Alice Oppenheimer has shared the pain of losing her “incredibly special” home-bred grand prix horse, Headmore Dirubinio.

The 13-year-old Dimaggio x Rubinstein gelding was put down on 27 December after shattering his pastern while loose in the arena at home. He was hugely influential on Alice, who told H&H that “he will for ever be the horse who has most defined the way I ride and train”.

“He was special from the moment I backed him, with this enormous canter – he’d take about four strides to do the long side of the arena,” she said.

“We worried that he would struggle to learn to collect, but he found everything so physically easy. I remember first teaching him changes at rising six, and they felt effortless.

“There was nothing he couldn’t do physically, but he was a shy horse and that’s why he never had a chance to show himself off at his best away from home. He didn’t look nervous – he had a lot of presence – but he wasn’t a natural show-off. That was despite being an amazing looking horse – people would come on to the yard and just stare at him as you would an oil painting.”

Alice and “Robin” competed on the British grand prix circuit throughout 2021, with successes including a third-place finish in the grand prix freestyle at Hartpury CDI. But Alice says that her best memory was their victory at Keysoe Premier League in April 2021.

“It was just so unexpected, not because we doubted his talent, but because it was the first time he had been able to show himself off. There was more to come, too,” said Alice.

Alice Oppenheimer: ‘Headmore Dirubinio was happy that day’

Towards the end of 2021, Robin moved to Emile Faurie’s yard as Alice felt he was too big for her to be able to do him justice as a rider.

“In theory, [Robin and Emile] should have been perfect together, but they just didn’t gel,” said Alice.

Robin returned home to the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud in the autumn of 2022, and it was weeks later that tragedy struck.

“I was working with him in the arena at liberty, just building up our relationship again. It had become a normal part of his routine,” said Alice.

“That day, he was so happy and playful, really enjoying working with me. He was just cantering normally when it happened – I’ll never forget the sound. The vets told us that there was nothing we could have done to prevent it, that he likely had an underlying issue in the pastern that we could not have known about.”

Among Alice’s string of exciting upcoming horses is Robin’s full brother Headmore Dionysus (Dillon), who has recently stepped up to top level. She explained that Robin has helped influence the way in which she rides and trains Dillon, and others.

“They say that good horses come and go but great horses define your career and that was Robin. He wasn’t a horse I won loads on, but for my career he is the greatest horse I’ll ever have. He taught me so much about myself, and about working with other horses,” said Alice.

“He was so talented and so sensitive and so nervous of the talent he had. I had to learn to manage him in a way in which he could grow and thrive, and that’s so relevant to the horses we are breeding nowadays, as they get more sensitive and talented. He’s the horse who most defines the way I now ride and train.”

You may also be interested in…

Tales from Hartpury: Six home-breds represent Headmore Stud at Winter Dressage Championships

‘I’m in love with this colt – his name is Dimaggio’: Alice Oppenheimer on how her family ‘fell’ into breeding

‘She was part of the family’: legendary broodmare honoured with H&H award

This fantastic mare has left behind an impressive dynasty of dressage stars

‘He’s always been one of my favourites’: young British rider takes over the reins of popular international grand prix horse

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Training grand prix horses up to the top level is always a long, challenging but rewarding journey, especially if you have worked with a horse right from the start of their dressage career. When we watch established horses and riders performing at this elite level, it can be easy to forget the years of hard work that goes in to every single horse that has reached the pinnacle of the sport.

So, sometimes, it’s nice to take a look back and appreciate just how far these horses – and their riders – have come. We delve through the archives to seek out photos of just a few successful British horses, from when they were just setting out on their competitive careers….

Gio (Apache x Tango)

Enjoy this throwback of the famous Gio competing at his very first UK show (above), and his first with Charlotte Dujardin, back in February 2017. Charlotte and the then six-year-old gelding scored 74.4% in elementary 44 and 77.94% in elementary 53 that day. “Pumpkin” went on to become one of Britain’s most successful grand prix horses, winning double bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and silver and bronze medals at the European championships the same year. Gio is now helping his current owner, 17-year-old Annabella Pidgley, learn the grand prix ropes.

Habouche (Ampere x Sydney)

This lovely grey mare is one of the most exciting grand prix horses on the British scene at the moment, having made her debut at top level just this year with Anna Ross. “Holly” has already achieved some impressive grand prix wins and placings, as well as a triple international middle tour victory at Crozet DI, France, in August. She is a great example of what good training and foresight can achieve, having looked very different as a green four-year-old at her first show back in 2016 with Jess Ralton (above).

Rudy (Cancara x Julio Mariner)

Taking a horse from prelim right up to senior grand prix is always an impressive achievement for a rider, but especially so when it’s before you turn 25. That’s exactly what Lucy Amy has managed with the Holsteiner gelding Rudy. Rudy wasn’t intended to be a dressage horse, but he has taken Lucy to the under-25 European Championships and competed both nationally and internationally at senior grand prix in 2022. He already looked pretty smart back when he was competing at prelim in 2014 (above), but it’s fascinating to see the development.

Into The Blue (Ublesco x Calvaro Z)

Into The Blue is an interesting example of a horse who has been produced right up the levels because he and rider Louise Bell had an incredibly successful career in the world of working hunters prior to moving into dressage. It’s lovely to look back at the pair of them riding their first dressage test (above), at elementary, back in 2011 as part of a Horse & Hound discipline switching challenge. We have followed their journey right up to representing Britain on Nations Cup teams and at some of the world’s biggest international shows.

Headmore Bella Ruby (Belissimo M x Rubinstein)

Riding and training a home-bred horse is a special experience, and one that Alice Oppenheimer knows all about, having ridden a great many of the talented horses bred by her family’s Headmore Stud. One of the most exciting of these, who recently made her grand prix debut, is Headmore Bella Ruby, who is out of the stud’s foundation mare Rubinsteena. Bella has been a star since an early age, winning a regional title at novice in February 2018 (above), but has really come into her own more recently as she has made her way up to top level.

Valegro (Negro x Gershwin)

We couldn’t fail to include arguably the greatest equine success story of all time. Valegro might have ended up a double Olympic champion and holder of all world records, but in his early days owner Carl Hester had reservations when it came to his potential, including whether it would be possible for him to learn to collect his colossal canter. Enjoy this throwback to Valegro winning the four-year-old national championship in 2006 (above), ridden by Carl.

You may also be interested in…

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Young British dressage rider Georgie Nicholls is set to take over the reins of Headmore Difinnity, the 12-year-old gelding ridden to international grand prix level by Alice Oppenheimer.

Georgie, 20, is the second rider at the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud in Hampshire and is already a multi-national champion, having taken the medium silver title at this year National Dressage Championships, with Headmore Briarwood, adding to the novice and elementary titles she won in 2021.

Alice said she has handed the ride on Caroline Dibden’s Headmore Difinnity – known at home as Finn – to Georgie, who will now target under-25 grands prix with the Don Primero gelding.

“I backed Finn as a three-year-old and have had a fabulous time producing him up the levels to grand prix, competing at many winter and national championships along the way,” said Alice. “We always thought he’d show his best at grand prix and we certainly weren’t wrong, as he made his grand prix debut aged nine.”

A field injury ruled Finn out of action during the latter part of 2019 and 2020, but he returned to top level in 2021, clocking up several plus-70% scores at Premier Leagues that season. Alice rode him to eighth in the grand prix freestyle at Wellington CDI3* this year, and more recently finished 12th with him in the grand prix at the National Dressage Championships at Somerford Park.

“He tried his hardest for me at Somerford this year and I was thrilled with the test, knowing it was my last competition on him,” she added.

Georgie described it as an “incredible opportunity” to be offered the ride on Finn.

“I’m so grateful to his owner, Caroline Dibden, and everyone involved at Headmore stud for their unwavering support on this exciting new journey,” she told H&H. “Finn and I have always had a great relationship on the ground, as he’s always been one of my favourites and I spent a lot of time with him during his rehab, but I am now so excited to see how this develops as we begin our new partnership together.”

Georgie’s success this year has followed her recovery from serious injuries after she was involved in a horrific car crash in January this year. She returned to the dressage arena at the end of April, and has enjoyed a prolific season, also securing a medium win at the Sheepgate under-25 championships in August.

“I know Finn will thrive in his new job of teaching Georgie. She’s already been getting to know him and he absolutely loves showing her all the tricks,” said Alice, adding that Georgie has a steep learning curve ahead of her, having not yet competed above medium level.

“Huge thank you to his amazing owner Caroline, who has always been such a wonderful and generous supporter to us and who has always allowed us to do the very best for Finn no matter what. I know Caroline is also super excited about this new chapter for everyone,” said Alice.

You may also be interested in…

World Dressage Championships gold medal-winning horse moves to new rider

Alice Oppenheimer: ‘It’s good to strive to beat the best’

‘I’m in love with this colt – his name is Dimaggio’: Alice Oppenheimer on how her family ‘fell’ into breeding

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Hawtins San Floriana made her first competitive appearance in three years with Charlotte Dujardin. The elegant 10-year-old mare claimed convincing victories at advanced medium and prix st georges (PSG) at the Hartpury Premier League, part of the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage.

The precocious San Amour mare, whom Charlotte owns along with Carl Hester, enjoyed a stellar early career, winning national titles at novice, elementary and medium, as well as in age finals, then had some time out for breeding at Hawtins Stud.

At this, her first competition since July 2019, she not only won at advanced medium with over 78% but also topped her first ever PSG.

“I think she’d only done a handful, if that, of advanced mediums so I was really happy with her,” said Charlotte. “She got quite hot in the canter work, had a few little blips, but all in all, I was really happy. And then she did a really lovely, super advanced medium.”

As well as her wins with Hawtins San Floriana, Charlotte Dujardin also took the young horse PSG title with her own Alive And Kicking, though she had to withdraw her top horse Imhotep from the CDI3*.

While Charlotte is certainly no stranger to Premier League titles, it was a first for 14-year-old Ruby Hughes, as she took a PSG win on Extra Time (Hughie), the 13-year-old gelding owned by Lucy Amy on whom Ruby took the ride last year. 

“Hughie is something else,” said Ruby. “He was impeccably well behaved as usual and I can’t believe we have done this together.”

‘The plan is to campaign him for Paris’

Andrew Gould made a winning grand prix debut on the talented stallion Indigro, who he bought with the Paris Olympics in mind. 

The pair have only been together for three months, since he was bought from the Netherlands for Andrew by Max and Tatiana Skillman, and here the nine-year-old Negro stallion posted 73.46%. 

“He is so honest and genuine. Around the arena he felt amazing, and I got the sense that he would be on board. I had a brilliant ride,” said Andrew. “He finds all the work relatively easy but he lacks the experience as he hasn’t done a lot of shows since he was six. He’s very capable but there is a big difference between knowing it and stringing it all together. I didn’t know what he is like in an atmosphere, but he seems to grow when he goes in the ring so he’s better in there than in the warm-up.”

The stunning black stallion, who was used for breeding as a youngster but will now focus solely on sport, does not appear to have a weakness, with a particular talent for piaffe-passage and the pirouettes. 

“He’s got everything; that’s why we bought him. We had been looking for quite a while to find something, and when we went to see him he was by far the nicest, most genuine horse I had tried,” said Andrew. “The plan is to campaign him for Paris, for teams, so next year he will have to go out internationally and perform.”

Andrew also finished second in Wednesday’s inter II with Indigro, behind Gloucestershire-based German rider Kathleen Kröncke riding Uniteds Maerchen, a 12-year-old United mare who Kathleen bought shortly before relocating to the UK in 2020. They were third in the following day’s grand prix, with Anna Ross and Habouche slotting into second between Andrew and Kathleen.

This was only Kathleen and Uniteds Maerchen’s fourth show together.

“She is still green but she is improving at every show and getting stronger and better,” said Kathleen. “She’s a really cute mare.”

Dylan steps up

Alice Oppenheimer and the 11-year-old “pocket rocket” Headmore Dionysius (Dylan) were second into the arena in Sunday’s inter II and set an unassailable lead to win on 69.76%.

