Charlie Hutton takes top winter dressage championship title

Young rider Charlie Hutton topped the Superflex intermediaire I freestyle at the winter dressage finals, Hartpury College, Glos, 10 April.

Charlie piloted his own and his mother Pammy’s Abira through a technical floorplan to take the top spot, beating favourites Matt Frost (Flyaway Wish) who won the prix st georges equivalent here last year.

Charlie said: “I was feeling very nervous as it was his first competition all year — he has been off following colic for six months. He’s been going so well at home but I didn’t know what to expect here tonight.”

Maria Eilberg led the British Horse Feeds advanced medium open with Lynne and Dave Crowden’s breeding stallion Woodlander Rockstar.

“I told her plenty of competitions have been won from the front,” said father and trainer Ferdi.

Maria added: “I wasn’t thrilled to be going first, I’d rather the competition had got going first, but Rockstar was fabulous and is feeling so much stronger now.”

Jo Barry took her second title of the competition, the Bucas medium music freestyle riding the now eight-year-old former young horse champion Vivaldi V, who she co-owns with Lady Hope.

For full report, results and pictures from the championships don’t miss Horse & Hound 15 April.

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