Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage competitor Vanessa Haunch is aiming to be the first person to compete a Dales pony in a tailcoat.

Vanessa and her eye-catching native Ridgelane Pete were competing in the Wow Saddles elementary championship at the festival, held at Sheepgate from 20 to 22 July.

The accountant, who hails from close to Somerford in Cheshire, bought “Pete” as a just-backed four-year-old in 2012.

“He hasn’t been the easiest,” she smiled, adding Pete has a “Jekyll and Hyde” personality.

“He has all the talent, but can be very stubborn — I call him the Thelwell pony because of his stubbornness.

“One day he is as sharp as a tac and the next day my 10-year-old son could cope with him.”

Pete has his own Facebook page — The Dancing Dales — charting Pete’s journey between the white boards.

Vanessa explained she set it up to show that you don’t need a “conventional” dressage horse to enjoy and succeed in the sport.

“I set it up so people could see the good and the bad,” she added.

“If you’re on a cob it might not always be easy, but if you work hard it doesn’t matter what you are sat on — as long as you get out there and try your best, it doesn’t matter.”

The pair enjoyed some big wins in the show ring on the county circuit before Victoria decided to focus on dressage — and Pete is excelling in his new career.

“I want him to be the first Dales pony to compete [with his rider] in a tailcoat,” she said, adding Pete is training at medium level at home.

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Tales from the H&H Festival of Dressage: ‘I found my perfect match in a Horse & Hound advert’

It was thanks to an advert on the Horse & Hound website that H&H Festival of Dressage competitor Louise Hoffman

The combination finished just out of the prizes and Vanessa added they were here for fun with “no pressure”.

“This is only his sixth elementary as I decided last year that I didn’t want to ride any more,” she said, adding when it came to crunch-time she realised that she still loved riding after all.

“Someone was really interested in Peter and it just hit me that I didn’t want someone else to ride him.”

As well as a full-time job, Vanessa fits the horses around being a mum to her son, Cameron.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the help from my mum,” she added.

“[I also train with Harriet Woodford] who is amazing — she’s completely changed the way I ride and the way I ride him — she’s made me be very positive which makes him enjoy his work more.”

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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It was thanks to an advert on the Horse & Hound website that H&H Festival of Dressage competitor Louise Hoffman found her “perfect match”.

“I moved to the UK from Germany four years ago to set up an IT business — I’ve always shared horses but never had my own,” said Louise, who is based in Northamptonshire.

“I was busy starting up my own business when I came over, but I started to miss horses and needed to get out and ride again.”

Louise added she found a couple of horses to ride, thanks to some lovely people in her village, but at the beginning of 2017 one of the horses sadly passed away and the other needed a quieter life.

“My partner James Banbury, who has no knowledge of horses, said ‘this is something that you have always wanted — go and get your horse, I support you’. He put the computer in front of me and said ‘have a look online’.

“I found ‘Boy’ in an advert on the Horse & Hound website — he was based three-and-a-half hours away from me and I had just started my search, so I had a look at some more adverts.

“Every day after work I would open his advert again, I even bookmarked it so I could get to his videos faster.”

Louise said that as she had never done anything like this before, her instructor gave his owner a call and they drove up there to have a look.

“I was told when buying a horse, don’t just go for the first horse you like, have a look at some further horses and make a decision. I went to see him and just knew as soon as I started riding him that he was the one — this was the horse I wanted.”

She bought the Belgian warmblood in April last year and the pair have built a “strong bond”.

“My horse time is my down time,” she said, adding Boy is “perfect match” for her. “For me it is all for fun — that is the time when I completely switch off from work.”

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Louise, who trains with Josien Chalmers on the flat and four-star eventer Richard Jones for jumping, had been hoping to enter the H&H Festival of Eventing as well, however a lack of transport put their plans on hold.

Louise said trying to find the right 3.5tonne box was an “absolute minefield”and in the end, had one built by a manufacturer she trusted.

She picked up her wheels four weeks ago and this is the first major competition she has been to with the 12-year-old gelding.

“It has been brilliant, really well organised and everyone here is friendly and very helpful — I’ve met some lovely people,” she said, adding the stay away aspect of the show meant she made friends with her neighbours in the lorry park and the stables.

“Boy has been so good and settled straight away on day one, the atmosphere here is just the right balance [of relaxed and excitement].”

Louise and Wonderboy finished fifth in the Equestrian Surfaces Novice Championship, which was held at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire from 20 to 22 July.

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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The inaugural Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage took place last week (19-22 July) at Sheepgate Equestrian in Lincolnshire. A fabulous time was had by all, as demonstrated by just some of our favourite bits here…

1. Everyone was so friendly — from competitors who had never met before cheering on their lorry park neighbours, to strangers offering to read tests at the last minute, the atmosphere was super supportive.

2. Talking of new friends, Friday’s quiz saw riders and supporters team-up to go head-to-head in the H&H Festival of Dressage quiz. Nine teams took part and the Dazzling Dachshunds were crowned quiz champs.

3. The venue and the team at Sheepgate are great — the equestrian centre’s slogan is “worth the journey” and it really is. Everything is set up for dressage and the arenas have nice big hedges around them, keeping everything perfectly serene. There’s even a covered viewing area, so you can watch from the shade — essential when the UK is basking in a heatwave.

4. All types and breeds were welcome — tiny ponies, 18.2hh warmbloods, Connemaras, retrained racehorses, eventers, endurance horses, hunters, Friesians, Dales — you name it, they were there

5. There was expert advice on hand — competitors could head down to the Spillers’ stand to have their horse weighed and to pick up some top nutritional advice, before heading to the Wow Saddles stand for a saddle fitting and then speaking to a rep from Equestrian Surfaces about arenas

6. Many competitors had come to the festival on their own, but those at home could still watch them in action on Sheepgate’s livestream

7. The prizes were awesome — there were brilliant prizes down to 10th place and top-placed competitors took home so many goodies that they struggled to hold them all at once. As well as prize money, a sash, a winner’s rug and much more, the champions were all presented with a FIR-tech healing rug from Catago, worth £200.

8. Pippa the dog, owned by novice champion Sarah Clarke, became a bit of a celebrity — howling with excitement during the quiz and prize giving, before joining Sarah on the podium and for prize giving photos

9. The beautiful summer evening provided a perfect backdrop for the hog roast and music classes. Soundtracks featuring Abba, Pink Panther, John Williams scores, techno — a perfect way to end the day

10. Pink-flavoured sparkle cake? What’s not to like. Eat your heart out, Bake-Off…

11. H&H reporters were on hand to cover all the action, with more than 13 web stories, video interviews, social media coverage and a full report in this Thursday’s issue of the magazine (26 July)

12. It was just brilliant, in the words of some of our competitors — and who would know better than them…

“Everyone has been incredible and really supportive” — Wow Saddles medium champion Camilla Zanna

“The Horse&Hound Festival of Dressage is such a great idea. The atmosphere is great and I love that anyone can come and have a go. It’s been lovely staying over and enjoying the evening entertainment” — novice and elementary championships competitor Angela Bishop

“The festival is really awesome and there’s a super feel to it” — Equestrian Surfaces novice championship competitor Charlotte Cooper

“I feel like I’ve been on my holidays to be honest! I’ve just enjoyed every second of it” — Equestrian Surfaces novice champion Sarah Clarke

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

“We’ve never really won anything!” laughed Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage’s elementary champion Lesley Wheatley.

Lesley, an inspector at Northumbria Police, produced two consistent tests aboard her 18.2hh chestnut Furst Lazlo to win the championship, sponsored by Wow Saddles.

The pair won the first championship test on a score of 69.14%, before bettering their mark to take the second test on 69.85% and establishing themselves as the clear winners.

“It’s been a lovely weekend, we came on Friday and did the warm-up classes too and everyone has been really friendly,” said Lesley.

“Apart from a little blip in the music on Saturday night, he has been brilliant and really consistent all weekend.”

The eye-catching son of Furst Nymphenburg took against the hog roast and the letter “P” in the elementary music class on Saturday evening, but more than redeemed himself with his performances in the championship classes.

The combination also finished second in the Wow Saddles medium championship.

“He is normally really easy [to ride] and is a real sweetheart, so soft and gentle,” added Lesley, who bought him as a rising five-year-old from Gamblethorpe Hanoverians.

“He is absolutely lovely in the stable as well — he’s everybody’s friend and is right at the bottom of the herd pecking order in whichever field he is turned out in!”

While Lesley ended up coming on her own after accidents, work commitments and injury ruled out her companions from the north east, her family have been watching her tests from afar.

“My mam’s been watching on the livestream,” she added.