“Today was only his third go at inter II,” said Alice of Amanda Radford’s 15.3hh Dimaggio son, out of the Oppenheimers’ late, great broodmare Rubinsteena. “He has so much talent and ability. 

“We need to occupy his brain. He might only be 16hh when he’s lit up, but as far as Dylan is concerned, he is the absolute man and knows everything all the time. He is a real little show-off. So the inter II makes him think, ‘This is a bit different,’ and it’s helped him listen a bit more to what I’m asking him to do.” 

Lucinda Elliott continued her run of form with Hawtins Duchessa, claiming an inter I win with the 11-year-old Decamerone mare. 

“She was feeling the heat a bit but we had a nice test with no major mistakes,” said Lucinda of the mare she described as “the queen of the yard”. “She knows she’s special and she loves to show off. You can really feel it when you ride her; she has this extravagant trot and canter, and she’s very brave too, and never spooky.”

Decamerone had another inter I winner in the shape of Fiona Brennan’s De Angelis II, while mares dominated at advanced medium. Becky Edwards took a win on Blue Hors Zack daughter Laerke Stensvang, and Rob Barker proved Christine Kirk’s seven-year-old Herbstrot is one to watch by achieving a 74.08% advanced medium victory. The pair were also third in a second advanced medium, behind Hawtins San Floriana and Charlotte Dujardin in first and Davey Harvey on Diamond Blue in second.

Rob has had “Herbie” for 18 months, but after six months out as Rob underwent surgery on his leg, the pair are still working on building their partnership. 

“She is getting better every time out, and really I’m still just nursing her round,” he said. “She’s a really cool mare, with quite a hot temperament but very talented. I have a lot of chestnut mares and I’m always trying to defy the stamp they get but she does fit into it – she’s rather spicy.”

The Premier League also hosted youth classes at every level. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac came out on top on the ponies, as the only ones in the field of 15 to break the 70% barrier, scoring 71.19% for the win. Violet Hawkins topped the children’s class with DZL Royal Sunrise, while Sophia Marston and E-Mail won in the junior ranks. Meanwhile Charlotte McDowell rode M Obarma to claim young rider victory.

You may also be interested in…

‘His welfare remains our main priority’: Charlotte Dujardin withdraws Imhotep from Hartpury CDI3*

Rising star Carl Hester once described as the “best-bred horse in the world” dies aged 11

‘I’m in love with this colt – his name is Dimaggio’: Alice Oppenheimer on how her family ‘fell’ into breeding

Festive stars: ‘I’m aiming for the top – someone has to win Olympic gold after all’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships 2022 may have come to an end, but we are still re-living the highlights from a brilliant week at Hartpury. From Charlotte Dujardin showcasing her young stars to a novice winner bursting into tears and a 12-year-old beating the adults, it was a week full of emotions and excitement. Let’s take a look back at just some of the many memorable moments…

1. Charlotte Dujardin’s winning medium gold test

Charlotte Dujardin was a triple winner at the Winter Dressage Championships, but it was her third and final performance, in the last class of the week, that was the most impressive. Having already won the Prestige Italia novice gold on Times Mon Amour, and the Equitex advanced medium gold on Times Kismet, in which she admitted she wasn’t riding at full throttle, she brought the quirky seven-year-old Kismet back out to contest the Horselight medium gold, and well and truly let the handbrake off.

“I didn’t want to play nice,” said Charlotte after her stunning test, which received over 77% from the judges.

2. Alice Oppenheimer’s Cats freestyle routine

Alice Oppenheimer is no stranger to winning titles at the Winter Dressage Championships, but few will have brought such a broad grin to her face as her winning magic prix st georges freestyle routine on Headmore Dionysus. She reported afterwards that “Dillon” lit as soon as he heard his music began and the pair truly danced to their toe-tapping Cats medley as they powered their way to victory with 77.96% – the highest mark of the entire championships.

3. Becky Moody completing the hat-trick

Becky Moody made everyone sit up with her eight-year-old Dante Weltino gelding Jagerbomb who proved unbeatable in the small tour classes. She completed her hat-trick of wins with him with the Superflex inter I freestyle, cementing his status as a serious one to watch – even if their freestyle didn’t 100% go to plan and Becky had to deploy some quick-thinking tactics. Becky explained that she put the home-bred “Bomber” on the market as a four-year-old, but “luckily I failed to sell him”.

4. An all-British inter I line-up

British breeding was shown to be in fine fettle, with the top three horses in the top class of the Winter Dressage Championships 2022, the Superflex inter I, all having been bred here in the UK. Becky Moody (Jagerbomb) and Alice Oppenheimer (Headmore Dionysus) took the top two spots, with Lucinda Elliott and Hawtins Bellegra (pictured) completing the all-British prize-giving. As the Hawtins stud’s Judith Davies said, “the future is certainly bright for breeding in the UK”.

5. A diminutive 12-year-old beating the adults

Violet Hawkins successfully dispatched her older, taller and more experienced rivals when taking the top spot in the KBIS prelim silver championship, riding DZL Royal Sunrise. As Anna Ross pointed out, Violet’s parents may have to tumble dry the winner’s rug a few times to help it fit! Violet, 12, reported that it was one of the best tests she had ever done, and said that her trainer Jayne Turney, as well as Charlotte Dujardin, were her ultimate dressage idols. Violet’s dad revealed that the youngster is multi-talented to boot – she reached the final two in the casting for Matilda in the West End in 2020, until Covid sadly stopped production.

6. Nikki Barker’s Dan Icarus rewriting history

Nikki Barker won the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle gold with Dan Icarus, a title that this horse’s sire, Nikki and Viv Gleave’s grand prix stallion Durable, won himself back in 2017. For those who remember that win, this one might have had an element of deja vu to it – Dan Icarus is the spitting image of his father, who he lives next door to at home, and Nikki says that they are very similar to ride, with the same fantastic, level-headed temperament, describing the nine-year-old as “the easiest horse in the world”.

7. Tracey Lawson scoring a double win after an emotional time

The 2022 Winter Dressage Championships was certainly an emotional week for Tracey Lawson, winner of the Equitrek elementary silver title and the Prestige Italia novice silver with the nine-year-old QT – the latter with over 77%. Tracey said she rode the first test in memory of her late friend, Kathy Ling, whose birthday it would have been that day. Tracey wore a bracelet of Kathy’s in the ring that day, saying “she was in the arena with me”. She also shared how her horses and dogs have helped her “heal physically and mentally” after a tough couple of years dealing with a traumatic divorce.

8. Tears on the final centre line

Nicky Morris was just one of several riders so overwhelmed with pride for their horse and their achievement that they burst into tears on their last centre line – even Charlotte Dujardin admitted to feeling very emotional after her first test on Times Kismet. Baileys Horse Feeds novice silver freestyle winner Nicola, a full-time accountant, explained that her ride, the seven-year-old Headmore Bugatti, had never been in such an atmosphere before and that he “tried his heart out”.

“I don’t think I’ll find another one like him – he’s got everything and is one in a million,” she added.

Don’t miss our full report from the 2022 Winter Dressage Championships, out in the 21 April issue of Horse & Hound. 

You might also be interested in:

Tales from Hartpury: Six home-breds represent Headmore Stud at Winter Dressage Championships

Tales from Hartpury: Blind rider earns top four placing at first able-bodied championship

Tales from Hartpury: ‘My foot was only still attached to my leg thanks to my boot’

Tales from Hartpury: Teenager lands a title just one month after appendix surgery

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Five-year-old MacLaren II belied his young age to cope masterfully with the Hartpury atmosphere and pull off a 72.93% test, landing the KBIS prelim gold under Jessica Wade at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.

“I was really delighted with him, especially as this was his first stay-away show,” said Jessica. “To go in there and do his job and stay with me was all I wanted.”

The horse’s owner Nick Hunt, bought the gelding for Jessica as a two-year-old from the Netherlands.

“I’m just so delighted that I could do him justice because I knew he was special when I saw him in the Netherlands, and I’ve put so much pressure on myself,” said an emotional Jessica. “It means a lot to me to be able to thank Nicola for taking a risk on me and letting me have him in my stables. I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

This is the gelding’s first season competing.

“He did a little bit at the end of last year, but he didn’t do any young horse classes so it was mainly getting qualifications and doing the regionals,” added Jessica, who trains with Charlotte Dujardin. “He did a couple of novices and was then straight into the regionals, so I had no expectation at all. He’s so cool and talented, and you always know what he is thinking and feeling. I’m very lucky.”

Winter Dressage Championships: Double for Oppenheimer

Alice Oppenheimer overcame trying regionals to land the top two spots in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold.

Riding Headmore Flintstone aka Fred, one of six Headmore home-breds competing at the Winter Dressage Championships this week, she scored 73.8% to top the class. Headmore Valentina took the runner-up spot with 72.5%.

“I was really pleased with both horses,” said Alice. “It’s the first time either of them has been here. This winter season is their first season competing, and you never really know what you’re going to get in there.”

Alice was simply pleased that they were both at the show due to both having tricky regionals.

“Fred threw a splint at the end of January and it was only because Storm Eunice damaged one of the buildings at Merrist Wood meaning it was postponed by three weeks, that we could even get him to the regionals,” added Alice. “And with Valentina, she lost a shoe in the warm-up for her regionals and I nearly pulled her out, but she felt ok before the test so I went for it and we qualified.”

Alice admits the the Hartpury arena is a difficult atmosphere for young horses to cope with, but they both behaved impeccably.

“They both tried really hard in there,” she said. “It’s lovely having the pre-Covid buzz back, but it did make them a bit nervous, so I couldn’t have asked for more of them to stay with me like they did.”

Seven-year-old Headmore Flintstone was sold by the stud as a four-year-old, but a change in the owner’s circumstances saw the gelding back at Headmore.

“We call him ‘a really strong 17.3hh’, because he’s more like 18hh but we can’t face admitting it,” laughed Alice. “We’ve always really liked Fred because he’s got everything you want in a horse. He’s got really good mechanics and a lovely temperament.”

Headmore Valentina, who won the Futurity as a foal in 2016 with a score of 9.7, has been ‘a quirky one to produce’, admitted Alice.

“She’s claustrophobic and I can’t put anything too tight on her, so she wears a shoulder-free saddle because if the saddle feels tight, she won’t go forward, we have to travel her in old-fashioned travel boots because if they’re too tight, she kicks them off, and we put her in the field without a rug otherwise she won’t graze,” said Alice.

“She’s taken a long time to produce and it’s taken a long time to get her confidently working forward but I do love her. I’ve done a lot of TRT training with her which has helped massively.”

An emotional win

Equi-Trek elementary silver winner Tracey Lawson’s ride QT ‘was like a kite’ when he first arrived at the Winter Dressage Championships on Tuesday evening, but the pair put their excitement behind them to pull off a 73.39% performance when it mattered.

“I woke up at 4am and wondered whether I should start riding him then to calm him down, but my puppy encouraged me to stay in bed a bit longer,” says dressage coach Tracey. “I was over the moon that he got used to the atmosphere overnight and did such a calm test. I just wanted to build his confidence in that sort of atmosphere.”

Tracey travels to shows on her own and admits she enjoys the solitude.

“I love going away to shows just with the animals,” she said. “Usually, I’ve always got my ‘Tracy Lawson Dressage’ head on so it’s nice to only worry about myself for a change.”

Tracey previously competed Gelderlander Alfero successfully and wanted to prove that she could also train a different type of horse.

“I’m so proud of what Alfero could do, but I didn’t want people to think that he was a one hit wonder, so when I saw QT, I knew he was perfect for me,” she said. “He’s little and he’s got a very naturally hollow back which is my speciality, to train horses to come truly up through the back using my leg and seat. I love turning an inexpensive horse into something special.”

The win was an emotional one for Tracey who lost her best friend Kathy Ling nine years ago.

“It would have been her birthday today, and I wore her bracelet in my test,” she said. “She wasn’t in heaven today, she was in that arena with me.”You may also be interested…

How to watch the Winter Dressage and Area Festival Championships live from anywhere in the world

Tales from Hartpury: Six home-breds represent Headmore Stud at Winter Dressage Championships

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AN impressive six home-bred horses will represent the Headmore Stud at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships this week.

