Spotlight on dressage stars of tomorrow
Four-year-old Hanoverian takes supreme title at the Badminton Young Dressage Horse of the Future final
Four-year-old Brooks Rondeau impressed judges to claim this year’s Badminton Young Dressage Horse of the Future title, sponsored by Whatley Manor Hotel, held at Badminton by permission of the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort,
Ridden by Paul Hayler (pictured), Rondeau, a well put-together, level-headedHanoverian gelding by Ragazzo – a son of Ramiro – led from the first of the three phases of the competition, gaining the top mark from conformation judge Nicky Barrett.
After a 4min freestyle test to show paces, the combination gained the highest mark from test judges David Trott and Ulrik Henschke and then the top mark of 10 for star appeal from third phase judge Jane Kidd.
David Trott said: “For a four-year-old he was outstanding, with an especially good canter. He had the ability to show so much lift in the paces, as well as self-carriage, which he was able to produce right to the end of the day. But he also displayed a good temperament, which let down a few horses – temperament plays a huge part.”
Rondeau bagged the £1,000 first prize for owner Jackie Sill from Essex, as well as an extra £100 for being the highest-placed four-year-old.
Recent national Shearwater five-year-old champion Keystone Rubin was the runner-up, ridden by Suzanne Davies.
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Carl Hester took third place with Sharon Baldwin and the Meadow Stud’s Dutch-bred stallion Pro-Set.
David Trott, in his commentary given after each horse had completed the test, said: “Rubin is a very smart horse who shows good cadence and uphill carriage, while Pro-Set is an elegant horse with much elasticity.”
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