“Me, the horse and the dog are permanentely on a little road trip — we love Sheepgate and often come and do their three-day shows.”

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage’s Equestrian Surfaces novice champion Sarah Clarke faced a nervous wait to find out if she had done enough to take the title.

Sarah and her horse, Hiawatha La Perle, known as Hamlet, led overnight on a score of 70.21% and scored 68.31% in their second test, but with a number of title contenders drawn after her, the championship was by no means in the bag.

“It was really nerve wracking [waiting for the final scored to come through],” said Sarah. “I went early on and there were some really superb horse and rider combinations after me.”

Both Sarah and the bay gelding, by Negro, have been through a difficult few years. Sarah was diagnosed with a spinal fracture earlier this year and was only recently been given the green light to get back on board, while Hamlet was diagnosed with a rare bone cyst on his elbow last October. This has taken specialist help from vets at the University of Liverpool to treat.

“The fact that I can ride Hamlet after all the problems we have been through together, let alone come here, compete and then win a championship is just the most amazing feeling — I’m delighted,” she said.

Sarah figure skated competitively at national level until her early teens, when she took up riding.

“When I was around 12 I was learning my triples and started feeling some discomfort and learned that they were stress fractures,” she said.

“I had some new symptoms in the past 12 months and as soon as they saw my fractures they told me to stop riding – it was an unstable fracture in my spine and I wasn’t allowed to ride – a fall could be life-changing.

“It was pretty devastating having just brought my horse back into work after his own problems.

“After a month I got back in the saddle and luckily everything looks good around the fracture, although it won’t ever heal.”

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Sarah credited the help of her sponsor, physiotherapist Ellen Colton of EquiPhysio, for getting her back in the saddle.

“All the areas that needed to be strong were weak so she has balanced me up and I’m much stronger and more secure in that area now,” she said.

“It’s massively improved my posture – before I was getting six for my riding and now I’m getting eights.”

Sarah, who trains with Stephen Clarke and Val Smyth, added she calls Hamlet a “Labra-pony” because of his laid-back, loving nature.

“He’s the nicest person and I can’t believe my luck,” she added.

“I’d love to take him up the levels but with his illness I take everyday as it comes.”

Gemma Parker and Louis rose from ninth place overnight to finish second, with Adelle Brabham and Astro in third.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Sheepgate local Lauren Spradbury celebrated a double championship win at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

The Lincolnshire-based rider, who hails from Black Cat Equestrian Centre at Sutton on Sea, won both the intro and prelim championship titles with her four-year-old homebred Wild Rose, known as “Ginger” to her friends.

A former showjumper, Lauren took up dressage about three years ago and was full of praise for her winning chestnut mare.

“Ginger has taken to dressage so easily,” said the mother-of-two.

“I’m over the moon, I couldn’t have asked for any more from her.

“She gave it 100% and absolutely tried her heart out. This is her first big show, she’s been to one tiny little show before, but nothing of this scale and she’s done absolutely fantastically.

“She’s taken everything in her stride, from the stables, to seeing all the banners, she’s just been amazing.”

Lauren credited her win to her parents.

“I owe it all to my mum and dad, Maria and Paul Spradbury,” she said, also thanking her trainer, Sheepgate’s Sarah Payne for her support.

The pair bagged four plus-70% marks across the two championships, with a top score of 75.43% in their second intro championship test.

Second place in the intro championship went to Lilly Wright and Nipper (67.72% and 71.85%), with Megan Field and Gwithian Gallant (67.07% and 69.35%) in third.

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Meanwhile the prelim music winners Kirstie Clarke and CDS Calzini were a close second in the prelim championship, scoring 71.12% on day one, followed by 71.56% in their second test.

In third was Sarah Clarke and Hiawatha La Perle.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Camilla Zanna and Luca 192 continued their run of success at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage to claim the Wow Saddles Medium Championship title.

The pair continued to improve their percentages over the weekend, scoring 68.56% in the second championship test to take the overall win.

Lesley Wheatley and Fust Lazlo finished second, with Catherine Barnes and Vorame third.

Camilla, who was attending the festival at Sheepgate with her son Kyle, beamed as she collected her prizes.

“I can’t even put into words how I’m feeling when you take into account the journey we have been through with him,” she said.

“I couldn’t have asked any more of him today. He got a little tense in our medium canter, but I was expecting that.”

The 11-year-old gelding has had a difficult journey peppered with illness and injury.

When Camilla bought him as a five-year-old he had grade four ulcers, which have required careful treatment and management.

Then in 2016, he ran through a fence, which resulted in a serious leg injury.

“I was told he would never be back competing again,” she said.

“He spent seven weeks with his leg in a full cast.”

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Just three weeks before the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage, the gelding injured himself again — rolling on a stone and opening up his elbow, which resulted in a stay at Rossdales Equine Hospital.

Thanks to tailored rehabilitation, he is back out and clearly enjoying his work.

“He is just amazing,” said Camilla, after the horse had stood perfectly relaxed to have his photograph taken while a vintage war plane passed low overhead.

“He is cute, cheeky and a fun person to be around — this weekend has been amazing, having Kyle here as well was fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

The second medium championship test was won by Alice Elliott and Chatsworth Chieftain, who finished fifth overall.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Former racehorse Polar Fox has come a long way since Michelle Honess took him on as a tricky seven-year-old.

The quirky chestnut gelding, by Pivotal, spent three seasons in training and raced as a two- to five-year-old.

He was rehomed after retiring from the track, but was too much horse for his new owners and as a result spent a long time out of work and was billed as “unrideable” before Michelle took him on.

Michelle, who has a background in riding point-to-pointers, came to try him and the pair clicked.

“I’ve had him eight years now and he was tricky to retrain,” she said, adding he is owned by her father, Malcolm Honess.

“Consistent work with him [was the key] and I’ve had help from Lara Dennis and Tory Moore and Jess Parr.”

The combination have gone from strength to strength, with “Foxy” changing from “racehorse to dressage diva”.

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“He loves to dance down the centre line,” said Michelle. “Beyond all expectations, he managed to win the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) East Midlands regional league three years in a row, which qualified us for the RoR National Championships at Aintree.

“It’s like a dream [the places he has taken me and the results we have had] — one of those things you dream about, but you never think is going to come true.

“Foxy always tries his hardest and loves every minute of his new career, proving that racehorses can have another career and be successful at it, with love and dedication.

“This is a horse who was destined for the meat market — now he has found his forever home.”

The pair are competing in the intro championship and are lying in 10th place overnight after their first championship test on a score of 64.02%.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

There was hot competition in the music classes at the inaugural Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

Freestyle classes from prelim to medium were held in the evening sunshine at Sheepgate, after the conclusion of the championship sections on Saturday (21 July).

Alice Elliott and the flashy Chatsworth Chieftain scored 72.67% for victory in the medium section.

The pair entered to Queen and carried out a polished performance to hits, including Crazy Little Thing Called Love and The Show Must Go On.

Elementary freestyle winner Rachael Liddle and Orions Wish danced their way to first place to a soundtrack, featuring the Yellow Submarine, Walking on Sunshine and Here Comes The Sun, put together by Tony Hobden of Equidance.

They pulled off a fluent and accurate test to score 68.27%.

Rachael, a data analyst from Sunderland bought the KWPN x Welsh gelding two years ago from her trainer Ian Brown’s wife Vicky.

“He’s really cheeky and likes attention,” said Rachael who travelled four hours to this event. “He was tired as he’s already competed twice today, but he tried really hard to do what I asked. His serpentine came off really well, which is something we’ve been working on. I’ve found the Festival really fun and everyone is so friendly and cheerful. It’s more relaxed than a normal show and more flexibile.”

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Novice winners Amy Wray and Sara had everyone’s feet tapping to their fun score, put together by Equivision.

The pair’s score featured the techno-disco beats of DJ Scott’s Sweet Dreams and included American Authors’ Best Day Of My Life as well as Kongos’ Come With Me Now.

Leeds University student Amy admitted her entrance and first centre line is her favourite part of the test.

“I wanted something upbeat and recognisable that people would know,” said Amy, who has enjoyed success in affiliated music classes with the mare.

“She’s quite lively and sharp, so I wanted something that would suit her.”

The combination received the highest mark out of all the freestyle classes, 75.28%.

As well as dressage, Amy also competes the mare at endurance and the pair enjoy hunting with the Readyfield Bloodhounds in the winter.

Prelim winners Kirstie Clarke and CDS Calzini (pictured, top) produced a fluid, active test to a John Williams compilation, with music from the Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean films.

The eye-catching chestnut gelding (CHB x Crack C), bred and owned by Janice Vallance, was rewarded with a mark of 74.44%.