Alice Oppenheimer has brought three of her own home-breds including Wednesday’s winner of the Baileys Horse Feeds novice gold freestyle Headmore Valentina, as well as runner-up in the same class, her own and Marnie Lovejoy and Richard Lovejoy’s Headmore Flintstone, plus her own and Amanda Radford’s Headmore Dionysus who will compete in the Superflex inter I, Superflex inter I music and Magic PSG.

Another Headmore home-bred at the Winter Dressage Championships is Roxy Shipley’s Headmore Dream On who will contest the inter I, alongside Jo Barry and Lady Hopes Headmore Bella Luce, who was fifth in the novice gold freestyle (pictured). Nicky Morris will ride her own Headmore Bugatti in the Prestige Italia novice silver and Baileys Horse Feeds novice silver freestyle.

Andrea Kirby and Drama also qualified for the novice silver freestyle and Petplan Equine elementary silver but unfortunately Andrea’s work commitments meant she couldn’t come to Hartpury.

“We’re super proud,” smiled Alice. “I bring horses here year after year, and it’s so lovely that we’ve got so many other home-breds dotted around with other riders this year. It’s a great advert for the stud.

“Many of them grew up together as foals, so it’s great that they’re here competing against each other as young horses.”

Alice admits it’s hard letting go of the home-breds, but it’s equally rewarding seeing them out competing and doing so well.

“You wish you could keep them all, I suppose,” she said. “But we are a business and we can’t survive if we don’t sell. It’s not that we sell the ones we don’t like or we don’t want – you have to sell the good ones, too. We’re only a small stud, and only breed two or three a year so to have so many here is just a great feeling.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep made it not one, not two, but three wins in two days at the Lemieux National Dressage Championships. Having already won the prix st georges (PSG) and inter I straight classes, they became the first ever winners of the Fairfax Saddles PSG gold freestyle – the first time this class has been run at the National Dressage Championships.

The eight-year-old gelding, who is by Everdale and shares many qualities with his super sire, performed a polished test to score 78.67%, the highest score of the National Dressage Championships so far.

Imhotep is owned by Coral Ingham and Carl Hester, and was bought as a youngster after he was spotted by Henry Boswell in the Netherlands.

“He sent me a video of the horse and I ended up buying him from him,” said Carl. “It’s the only time I’ve bought a horse from a video and I wouldn’t recommend it but when I saw him get off the lorry I was happy!

“He was seriously sharp as a youngster, everyone fell off him!”

Imhotep, known as Pete at home, is certainly redeeming himself now though, with Charlotte explaining that much of the grand prix work is already in place. She described Pete as incredible to ride, and is very excited about taking him up to the higher levels in 2022, but there is still a question mark over whether it will be her or Carl who might end up riding Imhotep in the future.

“He is an amazing horse,” confirmed Carl. “He has so much talent for the grand prix work and he is going to be amazing – he’s for the Paris Olympics in 2024, but whether it’s for me or Charlotte is still under discussion. When I say under discussion we’re not really talking about it – it’s the elephant in the room!”

For now though, Pete is taking everything in his stride – even if a week at the National Dressage Championships did come as a slight shock to the system after just being ticked over at home while Charlotte competed at the Tokyo Olympics, and then the European Championships last week.

“This horse lives in the field, and he looked like a broodmare when we got back from the Europeans. The nationals have been the most amazing diet for him: he arrived fat and he’s going home looking fit,” laughed Carl.

Pete is already gaining a legion of fans thanks to his striking looks, bouncy way of going and fun, friendly demeanour.

“He reminds me of Alex the lion from Madagascar, you should see him when his plaits have just been taken out!” exclaimed Charlotte.

The riders on the tail of Charlotte Dujardin at the National Dressage Championships

The PSG gold freestyle proved to be a high quality class, with plenty of spectators taking advantage of the September evening sunshine and super sport on offer to enjoy the evening in the Somerford stands.

Second to Charlotte Dujardin having put up a very strong fight for the top spot was Becky Moody, who had also finished as runner-up in the previous day’s PSG riding the stunning Dante Weltino x Jazz gelding Jagerbomb. Becky posted 76.13%.

The pair rode a delightful test to music from Sherlock, with a beautifully symmetrical floorplan featuring steep, sweeping half-passes and smooth tempi changes on a deep loop. The seven-year-old, who will also compete in his age class this weekend, is another who looks incredibly promising for grand prix, displaying some super, if uncalled for, piaffe following his prize-giving.

In third with a punchy, high-energy performance was Alice Oppenheimer riding the small but powerful Headmore Dionysus, who is British-bred by Dimaggio out of the Headmore Stud’s late foundation mare Rubinsteena.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Alice Oppenheimer and the buckskin gelding Headmore Diffinity’s eighth place with 68.28% in Friday’s international grand prix at the NAF Five Star Hartpury CDI was the culmination of “so much work from so many people to get him back on the road”.

Two years ago the 11-year-old suffered an injury in the field which required a year of walking and then six months of rehabbing.

Alice explained: “He hadn’t been feeling quite right – he’d had a bit of a virus – so he had a couple of weeks off to recover. We like them to be horses and we like them to go in the field, but once he started feeling better, he was a bit silly and had too much fun, and that was that.

“The team at Rossdales, led by Rachel Murray, were amazing, and so were the team were at [Alice’s yard] Headmore Stud were amazing, because they must have spent hours upon hours hand-walking him and doing stable exercises, pole exercises and so on to get him strong. So much work from so many people went into getting him back on the road.

“He only did his first show back at Hickstead Premier League in May, so I’m over the moon to get placed here. This was his first international grand prix.”

The striking-looking son of Don Primero was bred by his owner, Caroline Dibden, and foaled at Headmore Stud.

Alice said: “Caroline has been so patient, because he didn’t win a lot on the way up the levels, and we kept telling her, ‘He’s a grand prix horse, wait until he’s at grand prix and then he’ll come into his own – wait, wait, wait.’ She trusted us, and it was very special that she was here to watch him.”

His colour is always a topic of conversation when Alice competes him.

“Some judges struggle to mark him, because they look at him and think, ‘He can’t possibly do dressage, because he’s yellow’, but actually the quality of the work is high, and he’s super-talented and there’s so much more to come as he gets stronger,” said Alice. “I trotted past the judge at M and he went, ‘Oh, it’s not bay!’ I said, ‘It’s not chestnut either!’

“I wonder how many horses at international grand prix you see that look like he does – probably not many. He did a middle-tour CDI as a nine-year-old before his injury, and one of the judges there came up to me and said, ‘He’s actually very talented!’ I wanted to say, “Just because he’s yellow, it doesn’t mean he can’t do it!’

“He’s just so fun to ride – he loves the work, and is so talented at the collected work. We call him an overgrown pony – he’s quite a character and loves his food. It was largely a clear round today, just a bit green, but as I said, he’s fairly new to the level. I needed to use my legs a bit more on the last centre line, because he just walked into the piaffe, which was a shame because the piaffe was really good, but that’s just ring experience. He tried really hard, he doesn’t let you down, he’s not spooky or silly, and if I find the right buttons, he just does it. He’s a good boy.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Alice Oppenheimer added a fourth 2021 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships title to her name when topping the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle gold this afternoon (2 July).

Alice was riding the 15.3hh 10-year-old son of Dimaggio, Headmore Dionysus, and they scored an impressive 78%. Alice’s nearest rival was Elder Klatzko, who scored 72.33% on Dior VIII, while Kate Smith was third on 71.11% riding Last Love.

“He was a really good boy again today,” Alice said afterwards of the gelding’s performance – he also won at the beginning of the week too. “I was a bit disappointed with my test yesterday in the advanced medium gold [the pair finished fourth on 73.72%] as I really wanted to try and chase Charlotte [Dujardin], because he’s a good enough horse that I felt like I could give her a run for her money. But he just wasn’t quite on top for me and I don’t really know why, maybe he got out of bed on the wrong side – they’re not machines, are they?

“So I knew he could go a bit better than he went yesterday, and as soon as I got on him this morning I knew he was back to his normal awesome self – he gave me a lovely ride.”

Known as ‘Dillon’ at home, Alice referred to her little horse as a “dude” and her Cats music suited his way of going and character.

“I know he will go in there and he won’t let me down – he was cracking. He likes to show off and his personality makes up for his lack of size. He’s tiny but when he’s going he fills the arena – he’s got so much presence and scope and I love riding him. There wouldn’t be many horses that could take the bouncy Cats music I used, but for him it’s bang on and every time I ride to it, it puts a smile on my face.”

Dillon will now compete in the small tour competition at Hartpury CDI next week and Alice has high hopes for him in the future.

“He’s new to small tour level but it’s exciting to get him there. Ultimately the plan will be to train him to grand prix.”

Read the full report from the Winter Dressage Championships in the 8 July 2021 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for more news and features.

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Find out how the Winter Dressage Championships inter I freestyle champion designed her routine and what she changed after the day before

Alice Oppenheimer landed the sought-after Superflex inter I freestyle at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, riding Headmore Bella Ruby. 

The pair produced a brilliant, faultless routine to an emotive Les Misérables soundtrack to score 74.17% and add the inter I freestyle title to their Magic prix st georges music title from earlier in the week.

This was the fourth day in a row that the nine-year-old Belissimo M x Rubinstein mare, who was home-bred at the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud has performed at Hartpury, and Alice adjusted her warm-up accordingly. 

“She’s the type of horse I can ride really quietly in the warm-up and then just trot round the edge and pick her up and she responds really well,” said Alice. 

The pair finished fourth in the straight inter I final after a break to trot at the end of their canter zig-zag, and an error in the two-time changes pulled down their score. 

“She made some mistakes this week but they were genuine mistakes and I know why they happened so I changed what I did today to stop it happening again,” said Alice, explaining that she didn’t canter in her warm-up to prevent the mare from associating changes with the surrounding noises in the indoor arena. 

“Her character and temperament are just amazing and she always gives me absolutely everything. She has a heart of gold and will always dig deep and that was the best test she has done all week.”

Alice and Bella’s attractive routine featured tempi changes on curved lines and prominently placed pirouettes. 

“She’s such a naturally supple horse and we choreographed the programme to show that off,” said Alice. “Her changes are so big that they are actually almost easier on a curved line. It adds a degree of difficulty but also relaxes her a bit in the changes. 

“She is so good at the pirouettes too. She can actually do them a bit better than she did today but I wasn’t going to push her in them too much because she was tired. Her canter is so expressive and then she can just sit and the pirouettes feel so effortless.

“Sara Green did our music as always – I couldn’t do it without her. The Les Mis compilation really suits Bella and it’s very emotive. Sara was crying her eyes out at the end of our test which is very sweet. We were all emotional – I cried at the end of the test, we have all cried a lot, but it’s all very happy tears.”

‘He’s my superhero’

The runner-up in the straight inter I also finished second in the freestyle, but Kate Cowell was absolutely delighted with Jonny Clarke-West’s 12-year-old Royal Duruto gelding Ray-Ban, who was doing his first ever inter I freestyle. 

“He’s actually green as grass at this level,” explained Kate. “He’s just a mega boy and I can’t ask any more.”

Kate faced a last-minute scramble for music after her brand new programme did not arrive on time, but no one watching her slick test would have known that the Batman and Wonder Woman soundtrack she borrowed from Helen Illes at the eleventh hour was not Ray-Ban’s intended routine. 

“It was really dramatic music and it really suited Ray-Ban as he is quite powerful and out there. He was my little superhero today.”

Sadly the inter I champions, Nathalie Kayal and DHI Cleverboy had to withdraw from the freestyle after the 14-year-old gelding became unsound before his test.

Article continues below…

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer has enjoyed a fruitful week at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships with a number of wins and placings, including the SpuerFlex Intermediate I freestyle gold with Headmore Bella Ruby earlier today (1 July), and she has been quick to praise organisers and sponsors.

