Becky Moody and Carinsio continued their dressage domination at small tour level and put the proverbial cherry on top of their 2015 season when they were victors on Friday evening in the third instalment of the Mount St John Stud Future Elite Championship at the iconic Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham.
For talented seven to ten-year-olds, the class is an invitational based on rankings throughout the season from high profile, premier league and CDI shows on average percentage in small tour classes. The top ranked combinations were then invited to take part in a freestyle Inter I competition, generously supported by Mount St John Stud.
Eight came forward on the night under a top judging panel of Stephen Clarke (C), Peter Storr (H) and Frances Verbeek (NED) (B). Louise Bell and Into the Blue were very last minute additions after Michael Eilberg withdrew Elena Knyaginicheva’s Der Designer.
First into the packed Andrews Bowen Arena were Olivia Oakeley and Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo. Still in their first season together and consistently topping the 70% mark, the duo was the perfect curtain raiser as they impressed to throw the gauntlet down for 71.79%. Second in was Buckinghamshire’s Natalie Kayal with the German bred DHI Homerun and they couldn’t quite match Oliva and ‘Darcy’ with their 68.29% score.
Next was one of the circuit’s most in-form pairings, Alice Oppenheimer with Georgina Pole Carew’s Tantoni Sir Soccrates. The duo hasn’t been out of the top four all season and have put up 23 70%+ performances this season and were crowned Fairfax Prix St Georges National Champions at last month’s LeMieux National Championships. He may be just eight and have less than a dozen Inter I outings, but ‘Socs’ certainly danced his socks off under Alice’s guidance to earn 74.79% and take the lead.
Then on to popular combination Matt Frost and AMD Don Rosso II, owned by Dedi Leech. By Dr. Doolittle, ‘Donald’ is no stranger to the main stage at HOYS having competed in the competition last year, finishing fourth in an ultra-competitive class. Matt put that extra bit of confidence to good use to earn every mark possible from the impressive black gelding with his captivating music. It looked fairly mistake free and judges agreed for excellent technical scores to finish on 75.37% and steal the lead.
It was then the turn of Carinsio, or ‘Jack’ with Becky Moody. They’ve been in a three way battle for much of the season with Alice and Socs and Michael Eilberg with Woodlander Farouche for small tour class honours. So could it be Jack’s turn to come out on top after both chestnuts beat him at the LeMieux Nationals for titles, except of course the Saracens Horse Feeds Inter I Freestyle trophy.
The Yorkshire duo stuck with their BBC drama inspired musical score which has served them well this season as it’s perfect for the floorplan and Jack’s elastic gaits. Jack can be quite fiery but he seemed to relish the atmosphere generated by the captivated HOYS crowd, only showing a wobble in concentration during the extended walk. They finished in perfect harmony to the delight of the crowd. The score was announced… 77.71% - plenty for to take the lead from Matt and Donald and due recognition for a test well done. Peter Storr was particularly impressed, giving them 76% for their technical mark and a whopping 87% for artistic. Peter said afterwards; “It was a test of top quality. The horse is so elastic and Becky rides him so well. The first trot half pass was outstanding. There was a bit of tension in the extended walk which is what stopped him getting 80% overall but for me it was just lovely; great artistic content, well presented by a great rider and a lovely horse enjoying his job.”
Next was BD’s most prolific rider, Jackie Stolper with her own Laudabilis gelding Luciano Pavarotti. Some good placings through the Premier League season claimed their ticket to HOYS and they put up a good effort to score 67.08%. The penultimate pairing was Mette Assouline for Denmark with husband Michel’s AD Ratino. They’ve only been competing together since May so the class was always a huge ask but the duo scored a very creditable 68.54%. The final rider was our last minute addition, Louise Bell with her worker turned dressage horse Into the Blue. ‘Dynamo’ is very accustomed to the Birmingham arena having competed here the last three years over fences in the Cuddy Working Hunter Championship with Louise. He’s a handful and wasn’t in full concentrating mode for Louise, perhaps expecting to see poles and greenery. They scored 65.66% but whatever the final mark was, Louise was delighted, saying via her Facebook page; “It was amazing to be in the main arena doing the job I love.”
So victory went to Becky and Jack to bring their red rosette tally to 16 this season. Becky told BD; “He managed so well with the scary warm-up as it was so busy! It was small, by a road, golf carts whizzing round – his worst nightmare. Once he was in the arena, he felt the space and relaxed. The walk was costly for us as we had threes and a four and that mark counts for double but I was really pleased with everything else. Yes, there was room for improvement but that’s me, always striving for more!”
Becky is still undecided about Jack’s next move. She’s been invited to take part in the winner-take-all PSG Freestyle at the Team Quest Championship at Bury Farm in November or she may continue his Grand Prix training at home. “The more advanced work is really suiting him; he’s naughty but the work means I can channel it in a productive way. His piaffe and passage is coming along and it’s really helped to make him sharper and quicker,” Becky revealed.
Matt Frost was short and sweet on his runner up place; “The boy was epic tonight” was all he had to say about four legged partner Donald via Facebook while Alice was clearly delighted; “I'm so thrilled with Socs tonight riding in this magnificent arena. He tried his absolute heart out for me in a big atmosphere to finish third with nearly 75% in the Mount St John Dressage Future Elite Championship. He's been outstanding all year - what a horse and we've formed an amazing partnership, which showed today, and he will now enjoy a well-earned holiday in the field.”
Becky signed off in saying; “I’d like to say a huge thanks to Mount St John Stud and Emma Blundell for supporting this amazing showcase. It’s great to have dressage at HOYS and for us to have a chance to ride in this arena, plus it’s an amazing experience for the young horses to further their education.” Judge Peter Storr agreed; “It’s fantastic for us to have such a showcase full of such top quality combinations. It was a pleasure to judge such talented up and coming horses in this amazing setting. Thank you HOYS and Mount St. John.”
Final results
1. Becky Moody with her own Carinsio 77.71%
2. Matt Frost with Dedi Leech’s AMD Don Rosso II 75.37%
3. Alice Oppenheimer with Georgina Pole-Carew’s Tantoni Sir Soccrates 74.79%
4. Olivia Oakeley with Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo 71.79%
5. Mette Assouline (DEN) with Michel Assouline’s AD Ratino 68.54%
6. Natalie Kayal with her own DHI Homerun 68.29%
7. Jackie Stolper with her own Luciano Pavarotti 67.08%
8. Louise Bell with her own Into the Blue 65.66%
For full results with score break down – click here
Listen to Becky’s post ride interview
Picture courtesy of E.S. Photography