This was the five-year-old gelding’s second ever show and both his owner and rider were delighted with how he coped.

“He was a bit tired but he’s so good and trainable,” said Kirstie, who trains with Hannah Doggett and Stephen Clarke.

“I had music written for another horse but Hannah designed floorplan — I had never ridden through it fully until today! It’s such good music to ride to and it’s easy to get into a good rhythm.

“The judge stopped me at the end and said how good he was.”

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Camilla Zanna and Luca 192 continued their winning streak at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage to claim victory in the first test of the Wow Saddles medium championship.

The pair scored 67.41% to lead, with today’s Wow Saddles elementary class winners Lesley Wheatley and Furst Lazlo in second on 66.03%.

Catherine Barnes and Vorame are close behind in third on 65.43%.

Camilla and Luca also won a medium warm-up class yesterday (Friday, 20 July), on a score of 66.67%.

“I can’t believe he has done it again,” smiled Camilla.

“He was a bit more tense today than yesterday — a bird scarer went off just as I asked for canter, but he still gave me some amazing work.

“My left half-pass is usually the one that lets us down a bit because he isn’t as supple that way, and today we got higher marks for that than the right hand side, so I was pleased.”

The 11-year-old gelding has made a remarkable comeback from illness and injury since Camilla bought him nearly six years ago.

He arrived with grade four ulcers and is accident prone, most recently cutting open his elbow after rolling on a stone, which required a spell in Rossdales Equine Hospital.

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Camilla added the judges’ comments this weekend have also been really helpful.

“I had three comments that said ‘needs more ground cover’, so that’s what I need to work on tomorrow,” she said.

“Everyone has been so friendly here [at the festival] — everyone talks to everyone and the atmosphere has been incredible.”

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Lauren Spradbury has taken a decisive lead in the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage Intro Championship.

Lauren and the four-year-old mare Wild Rose scored 71.2% to win the first of their two championship tests.

Jade Churchman and Frenchfort Prince are in second on 67.72%, with Lilly Wright and Nipper in third on the same mark, but with lower collectives.

While Lauren has the clear lead, less than 4% separates second to 10th places.

The homebred mare (Sammy G Jo x Romantico Di Villagana) was backed in January and makes her competition debut at the H&H Festival of Dressage.

“She has taken everything in her stride,” said Lauren, from Black Cat Equestrian Centre at Sutton-on-Sea. “She’s really laid back.”

Lauren, who has three rides at the festival this weekend, added that the mare is “really easy” to train.

“I was really pleased with her whole test, she felt really confident and didn’t look at any of the banners, which was good, as this is only her first show” she said, adding the mare will soon be for sale.

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The pair are also among the leaders in the prelim championship, finishing third on a score of 71.98%.

Pat Clayton and Budsson took the prelim championship class win, with the highest score of the day (72.16%).

In second is novice winners Sarah Clarke and Hiawatha La Perle on 72.07%.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

A pony who was destined for the meat man is proving his worth between the whiteboards at his first ever dressage festival.

Charlotte Cooper bought the now 10-year-old registered Connemara gelding Kildromin Sir five years ago from a dealer after seeing an advert for him.

“I liked the pictures of him so went to see him, but he was nothing like what they put in the advert,” said Charlotte.

“They told me he was great to hack but I rode him up the road and he started rearing and spinning. He’d never had a rug on before and hadn’t been in a trailer. He was also covered in cuts because he’d been turned out with about 100 others.

“They told me that if he wasn’t sold he’d go to the meat man, so I bought him.”

“Finley” had been brought over from Ireland having been used as a hunt hireling and had lost confidence, but with patience and perseverance, he’s turned into a super pony.

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“When I put my foot in the stirrup to get on him, he’d panic and try and run off, so I had to spend ages getting him happy being mounted, and although he still has his moments, he’s much better now,” added Charlotte who works in a chip shop and grooms for dressage rider Anna Bostrand-Daly.

“He’s a fantastic hunter and we do working hunter classes when we’re not hunting with the West Norfolk Foxhounds. He was reserve champion working hunter pony at Equifest last year and will jump gates and ditches all day out hunting, but as soon as he sees a coloured pole or filler, his world falls apart. He can be quirky like that.

“I don’t normally do dressage, only at work when I’m riding Anna’s horses because I don’t have any facilities at home, but as this was so close and had music classes, I thought I’d give it a go.”

The pair is competing in the novice championship and freestyle to music classes at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

“The festival is really awesome and there’s a super feel to it,” smiled Charlotte. “Everyone is so friendly and chilled out and everything is easy to find. It’s very different to showing!”

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 3 August issue of the magazine.

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

Leaders in Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage’s Equestrian Surface Novice Championship have both overcome serious injuries to return to the competition arena.

Sarah Clarke and Hiawatha La Perle (“Hamlet”) scored 70.21% to claim the top spot in the first novice championship test.

The pair were the only combination to break the 70% barrier, with Adelle Brabham and Astro lying in second on 68.65% and Kate Ward with Fabrio in third on 68.44%.

Former figure skater Sarah was diagnosed with a spinal fracture last year, dating back to her teens.

“I had lower back pain and didn’t realise at the time it was due to stress fractures,” said Sarah.

“I got it checked out this year and was diagnosed with an unstable fracture of the lower spine.

“That was pretty devastating as Hamlet had just come back into work following his problems.”

Hamlet was diagnosed with a bone cyst in his elbow, which required extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

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The pair also scored 72.07% in the prelim championship and Sarah added she was quite emotional after her tests.

“He got cast a couple of weeks ago and I have been working on loosening him up with the help of physio and Epiony Heat Pads,” said Sarah, adding this is the horse’s first big championship show.

“He felt super — he was with me 100% and was really chilled.”

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

After racing unsuccessfully as a two- and three-year-old, thoroughbred mare Lucy Minaj was put up for sale by her trainer and quickly snapped up by Kings Lynn-based rider Angela Bishop.

“Her trainer said they never found a distance that suited her, which really means she wasn’t any good,” laughed music teacher Angela. “I don’t think she enjoyed it — she switches off very easily and although she’s a thoroughbred, I think there’s some mule in there too as she can be very opinionated.”

Angela took her time retraining the mare and not long after she had started riding her, disaster struck.

“We think she fell in her stable and chipped her hipbone which is floating somewhere in her body lodged in a muscle somewhere,” explained Angela. “My vet couldn’t find what was wrong so Lucy went to Rossdales and had lots of scans and eventually they identified that she’d broken her hip.”

The mare did a stint on box rest before the time came for her to be walked out in-hand.

“After she spent the entire time on her back legs the first time I attempted hand-walking, I made a small pen for her on the yard and she went in that while I mucked out until she was strong enough for me to get on her.

“I brought her back into work gently and she has been fine ever since. If you look at her from behind you can see the rump has dropped on that side, but she’s level in her movement. She still needs to develop strength to help her balance, but she’s getting there slowly.”

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The pair now enjoy dressage, hacking and a little jumping, and competed at the Horse&Hound Festival of Dressage in the novice and elementary championship classes.

“I’ve had such fun with her — we’ve qualified for the Hickstead Masters three times now and she’s qualified for the Trailblazers championships at elementary too,” added Angela. “She also loves hacking out and we do a little bit of jumping.

“The Horse&Hound Festival of Dressage is such a great idea. The atmosphere is great and I love that anyone can come and have a go. It’s been lovely staying over and enjoying the evening entertainment. It’s also been handy having Spillers here with their weighbridge because Lucy loses weight over the winter but thankfully has put two kilos back on.”

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 3 August issue of the magazine.

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

Jade Pascoe and Winwood came within a whisker of breaking the 70% barrier to win the elementary warm-up class at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

The pair (pictured, top) scored 69.83% to finish in pole position of the nine-strong class, held on the first day of the festival at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire (20-22 July).

Less than 0.4% separated second and third places in the tight-fought section. Amy Wray and Sara claimed the runner-up spot on 68.62%, with Kate Ward and Fabrio close behind on 68.28%.

Meanwhile, medium 69 warm-up class winner Luca 192 has overcome illness and injury to return to the competition arena.

The 11-year-old gelding was partnered by owner Camilla Zanna to victory on a score of 66.67% in the medium 69 warm-up class on the first day of the festival.

“He felt good [in his test today] and gave me some nice work,” said Camilla.

“He had grade four ulcers when he arrived — he nearly died — so every time we go out and compete is such an achievement.

“He also opened up his elbow three weeks ago and was taken to Rossdales Equine Hospital.”

The horse had rolled on a stone, opening up a 2cm-deep gash on his elbow, which needed flushing.