“I just love the fact that we’re all here – it’s a real credit to British Dressage (BD), Hartpury, Show Direct and the sponsors that it’s actually all been able to come together in what has been a really peculiar year,” explains Alice. “BD managed to put the show on last year too, which was a huge achievement, but this year was more probably more difficult because we hadn’t had the regional finals, so they had to reschedule all the regionals as well. People are just so thrilled to be here – whether they’ve had a good championship or not, just the chance to actually ride here and compete in the championship as we know it and love it is really, really phenomenal.”

Alice says that she has only had time to watch one class, but that it was a fascinating one.

“I watched some of the novice gold class it was amazing – I didn’t realise watching novice 37A could be quite so exciting!” she explains. “It was like edge of the seat stuff thanks to the quality of that class. It was actually really exciting to watch, considering they were just trotting and cantering a few circles. But I always think the novice gold and elementary gold classes are exciting to watch.”

Hartpury magic has been sparkled over a number of competitors this week and Alice explains why it feels so special.

“The indoor arena here is super-special – even without the trade stands down the side of the arena, there’s still something about going through the archway that gives you a bit lump in your throat – it can be a bit of a take your breath away moment. And the atmosphere in there is great, even with restricted people here – I’m just really happy to be here.”

Read the full report from the Winter Dressage Championships in the 8 July 2021 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for more news and features

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A young rider posts a surprise one-two with chunky scores at her very first championship, while a four-star eventer tops an advanced medium podium with her Irish coloured cob

There were emotional scenes after Georgina Nicholls claimed an emphatic one-two in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.

Nationals first-timer Georgina led the class for a long time with a score of 75.19% on Briarwood Notorious, before beating herself with last-to-go Headmore Figaro on 76.02%.

Georgie, 19, has been based with the Oppenheimers for two years, having done one year as an apprentice and a year now as second rider. International grand prix rider Alice Oppenheimer was full of emotion after Georgie’s win: “She really deserves this – she works so hard, and people don’t see that. She really deserves all these opportunities and I’m just so pleased for her,” Alice told H&H.

Georgie explained that Headmore Figaro, an eight-year-old son of Florencio who started his career under Alice, and Dannie Morgan, is very good under pressure.

“He’s amazing because nothing really affects him – I can take him in any atmosphere and he’s perfect. He doesn’t look at anything,” she said. “Covid and everything affected a lot of horses, in not being able to compete, but Figaro came back out as good as ever at his job.

“It means I can really push him in every movement, but his medium paces are a highlight.”

However, Georgie revealed that it was the second-placed Briarwood Notorious who really surprised her. The six-year-old, by Negro, only properly got his career underway just over a year ago, and has been known to live up to his name.

“Nobody expected that to happen,” laughed Georgie. “I would have been happy to have just got in the arena – I just wanted a nice photo. But he was so with me, so good, and probably for the first time ever didn’t sabotage my test!”

“I’m a little shocked to have won”

Four-star eventer Sarah Holmes claimed the Petplan Equine advanced medium silver title with her “standard Irish coloured cob” Harley Brown. She pipped Jennifer Harkness and White Sparrow to the win by less than 0.05%.

“I was really chuffed with him; he sometimes gets a bit strong and bit tight but he managed to keep his cool,” said Sarah, who is based on the Isle of Wight.

“It’ so important now to get all three phases spot on in eventing, so I just wanted to improve my dressage,” said Sarah. “I think it’s really good for my riding, but I’m a little shocked to have actually won here.

“It’s really good for the horses to come out and do some pure dressage, especially trying out some of the higher levels tests where you have to ride for every mark.”

Alexandra Ratcliffe took the Petplan Equine novice silver victory, posting 72.15% on Heaven V/H Trichelhof.

Alexandra has had the nine-year-old Lord Leatherdale since a four-year-old, but he has only been lightly competed so far, with this being by far the biggest show he has ever done.

“I was really pleased with him and just over the moon that he took it all in his stride,” said Alexandra. “He’s taken a long time so we really haven’t done much with him at all. It was only a couple of years ago he really started doing some tests.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Headmore Stud in Hampshire has been producing some seriously impressive dressage horses in recent years. But dressage breeding was never the original plan for stud owner Sarah Oppenheimer and her daughter, international grand prix rider Alice Oppenheimer. 

On episode 52 of The Horse & Hound Podcast – which also marks the show’s one-year anniversary – Alice explains how her mother “accidentally fell” into breeding after she took on a thoroughbred hunter as a broodmare after the death of her owner.

“Mum started breeding some eventers, as that was her thing at the time. But Darren and Suzanne Lavendera were based just down the road and one day Darren rang up my mum and said, ‘You’ve got to come and see this colt we have just imported; he is unreal’. So mum popped round to see him and came back saying that she had fallen in love with this colt – his name was Dimaggio and she was going to use him on the thoroughbred mare we had,” recalls Alice. 

“So when Dimaggio was three years old and started covering, mum was one of the very first people to use him, in that first year. The pairing created Headmore Donato, who was owned by Nicky Morris and was the dam to Maeve Morris’ Headmore Footloose, who has now won four national titles.”

As well as Dimaggio, who went on to become a legendary sire, one of the most significant horses in the Headmore breeding programme was Rubinsteena (Ruby). The Rubinstein I daughter was bought from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud and went on to become a star broodmare for the stud. This “amazing” mare, winner of the H&H outstanding mare award in 2019, was the dam of, among others, Alice’s grand prix horses Dirubinio, Diffinity and Davina, plus the younger mare Bella Ruby, currently winning at small tour level. 

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“It is so special competing home-breds. In 2019 these three all stepped up to grand prix level and I love that I have a photo of all three of them as foals,” says Alice. “The relationship we have with them is amazing – I know them like the back of my hand and, being related, they do all have similarities.

“Another huge part of producing horses that you have bred is that it’s not like buying a horse, when you can pick what you want. When you breed to have to be able to adapt and learnt to ride the horse you’ve bred. It’s a slightly different way of riding, in that you have to be able to adapt, rather than choose horses that suit you.”

To hear more from Alice, tune in to this week’s episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, available for free on all major podcast platforms.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

In our 53rd weekly episode of the first series of The Horse & Hound Podcast, dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer talks to H&H dressage editor Polly Bryan about breeding versus buying horses and more. Moving on to the week’s top news stories, H&H editor Pippa Roome is joined by Horse & Hound news editor Eleanor Jones and senior news writer Lucy Elder to discuss why Covid restrictions are causing problems for competitors wanting to travel internationally, making strides for diversity in equestrianism and why older lorry drivers need to check the small print on their licences. We also welcome back Jason Webb, who specialises in starting young horses and retraining those with problems, who will be giving advice on training horses to stand still while being hosed. We hope you will find it useful.

Episode 53 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service available exclusively every Thursday morning for our H&H Plus subscribers is now live.

Each episode is available for all H&H fans to listen to 24hrs after its early release to our H&H Plus members. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week on Friday morning.

• View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

In episode 53, dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer (pictured) talks to H&H dressage editor Polly Bryan about breeding versus buying horses and more

Moving on to the week’s top news stories, Horse & Hound editor Pippa Roome is joined by news editor Eleanor Jones and senior news writer Lucy Elder to discuss why Covid restrictions are causing problems for competitors wanting to travel internationally, making strides for diversity in equestrianism, and why older lorry drivers need to check the small print on their licences.

In this week’s advice section, we welcome back Jason Webb, who specialises in starting young horses and retraining those with problems, who will be giving advice on training horses to stand still while being hosed.

We hope you will enjoy our latest episode and would love to hear your feedback, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

H&H Plus podcast: episode 53

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Dressage riders and Brooke ambassadors Charlotte Dujardin and Alice Oppenheimer are supporting the charity’s emergency appeal to help “desperate animals in need” amid the Covid-19 crisis in India.

The charity has launched an appeal to raise £100,000 to support communities and the working horses, donkeys and mules affected by the pandemic.

“The country hit a record 414,188 new infections on 7 May and some states have imposed lockdown restrictions. As the pandemic rages on, loyal working animals are carrying essential supplies of food and water to keep their communities going and it’s vital they are kept healthy if their owners are to recover from the economic and health impacts of this crisis,” said a Brooke spokesman.

Charlotte Dujardin said like others, she has found it “deeply upsetting” watching the crisis in India.

“My heart goes out to all who are affected,” she said. “When I visited with Brooke in 2015 I was struck by the warm welcome and kindness I received from communities and I’m especially thinking of those people and their animals at this devastating time.

“Now more than ever, it’s important we keep animals healthy so that they can continue to support their communities.”

Alice Oppenheimer, who also visited India with the charity in 2015, said she was “heartbroken” to see the “devastating impact” of Covid-19.

“During my time in the country I saw first-hand the vital contribution that working animals make to livelihoods, so I’m pleased to be supporting Brooke’s emergency appeal ensuring they continue to receive support. If we’ve learnt one thing during this pandemic, it’s that we’re all in this together and it’s important we remember this as we think of those in India.”

The Indian government has classified veterinary care as essential and Brooke staff have been given special passes allowing them to reach animals and communities that are isolated and in desperate need.

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“As with the first wave in 2020, staff are prioritising the use of telemedicine and, where possible, providing guidance to local health practitioners on the phone and via Whatsapp. If in-person assistance is needed, staff are taking all necessary precautions to keep themselves and communities safe, including social distancing, double-masking, and sanitising,” said the spokesman.

“Funds from the appeal will ensure that Brooke can continue to help animals in need for several months. Even when the surge in infections subsides, these remote communities will need their animals to be healthy in order to rebuild life after Covid-19.”

To donate visit: www.thebrooke.org.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The dressage rider on competitive fancy dress and why she’d love to have dinner with Sir Winston Churchill.

All about Alice:

Alice Oppenheimer is an international grand prix rider with a number of national and international titles to her name, and has ridden for Britain on Nations Cup teams. She is based in Hampshire, at her family’s Headmore Stud.It has to be Headmore Bella Ruby (pictured, left). She’s only nine but is already showing all the ability to be a good grand prix horse. The first day I rode her at home after she had been backed, I trotted two steps and said, “Oh my God, this horse is amazing.” My mum thought she looked a bit ordinary, but I could just feel her endless scope and suppleness. As Bella has got stronger she has shown more and more impressive movement, and now Mum tries to say she always knew she’d be good really!

Describe your first pony…

My sister Kate and I shared two Shetlands, Jimmy and Bertie. Jimmy was naughty, but Bertie was a gem. We used to do a lot of fancy dress – my mum was very competitive and spent ages making the outfits. We always had a theme – one year we did “British beef”. Bertie was dressed as a cow, complete with udders, and I was a butcher and Kate was a farmer.

What are your superstitions?

I’m not crazy superstitious – I don’t have to wear the same socks for competitions for example – but I do have to put on everything in the same order. It’s more to do with routine than superstition, really. I do salute the odd magpie though.

What do you eat for breakfast?

Normally I have poached eggs on toast – my mum’s chickens lay a good supply of eggs. We have an egg poacher, which makes it easier to do them perfectly.

What’s your favourite show?

The best one I’ve ever been to has to be the CHI in Doha. I was lucky enough to compete there in early March in 2016 and we had so much fun. We were treated so well, and it was the same with the horses – they had carrots delivered to their stables every day. And it’s lovely to get a bit of sunshine at the end of the winter.

If you weren’t a rider, what would you be?

I’m actually a bit of a nerd, and have A-grade A levels in maths, biology, and chemistry, so I would have studied chemistry at university and done something with that. I only did the A levels as a back-up as I knew that I wanted to do horses, but apparently my old college still uses my coursework as an example to this day!

What’s been your most embarrassing moment?

Quite a long time ago I was doing a novice test at the regionals on Headmore Delegate, who was rising five at the time. I had already fallen off in the warm-up, and he started being naughty in the test, too, so I decided to retire. But then for some reason I carried on riding the test. The judge stopped me and said, “I thought you’d retired,” and I said, “So did I!”

Which famous person would you invite to dinner?

