Saturday’s Bates Inter 1 freestyle at the British Dressage National Championships in Stoneleigh saw Amy Stovold and Macbrian’s third attempt to slay the Goliath combination of Carl Hester and Movistar. In Thursday’s psg there was 1.4% between them and in Friday’s Inter I, 2.4%. But in the freestyle music Amy’s 71.55% fell short of Carl’s 74.10%
Judge at C, Isobel Wessels, said: “Even though there were weaknesses and mistakes, all the riders really went for it. Carl’s professionalism and interpretation of the music was superb. He also rode one of the most perfect transitions to walk, technically and musically, I have seen anywhere.”
Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H scored 70.29% to beat Nicola McGivern and Active Walero to the Easibed Grand Prix championship by a fraction.
Laura said: “I only got him March and I’ve been busy with Alf (Mistral Hojris) but I’m really confident about Andretti. Every time we go out I learn a bit more about him in a test situation. I’m planning to do the World Cup season on Andretti through the winter and hopefully qualify for the Las Vegas finals in April.”
Michael Eilberg became 2008 Martin Collins’ Advance Medium Champion scoring 72.26% riding his father’s Janeiro VI. Michael said: “I was pleased with test, but although the more technical stuff came off perfectly, I lost some marks on a few simple things like halts and simple transitions. Although he probably could have bettered his 73% at the regionals, because he’s such a cool dude the bigger the occasion the better he is.”
Colchester-based showjumper Verity Boys, scored 71.84% in the Dodson & Horrell restricted novice championship, three points ahead of nearest rival, Rachel Finan and Uventos. Verity said: “I only started doing dressage this year and it has help me more aware of how I’m riding which is useful in my show jumping, too.”
Stay in touch with all the news from the National Championships on Horseandhound.co.uk, and don’t miss next Thursday’s H&H for indepth anaylsis and commentary on all the action