Thanks to the care from vets and rehabilitation at home, the horse is back competing.

Camilla, who works for supplement company Premier Performance CZ, also credited the company’s products for helping support the horse’s wellbeing.

“This weekend is all about the experience,” she said. “He is very cheeky and loving — he loves attention and being with people.”

The medium 61 warm-up class was won by Lesley Wheatley and Furst Lazlo on a score of 67.59%.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Hollie Pilling made a strong start to her Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage campaign with wins in both novice classes.

Today (Friday, 20 July) was the warm-up day of the festival, held at Sheepgate in Lincolnshire, with the championship classes held over Saturday and Sunday.

Cambridgeshire-based Hollie and her gelding Impulse (pictured, top) were default winners in the novice 24, scoring 66.52%, before bettering their mark by almost four percent to win the 14-strong novice 23 on 70.21%.

“I’ve never competed here before and my mare is quite green, so it was nice to have a good round,” said Hollie, who bought “Charlie” two years ago.

“I had lost my confidence [before I bought him] and we have just gone from strength to strength and really built my confidence back up.”

As well as riding, Hollie also runs a consultancy business for Cloud FM and is mum to five-year-old Emilia.

“It’s nice to prove that you can do it all — be a mum, have a full-time job, compete and have fun,” she added.

Twelve-year-old Megan Field and her 13hh pony Roseview Phoenix proved size is no obstacle, claiming first place in prelim 12 and second in prelim 17.

“He can be a bit cheeky sometimes, but he is really good fun — he loves jumping as well,” said Megan, adding he is a “nice person to be around”.

The pair, who are contesting the prelim championship, are members of the Warwickshire Hunt branch of the Pony Club and recently qualified for the intermediate dressage championships.

Julia Bullock and Plain Sailing were victorious in prelim 17, on their first attempt at a long arena test.

Tessa Nelson and her special homebred Blinkbonny Wild Child (“Twiggy”) topped intro C on a score of 69.13%.

“She’s amazing,” said Tessa, who works for Royal Mail. “She’s like a sponge in that she just wants to learn.

“The surfaces here are amazing to ride on — it is like riding on a magic carpet.”

The four-year-old mare is out of a 14.2hh working hunter pony, previously ridden by Tessa’s daughter, and by the coloured warmblood stallion Armour G.

“When she was born, she had one ear up and one down — luckily it straightened out,” she added.

“From day one we thought she was quite special — I just want to enjoy her. I rang the lady who helps me straight after our tests and said, ‘Lesley, she feels amazing’, and to then find out she had won on a decent score [was wonderful].”

Bert Sheffield was delighted with the performance of her nine-year-old mare Wonky, who first and second place in intro A and C respectively.

“This is the first time I have done a competition on her outside, so it was really good experience for her,” said the Canadian para rider.

The championship tests are run over two days at Sheepgate Equestrian Centre in Lincolnshire.

Competitors rode their first test on Saturday (21 July) and their second on Sunday (22 July). The winners are decided on a combination of percentages from both tests, with a host of prizes, including a Catago FIR-tech healing rug worth £200 for winners and rosettes to tenth place.

Don’t miss the latest news and updates on the H&H Festival of Dressage on the Horse & Hound website and social media channels, plus a full report in the 26 July issue of the magazine.

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

Entries for the inaugural Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage close TODAY (13 July), so don’t miss out — get your entry in today. This exciting three-day showcase (20-22 July) is the ultimate unaffiliated dressage show and will be held at Sheepgate Equestrian in Lincolnshire

I’m not sure I’m ready…

There is no qualification process for the H&H Festival of Dressage — it is open to all riders with classes from intro level up to medium.

Plus, it is all about having FUN, and you don’t need to just take our word for it — the proof is in the pudding. The second running of the H&H Festival of Eventing was held successfully in May and we received glowing feedback from competitors.

What if I don’t know anyone else going?

No problem, this is the perfect time to make new friends and with plenty of downtime in between classes, it is an ideal place for getting to know new people — whether it is at the stables, while camping or at the drinks party.

“I’ve been in attendance every day of both of the previous H&H stay-away shows we’ve put on and the atmosphere has been fantastic,” said H&H marketing manager Nicola McClure.

“It is brilliant getting to meet the readers and their horses, and hearing their stories. It’s as much a social event as a riding competition, with welcome drinks on the Friday night, a hog roast on the Saturday and plenty of time to support new friends, spectate and shop.”

I don’t understand the competition format…

The show takes place over three days, with optional warm-up classes available on each day. The championship classes take place on the Saturday (21 July) and Sunday (22 July), plus optional music classes will run on the Saturday evening.

For the main championship competition, your entry fee includes a test at your level on the Saturday and the Sunday, with the combined results determining the overall champion.

What else should I expect?

Our H&H reporters will be on-site each day and will be on the search for great stories to feature both in Horse & Hound magazine and online. We have welcome drinks on the Friday night and a hog roast on the Saturday evening, plus on-site cafe at Sheepgate will be open.

Our brilliant sponsors, Equestrian Surfaces, WOW Saddles and Spillers, will be there to chat to as well, plus the Sheepgate Tack & Togs shop will be open throughout the show for both last-minute essentials and special treats.

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Where can I find out more and enter?

You can download a pdf here or view the classes on Equo

Entries are open via Equo and close TODAY (Friday 13 July).

If you are having any problems making your entry, just let us know at: equo.events@timeinc.com

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

It’s coming home? Does it matter — we’re off to Sheepgate!

To celebrate World Cup Wednesday, if you enter any warm-up or dressage to music class at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage while the England football game is on tonight (Wednesday 11 July from 7pm until 9pm), you can benefit from a very special limited time extra low entry fee.

Warm-up classes will be just £11.25 and dressage to music classes only £15 — a whooping 25% discount.

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is open to all and takes place at Sheepgate Equestrian in Lincolnshire, 20 — 22 July.

You wouldn’t necessarily imagine Horse & Hound getting caught up in World Cup fever — well, not the football variety anyway… But it’s hard not to be when the words “it’s coming home” are never far from earshot.

They say if you can’t beat them, join them, so we’ve simply replaced the mantra “it’s coming home” with “we’re off to Sheepgate” for the highly anticipated Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage.

We have classes from intro to medium levels to choose from and the event begins on Friday 20 July with an optional day of warm-up classes, which is your chance to have a run through in the arena before the main event takes place across the weekend.

Don’t worry though if you can’t arrive in time to take part in a warm-up class on Friday, as there are further warm-up classes to enter on the Saturday and Sunday, the days the championship classes run.

Your championship entry includes entry to two classes at your chosen level — one championship class on the Saturday and the other on the Sunday. The overall combined result of both tests determines the champion at each level.

If dressage to music is more your thing, we’ve got you covered with music classes from prelim to medium taking place late Saturday afternoon and early evening.

If you’ve not been to a Horse & Hound event before, we should tell you it isn’t just a riding competition. There are plenty of opportunities for you to socialise with like-minded riders at a drinks reception on Friday night and a hog roast on Saturday evening, plus the chance to meet our sponsors for advice on saddle fitting, arena surfaces, nutritional advice and rider alignment.

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What are you waiting for? Make the most of World Cup Wednesday with this limited time offer, which will be applied to the Equo entry during the England match tonight.

Hurry this is a VERY limited time offer and is only available during the England vs. Croatia game on Wednesday 11 July 2018.

Make your entry here www.equoevents.co.uk

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

Riding in a long dressage arena (20m x 60m) for the first time can be a daunting prospect. In fact, there is nothing to fret about and H&H is on hand to offer you some useful tips.

If you’re hoping to compete in a long arena dressage test soon, look no further than the H&H Festival of Dressage, taking place at Sheepgate (20-22 July). All the tests, except intro, will take place in 20m x 60m arenas — to include prelim, novice, elementary and medium.

Time to think

Instead of viewing long arenas in a negative light, think of them as actually giving you more space and time in which to ride your test. Ultimately, you have more time to think about your next movement, which is a good thing and should make it easier.

Breathe, look up and don’t rush

Having more time does not mean you should rush your test. Yes, the centre line may feel like it goes on forever, but don’t go flat out down it like you are about to steam roll the judge’s box. Remember to breathe, look up and ride straight, then maintain your horse’s natural rhythm throughout the test — do not try to hurry if you feel like it is taking ages. Naturally, if you are used to a 20m x 40m arena it will feel like you are taking longer to get there, but try to relax.

Practice makes perfect

Ideally, you’d like to be able to practise your test in a long arena before your competition, so you can get used to it and the feeling. But, if you do not have access to such an arena, another option is to set one up in a field using your own markers.