I would invite Isabell Werth, and also Michael McIntyre, as he’d make the evening a right laugh. I don’t know that the two of them would get on though – I’m not sure if they share the same sense of humour. I’d also like to have Sir Winston Churchill, as I’d love to get an insight into his mindset.

What kind of sleeper are you?

I need a lot of sleep – seven or eight hours ideally – and if I don’t get enough I can be properly ratty. I wish it was still acceptable to go to bed at 7pm like a child!

● As told to Polly Bryan

Ref: 7 January 2021

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Dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer explains how to keep a horse energetic and forward, even when slowing down

Alice rides and trains the successful Headmore horses bred at her family’s stud. She was a member of the 2009 young rider European Championships team, has trained four horses to grand prix and ridden internationally at grand prix level.

Training the stars

During a test, Headmore Davina (pictured, who is currently winning at prix st georges and inter I) used to back off and consequently get behind my leg at the first halt. Now, however, I almost have her too sharp in the warm-up so that, when she goes into the ring, she’s still forward enough even if she does back off a little.

Both rider and horse must think forward when riding a downward transition. Keeping impulsion is a vital part of schooling a young horse as it teaches him to bring his hindlegs under himself and lift his shoulders. This will help with balance and is necessary preparation when teaching and training collection.

If you have a horse who tends to slow down before the transition — or even slams on the brakes — try these exercises…

Tackling the issue

1. If your horse anticipates a downward transition as soon as you go from rising trot to sitting, do the preparation but don’t ask for the transition. Instead, activate him and send him forward. Make sure he maintains the impulsion, then ask for walk. You can do the same exercise from canter to trot and canter to walk. This teaches the horse to listen to what you are actually asking for, rather than making the decision for himself.

2. When teaching a young horse the trot-to-walk transition, let him jog for a few steps in the transition. This teaches him to bring his hindquarters underneath him and produce a more forward transition. Gradually reduce the number of jog steps until you don’t need them any more and the transitions are balanced and forward.

3. Ride canter-to-trot transitions on a circle. While asking for the transition, use your inside leg to push him forward and a little sideways. This makes sure you keep your leg on in the transition, so you still ride forwards even though you are going down a gear.

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Consider this…

• When training, abide by the ethos that every transition must be a good one.
• Ensure you are using your seat to push forward in the transitions rather than pulling back on the reins.
• Ride with enough leg to keep the forward momentum going, even into the halt.
• A dropping poll is a sign that your horse’s hindleg is not coming under enough.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Olympia and Liverpool may not be running this year but dressage fans can still get their festive fix this month.

The riders and horses due to take part in the LeMieux National Grand Prix Championships (21-22 December) at Hartpury have been announced. The line-up of Britain’s best riders features six previous national champions as well as partnerships aiming for team places and rising stars of the future.

“The final countdown is on to an extraordinary conclusion to what has been an extraordinary year,” said a British Dressage spokesman.

“The championships will be a celebration for us all to bring a difficult and challenging year to an end, as 30 of Britain’s best combinations battle it out for the coveted LeMieux national champion accolade. We’re really excited to unwrap an early present for you… the rider list!”

Riders and horses in alphabetical order:

• Lucy Amy with her own Rudy (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 11yrs)
• Nikki Barker with her own and Viv Gleave’s Durable (bay, stallion, 17.2hh, 12yrs, s. Spielberg)
• Nicola Buchanan with her own Half Moon Dark Magic (black, gelding, 17.1hh, 11yrs, s. Dimaggio)
• Lara Butler with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and Laura Tomlinson’s Rubin Al Asad (bay, gelding, 17.1hh, 18yrs, Rubin Royal x Wanderbursch II)
• Lewis Carrier with his own Diego V (dark bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 12yrs, s. Spielberg)
• Kate Cowell with Audrey Lawrence and Christine Richards’ Samba Dancer (chestnut, gelding, 16.1hh, 14yrs, s. Samba Hit II)
• Steph Croxford with her own Mr Benn II (black, gelding, 16.1hh, 11yrs)
• Liz Dieguits with her own Saskia Hit (bay, mare, 16.3hh, 15yrs, Sandro Hit x Akzent I)
• Charlotte Dujardin with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle (bay, mare, 16.2hh, 11yrs, Fidermark x Donnerhall) and her own Gio (chestnut, gelding, 16hh, 9ys, Apache x Tango)
• Emile Faurie with Theodora Livanos’ Dono di Maggio (chestnut, gelding, 16.2hh, 13yrs, Dimaggio x Santander H)
• Paul Friday with Christine Trendell’s Winston Bond (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 17yrs, s. OOSeven)
• Dan Greenwood with Julie Leighton’s Chevalier O (bay, gelding, 16.3hh, 13yrs, Lord Letherdale x Negro)
• Alexander Harrison with his own Diamond Hill (chestnut, gelding, 15.2hh, 9yrs, s. Don Diamond)
• Carl Hester with Charlotte Dujardin’s En Vogue (dark bay, gelding, 17hh, 11yrs, s. Jazz)
• Megan Ingham with Coral Ingham’s Wanadoo (chestnut, gelding, 16.2hh, 19yrs, Wolkenstein II x Cavalier)
• Nathalie Kayal with her own DHI Homerun (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 15yrs, Hochadel x Mooiman)
• Lisa Marriott with her own Valucio (bay, gelding, 16hh, 11yrs, s. Va-vite)
• Becky Moody with her own and Julie Lockey’s Carinsio (black, gelding, 16.3hh, 13yrs, Painted Black X Beaujolais) and her own Famke PF (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 10yrs)
• Sonnar Murray-Brown with his own Erlentanz (dark brown, gelding, 16.2hh, 13yrs, s. Latimer)
• Alice Oppenheimer with Sarah Oppenheimer’s Headmore Davina (chestnut, mare, 16.3hh, 10yrs, Dimaggio x Rubinstein) and Headmore Dirubinio (chestnut, gelding, 17hh, 11yrs, Dimaggio x Rubinstein)
• Keith Robertson with his own Boheme Af Sulstead (chestnut, gelding, 17hh, 16yrs, s. Bernstein)
• Sadie Smith with her own Keystone Dynamite (chestnut, gelding, 16hh, 13yrs, Dimaggio x Escudo)
• Laura Tomlinson with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and her own DSP Rose of Bavaria (black, mare, 16.3hh, 10yrs, Bordeaux x Florestan I)
• Hayley Watson-Greaves with her own WG Rubins Night (black, gelding, 16.3hh, 16yrs, Rubin Royal x Limbo)
• Amy Woodhead with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Kom Fairytale (chestnut, mare, 16.2hh, 14yrs, Furst Heinrich x Weltmeyer)
• Two more combinations will be announced in the near future.

“The scene is set for this festive extravaganza, and the atmospheric Hartpury international arena will feature Christmas decorations aplenty – but sadly no spectators, as the event will be taking place behind closed doors in accordance with our elite sport protocols,” the BD spokesman said, adding that all the action will be live-streamed free on Horse & Country.”

The Lemieux grand prix takes place on Monday, 21 December from noon, and fans will be able to compare their scores to the experts’ thanks to the Spectator Judging app.

The 15 highest-scoring combinations will take part in the Horse Health freestyle the next day. Coverage starts at 10.45am and the first horse will be in just after 11am. The combination with the highest combined score from the two tests will be named national champion.

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“Can Carl secure his 11th title, will it be win number four for Laura, a third crown for Emile or will Charlotte get her name on the role of honour for a second time?” said the spokesman. “Will it be a repeat performance for Hayley Watson-Greaves or Lara Butler? Or maybe a completely new name will find a place in the history books in this unique year. Watch with us for two days of world-class dressage performances to find out!”

LeMieux is also offering prizes worth £1,000 to spectators, in a competition to predict the winning percentage score in the freestyle.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

H&H’s guest dressage columnist reflects on riding at a championship like no other

The NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships went far beyond my expectations – a massive hats off to British Dressage, Show Direct and Hartpury, because it was outstanding. Everyone I spoke to said the same thing – that they really enjoyed it, and hugely appreciated the effort that went into making it happen.

I can’t imagine the logistical nightmare that was involved in finding a schedule that worked to enable us to have a championship experience, while also being Covid-compliant, ensuring everyone was safe and still able to enjoy it.

Normally the winter championship tests are held inside, and it is an arena we all love riding in, but of course this year has been a bit different and all the competition was outside. I wasn’t sure we would get a championship feel as a result, but we did. The arenas were dressed so it still looked and felt like a championship, but equally the organisers didn’t make it too spooky because there were no arena walks this year.

My advanced medium freestyle winner Headmore Bella Ruby doesn’t like the grass bank next to the outdoor arena, and because we often don’t get the opportunity to go in that arena until it’s a Premier League or international, it was great for her to have that chance.

Brilliantly organised

The whole event ran very smoothly. I like to know where everything is when I’m away at a show, and while I know what the winters is like usually, this year things were different. But the organisation of the stable managers, stewards and everyone in between made it all so enjoyable.

We were given extra space in the warm-up arenas, and for horses who are a bit nervous, this will have given them a lot of confidence. It’s the same for riders, so they will have come away from the show feeling positive.

The stables were brilliantly organised. We were asked not to leave anything outside them, which was not a problem. The horses were also spread out, so no stable block was too full, which made it a lot easier to avoid getting too close to each other. We were asked to empty our stables out when we left, too, which meant we knew they were completely clean both for us coming in and for the next person.

We were given time slots to train in the indoor school when not competing, and this worked very efficiently. I was worried there might be a bit of a regimented feel and a sense that people couldn’t have fun “because of Covid”, but actually it didn’t feel like that at all.

A big thank you must also go to all the competitors, who listened to the guidance and accepted the rules, meaning the championships could go ahead while making sure everyone stayed safe.

For the love of horses

Those of us who have horses are lucky for many reasons, one being that we have a routine. For my team and me, apart from the fact we didn’t go to shows, not a lot really changed during lockdown as the horses still needed to be cared for and ridden.

I didn’t really miss competing when there were no shows to go to, although I was quite sulky during the week the winter championships should have taken place – I think we all were! But I knew that as soon as it started up again, I would want to be out there and I’m so pleased to be back competing.

But I really enjoyed the chance to train with no pressure of shows during lockdown. I could teach horses things without worrying about a time limit. Bella has her one-time changes sorted now and I know I wouldn’t have been able to do that this summer if we’d been out competing.

Although it was a forced competition break, it did put things in perspective. It was really nice to enjoy training the horses, to slow down a bit, to really appreciate what we have as riders and remember why we do it, which is because we love the horses.

Competing is nice and we like to get out, but I do it because I love the horses, love training them and love working with them.

Ref Horse & Hound; 27 August 2020

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Find out which mare added another national title to her tally with advanced medium gold freestyle victory at the Winter Dressage Championships 2020

Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Bella Ruby produced an impressive performance to win the Nupafeed advanced medium gold freestyle at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships 2020.

The pair scored 76.28% for their entrancing routine set to music from Les Misérables, making this the third national championship in a row where they have been taken a title.

One of the highlights of their test was a brilliantly-executed series of shallow canter loops up the centre of the arena.

“The technical term for it is a ‘squiggle’,” laughed Hampshire-based Alice. “Bella is so supple and balanced, and her canter and her changes are her highlights, so we wanted to really show them off.

“I actually wrote that freestyle earlier this year and said, ‘If this isn’t good enough to win then I should never doing another freestyle again’,” she joked.

“We hope that we can keep that music when she gets up to grand prix. It’s spectacular and suits her so much.”

The eight-year-old Belissimo M mare plays an important role at the Oppenheimers’ Headmore Stud. She is by their foundation mare, the Rubinstein daughter Rubinsteena, and has produced several offspring herself, including a So Unique foal this year.

‘Getting our changes was the main aim of the day’

Laura Wollen finished second in the advanced medium gold freestyle with Woodcroft Francisco, scoring 73.33%. Laura and the 10-year-old Fidertanz gelding rode to music from The Holiday.

“The music really suits him because he’s such a happy, elegant horse,” said Laura. “He can get a bit nervous, but riding to the music relaxes him.”

