Wilton on form at Stoneleigh
Spencer Wilton returned to the fore with Dolendo at the Blue Waters National Dressage Championship, taking the Easibed Grand Prix on 70.67% at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire (15 September). The horse had time off with injury earlier in the year and has only contested Hartpury and Hickstead CDIs since.
“Today, Dolendo felt the best he’s ever felt,” said Spencer of Carl Hester and Ann Corey’s 13-year-old son of Donnerhall. “It’s the first time he’s gone straight in the arena and been completely confident, like he knew what he was doing.”
Judy Harvey added to her intermediaire II title with a Bates Intermediaire I Freestyle win. Gareth Hughes, who won the intermediaire I yesterday, dropped to third on an exuberant Sandman who stood bolt upright in one pirouette.
Judy said: “I didn’t know how Gareth had gone before I went in, so I just rode for myself. We had one sticky moment in our pirouette, but Fitzcerraldo is much more consistent with those now.”
Peter Storr won the Biotal Equine Gold Medium Open on Hermione Black’s Cocofino, who has “taken a long time to mature” according to Peter.
Policewoman Lesley Tysoe took the Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted on DHI Aqua Majestic, saying: “He’s only five and is still a big baby, but he coped well once we were in the arena. I’m not a professional and just fit the riding in when I can, but he’s a super horse and I’m delighted by how much he’s achieved here.”
the full report and pictures from the national dressage championships, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine 20 September issue
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.