Also, make sure you have practised each movement with precision and that you have a clear picture in your mind beforehand of how you want it to look. For example, make sure your circles are actually 20 metres and you don’t end up drifting too far down the arena.

Use the long sides

Use the long sides of the arena, plus the diagonals, to really show your horse off to the judge. Check your horse is listening to you by giving them a touch of leg through the corner, then think about riding forwards and uphill down the long side.

Don’t forget your corners

Like in any test, corners are really important. Ride into your corners and use them to set your horse up for the next movement, both by giving yourself more time and to get your horse’s hocks underneath him.

Remembering the test

The additional letters in a 20m x 60m arena are R, S, V and P on the outside, which is quite an easy order for remembering it, plus I and L down the centre line.

In terms of learning your dressage test, diagrams can be purchased from the Dressage Diagrams website. Some riders will prefer to see the test drawn out in front of them, in order to memorise it better.

Watch other riders

Once at the show, if your times allow, it may help to watch other competitors ride through the test you are doing, so you can visualise how the movements fit into the arena being used on the day.

Remember to enjoy it and SMILE!

Join us at the H&H Festival of Dressage

The H&H Festival of Dressage (20-22 July) is bei

ng held at Sheepgate Equestrian in Lincolshire on 20-22 July. Classes run from intro through to medium, with optional warm-up and music classes throughout the show. There is excellent prize money up for grabs and winners will take home commemorative rugs as well as other fabulous prizes. Entries close Friday, 13 July so enter now to ensure you can join in the fun.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, 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

Competitors at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage could be in with a chance of winning before they even enter the arena.

Time is running out to book a place at the new show, which will be held at Sheepgate from 20 to 22 July.

All riders who enter before 11.50pm on 1 July will also be entered into a prize draw to win one of five pairs of tickets to The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the BHS Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (24 to 29 July).

Riders who have already entered will also be included in the draw. Click here for full terms and conditions.

This year marks the first running of the H&H Festival of Dressage and riders do not need to qualify beforehand.

Classes will be held at intro, prelim, novice, elementary and medium. Combinations will perform two championship tests across the Saturday and Sunday, with the combined scores from both days determining the champion at each level.

Warm-up classes will run across all three days (Friday to Sunday) and there will be freestyle classes at prelim, novice, elementary and medium on the Saturday evening.

“I’ve been in attendance every day of both of the previous H&H stay-away shows we’ve put on and the atmosphere has been fantastic,” said H&H marketing manager Nicola McClure.

“It is brilliant getting to meet the readers and their horses, and hearing their stories. It’s as much a social event as a riding competition with welcome drinks on the Friday night, hog roast on the Saturday and plenty of time to support new friends, spectate and shop.

“If you’re still undecided whether you’re ready or not, I would encourage you to come along and give it a go, our previous events have had such a supportive atmosphere and are ideal for those riders looking to have a really fun weekend.”

Article continues below…

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There is still time to enter for the H&H Festival of Dressage. Here are some top tips for stay-away shows...

Calling all dressage divas! Horse & Hound has a championship challenge for you…

With championship classes from intro to medium, plus inspiring evening freestyles, the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage should be

9 reasons the Horse & Hound’s Festival of Dressage is a must-do show this season

Enter now for this brilliant three-day unaffiliated dressage show in July

There will be a total prize fund of around £1,000 per championship, including rugs for the winners, rosettes from first to 10th and prizes in kind.

Rosettes from first to sixth place will be awarded for the warm-up classes, as well as prizes sponsored by Sheepgate Tack & Togs, including gift vouchers or a range of prizes in kind.

In the music classes, rosettes will be given from first to sixth, plus prize money. There are also goody bags for all championship entrants on arrival.

Click here to visit Equo and enter today

(Note: there are three pages of classes, please click through the arrows to select your class)

In this week’s Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 28 June 2018, don’t miss our full report from the Hickstead Derby meeting, including all the showjumping and showing action, plus don’t miss our six-page report from Royal Ascot.

We also have a feature on the much discussed whip rules across the disciplines and in this week’s ‘Vet clinic’ we find out how to spot the signs of sand colic.

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

With both the H&H Festival of Dressage (20-22 July) just around the corner here are some great tips for getting the most out of your stay. It is not too late to enter this fantastic three-day unaffiliated show, so don't miss out on the opportunity to take part. Closing date for the dressage is 13 July — so enter now!

1. Bedding will be available to purchase on-site at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage, however, it is always a good idea to take extra bedding in your lorry too. After all, more clean bedding equals a cleaner horse.

2. Find an area where you are allowed to hand graze your horse and try to get them out of their stable as much as possible for a leg stretch, so they don’t stiffen up. If you have access to a massage rug, they are also great to help prevent stiffness in your horse.

3. Stay-away shows throw the best parties! There will be welcome drinks on the Friday night, followed by a barbecue on the Saturday evening at the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage. Get involved in the social side of things because it will really enhance your stay and, you never know, you might make some new lifelong friends.

4. Bandaging your horse with stable wraps overnight is a great way to give them added protection. It will also help prevent any stable stains appearing on their legs.

5. Attaching a piece of card to your horse’s stable door with your name and contact details on is also a great idea. It means you can be contacted at all times if there isa problem with your horse.

6. Taking a wheelbarrow instead of a skip for mucking out is much easier. Having a wheelbarrow with you while you’re away is also helpful when it comes to moving kit from your lorry to the stables.

7. Remember to take enough rugs to keep your horse warm at night when the temperature drops. Staying away in temporary stabling tends to be much cooler than the permanent stables your horse may be used to. A waterproof rug is also a good idea with the unpredictable British weather and, in the warmer weather, a fly rug is beneficial too.

8. Ask at the show office where you are allowed to exercise your horse, as there will probably be specially designated areas to do this. At dressage shows, like the H&H Festival of Dressage, there will also be a time slot for arena familiarisation, so do ask about when this will happen. Having the opportunity to get your horse used to the arena is great, and could make a difference to your performance in the competition.

9. The most important advice, however, is to have FUN. Stay-away shows are a great experience for both horse and rider, and are enjoyable, sociable days away with your horse. So don’t miss your chance to ride at this year’s Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage — enter now!

Entries are currently open for the H&H Festival of Dressage place your entries now

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

For the dressage aficionados among you, there is one show that should not be missed this summer — the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage taking place from 20 to 22 July

Not entered yet? Don’t panic, there’s still time and combinations do not need to qualify beforehand. Here’s why you cannot miss out…

It is open to all

This three-day unaffiliated event is absolutely open to everybody and there is no qualification process. Therefore, all riders can come along, have a go and, most importantly, have plenty of fun.

A top-class venue

Sheepgate Equestrian is a top-class venue located just north of Boston in Lincolnshire. It is a well-established, family run show centre with brilliant facilities. All the classes at the H&H Festival of Dressage will run on excellent all-weather surfaces. There are three outdoor competition arenas, plus an outdoor and indoor warm-up arena.

The Sheepgate Tack & Togs shop is also there should you need any last-minute bits and the Sheepgate Savoy will be open daily serving drinks, snacks and meals.

Magical prizes

Don’t miss out on the fab range of prizes, including a total prize-fund of approximately £1,000 per championship, including rosettes from first to 10^th, prizes in kind and winners’ rugs.

The warm-up classes will award rosettes from first to sixth, plus prizes sponsored by Sheepgate Tack & Togs, including gift vouchers or a range of prizes in kind from the large selection stocked by Tack & Togs.

In the music classes, rosettes will be given from first to sixth, plus prize money. There are also goody bags for all championship entrants on arrival.

A great party

The show is a great way to meet new people and socialise over three days. Welcome drinks will take place on Friday (20 July) and then there will be a hog roast on the Saturday evening alongside the music classes.

Give yourself a goal

For keen amateur riders, it can be hard work fitting horses around a busy work schedule — it takes motivation and dedication. Therefore, a clear goal is a great way to get through those early starts or getting soaked in the unpredictable British weather and the H&H Festival of Dressage is the perfect goal this summer to work towards. Why not work towards the prestige of being a Horse & Hound champion?

Catering for all levels

It doesn’t matter what level you are currently riding at because the H&H Festival of Dressage caters for all levels and is unaffiliated.

The championship classes are available to enter from intro to medium levels and these classes will be run over two days — the Saturday and Sunday.

The horse and rider with the highest combined scores from their test over those two days will be crowned champion at each level.

There will be warm-up classes on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus freestyle to music classes on the Saturday evening.

Appear in the pages of Horse & Hound

H&H reporters will be at the show throughout the three days and a full report will be going in the magazine the week after.