Laura revealed that they have struggled with the right-to-left flying change, but that she was “thrilled” that all her changes came off at the Winter Dressage Championships.

“To be honest, getting those changes was the main aim of the day!” she laughed.

“We’re now planning to do an advanced with him towards the end of September, all being well, just to see how he copes with having a few more changes. Then we will step him up to prix st georges.”

Matt Frost rode the Chagall eight-year-old mare Helga to claim third on 73.11%.

Keep up with all of the action from the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships on the Horse & Hound website via our H&H Plus service with full reports from each winter championship class, plus a gallery of winners from the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships.

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Top dressage riders have dusted off their tailcoats to take part in a grand prix with a twist.

Dressage Anywhere is running online hobby horse classes, with 80% of the entry fee going to NHS Charities Together’s Covid-19 fund.

Classes are being held at novice and grand prix, along with Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled Association tests.

The test will be judged by Stephen Clarke, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Sara-Jane Lanning, with Alice Oppenheimer giving helpful hints to children.

Alice also kicked-off the grand prix competition as the first rider into the arena aboard Legless. Although Legless showed a little head tilt in the early trot-work, the pair performed a smart test, with the flying changes a particular highlight.

Hayley Watson-Greaves was next into her lockdown arena aboard Pinkie Pie. A musical mix-up meant the combination found themselves performing to Rubins Nite’s magical soundtrack. Luckily the music fitted perfectly to the pair’s freestyle and although Pinkie Pie had a couple of little spooks, these did not take away from the expressive performance.

Both have provided a critical commentary of their own tests, to help others looking to boost their marks in these classes.

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Trot-ups and cross-country stops: virtual on-foot event brings grounded riders together

‘This is a dreadful thing that’s happening but we’re all in it together, we’re all in the same boat’

Competition is open to all and horses can be bought ready made — there are no pre-qualification rules to worry about and the Olympic nationality transfer deadline does not apply — or can be created at home. Tests can be carried out in arenas of any size and any surface, including gardens, living rooms and kitchens.

Competition dress is not compulsory, but extra marks will be awarded for turnout.

Entry costs £10 per test, with £8 of that going to the charity. All entries will also be entered into a prize draw.

For more information and to enter, visit: https://www.dressageanywhere.com/Competitor/EnterCompetition/557

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Alice trains and competes home-bred and clients’ horses at her family’s Headmore Stud in Hampshire. She was a member of the 2009 young rider European dressage team, has won national titles and trained her first three horses to grand prix level. Alice has won at international big tour and been on several Nations Cup teams.

Training the stars

My former grand prix ride, Wurlizer, initially struggled with the piaffe. Many thought he would just be a good small tour horse, but by training the trot and teaching him to step smaller, we were able to achieve the piaffe. He ended up doing international grand prix. Although he would never execute a classically correct piaffe, as he didn’t close up, he was still able to score eights as he’d piaffe happily on the spot for 15 steps. Judges commented that he looked as if he could stay there forever.

The piaffe is the ultimate collected movement to display in a dressage test. Your horse should essentially be looking as if he is trotting on the spot, and he should lower his croup and take the weight on his hindlegs to lighten the forehand. As with every dressage movement, a piaffe is something that horses can do naturally on their own in certain circumstances. While the piaffe is naturally shown through tension, the difficulty lies in achieving the movement with the desired relaxation needed for good marks.

Tackling the issue

1. I like to start training the half-steps under saddle. I ask my horse to jog and then use a whip to lightly tap him “up” on top of the croup in a piaffe rhythm. I’ll also click with the voice aid, so he starts to bounce and take quicker and more active steps behind.

2. Begin in rising trot, but only rise half an inch out of the saddle. Keeping the same rhythm means your horse should feel a difference in the seat and take shorter steps. This also means he’ll respond to the seat aid and take the weight on his hindlegs — if you use the reins, the hindleg slows.

3. As soon as your horse offers a tiny reaction, praise him to let him know he’s doing it right. As he gets the idea more and more, you will be able to build up the number of steps.

4. When training piaffe, avoid keeping your horse on the spot — the piaffe at grand prix is ideally on the spot, but when you’re teaching it, ensure he remains forward to help build his confidence.

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Consider this…

• Ensure your horse keeps the activity in the trot and doesn’t just slow the rhythm.
• Make sure he doesn’t just go higher in the step, which is more towards a passage than a piaffe. Keep the activity and rhythm, then build on it to encourage him to take more weight behind.
• You can also train your horse to piaffe in-hand, but I would recommend asking someone with experience to help you if you would like to try this option.

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2019 has seen several equine stars emerging – here are seven big names that you may not even have heard of before the start of this year.

1. Sintano Van Hof Olympia

This nine-year-old son of Sandro Hit has been with Gareth Hughes for some years, but it has been in 2019 that he has really made people sit up and take notice. The talented, bouncy bay, whom Gareth describes as an “out-and-out athlete”, caught the eye when beating Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Valencia to the national inter I title in September, and he has been unbeaten at small tour at his two international shows since.

2. Erlentanz

Having made his grand prix debut in 2018 with owner Sonnar Murray-Brown, this 12-year-old Latimer gelding became the principle top level ride of Charlotte Dujardin during the first half of 2019, as she took over the reins while Sonnar recovered from a broken leg. Charlotte thinks very highly of this little gelding, and it’s no wonder — having won at Bolesworth and Windsor, they then turned in super results at CHIO Aachen in July, finishing third in the grand prix special with over 80%. Sonnar will be back in the saddle next year, and it will be exciting to see how far Erly can go when reunited with his owner.

3. Midnight II

There’s a good chance many people would not have heard of this 10-year-old black mare before this year, nor perhaps her rider, Georgia Wilson. But the talented pair were responsible for Britain’s sole gold medal from the Rotterdam European Championships in August, scoring a euphoric victory in the grade II para dressage freestyle, as well as winning individual silver and playing a huge role in helping the British team secure team silver. Georgia and Midnight have remained unbeaten since, sweeping the board at the national championships and the Keysoe CPEDI in October.

4. Headmore Bella Ruby

Alice Oppenheimer has many exciting horses in her string, but this Belissimo M daughter may not have caught your attention until this year. In April she won her first national title, taking the winter elementary gold title under Alice, before going on to scoop numerous other wins throughout the year. Her fast progression through the levels was confirmed when, just five months after her elementary title, she won the advanced medium gold at the summer nationals, aged just seven. This is definitely a mare to keep an eye on in 2020.

5. Mount St John Valencia

Charlotte Dujardin has claimed the national inter I freestyle title for the past three years, on three different mares, and in 2019 it was the turn of the fiery Vivaldi nine-year-old Mount St John Valencia. The mare competed very successfully under Michael Eilberg, but it has been during her first season ridden by Charlotte that she has turned the most heads — “she is my type of horse,” says the double Olympic champion.

6. Keystone Dawn Chorus

This Dimaggio daughter did very well under Beth Bainbridge at novice and elementary, but when she was bought by para multi-medallist Natasha Baker early in 2019 it seemed a perfect match. Natasha has had a stellar first season with the eight-year-old, whom she plans to campaign for the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. Their successes in their short time together include being reserve national champions at novice silver, and wiping the board at their first international para competition in October.

7. MSJ Charmer

Charlotte Dujardin often seems to have a never ending stream of fantastic horses, and early this year she debuted the exciting MSJ Charmer. The five-year-old Charmeur gelding is owned by Charlotte, along with Verity Jenner, but had been competed up until this year by Rob Barker, who rode him in four-year-old classes and qualified him for the regionals. He and Charlotte wasted no time making an impact together, winning at regionals and going on to become novice gold winter champions. “Cookie” has had a quiet 2019 since this success, but look out for him in 2020.

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Dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer will be among the runners taking on the London Marathon in aid of equine charity Brooke.

Alice is already a committed supporter of the charity, which helps working horses and donkeys around the world, recently visiting them in India alongside global ambassador Charlotte Dujardin.

She has also backed their recent fundraising campaigns MyHackathon and Every Horse Remembered but said she was “really excited” to take on the “huge challenge” of running the 26-mile route next April.

“I was lucky enough to visit Brooke’s work in India in 2015 and I saw the difference that donations can make. As someone who is new to running, I know training will be hard but I’ll be thinking of the amazing animals and people I met on that trip and how this challenge will benefit them and many others around the world,” she said.

Alice will also be hosting an exclusive event at her yard in February, where all Brooke’s London Marathon runners can meet her and enjoy a tour. The event will include tips on nutrition, training and fundraising.

Emily Smith, who works as a rider at Redwings Horse Sanctuary helping to back and retrain abused and abandoned horses, is among the other runners taking part.

The 22-year-old said she wanted to support the charity because of the importance of its work.

“Brooke works with owners, vets and farriers of working equines abroad. Unfortunately, due to lack of education, some owners don’t know how to look after their horses or donkeys correctly, therefore the animal falls ill and they cannot make a living for their families to survive.

Continues below…

Alice Oppenheimer wins at Vidauban CDI on British-bred horse

British dressage riders are on form in France, with Alice Oppenheimer securing a prestigious win on a British-bred horse

Alice Oppenheimer sits tight on winning lap of honour at Windsor [PICS]

Alice managed a “tactical dismount” on her lap of honour with Tantoni Sir Soccrates

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“Brooke works to educate the owners on basic welfare care and needs, and works with the vets and farriers to help the owners,” she said.

There are still places available for supporters interested in running the London Marathon for Brooke.

“Events like this are vital in raising funds to help Brooke reach working horses, donkeys and mules across the globe. If you think you’ve got what it takes to take on the London Marathon, we still have some charity places available so we’d love to hear from you,” said Brooke senior regional fundraising officer Polly West.

To sponsor Alice and to sponsor Emily, visit their fundraising pages.

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Katie Bailey was speechless with delight after her gala night victory in the Magic prix st georges freestyle gold championship.

Katie partnered Hannah Douvey’s Eagle Nouvelle (“Eddie”) to win the 15-strong class at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury on 5 April.

This was the first time Katie has ridden to the music, which was put together by Tom Hunt, and the harmonius test was rewarded with a mark of 73.71% from judges Mary Anne Horn, Peter Storr and Claudia Haller.

A smart performance from Becky Moody and Full Fusion BS to variations on the Sherlock soundtrack came close to securing the title, but for the second time today they were edged into second by a fraction of a penalty.

Katie said she was “thrilled” with the horse, whose canter and trot half-passes stood out as real highlights.

“He felt a little tired at the beginning but there were no mistakes,” said Katie.

“He is quite a tense horse so I think he has coped really well here with the atmosphere. It is nice he is not spooky and he tries so hard, which is lovely — he tried his heart out in there.”

The 10-year-old gelding, by Singapore, looked totally focused on his rider and the job in hand as the pair produced a clean test to a magical soundtrack.

“He is really talented, especially in movements such as his pirouettes — I hadn’t quite got the right [handed] one in the past two tests and I got it today, so I was really thrilled.”

Sara-Jane Lanning and her own Mi Amigo held the lead for much of the evening before finishing third behind Katie and Becky on 71.25%.

Alice Oppenheimer took her 14th national title aboard her homebred star mare Headmore Davina in the Superflex inter I gold class.

The pair, who were drawn last to go, followed up on their success in Thursday’s Magic PSG gold championship with a flowing test to score 72.72%, edging the win over second placed Nikki Barker and Durable.

“I was worried after yesterday as I was on my 13th title and I thought it might be unlucky, but Davina sorted that out for me,” she laughed.

“She is such a quality mare and Erik Theilgaard helped me warm up today, he was really helpful, the canter work felt unreal. I think there’s still more marks to be had in the trot as she gets stronger and a bit more confident, but the pirouettes I had in there today — she’s just so talented.”

The pair also picked up fourth in the PSG freestyle gold.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Dujardin and the stunning five-year-old MSJ Charmer took the Blue Chip novice gold title on a huge score of 77.96%, with Becky Moody and James Bond just 0.06% behind.

This was Charlotte’s second ever test on “Cookie”, who she bought as a foal from Emma Blundell and co-owns with Verity Jenner.

