Dressage talent tops young horse finals

As in 2004, a dressage horse gained the highest mark in this year’s SEIB British Breeding Young Horse Evaluation finals at the Royal Show.

Uventos, a Dutch-bred stallion owned by Mervyn Lister and ridden by his daughter, former British pony, junior and young rider team member Jodie Lister, got off to a flying start. He gained high marks from vet Jane Nixon and nines for paces and movement from judges Ferdi Eilberg and Richard Ramsey.

The upstanding chestnut showed a particularly loose, rhythmic walk, and was given the vote of approval by guest rider Erik Theilgaard.

“He gave me a good feel and was very responsive. He has lots of scope, super paces and is an international type,” said Erik.

The British-bred Dimaggio mare Mezzanine, second in this discipline, took the best mare award for owners Claudine Bichard and Niki Hare. The reserve champion from last year’s BD Breeding Championships, bred by Johnathan Crapp, looked a little overwhelmed in the large arena but settled and improved throughout the competition to show her potential.

Team Preci-Spark, which has been in the top three since the inception of the series four years ago, once again came to the fore in the eventing section. Sarah Cutteridge came up trumps with one of Vin and Liz Jones’s home-breds. This time it was the gelding Trescothick, by the deceased French Thoroughbred Hand In Glove, who took the honours. His position was confirmed after a score of 9.5 in the jumping section.

Millie On Air, ridden by Nicola Browne, gained second place for owner/breeder Sue Browne. Millie is by Nicola’s advanced eventing stallion, Mill Law. And with the Primitive Rising bloodlines of her dam she certainly has the breeding for the job.

Eventer Michael Jackson showed his prowess as a show jumping rider to win that section with Joy Jones’s British-bred stallion Ulster. High marks from Jane Nixon got the grey off to a good start and the son of Burgraaf out of a Candy Boy mare proved consistent throughout the five phases, finishing with a comfortable lead.

“There was a lot going on and despite the driving classes in the next arena he held it together well. He popped round a decent course; he has plenty of scope and gives me an amazing feel,” said Michael.

Jane Nixon said: “The conformation of the dressage horses was consistently good and the winners of the show jumping and eventing sections were excellent.”

Richard Ramsey, who has presided over the three sections for all four finals, added: “All the horses showed super temperaments and were professional in their attitude. They just did their job.”

Results

Eventing (J Nixon, R Ramsey, Y Breisner, J Brakewell).— 1, Trescothick (S Cutteridge) 42.25; 2, Millie On Air (N Browne) 37; 3, Varston Ottoman Empire (M Corbett) 35. Show Jumping (J Nixon, R Ramsey, D Ricketts, R Walker).— 1, Ulster (M Jackson) 38.75; 2, Twilight (S Franks) 35.5; 3, Tiffany II (G Strutton) 31.5. Dressage (J Nixon, R Ramsey, F Eilberg, E Theilgaard).— 1 & overall ch, Uventos (J Lister) 44; 2 & best mare, Mezzanine (N Hare) 38.25; 3, ZV Sandros (L Peyton-Gilbert) 38.

This sport horse news report was first published in Horse & Hound (14 July, ’05)