We will also be covering the show extensively online, with daily reports and other features, so our reporters will be on the look out for fun, interesting stories and can be found in the H&H hub.

Nutritional advice

Horse feed specialists Spillers will be on hand to give free nutritional advice for your horse, plus they will have a weighbridge on site.

WOW saddles sponsor the medium championship and Equestrian Surfaces sponsor the novice championship — both will have a tradestand at the event.

‘I had so much fun’

The proof is in the pudding that we can pull off a great event, with plenty of H&H magic thrown in.

The second running of the H&H Festival of Eventing was held in May and received glowing feedback from competitors.

“I learnt to ride in my late 30s and bought ‘Barny’ two years ago. I went to the last year’s H&H Festival of Eventing and returned again this year because I had so much fun,” says competitor John Spear, a yacht rigger who also does leatherwork and made Barny’s bridle.

“Each time, I camp for the three days and there is always a great atmosphere, everyone talks to each other.

“Unfortunately, my horse is not keen on water so I haven’t completed the cross-country but I am returning next year and am determined to get round. However, for me it is all about having fun and we both enjoyed it so much. It was great that we were allowed to do the showjumping on the final day and finish on a good note,” he added.

“The H&H Festival of Eventing had much more of an atmosphere compared to the local shows I am used to and it gave me something to focus on. I had never done a three-day competition before last year’s event but everyone was so helpful and made it easy for me.”

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is being held at Sheepgate Equestrian, Lincs, from 20 to 22 July, with classes from intro to medium levels.

To read the full schedule: click here

To enter click here

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

IF you’ve always dreamt of competing at a dressage championship, look no further than the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage, the new three-day unaffiliated championship with classes from intro level up to medium.

This exciting inaugural event, to be held on 20-22 July at popular Lincolnshire venue Sheepgate Equestrian, could be the ideal championship for you and your horse to target this summer, whether you’re keen to experience the buzz of a championship, or looking for the perfect opportunity to step up a level with your horse.

With a prize fund of approximately £1,000 per championship, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes — plus prize money — and all classes taking place on an array of superb all-weather arenas with indoor warm-up facilities, you can be sure that this is a championship worth aiming for.

What’s more, this could be your chance to appear in the pages of Horse & Hound — the show will receive detailed coverage both in the magazine and online, with all champions interviewed by Horse & Hound reporters.

“A large percentage of Horse & Hound’s readers are successful, keen amateur riders. We know from experience how much anyone who fits that description needs clear goals to maintain focus and motivation. After all, it’s not easy getting up at 5:30am every day before work to keep your horse fit and progressing,” says Sarah Jenkins, Horse & Hound content director.

“Readers and their trainers told us how much they and their clients would value a Horse & Hound championship — somewhere they could aim for to offer a great stay-away show experience with the prestige of becoming a Horse & Hound champion, plus great prizes.”

Championship dressage — and so much more

Combinations at each of the five levels on offer will perform two championship tests across the Saturday and Sunday, with the combined scores from both days determining the champion at each level. Additional warm-up classes will run across all three days, and competitors are also invited to enter freestyle classes on the Saturday evening at prelim, novice, elementary and medium.

But it’s not just about the dressage — with a drinks reception on the Friday, a complimentary hog roast on the Saturday night, and further evening entertainment, you can enjoy the excitement and buzzing social atmosphere that only comes with a stay-away championship.

Permanent and temporary stabling will be available to keep your horse comfortable, and the Sheepgate Tack & Togs shop, featuring top brands including Ariat, Pikeur, Cavallo and Dubarry, will provide ample opportunity for retail therapy — or just the chance to pick up any extra essentials.

Every horse and rider needs a target to aim for — why not make yours the 2018 Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage?

Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage: all you need to know

WHERE: Sheepgate Equestrian, Sheepgate Nursery, Leverton, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 0AS. Sheepgate.co.uk

WHEN: 20-22 July 2018

LEVELS: championships at intro, prelim, novice, elementary and medium. Additional freestyle classes at prelim to medium levels

ENTRIES: enter online at Equoevents.co.uk/HHDressagefestival. Entries close on 13 July, or when classes are full. No refunds after close of entries.

FEES: £70 per championship to include tests on both days. £20 per freestyle entry, £15 per warm-up class

STABLING: Limited permanent stables available at £40 per night. Temporary stables available at £35 for one night or £70 for the duration of the show.

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

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

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 and Sheepgate Equestrian are thrilled to announce that the Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is to run for the first time this summer.

The three-day unaffiliated competition will take place at the Lincolnshire venue from 20 to 22 July.

The exciting event features championship classes from intro to medium level, as well as warm-up and evening freestyle competitions, and a prize fund of about £1,000 per level, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes.

H&H content director Sarah Jenkins said: “A large percentage of Horse & Hound readers are successful, keen amateur riders.

“Readers and their trainers told us how much they and their clients would value a Horse & Hound dressage event — somewhere they could go and expect everything they would take for granted at an affiliated competition in terms of facilities and judges, plus great prizes; Horse & Hound rug, anyone? — and of course coverage in H&H’s magazine, website and social media channels.”

The launch of the event follows the success of last year’s inaugural H&H eventing festival at Keysoe, which returns this May.

“Having spent five years as dressage editor at H&H, this is one I’m particularly excited about,” Sarah said.

“I’ve spent a great many hours at dressage championships and know that the crowds are passionate, knowledgeable and have high expectations — of themselves and others.

“I’m looking forward to bringing those dressage aficionados this new event, with a bit of H&H magic thrown in. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Combinations at each level will take part in classes on the Saturday and Sunday, the combined scores from which will determine each championship. The extra warm-up classes will run on all three days, with the freestyles on the Saturday evening.

And as well as the dressage, competitors are invited to a drinks reception on the Friday, a hog roast on the Saturday and more evening entertainment, giving all the buzz of a stay-away championship.

“We run great shows here and H&H is the magazine; let’s put the best magazine with the best shows and see what we get!” said Sheepgate owner Sarah Payne.

“If you want a well-run show, with great facilities, without feeling pressurised – I think with dressage, we can sometimes take it too seriously – you can come and have a great time at Sheepgate.

Meet Horse & Hound Grassroots Eventing Championship contender Laura Szuca

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“Our motto is ‘Well worth the journey’, and we stand by that.”

For more information, visit the H&H Festival of Dressage page.

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

The perfect dressage warm-up can make or break your test — check out the expert advice from Michael Klimke and Ulf Möller at this year’s British Dressage National Convention (25-26 November 2017) to put yourself at an advantage before you’ve even entered the arena.

1. “Most tests are won on the warm-up,” says renowned German rider and trainer Michael Klimke. “The training is one side of dressage but it’s a sport after all, and when you’re at a competition you are there to put on a show. The judge isn’t judging your feeling — they’re judging what you present to them, and the warm-up is key to be able to prepare the horse to present his best in the arena.”

2. “Ride the same warm-up at a show as you do at home,” advises trainer and young horse specialist Ulf Möller. “It gives a horse security and confidence at a competition by using the same lines and exercises as he is used to at home.”

3 “Get to know your horse and what he needs,” says Ulf, adding that a hot horse might need riding twice, even if he is just stretched the first time, then worked in for only a short time before the test. A lazy horse, on the other hand, may need one longer session to get him ‘hot’ enough to perform at his best.

4. “If you have a hot horse running away with you, don’t do what many people do and take your legs off,” cautions Ulf. “Instead, remove your spurs and put your legs on, in order to give them confidence. If you don’t use your legs, the horse becomes unsure.”

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5. “Doing something the first time is often the best time — don’t ride three grands prix before you go in!” says Ulf, with Michael adding: “It’s a sign that the rider is insecure and nervous before a test, when they try to train everything in the warm-up. The horse won’t learn anything new in the warm-up, so instead, just focus on trying to get the right feeling and throughness.”

6. “The last five minutes before going into the arena are very important,” says Michael, who recommends working out exactly how strong a leg aid you need to be giving by sending the horse forwards for a few strides, then bringing him back for a few strides, and sending him on again, just before entering the arena.

Why you won’t want to miss the H&H Festival of Dressage…

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is a three-day unaffiliated competition featuring championship classes from intro to medium level, as well as warm-up and evening freestyle competitions. It is being held at Sheepgate Equestrian, Lincs on 20-22 July. There will be a prize fund of about £1,000 per level, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes. And as well as the dressage, competitors are invited to a drinks reception on the Friday, a hog roast on the Saturday and more evening entertainment, giving all the buzz of a stay-away championship. Find out more >>

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out 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 his latest book 'The Cobs Can! Workbook', Omar Rabia looks at progressive training exercises designed specifically for cobs. Here, ridden piaffe is introduced

There seems to have been a huge increase in the number of cobs, natives and heavy horses being given more comprehensive schooling, and appearing in classical equitation as well as competitive dressage classes — which means more ‘everyday’ riders are enjoying schooling their supposedly ‘humble’ mounts to a higher level as a result.