“I was just hoping to go in and give him a good ride in there because it is a lot for even an advanced horse to take in, let alone a young one,” said Charlotte, explaining Rob Barker rode and competed the son of Charmeur.

“He went in there and went a little green on me but he tried really, really hard — for a five-year-old I couldn’t have asked for much more.

“He really felt like although he was green he tried, I could feel he was looking to me as if to help him and he let me do that.”

Charlotte was also entered in the small tour classes with Mount St John VIP, who triumphed at Keysoe, but withdrew after the mare became cast.

Charlotte said thankfully the mare will be fine and will now carry out some breeding duties with the plan to aim her for an international later this year.

“[It was] really unfortunate, she went to Keysoe doing so well and I was ready for here,” she added.

Article continues below…

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Keri Bates’ Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle silver triumph was made all the more remarkable as her winning ride EKKO Christianslund Gevalia has spent a spell on the sidelines due to a hairline splint fracture.

Through careful rehabilitation, in consultation with her vet, Keri has brought the 12-year-old mare back to fitness.

The pair impressed the judges, riding to a soundtrack of music from several films, to win by a clear margin on a score of 74.11%.

“I came to get a nice picture and not come last, but the moment I did my second extended trot, I was quite surprised and thought hang on, she’s going for it here,” said Keri. “It felt brilliant and we matched out score at regionals.”

The long trip from Grimsby proved worthwhile for Jennifer Martell, who took the Theraplate UK medium silver championship with Jane Guyton’s Eiderstan.

The pair, who are based and train with Amy Woodhead, topped the section on a score of 74.41%.

“Yesterday he was very tense, but today he let me in and let me ride him and he gave me everything,” said Jennifer, who studied at Hartpury and was part of the prestigious academy during her time as a student.

“Whatever I asked of him, he gave me more.”

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Alice Oppenheimer has paid tribute to Headmore Stud’s star broodmare Rubinsteena, who has died aged 22.

“Ruby” is mother to a dressage dynasty, with her offspring winning across the levels at regional and national level.

“We didn’t buy her initially to breed from,” Alice told H&H. “She had a couple of foals before we bought her and the intention was to bring her back into work, but thank god it went the way that it did.

“It didn’t matter which stallion we used, she always gave us an amazing foal — we were so lucky. She was so correct in her conformation and her movement, she was very special.

“All [her offspring] have a fantastic work ethic, are very kind horses and love people, they genuinely want to do the work.”

Sarah Oppenheimer bought Ruby from Julie Deverill at Half Moon Stud, who herself had bought the mare as a foal from Christian Heinrich.

Her most successful progeny include Half Moon Frizzante, who won the 2012 elementary open title at the 2012 winter championships and won at small tour level. She is also the dam of Headmore Davina, winner of numerous national and regional titles who qualified for this year’s British Dressage National Championships at small tour.

She had three offspring competing at the 2018 winter championships: Headmore Dirubinio (by Dimaggio), Headmore Davina (by Dimaggio) and Headmore Bella Ruby (by Belissimo M).

Her 2008 foal, Headmore Wimoweh, made his grand prix debut in August at Bury Farm high profile show, finishing third on 67.57% at his first attempt.

Her 2016 foal Headmore Valentina was awarded an elite premium at the British Breeders/British Equestrian Federation Futurity with a score of 9.7, the joint-third highest ever mark.

“She was a fantastic mum, knew exactly what to do,” said Alice, adding it was almost as if she would say “take it away” when the foals reached six months old.

Continues below…

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“She was quite bossy so the foals always had that herd instinct that makes them rideable as they were so used to having someone in charge, they look to the rider for guidance and support.

“She loved being a broodmare, I genuinely think that was her calling in life.”

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Alice Oppenheimer has paid tribute to the horse who “made me the rider I am today”.

The international dressage rider announced on social media that her 2009 young rider European Championships partner Wurlizer had been put down at the age of 18.

“Wizard” came to Alice when he was five and she was 15.

“When I got him, I never dreamed we’d do half of what we did,” Alice told H&H.

“I was 15 and had never ridden above medium; never in a million years would I have thought we’d do all that; it was a fairytale really.”

Wizard’s career ended after he was diagnosed with pastern arthritis in 2013. But he had since enjoyed a long and happy retirement at Alice’s Hampshire home.

“The vets said pastern arthritis is very unforgiving and that we might have to make a very horrible decision very quickly,” she said. “So I’m so pleased he was able to have five happy years.

“I just got him in one day and said: ‘today’s the day’. He’d just lost that glint in his eye; you know your animals and I knew.

“He’d had a lovely winter, out with a brood mare and some fillies and he’d really enjoyed it; had it been a wet summer, he might have been able to enjoy another one but the ground was hard and it was the right time; we had to do it for him.”

Alice and the Hanoverian gelding made their way up the grades together, winning at the national and winter championships, moving up to grand prix, achieving good placings internationally and finishing in the top 10 at the 2012 national championships.

“He did so much for me,” she said. “He made me the rider I am today.

“He was such a kind, forgiving horse, very sweet and genuine. He was learning with me; I didn’t know what the hell I was doing and neither did he, but he would just come round and try again.

“Your first grand prix horse has to be forgiving because you will get things wrong but if they’re not a schoolmaster, they have to be even more genuine.

“There aren’t many horses like him; he was rare and very special.”

Alice said Wizard could be lazy and almost lethargic at home.

“Some days I’d struggle to get him into trot,” she said. “But he loved showing off, he loved an atmosphere, he loved competing; he was like a different horse at shows. I’d have to compete him once a month as he got so bored at home.

“His last competition was the 2012 nationals. We finished in the top 10 and it was when we’d just won gold at the London Olympics, Carl Hester was there with Uthopia and to be placed in all that buzz was really quite special.”

Continues below…

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But for a horse who did enjoy his job so much, Alice said, Wizard was also very happy “going out in the field and living a perfect life as far as a horse is concerned”.

“He was living the life of luxury he deserved,” she said.

“I was a bit concerned as he’d never been much of a field horse, but he loved it and thrived. I’m so pleased he had those happy five years.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

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Top British riders are honouring war horses thanks to Brooke’s latest scheme.

Eventer Harry Meade and dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer are supporting the charity’s “Every Horse Remembered” initiative and have been named as Brooke’s ambassadors for the scheme.

British showjumper Laura Renwick is also backing the cause.

To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Verdun, Brooke has released a pin badge to honour the lives of millions of horses who died in the First World War.

A commemorative badge depicts the Every Horse Remembered logo and is available to buy from thebrookeshop.org. Each badge costs £3 plus postage and package.

“The badge provides the perfect way for supporters to show they’re honouring the lives of war horses, and help working horses, donkeys and mules of today,” said a Brooke spokesman.

Harry was keen to get behind the campaign.

“It is so important to honour the bravery of the millions of horses who served alongside our soldiers in the First World War,” he said.

“I’m supporting Brooke’s campaign to help them reach their £1m target in tribute to our war horses and to raise awareness of today’s working animals around the world.

“Learning about Brooke’s work has made me realise how lucky our own horses are to have all their basic needs looked after. But there are still millions of animals in desperate need of our help, so why not start fundraising today to help Brooke continue their amazing work?”

Alice has seen Brooke’s work first-hand, when she travelled to India with the charity.

“Every Horse Remembered is such an important campaign to remember the heroic horses of the First World War,” she said. “But working animals are not just a thing of the past. Every day horses, donkeys and mules still work tirelessly in terrible conditions.

“Having seen Brooke’s work in India I know how important it is to support them and help them continue their vital work protecting and improving the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable working horses and donkeys, both now and in the future.”

Laura added: “I’m delighted to start my official support for Brooke as an Every Horse Remembered ambassador.

“I’m looking forward to representing the campaign for Brooke in the British showjumping scene.”

Laura, Harry and Alice join author Hannah Russell and Little Alf the miniature Shetland, as well as the United States’ Instagram star “Muledragger” as ambassadors.

The group will be promoting the campaign through social media, attending events and supporting fundraising initiatives through 2018.

“Little Alf and I are so proud to be supporting Brooke’s Every Horse Remembered campaign,” said Hannah.

“The millions of animals who fought in the First World War endured the most horrendous conditions and it’s devastating that there are still equines working in [awful] environments around the world.

“If you’ve ever loved a horse, donkey, mule or even a cheeky miniature Shetland please help Brooke’s Every Horse Remembered campaign to help prevent the suffering of working animals today.”

The battle of Verdun was longest battle fought on the Western Front and was so bloody it was known as the ‘Meat Grinder’ in the trenches.

Continued below…

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Thousands of horses died in the battle, and on just one day 7,000 were killed by a shelling.

Eight million horses died in the First World War, 75 percent of them from the extreme conditions they worked in.

Brooke’s founder Dorothy Brooke sought out many of the leftover horses years later in Cairo, Egypt. She set up the Old War Horse Memorial, a legacy that evolved into Brooke.

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Dressage stars Charlotte Dujardin and Alice Oppenheimer will be visiting Ethiopia this month to see the work of an equine charity first-hand.

Olympic gold medallist Charlotte and grand prix rider Alice will be in Africa from 24 – 30 October.

The trip will be the second time Charlotte and Alice have seen Brooke’s work, as both visited the charity’s programme in India in October 2015.

In India they met equine welfare groups, visited brick kilns and saw thousands of horses, donkeys and mules being bought and sold at an equine fair.

“My first trip with Brooke to see the work in India was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Brooke global ambassador Charlotte.

“It was a rollercoaster of emotions, seeing the sheer scale of welfare issues and the level of suffering alongside the incredible achievements of Brooke’s teams to improve the lives of horses, donkeys and mules.”

With approximately nine million horses, donkeys and mules, Ethiopia has the third largest equine population in the world.

These animals play a crucial role in the national economy but live under harsh conditions with a life expectancy of just a third of what would be expected in the UK.

On the trip, Charlotte and Alice will meet urban “gharry” horses, who work day in day out as “town taxis”.

“They are a particularly stark example of the suffering Brooke is working to prevent,” said a spokesman for the charity.

“They will see first-hand the difference that Brooke is making, meeting the passionate Brooke Ethiopia field staff, trained local vets, farriers and harness makers who are working hard with local communities and service providers to bring about long-term change.”

Continued below…

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro: in pictures

To celebrate Charlotte receiving the Reem Acra Best

Charlotte Dujardin and Uthopia win on debut

Carl Hester's Olympic ride Uthopia was back in

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Alice managed a “tactical dismount” on her lap

Charlotte became Brooke’s global ambassador in February 2015, and as well as raising vital funds for them, has been supporting the charity at events and campaigns.

This year she has supported Brooke’s How the Other Horse Lives campaign, and My Hackathon, a fundraising activity for riders across the UK.

Footage and stories from the trip will be published on Charlotte, Alice and Brooke’s Facebook pages.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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A rider from a non-horsey family is making waves in two disciplines this season.

Dannie Morgan, 25, hails from Southampton and is at the national championships riding two horses — his own Southern Cross Braemar (Barry), and the Oppenheimers’ home-bred Headmore Davina (pictured).

Dannie has been campaigning the two horses alongside his eventing commitments this season, and has been racking up scores that would make even pure dressage riders jealous.

It was six-year-old Barry, an enormous chestnut by Breitling, who kicked off his new enthusiasm for dressage.

“He’s a lovely horse, and I bought him as a five-year-old to event, but every trainer that has seen him thinks he has real potential for grand prix dressage,” said Dannie.

Alice Oppenheimer describes his second ride, Davina, as “a lovely mare, but she wouldn’t be eaten by a lion — she takes off so fast.”

“I can’t hold her when she goes, which is how Dannie ended up riding her,” Alice explains.

Dannie has no plans to give up eventing, but admits he would like to have a grand prix horse as well as a four-star event horse.

“He’s desperate to jump my grand prix horses,” jokes Alice. “I’m going to let him sit on ‘Bracks’ [Headmore Boadicia, one of Alice’s grand prix horses] to learn where the buttons are.

