Grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler returns to the UK after more than a year at Van Olst Horses, as she prepares to take the next step in her career and set up independently.

The Brit moved to the Dutch yard in October 2024 – where teammate Lottie Fry is also based – following 14 years with the Bechtolsheimers. Laura Butler enjoyed her biggest career highlights to date during that period, from being British team reserve on Rubin Al Asad at three major championships to winning the national title in 2018.

Reflecting on her time in the Netherlands, Lara said the experience had delivered exactly what she hoped for.

“It’s been really good. I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “It was all new to me, and I had to learn a completely different system from what I was used to.

“But I think the best things happen when you get pushed out of your comfort zone and get challenged.”

A major difference, she explained, was the volume of riding.

“For me, it was a lot more riding. I usually ride around 10 to 12 horses a day, so you have to be much more disciplined with your time,” she said.

“The range of horses is so big – from young to old, stronger to lighter ones – and you adapt so much more because of that.”

She added that being immersed in the environment at the Van Olsts’ had been another highlight.

“Being around the training environment, especially training with Lottie and Glamourdale, and being so close to all the international shows, soaking all that up has been amazing.

“I feel like I’ve got many more tools in my toolbox now. When I come back, I want to take the good bits from both the Bechtolsheimers and the Van Olsts and turn that into my own system.”

Family considerations also played a key role in Lara Butler’s decision to return to the UK.

“I think I’ve been in a bit of a bubble, because I’m in the stable and horse bubble,” she said.

“My husband has had to do the school runs and be the school dad, and my son’s been at an international school, so it’s been good for him to experience a different culture. But we’re happy to come home – we miss family and friends.”

She added that although the Netherlands is not far away geographically, the distance was still felt.

“It isn’t too far away, but it’s far enough that you still miss out on things.”

Lara Butler’s return to the UK: her immediate plans

Lara will return to Laura Tomlinson’s base in Tetbury – Cranmore Farm, which Horse & Hound recently visited for an Access All Areas feature – where she will be renting seven stables.

She has previously described her decision to leave the UK for the challenge in the Netherlands as “bittersweet”, and her return brings fresh challenges of its own, as Lara aims to build a new string of horses from scratch.

“It’ll be nice to be back in a familiar base, but out on my own this time,” she said. “I’m hoping to have some training liveries and some competition liveries.”

Lara is due to return in March, and the new stables are set to be up and running in April.

“I think I’m at a point where I’m ready for it, and I should give it a go now,” she said. “I’ve done everything I possibly can to make it work – so now I’ve just got to bite the bullet and do it.”

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British grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler is set to begin a new chapter in her career, departing from her long-time role with the Bechtolsheimers after 14 successful years.

As first reported by Eurodressage, Lara will be taking up a riding position in November with the team at Van Olst Horses in the Netherlands.

Lara told Horse & Hound that the move came after meeting Anne Van Olst at Aachen Dressage Days CDI3* in May, where Lara was competing at small tour with Amiek C (Ampere x Olivi).

“I’d said to her that we were running a smaller yard at the moment so I haven’t got that many to compete, and obviously the grand prix horse I was riding, Kristijan, retired at the end of last year,” Lara explained.

“She said ‘I’ve got loads of horses if you’d be interested’ and then I ummed and ahhed for months before I finally made the decision that now was the time to give it go while I’m still fit and able.”

Lara achieved her greatest career milestones while riding the Bechtolsheimers’ horses. Her breakthrough as a grand prix rider came aboard Andretti H, with whom she secured the reserve champion title at the 2012 National Championships.

With Rubin Al Asad, Lara served as the British team reserve for the 2016 Olympics, 2017 European Championships, and 2018 World Equestrian Games, and was crowned national champion in 2018.

Rubin Al Asad retired in 2021 at 19-years-old, and Lara continued her grand prix career with the Bechtolsheimers’ first home-bred Kristjan and the pair recorded 43 top-10 placings in their 48 international starts together.

Kristjan retired after the 2023 National Championships, aged 18, and since then Lara has been competing Amiek C – who’ll be moving to the Netherlands with Lara – at small-tour.

