured) sealed their first international victory. Following a solid sixth place with 67.36% in Friday’s grand prix, the pair rocked the grand hall with a new programme to head a hot line-up in Saturday night’s grand prix kür.
Hannah and ‘superstar stallion’ Weltzin, a 15-year-old son of Welt Bogen, scored an impressive 73.57% to fend off second-placed Christoph Koschel for Germany and the Gribaldi-sired 15-year-old gelding, Tiesto. The German duo’s performance earned 73.25%.
“I’m so happy,” said a delighted Hannah. “Saumur was a great show, everyone was so friendly and welcoming and Weltzin felt really on form all week.”
“We went into the arena for our kür with new music created by Tom Hunt, from the Superman movie 'Man of Steel'. It’s so fun to ride and really showcases Weltzin's strengths. Highlights were our huge extended trots and flowing, expressive half passes and the high collection work of the piaffe, passage and pirouettes.”
“We were bang on time with the music, everything flowed effortlessly and we really were dancing together. Even if we hadn't won, I would still have been over the moon, I was so proud of him. Winning our first international was just the icing on the cake. Weltzin is a very proud and sensitive horse, who knows when he's done well. He was very pleased with himself, and that means the world to me!” added Hannah.
The Dorset-based 35-year-old was quick to thank her support crew: “It really is a team effort though, and special thanks must go to my groom Rebakah, my sponsors and to World Class for all their hard work and support behind the scenes!”
Charlie Hutton and Douglas IV ensured that the British national anthem was repeatedly heard across the impressive hall. The relatively new partnership presented three powerful, mature performances to reign supreme at small tour.
In the prix st georges, Charlie and Douglas - Charlotte Dunkerton’s 12-year-old son of Diamond Hit - scored 73.68% to take the class ahead of another on-form Brit, Paul Friday. Paul rode the athletic bay Winston Bond, Christine Trendell’s 00 Seven-sired 11-year-old to score an impressive PSG personal best of 71.34% - showing huge, ground covering extensions and half passes.
Raising the bar even further, on Saturday Charlie and Douglas scored 75.21% for victory in the intermediate I with an assured, expressive and powerful test. Another British Rider rewarded with a podium finish was Sarah Millis with Fürst Rubin (Fürst Piccolo x Rubinstein). Sarah and her gorgeous 10-year-old chestnut produced a powerful performance showing great expression for 69.47% and third place, albeit with a costly error in the right canter pirouette. The consistent combination is well-established at the level having won at Hickstead CDI3* earlier this year. In the runner-up position was the home nation’s Julia Chevanne and the San Remo-sired Swing De Hus (69.73%).
The intermediate I freestyle took centre stage in the morning of the final day of competition. Charlie and Douglas captivated the crowd once again with a technically demanding programme to their memorable Eurythmics soundtrack. The pair was awarded with 75.67%. Paul and Winston Bond, who have enjoyed a great year including second place in the inter I freestyle at Barcelona CDI3*, scored 71.50% for runner-up position ahead of Germany’s Patricia Koschel and Leuchtfeuer DE (69.80%).
Prix St Georges
1st Charlie Hutton and Douglas IV (GBR), 73.68%
2nd Paul Friday and Winston Bond (GBR), 71.34%
7th Charlie Hutton and Super Blue (GBR), 68.23%
11th Sarah Millis and Furst Rubin (GBR), 66.47%
Intermediate I
1st Charlie Hutton and Douglas IV (GBR), 75.21%
3rd Sarah Millis and Furst Rubin (GBR), 69.47%
7th Paul Friday and Winston Bond (GBR), 67.73%
8th Charlie Hutton and Super Blue (GBR), 67.47%
Inter I Freestyle
1st Charlie Hutton and Douglas IV (GBR), 75.67%
2nd Paul Friday and Winston Bond (GBR), 71.50%
Grand Prix
6th Hannah Biggs and Weltzin (GBR), 67.36%
11th Emily Cousins and Solo Bachelorette (GBR), 66.38%
16th Lesley Peyton-Gilbert and Garuda K (GBR), 65.10%
Grand Prix Freestyle
1st Hannah Biggs and Weltzin (GBR), 73.57%
7th Lesley Peyton-Gibert and Garuda K (GBR), 69.62%
9th Emily Cousins and Solo Bachelorette (GBR), 68.75%
For full results click here
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Super Saumur for Weltzin and Douglas
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