Hardwick tops the weekend of debuts at Biarritz CDI3*

Under 25s rider, Alex Hardwick left her mark at the Biarritz CDI3* in France at the weekend (24 – 26 October 2014) with a trio of wins. Riding her mum, Sally Hardwick’s 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Donauwein, Alex stormed the U25s inter II and grand prix, topping the leader board with scores of 66.15% and 66.34%, respectively. In the freestyle, the pair upped the tempo and pumped the volume, dancing their way to first place once more with a mark of 68.65%.

Not content with dominating the U25s, Alex also brought a second ride – her mum’s nine year old Royal Highness-sired gelding – Royal Chester (pictured), who was making his small tour debut. Coming out with a bang, Alex and Royal Chester – or Chez as he’s known at home – came third in Friday’s PSG with 66.15%. The pair continued to improve over the weekend, scoring 67.65% in the inter I on Saturday to place second and 69.25% in Sunday’s inter I freestyle, coming second once more.

Speaking from her Facebook, Alex couldn’t supress her delight: “Dudy [Donauwein] won the freestyle!!! So he has racked up 3 wins at his first under25 international competition. Chez was also a complete star coming 2nd in his small tour freestyle, bringing his total to a 3rd and 2nd at his first ever international!!! Thank you everyone who has helped and supported me over the years and to my wonderful horses.”

21-year-old Fiona Brennan competed away from British soil for the first time today as she, equipped with Richard Heley’s 16-year-old Westphalian gelding Lou Wega, contested in the young rider classes. Lou Wega’s experience at international competitions, through previous riders Judy Harvey and Abigail Slater, proved beneficial as the pair held their own scoring 66.92% in the team test, 62.71% in the individual and danced their way to third in the freestyle with an impressive 70.27%; a personal best for the duo.

Aberdeenshire-based Carmen Gammie took her own nine year old KWPN mare, Amalia B, to the French fixture for their first international debut together. Competing in the junior classes, the pair did well, showing promise for the future with marks of 68.78% in the team test, 66.39% in the individual and 66.82% in the freestyle.

Contesting in the big tour classes was Kay Maxted with her own 17-year-old Gribaldi gelding, Privaldi, who scored 62.02% in the grand prix to place sixth and 66.42% in the freestyle for third. Kay also gave her new ride, 13-year-old Danish gelding, Acapello Foldager his international debut as a British representative. Unfortunately, inexperience as a combination proved to be costly as the pair scored 54.98% in the grand prix.

For full results, click here.

Junior team test

4^th Carmen Gammie with Amalia B, 68.78%

Young rider team test

5^th Fiona Brennan with Lou Wega, 66.92%

PSG

3^rd Alex Hardwick with Royal Chester, 65.44%

Inter II (16 – 25yrs)

1^st Alex Hardwick with Donauwein, 66.15%

Grand prix

6^th Kay Maxted with Privaldi, 62.02%

10^th Kay Maxted with Acapello Foldager, 54.98%

Junior individual

5^th Carmen Gammie with Amalia B, 66.39%

Young rider individual

6^th Fiona Brennan with Lou Wega, 62.71%

Inter I

2^nd Alex Hardwick with Royal Chester, 67.65%

Grand prix (16 – 25yrs)

1^st Alex Hardwick with Donauwein, 66.34%

Junior freestyle

6^th Carmen Gammie with Amalia B, 66.82%

Young rider freestyle

3^rd Fiona Brennan with Lou Wega, 70.27%

Inter I freestyle

2^nd Alex Hardwick with Royal Chester, 69.25%

Grand prix (16 – 25yrs) freestyle

1^st Alex Hardwick with Donauwein, 68.65%

Grand prix freestyle

3^rd Kay Maxted with Privaldi, 66.42%