“That decision to leave was so hard,” Lara added, “they’re so lovely here and you almost feel like part of the family.

“I started here at 21, and now I’m 35 – I think! – so I’ve grown up here. One of the highlights was being able to have the ride on Rubin Al Asad, getting the chance to bring him up through the levels and experience the Olympics as a reserve was so special.

“All the horses were fantastic, but also the support Laura [Tomlinson] and I have been able to give each other as we’ve competed together, and gone in and out of pregnancies has set me up for life.

“It’s bittersweet, when I had to tell Laura the news I was crying, she was crying – they were happy tears, but it does feels like the end of an era.

“But we’ve said that we will always support each other and hopefully now we’ll be able to see each other out competing on the circuit – I know it’ll be nice to have that friendly face!”

Lara’s whole family will be moving out to the Netherlands, with her young son Jack starting at an international school nearby.

“He’s five so it’s a nice age for him to move and it not disrupt his life too much, so for him it could still be an adventure rather than an upheaval,” Lara said.

“But we’re all excited. I’ll get to ride a wider range of horses, gain more international experience, and hopefully, that might open the door to being on some teams in the future. I’m also looking forward to supporting Lottie [Fry] in the same way I’ve supported Laura here.”

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Kristjan, the British-bred international grand prix horse and top ride of Lara Butler, has retired from competition aged 18.

The Polarion gelding was the Bechtolsheimers’ (Ursula and the late Wilfried, parents of Laura Tomlinson) first home-bred, and Lara started competing him in 2012 when he was seven.

“I always really liked Kristjan, and I actually rode him on my trial day for the Bechtolsheimer’s when I went for my job interview in 2010,” Lara told H&H.

“He was very correctly trained, but even now he’s not your typical dressage horse. As a young horse he needed a lot of time to develop his body. He always had a very big character; he very much has that Trakehner side of him and we used to call him our ‘little devil’. He did quite a lot of bucking while we taught him changes, I used to dread those moments when Dr B would say, ‘Right, let’s do some changes’!”

Lara and Kristjan made their international debut at small tour level in 2017 at the Hartpury CDI3, which remains a memorable competition for Lara.

“I managed to beat Charlotte Dujardin on Hawtins Delicato in the [intermediate I] freestyle. I remember coming down to the prizegiving and they said ‘You’ve won’ and I said ‘Don’t be silly!’” said Lara.

“I borrowed old music of Laura’s, which was Jennifer Lopez, and it’s always been in everybody’s head since that that’s my music for him. It was a combination of songs but it was Let’s Get Loud for the start. He has that little swagger about him when he’s coming into the arena, and he loved it, he loved dancing.”

Lara and Kristjan continued to compete at top shows at home and abroad, including the London International, Aachen, Le Mans, and Hagen. In 2018 they won the intermediate II final at the British Dressage national championships, the year they stepped up to grand prix. In 2019 they were reserve national champions to Carl Hester and Nip Tuck.

“Kristjan is quite cheeky, but he’s very trainable and he loves working. He’s a show-off – sometimes not always in the right way – but he just loves to be the centre of attention, so in that respect he was perfect,” said Lara.

“He liked going into the ring and having all eyes on him. The smaller the crowd, the more he was like ‘Yeah, I’m not doing this’. Some of my best rides with him were at Aachen, because he just loved having all the attention on him, he thought that was fabulous.”

Another memorable moment was at the London International in 2021, where they were eighth in the grand prix and fifth in the freestyle.

“In the prizegiving I think I gave everyone quite a scare, we went round then as we went out he launched and everyone gasped, but I stayed on. I think all of my standout memories were of him just being a complete character!,” said Lara.

Lara and Kristjan recorded 43 top-10 placings in their 48 international starts. In September they were fifth in the grand prix at the BD national championships, and third in the freestyle, their final competition together, before Lara announced Kristjan’s retirement.

“He’s 18 and this was his fifth year at grand prix,” said Lara. “He’s helped me develop again as a rider, going from producing an average test to really riding every movement, and I’m so much more in the zone with what I need to do – and that was the main focus with him this year.