Reaching the pinnacle

Getting to this point is a real achievement. Well done! Piaffe is often seen as the hallmark of classical riding and certainly, by some, as the pinnacle of our sport. For a cob to get to this level is an even greater achievement.

Prerequisites

Piaffe is a prime example of a movement that only becomes possible once the foundations have been laid by correct, progressive work in other areas. The key prerequisites can be summarized as follows:

Cob’s prerequisites

While it is essential that the basics of correct bend and way of going are established, it is not essential to have all the lateral exercises fully developed before beginning work on the ridden piaffe. It can, rather, be started alongside this lateral work. Much of the work towards piaffe is already happening within our transitions from rein-back anyway. Half-steps of piaffe should have become established in-hand as well. What must be remembered, however, is that the piaffe should, and indeed must, be developed slowly over months and years rather than days and weeks.

Rider’s prerequisites

Your posture and position must be close to correct, with an upright pelvis that does not tip to one side or another. You should be able to maintain a steady, correct contact without pulling back or dropping the contact and therefore ‘deserting’ your cob. You should be well versed in the exercises of the rein-back and the correct aiding of that movement.

Sequence of development

As mentioned above, the piaffe work has already been started. The reinback forms the foundation for the piaffe and, coupled with the transitions from rein-back into trot, the main method of bringing about this highly collected trot on the spot is already being consolidated. The key now is gradually, over weeks and months, to shorten the trot out of the rein-back. By doing this slowly, you maintain energy and lively impulsion while making the steps shorter and shorter. This is a long process that should not be rushed.

Think about it as a system of conditioning your cob’s muscles ready to perform a very difficult movement. After some weeks of shortening the trot out of the rein-back, you will need to restrain as much forward impetus as possible out of the rein-back.

Though piaffe must maintain a ‘forward’ feeling, you need to feel as though you have reduced the actual forward step to little more than 15cm per step – some riders indeed feel as though they have asked their cob to remain almost on the spot. This is done with your seat as well as your contact. At the moment of riding forwards out of the reinback, your shoulders should come back to upright, but your lower legs need to stay back slightly, though not as far back as for the rein-back.

As you restrain your cob’s forward movement you will need to urge him to bounce up into a diagonal rhythm. When you feel that first ‘bounce’ of the initial piaffe, stop and reward your cob and release him forward. Do not practise this too much in one session; rather build it up little and often.

Once he is working in that diagonal movement easily for that initial bounce, ask for a few more steps, increasing just one step at a time. Keep your upper body feeling light and lofty as this will help get your cob up off his shoulders for the piaffe. When your cob is stepping diagonally, maintain that ‘forward’ feeling as mentioned above, but keep the stride ‘closed’ so that each step remains about 15cm in length.

This closed stride, while maintaining the forward attitude, keeps the strides developing towards a piaffe rather than leaking out towards a collected trot.

If your cob finds this ridden progression too difficult, go back to in-hand work and use this as a basis for establishing the ‘bounce’ ridden. Either have someone helping from the ground, or alternatively use the whip in the way your cob recognizes from the in-hand work in your ridden work. Again, build up slowly. One or two good steps are better than many incorrect or rushed ones.

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In time, you can start to ask for the diagonal steps from a shortened collected walk. To attain collected walk, your seat needs to ‘contain’ the walk a little more: your seat muscles close a little more at each stride to keep the walk steps short. You will feel as though you are rising through your diaphragm (without hollowing your back), using your body to raise your cob’s centre of balance. Your hands maintain a lively bubbly contact, which has shortened a little, with slightly higher hand-carriage, asking gently for a more advanced collected outline.

Your legs must, of course, maintain a lively impulsion despite the steps becoming shorter and shorter.

To move from collected walk into the diagonal steps of piaffe, you simply adopt your piaffe position and aiding, and pulse with your legs until the diagonal steps emerge.

Soon, you should be able to do this from a shoulder-in positioning, as this will not only put your cob into a ‘sitting’ position and lighten his shoulders further, but it will also keep his quarters under control. Again, for each of these steps, reward your cob as soon as you get what you want and remember to practise this on both reins and in different areas in the school.

Soon, transitions from the diagonal half-steps of piaffe to the trot will help give the piaffe energy and keep it bubbling and popping like champagne. Ride two or three steps of piaffe before releasing the energy forward and trotting on.

Again, build up these steps until you can ride four or five before releasing the piaffe forward into the trot.

If your cob gets strong in your hand, go back to the rein-back, walk, rein-back transitions until he softens and his steps become more contained.

If he rushes off in trot out of the rein-back, add some shortened walk steps and build up the diagonal piaffe steps from there. If the initial bouncy piaffe steps peter out, ride every piaffe out into an energetic trot so your cob knows that energy is always a requirement. If his poll is carried low, lift both hands, expecting him to lift his head, and allow the piaffe steps to go a little more forward for a step or two.

Although it is uncommon, some cobs will try to go hollow, in which case repeat your walk, rein-back, walk transitions with a focus on the round, soft outline before asking again for those diagonal steps.

As long as your cob does not show any of the faults mentioned above, you could start at this point to ‘sit’ him more on the spot for two or three steps before allowing the piaffe to cover a little ground again. At this stage, make sure he does not drop his poll or lose energy.

If he does, following the advice given above should help.

Initially, the aiding of the legs will be slightly behind the girth, pulsing and energizing, urging your cob forward. Later on, as he becomes more conversant with the exercise, your lower legs begin to work alternately with the swing from side to side: as his hip drops and his belly swings away, your lower leg pulses and energizes.

Having said that, you should not feel that you are putting lots of effort into the alternating pattern – rather your cob will allow it to happen naturally with the undulations of his body. Of course, he will only do this if he is truly forward and energetic without needing to be worked hard by you.

When you feel as though your cob works himself off alternating legs, you can be sure his piaffe is developing well.

Why you won’t want to miss the H&H Festival of Dressage…

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is a three-day unaffiliated competition featuring championship classes from intro to medium level, as well as warm-up and evening freestyle competitions. It is being held at Sheepgate Equestrian, Lincs on 20-22 July. There will be a prize fund of about £1,000 per level, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes. And as well as the dressage, competitors are invited to a drinks reception on the Friday, a hog roast on the Saturday and more evening entertainment, giving all the buzz of a stay-away championship. Find out more >>

The Cobs’ Can! Workbook by Omar Rabia is published by J A Allen, imprint of The Crowood Press (ISBN 978190880930)

Price:£22.50

Visit: crowood.com

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

Do you struggle to get your horse working as well at a competition as he does at home? That effortless, relaxed feeling you know they are capable of can be mirrored in the dressage arena — you just have to hone your warm up routine.

Leading dressage rider Andrew Gould uses a tried and tested formula that gets results. Here are his top tips for creating your own effective warm-up plan, too.

1. Work as you would at home

“How you warm up shouldn’t really change from what you do at home,” advises Andrew. “But at an event you get caught up with people watching, other riders working around you and the pressure to perform. As a result, you change what you are doing and ride differently.”

Settling into a familiar pattern will help your horse — and you — relax and focus.

“The key is to keep what you’re doing along the same lines, as though you are at home.”

2. Know your horse

If your horse does his best work after 15 minutes of working in at home, use this as a guideline for how long to warm up at an event.

“Some horses are affected by the atmosphere and what’s going on around them, but even in that scenario less can be more,” says Andrew.

“Use smaller events to test warm-up times. You might get it wrong and do too little the first time, and then too much the next. Eventually you will find the right point and it will be beneficial in the long run.”

3. Consider a double warm-up

Horses that need more work might benefit from two or more shorter sessions, rather than a long warm-up immediately before the test.

“Older and more experienced horses will be better off going for a hack in the morning so that they can have a stretch and take in their surroundings without any pressure,” says Andrew. “Then they come out before the test and do a short warm-up that closely matches what you do at home.”

Continued below…

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4. Don’t overdo it

Like humans, horses start to ache, too. Therefore it is not productive to spend 30 minutes trotting and cantering a horse in a test outline, because by the time they enter the arena they will be tired.

“I see a lot of people riding their horses in a high, test outline in the warm-up,” says Andrew. “By the time they get into the arena the horse is shattered and trying to go on its forehand.

“Know the moment your horse is ready to come up into self-carriage and work backwards from that. I bring some of my horses up to the contact when the bell goes, but others will do this 10 minutes before.”