“I might let him jump Robin [Headmore Dirubinio]. I won’t be able to watch!” she says, covering her face.

“He does alright in the eventing dressage – he doesn’t need me for that!” Alice laughs. “I keep trying to convince him to give up eventing.”

Dannie’s first visit to the nationals was last year, when he helped Sadie Smith with her horses, and he thought it would be “quite cool” to ride at Stoneleigh.

Next year, Dannie plans to qualify for the winter championships, including the music classes. He’s already made a great start, winning a novice freestyle on more than 86% at Merrist Wood in early August.

“We force him to do music,” Alice teases.

“I’m so laid back, she has to sort my music for me,” Dannie admits. He will ride Davina to Alice’s popular Lion King music, which should suit the mare’s personality.

Dannie will go straight from the nationals today to ride three horses at home, before heading off to event at Gatcombe tomorrow morning.

“I have three six-year-olds running in the novice tomorrow. So much of eventing is the basic flatwork, so pure dressage really helps. The horses will be aimed at Osberton International in a couple of weeks.”

For a full report from the British Dressage national championships — including analysis, comment and insight — pick up a copy of Horse & Hound next Thursday, 22 September.

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It’s been a stellar weekend for British dressage riders competing abroad, including success for Anna Ross and Alice Oppenheimer.

Anna is on a whirlwind world tour — recently taking six flights in seven days — in order to be able to compete Jane Sewell’s mare Die Callas (picture top) on the Spanish circuit.

The air miles paid off as the pair claimed both the grand prix and the special at Oliva Nova CDI (19-24 April), the former from first draw.

“Normally the draw is done in world rankings order and I was the top ranked rider, so I was expecting to be near the end,” Anna told H&H. “But I’ve always said I don’t agree with that rule anyway and that it should be random, so I couldn’t complain.”

Two judges awarded Anna and “Princess” over 71% while Finland’s Maria Colliander only thought their performance was worth 66.5% for seventh place.

“I assumed I couldn’t win from first draw,” said Anna. “In all my years I don’t remember anyone winning an international grand prix from first draw.

“So after the test I went to the lorry, had a glass of rose and moaned a bit. I didn’t watch the rest of the class, but the judges obviously held their line as my boyfriend Marcello rang me and told me I’d won.

“I was so surprised that we had to really scramble to get to the prize-giving.”

The score was just shy of 70%, the magic marker that the De Niro mare has hit in three of her last four tests.

In the grand prix special, Anna spearheaded a British one-two-three, being closely chased by Richard and Gillian Davison on Bubblingh and Alfranco.

Richard also contested his first grand prix — albeit HC — with his newest partner, Don Bettino, scoring 70%.

Anna rode with more expression in the special.

“I watched the video [of the grand prix] and decided to be more ambitious and put my foot down,” she said. “I had a bit of pilot error in one pirouette — I think I was riding for a 12 — and unbalanced her so we wobbled out, but she thankfully saved me. It’s time to have a go and take risks with her in tests now.”

The well-travelled mare’s next stop will be at Segovia CDI, also in Spain (5-8 May).

“Life’s insane at the moment, but it’s worth it,” added Anna. “I have to travel a lot to come home and teach too. I’m so lucky to have this horse: the harder I work, the luckier I get.”

A repeat performance

Alice Oppenheimer also saw the Union Flag hoisted this weekend, this time in Germany at Hagen CDI (20-24 April).

Riding her 13-year-old home-bred Dimaggio gelding Headmore Delegate, the pair put in a safe, if slightly underwhelming, 67.6% performance in the grand prix, but went on to win the 23-strong consolation grand prix with over 71%.

The pattern of a big improvement in the second performance is a repeat from Del’s performance in Doha, where he also won the second test.

“I’m not sure if it’s me or him, but we don’t get the confidence in the first test and I felt I had to nurse him round,” Alice told H&H. “We made a mistake in the one-times — which was expensive as they’re doubled.

“Hagen is a big show with a big atmosphere; it’s like going into the lion’s den.

“Eric [Theilgaard] was out there and gave me a lesson on the Saturday and I gave myself a bit of a talking to about being braver.

“To win in both Doha and at Hagen — albeit the consolation class — is a bit insane. It’s given me a lot of confidence.

“I learnt a lot at this show and next time I’ll ask that bit more in the first test.”

Continued below…

More recent dressage news:

Charlie Hutton thrills in gala night freestyle at British Dressage Winter Championships

Phoebe Peters wins on junior international debut

Dressage: London Olympians line up to compete at Royal Windsor

Fellow Brits Hayley Watson-Greaves, Laura Tomlinson and Lara Griffith were also in action.

Alice added: “The camaraderie was incredible between the Brits. It was special hearing the anthem and the first time a show has ever raised the flag for me. My mum [Sarah] and me were welling up and Dr B gave my mum a hug.

“Winning definitely made the journey home a lot easier and made up for the fact we had a horrid journey out and a freezing first night as the hook-up wasn’t working.”

Alice also debuted her promising Belissimo M mare Headmore Boadicia at international grand prix, logging a green and wobbly 65.5%.

Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe (Desperados FRH) and Swede Patrik Kittel (Deja) were both double winners at the show. Kristina posted a personal best of 82.8% in the grand prix.

Lara Griffith rode two plus-71% tests on the fast-improving Rubin Al Asad.

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I love the atmosphere of the winters, we don’t have any other show in the country with the same busyness and buzz to it. But that can make it a difficult arena for the horses. My ride, Joanne Graham Whelan’s Headmore Wimoweh (pictured at an earlier show), coped well on the first day, being placed in both classes, but found it a bit much on the second.

He’s very hot and noise-sensitive — I’m not complaining as those attributes will be great for grand prix, but for now he can be easily spooked.

I did feel for Debby Lush, the judge at C, as I wasn’t sure we were going to stop!

For anyone aiming to compete internationally it’s great exposure for the horses. And for those who aren’t, competing here is a real thrill.

Five of the freestyle winners were British-bred, which is fantastic. And I was so pleased for Sonnar Murray-Brown; his win followed a rough time after a horrific car accident. He was told he might never ride again, but he’s worked so hard and is back — as a champion.

As the last ever open/restricted show, it will be interesting to see how the gold/silver/bronze system shakes things up.

It was difficult for BD to invent a system that places everyone fairly. It’s still a bit confusing and some things need ironing out, but they’ve done a good job.

I am pretty pleased to be straightforward gold at every level: please, nobody ask me to work out where they can compete!

Ref: Horse & Hound; 14 April 2016

The current national prix st georges champion Tantoni Sir Soccrates has been removed from his rider Alice Oppenheimer’s yard.

Alice, a grand prix rider, was visiting India with The Brooke ambassador Charlotte Dujardin on a week-long equine charity trip. When she returned on Saturday (31 October), “Soccs” was no longer there.

“We don’t know what’s going on,” Alice told H&H. “When I got back, he’d gone.

“I knew his owner Georgie [Pole-Carew] was ill, so we had told them that we would understand if they needed to sell him, and would help them do that.

“I don’t even know where he is, and I’m so gutted not to have been able to say goodbye. That’s the thing that really hurts.

“I’ll really miss him; I had an incredible bond with that horse,” she added.

The eight-year-old’s owners, Georgina and Peregrine Pole-Carew, said the timing was “an unfortunate coincidence” with “no malice” and added that they had believed that Alice was already back from India when the horse was collected from the Oppenheimers’ Hampshire yard.

“Georgina has been very unwell this year and that’s been our major concern,” Peregrine told H&H.

“We’ve been debating whether we’d continue with Soccs with the Oppenheimers. We saw out the season and Alice and her mother Sarah have done bloody well, for which we’re really grateful.”

The horse has returned to his owners’ Dorset base.

“Alice has done a good job over the three years she’s had him, but the relationship has come to an end. It’s been a stressful time with Georgie’s illness, and we’ve had to prioritise,” he added.

Alice and the talented Oldenburg gelding — a former licensed stallion — have enjoyed extensive wins at small tour this year, including four plus-70% wins from four starts at Vidauban CDI in March.

However, Alice is not bereft of horse-power as she still has the grand prix competitors Headmore Delegate and Headmore Boadicia, as well as the up-and-coming Headmore Wrubinstar, Headmore Wimoweh and Headmore Dirubinio.

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Alice Oppenheimer and Tantoni Sir Soccrates continued their cracking run of form by taking the advanced medium freestyle at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday (13 May).

The Sir Donnerhall x White Magic eight-year-old has been on a great run of form recently, picking up international small tour titles in Vidauban, France as well as two titles at the British Dressage winter championships.

However, Alice (mostly) survived a very sticky moment in the prize-giving, which saw the gelding — a former licensed stallion and champion of his grading in 2009 — pull out some impressive airs above the ground that most Spanish Riding School horses would have been envious of.

Alice managed a “tactical dismount” on her lap of honour, as shown below.

Continued below…

The pair scored 76% to secure their eighth winners’ rug of the year.

“We’ve worked really hard to get him used to clapping and noise, but he’s done so many prize-givings lately that he’s got himself wound up again,” said Alice.

“He gets a bit nervous, but he’s athletic and very powerful. The rug didn’t help and I thought I better jump off before I pulled it round his neck and frightened him,” added the Hampshire-based rider.

“The arena and atmosphere at Windsor is a lot for horses to contend with, particularly when they’ve never seen carriage horses, gymkhana ponies and heavy horses. It’s great for our horses, but can be a bit mind-boggling.”

Gloucestershire-based Lucy Cartwright and owner Carole Felton were delighted with Fergana’s second place and a score of 72.88%.

Lucy, a former working pupil of Carl Hester, has ridden the elegant chestnut mare by Fidermark for five years.

“We are really happy with her today,” said Lucy. “She’s come on so much in the month since the winter championships.”

Julie Hugo Ross and the Dutch-bred mare Alivia II were a close third. The pair also impressed the judges with a neat, mistake free test to elegant James Galway flute music that was well suited to the light-footed mare, owned by Julie and Frances White. “It’s music that makes me feel good and smile,” said Julie.

Tonight at 6pm the dressage action continues with the grand prix. The freestyle takes place on Friday evening.

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Alice Oppenheimer (pictured) kicked off a successful opening day at Vidauban’s CDI in France today (5 March). She won the prix st georges (PSG) for seven- to nine-year-old horses riding the British-bred Tantoni Sir Soccrates. They were the only combination to break the 70% barrier, posting 70.73%.

It was the eight-year-old chestnut gelding’s third ever test at the level.

“He’s such a pro,” reported the 25-year-old rider of the former licensed stallion. “He goes in there and it’s like he’s done it all a million and one times before. It honestly feels like riding a grand prix schoolmaster around a PSG — it’s bizarre.

“He was actually even more confident in the arena than he was in the warm-up and he stood like a rock for the anthem in the prize-giving.

“I think he’ll make a great grand prix horse as he never runs out of energy and his brain just sucks everything up.”

A rough ride

The journey to the South of France was not without its difficulties; Alice and her mother Sarah suffered a blow-out in the lorry on the French motorway and were delayed by almost three hours.

“We don’t speak a word of French, but the show were really helpful in getting the other tyre changed when we arrived, as you have to do them in pairs,” added Alice.

“To win after a journey like that is a really big deal.”

“Soccs” was third to go, so Alice had an agonising wait before confirmation of her victory.

Her winnings included “a bottle of wine that comes up to my knee”, which she plans to drink with fellow British riders Anna Ross and Daniel Watson later in the week.

Anna and Daniel were also in action today; Anna scooping fourth in the intermediate A on Lord Of Rock and Dan picking up another fourth — at inter II — on Amadeus.

Tears of joy

Soccs’ breeder and owner Georgie Pole-Carew was delighted to hear news of her horse’s win.

“Mum got a text from her saying she was crying,” said Alice. “And mum had a little cry too — but luckily only back at the stables.”

Georgie is expecting a full sibling to Socs — who is by Sir Donnerhall and out of a White Magic mare — this year.

The horse will attemp his first ever inter I on Saturday. Meanwhile, all three British riders are in action tomorrow in the grand prix.

View full start lists and results.

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