“We just thought he’s done a lot for us; he’s British-bred, he’s the Bs’ first home-bred, and he deserved to go out on a high. I said to our trainer Carl (Cuypers) before the nationals, that it should be Kristjan’s last outing, and it was like Kristjan knew. We did the grand prix and he was really good, then in the freestyle I couldn’t stop smiling during one of the last lines because for once we’d nailed our extended canter into piaffe – then I came out in an extended trot and I just looked at Carl and he was smiling. Lydia, who looks after Kristjan at home was there too, and we were all in tears after.”

Kristjan will be a schoolmaster for junior rider Sophie Wallace, who is based with Lara and Laura, over the winter, then enjoy his retirement in the field with Lara’s other former top horse Rubin Al Asad (Rufus), who retired in 2021.

“He’s going to leave a very big gap on the yard because we don’t really have anyone else with that amount of character,” said Lara.

“But I’m sure he’ll torment me and the others as we go hacking round the fields, and come running over with Rufus to set off whoever I’m riding.”

Lara said it feels “a bit like an end of an era” with both Rufus and Kristjan now retired.

“When Rufus retired I had Kristjan to focus on,” she said. “This very much feels like I’m starting a new era. I’ve got my newer horse, Amiek C who I brought out at grand prix earlier in the year, but he’s recovering from a bone bruise at the moment. I’ve also got a couple of five-year-olds and I’ll still help Laura with her string.

“It feels a little strange, but in a way it’s quite nice because it’s giving me a moment to reflect on the last few years. I feel like I can start again a little bit. I’ve got a young son, who’s just started school, so I can maybe have a little break from shows until next year and spend a bit more family time as well.”

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Want to get that winning edge between the boards? We find out the secrets behind top dressage riders’ successes

1. Gareth Hughes (above)

“Watch riders that you admire and have an image in your mind of how you want you and your horse to look. An impression in your mind helps when you are riding on your own, as it gives you something to work on. Learning ‘feel’ is also important as it means you can make corrections without someone having to tell you.”

2. Alice Oppenheimer

“Always take your time in the initial warm up phase to ensure that your horse is physically and mentally ready to work before you start the ‘work’ phase of your session. I like to feel that they are working in front of my leg and forwards to the contact before asking for anything more demanding.”

3. Dan Greenwood

“Make time to look at your horse and assess him properly every other week. Either get someone else to sit on so you can take a look and get some feedback, or lunge him. Is he moving freely and equally? Especially in the winter, it’s too easy to take rugs off, tack up and get on and go. You’ll then have a clear picture in your head of what your horse needs to work on.”

4. Isobel Wessels

“Improve the contact. As a judge, I see people lose marks because of the contact all the time. It’s something that affects every single movement and if you have the contact better, your horse will be nicer to ride and the picture will look more correct, earning you more marks. Spend some time during the winter months really improving the contact through lots of transitions, so that you have the horse really in front of you, taking the bridle from behind.”

5. Spencer Wilton

“At home, I spend a lot of time achieving the ‘perfect’ feeling underneath me, but at a show, a limited warm up time means it’s not always possible to create that feeling before you go in the ring. The art of good training is knowing how much time to spend on waiting for that perfect moment and teaching yourself and the horse what to do when the moment isn’t perfect. That way, you have all bases covered.”

6. Lara Butler

“Training a horse is like teaching a young child — they don’t know the difference between right and wrong, so it is our job to guide them in the right direction. Always make it fun for the horse and let them know you are pleased with what they are doing, as they will try a lot harder for you.”

7. Judy Harvey

“During the winter months, make allowances for the weather and any time off your horse might have. Don’t have too high expectations and expect your horse to get straight back to the stage you left off in your last session. He needs more time to supple up in the winter and expend any excess energy from being stabled more, so allow for this when you start a session.”

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

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The British entries for the dressage World Championships have been announced.

British Equestrian and the British Dressage selectors have revealed the eight horse and rider combinations on the list of nominated entries, from which the team of four that will compete in Herning, Denmark (5-14 August) will be chosen.