5. Is he forward or excited?

It is easy to think that a tense or excitable horse is working forward when he isn’t.

“A hot horse isn’t the same as a forward-thinking one,” explains Andrew. “The latter accepts the aids and that is vital. If a horse is so hot that you can’t touch it with your leg, it’s not thinking forward and you can’t ride a good test.”

6. Think three movements ahead

“You should know the test so well that you don’t have to think about it in the arena,” adds Andrew. “If you’re thinking about where to turn next you can’t ride boldly and forward, and that will cost marks.”

Andrew recommends being three movements ahead in your mind the whole way through the test.

“Snooker players line up three balls they want to pop and dressage is the same. Each movement sets up the next, so you must plan ahead.”

Why you won’t want to miss the H&H Festival of Dressage…

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is a three-day unaffiliated competition featuring championship classes from intro to medium level, as well as warm-up and evening freestyle competitions. It is being held at Sheepgate Equestrian, Lincs on 20-22 July. There will be a prize fund of about £1,000 per level, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes. And as well as the dressage, competitors are invited to a drinks reception on the Friday, a hog roast on the Saturday and more evening entertainment, giving all the buzz of a stay-away championship. Find out more >>

Don’t miss this week’s dressage special issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 March 2017), including our exclusive interview with Isabell Werth

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

It is often the little mistakes that mean riders are giving away marks in dressage tests. H&H asks three dressage judges for their top three mark-losers and pet hates in the arena

Peter Dove

Peter Dove, of East Soley Equestrian Centre, Berkshire, has judged over 15,000 unaffiliated tests and practice judges for BD in preparation for upgrading to a BD listed judge. So passionate is he about helping riders avoid mistakes and improve their dressage scores, he wrote a book, Master Dressage, on this very topic.

Peter’s top three common mistakes are:

• When turning up the centre line, starting too close to the marker, causing the horse to look unbalanced and often overshooting the centre line.
• Poor circle shapes, which cause horses to have non-uniform bend, and corners that make a horse look unbalanced on changes of rein across the diagonals. For example, for FXH the rider starts turning before they get to F (‘winging’ around corner) and then don’t ride to the track at H, which makes the horse look less balanced.
• Poor performance of the ‘give and retake’ — “Riders need to look it up in the rule book as it gives the correct description; there are often a huge range of variations on this.”

Pet hate

Riders performing circles, turns etc with too much inside bend. “They are riding the horse around with them leaning on the outside shoulder, inherently unbalanced believing they have ‘bend’. Many riders have far too much bend for the size of the circle they are performing.”

Alexander Gingell

Suffolk-based former international eventer Alexander Gingell is a List 4 BD judge, and combines judging commitments with training plus running equine supplements business Hack Up with his wife, Jayne.

Alexander’s top three common mistakes are:

• Riders going the wrong way in tests, sometimes more than once. “It’s mainly nerves, with riders focussing so hard on getting the horse to go right, they lose their way. Get a caller if this is happening.”
• Lack of accuracy on circles and loops, which indicate the rider hasn’t measured what a 15m or 5m circle looks like at home. Riding half a 15m loop as closer to half a 20m loop means the next movement (counter canter) is that much harder, affecting your mark for that as well.
• Poor preparation for transitions, so that instead of riding the transition at the marker, the rider begins to ask for it at the marker, making it late.

Pet hate

Riders not seeking that engagement and forward desire from their horse. “I see riders just settling for an average trot or canter, instead of powering forwards and allowing their horse to show himself to the best of his ability.”

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

25 signs you’re an incurable dressage diva/divo

23 of the most embarrassing comments we’ve ever seen on a dressage sheet

Steph Cooper

Steph Cooper is a List 1 BD judge, as well as grand prix level dressage rider. Based in Nottinghamshire, Steph is also much in demand as a trainer. She says that while the type of errors vary, making mistakes happens across all levels.

Steph’s top three common mistakes are:

• At prelim and novice level, riders often ride with their reins too long which allows the horse to go in a deeper outline and on the forehand.
• Instead of having their horses balanced and submissive, riders tend to just let them go in medium trot, pushing them on so that they run. “There needs to be a clear difference in frame and stride. It is hard to bring horses back when they are running in medium trot, and this affects the clear transition back to working trot.”
• At higher levels, not creating sufficient engagement and suppleness through the back, for example through the use of half halts, to prepare for lateral work.

Pet hate

Riders letting their frustration and nerves get the better of them when they make a mistake. “They need to remember that there might be another 20 movements to be judged; just because that particular movement got a two or three, doesn’t mean the next one can’t be a seven or eight, for example.” As someone who used to show hunters, Steph is also a stickler for turnout: “Unless you’re riding a native, your horse should be plaited. It creates a good impression right from the moment the judge sees you — and we’re only human, after all!”

Why you won’t want to miss the H&H Festival of Dressage…

The Horse & Hound Festival of Dressage is a three-day unaffiliated competition featuring championship classes from intro to medium level, as well as warm-up and evening freestyle competitions. It is being held at Sheepgate Equestrian, Lincs on 20-22 July. There will be a prize fund of about £1,000 per level, including winners’ rugs and top-quality prizes. And as well as the dressage, competitors are invited to a drinks reception on the Friday, a hog roast on the Saturday and more evening entertainment, giving all the buzz of a stay-away championship. Find out more >>

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

Halt is more important than you might think. Riding a good, square halt is an easy way to boost your marks in dressage competition and shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s also worth bearing in mind that if your dressage test has a halt on the first centre line your ride, how you execute the movement will be the first impression the judge gets of your horse, and it can set the tone for the rest of the test.

Here’s 9 top tips to help you nail the halt every time.

1. Your horse needs to be submissive, willing and soft over his back and in front of your leg.

2. Help your horse by preparing for the halt. Ride two to three shorter, smaller trot steps in the approach to the halt, while maintaining sufficient energy. This will help him maintain his balance and give him the best possible chance of landing in a square halt.

3. Don’t ride too abruptly into the halt. This will unbalance your horse and give him little chance to land square. Give yourself and your horse time.

4. Think of riding forwards into the halt rather than backwards. Keep your horse between hand and leg. Use half-halt with your rein while keeping your leg on. This will help to keep your horse soft and round and stepping under with his hind-legs and prevent him from leaning on you.

5. If your horse swings his quarters left or right into the halt, think about riding with a little leg yield to try and avoid the quarters from moving.

6. Once you are in halt, stay there (immobility). Try not to fiddle around with the halt too much. Often riders can think their halt isn’t square enough when in actual fact it’s not too bad. Training your horse to remain still in the halt is vital.

7. If you struggle to ride a straight halt, set two poles out to ride and halt between, while remaining strict on yourself to try and make it happen instead of relying on the poles doing the work for you.

8. If your horse anticipates the halt at the start or end of a test, practising ride test and centre lines without it and work on improving your halt on the three-quarter line instead.

9. Your horse will learn to halt square by repeating the exercise over time. Never tell your horse off for not halting square. Make sure you praise and reward your horse when he does as you have asked.

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Are you fed up of your horse cutting the corners in your arena? Or do the judges’ comments on your dressage test sheets often include “could have used the corners more”?

Poorly executed corners cost marks and makes doing the next movement, such as turning at A or riding a transition, more difficult. To teach your horse — and yourself — not to cut them, list one dressage judge Sue Carson recommends the following exercise.

How to ride a good corner for dressage

• In trot, ride a square at one end of the arena, turning across the middle at E or B.
• Two strides before each corner, ask your horse to walk.
• Imagine the horse’s whiskers touching the wall so that you ride well into the corner, before turning and trotting out of it.

“Push the horse sideways with your inside leg so that he bends his body through the corner — think about pushing the quarters towards the outside of the arena,” says Sue.

• As the horse becomes confident and consistent, instead of walking, slow the trot into the corner. Gradually build up to a consistent trot rhythm on the whole square, making sure you don’t cut a single corner. If you do, enter the next one at walk.

“It’s important to ride every single corner the same. Spend however long it takes to programme the horse to do it — it might be two sessions, or it might take five or six,” advises Sue.

• The next stage is to ride medium trot on the sides and slow to a jog-trot through the corners.

“This makes the horse push from behind to go forward, but in a balanced and controlled way, so that he is ready to come back. It develops the medium trot for the future,” explains Sue.

• Finally, go large around the arena. You should feel a difference straight away, because, says Sue, the horse will be pushing more from behind and have improved strength and power in the pace.

As well as teaching horses to use the corners, this exercise is good for establishing balance and improving transitions.

“It engages horses and makes the rider think a bit quicker — but one bad corner will undo all your hard work,” concludes Sue.

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