The riders are all confirmed, the timetable is set and the final parts of the ensemble are now ready to take their place – our equine stars – for this year’s Best of British themed British Dressage National Convention, supported by our legal helpline providers, Harrison Clark Rickerbys at Hartpury College, 21 – 22 November.
Our London 2012 trio all have set areas of focus over the weekend. For Charlotte Dujardin it’s what she finds most rewarding, producing young horses. With some help from Emma Blundell and Mount St John Stud, she’ll demo two mares, Mount St John VIP and Mount St John Freestyle. Both are already successful and also part of the breeding programme at the Yorkshire Stud. Small Tour is Laura Tomlinson’s subject and her two horses, at different ends of their advanced training, will travel from her Gloucestershire base. On Saturday, the spotlight will be on Dolcevendy, a seven year old mare just making the move from Advanced Medium up to PSG while on Sunday, Laura will introduce her new stallion, Duvals Capri Sonne Jr (pictured) to the audience. They only came together in May this year but are already making headlines; he’s secure in his PSG work but is building on the skills needed for Inter I and on to Grand Prix. And it’s Grand Prix that Carl Hester will present on. With seven National Champion titles to his name, there’s no one more qualified; however, he’s going to keep us all in suspense on which horses will partner him over the weekend; all will be unveiled each day!
Our para quartet are rolling out their stars for the audience. On Saturday, Natasha Baker will ride Sookie St James while Sophie Christiansen brings Athene Lindebjerg – both dark bay mares who took this year’s European Championships by storm, winning gold and silver medals, and many new plaudits, along the way. Sunday Deb Criddle partners LJT Akilles whom she rode at the London 2012 Paralympics while Sophie Wells returns to Hartpury with her 2015 Winter Albion Medium Open champion, C Fatal Attraction. ‘Jorge’ also made his Para Championship debut in September, helping Britain to team gold and two individual silver medals.
Every year, the Training Committee invites some exciting combinations they’ve spotted at the LeMieux National Championships to take part in the Convention and we have four rising stars this year. Judy Harvey will train Laura Wollen (Woodlander Buddy Holly) and Stephanie Sweet (Dolle Jung) on Saturday while Laura Tomlinson takes over as instructor on Sunday with Jayne Turney (Cruz III) and Sadie Smith (Keystone Dynamite).
Ten great tradestands will be on-site including our Convention sponsors, leading law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys and visitors have a truly great reason to pay them a visit. Of course there’s the chance to chat through any legal issues, learn more about their fixed fee packages and meet their specialist equine law team but how does the chance to win a saddle worth £2000 sound? You can enter in person over the weekend on the stand but if you’re not able to be with us at Hartpury, don’t worry, you can enter on line via their website. All you need to do is answer a question set by Charlotte Dujardin and provide a few details. The winner will be drawn and announced at the Convention on Sunday. Good luck!
Tickets are still available for both days via the BD website or over the phone with Claire Carter on 02476 698833.
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Equine stars announced for BD Convention
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