In alphabetical order by surname, the combinations are:

Richard Davison with 16-year-old gelding Bubblingh

Owner: Richard Davison and Gwendolyn Sontheim

Breeder: Richard Davison (GBR)

Breeding: by Lingh, out of Ballaseyr Royale/Matajo by Picandt

Charlotte Dujardin with nine-year-old gelding Imhotep

Owner: Carl Hester and Coral Ingham

Breeder: Tineke Huizing (NED)

Breeding: by Everdale, out of Della D’Ottie, by Vivaldi

Lottie Fry with 13-year-old stallion Everdale

Owner: Van Olst Horses

Breeder: Piet Kluytmans (NED)

Breeding: by Lord Leatherdale, out of Aliska K, by Negro

Lottie Fry with 11-year-old stallion Glamourdale

Owner: Van Olst Horses

Breeder: Joop Rodenburg (NED)

Breeding: by Lord Leatherdale, out of Thuja, by Negro

Gareth Hughes with 16-year-old mare Classic Briolinca

Owner: Gareth Hughes, his wife Rebecca and daughter Ruby, and Julia Hornig

Breeder: Febr van der Steen (NED)

Breeding: by Trento B, out of Trolinca, by Royal Dance

Gareth Hughes with 12-year-old gelding Sintano Van Hof Olympia

Owner: Gareth Hughes and Judy Firmston-Williams

Breeder: Iris and Henk Poettgens (NED)

Breeding: by Sandro Hit, out of P.Siltana Van Hof Olympia, by Silvano

Susan Pape with 13-year-old stallion Harmony’s Eclectisch

Owner: Susan Pape and Harmony Amateur Sports Foundation

Breeder: Fam Andeweg (NED)

Breeding: by Zenon, out of Tiranja, by Olivi

Laura Tomlinson with 12-year-old gelding Fallatijn

Owner: Laura Tomlinson and her mother Ursula Bechtolsheimer

Breeder: J.G. Damen (NED)

Breeding: by Vivaldi, out of Utraginia Van Kairos, by Cabochon

As part of the dressage World Championships British entries, two reserve combinations have also been named as follows (in alphabetical order):

Lara Butler with 17-year-old gelding Kristjan

Owner: Laura Tomlinson and her mother Ursula Bechtolsheimer

Breeder: Ursula Bechtolsheimer (GBR)

Breeding: by Polarion, out of Kardinale, by Napoleon Quatre

Lottie Fry with 14-year-old gelding Dark Legend

Owner: Lottie Fry and Van Olst Horses

Breeder: Fam Nobus de Potter (NED)

Breeding: by Zucchero, out of Zoe, by Tango

The names of the grooms for each horse will be included in the final squad announcement.

One notable omission from the list of British nominated entries is Carl Hester, who will be absent from a British championship team for the first time since 2008. Carl lacks a fit, qualified ride following an injury sustained by his Tokyo Olympic horse En Vogue earlier this year, and a lack of qualification opportunities with other rides.

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Lottie Fry finished best of the Brits in the CHIO Aachen 2022 dressage results, from which Denmark emerged as favourites for home gold at the dressage World Championships this summer.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour dominated both the CDIO5* and CDI4* with her two rides, the British-owned 10-year-old Vamos Amigos in the former and her European silver medallist Bohemian in the latter, while the Brits put in solid performances.

Lottie has the luxury of three potential rides for the worlds and at Aachen her Olympic and European medallist Everdale threw his hat decisively into the ring ahead of selection. The pair finished a fabulous fourth in the grand prix with 76.5%, and although their scores dipped to 73.68% for ninth in the special, they came back strongly to achieve 82.65% for seventh in a hugely competitive freestyle, where just 1.5% covered second to seventh places.

“The special was going really well and was probably one of his best tests right up until the final centre line, where you have to go into the shadows and he had a spook and some mistakes with that,” said Lottie. “It cost us about 3% probably, but I’m still really pleased with Everdale. He is so much more relaxed in the big atmospheres now; he’s really grown up.”

“The freestyle felt really amazing, and he was just incredible,” she added. “It was so nice to be riding in front of a really packed audience – the crowd at Aachen is unlike anywhere else in the world.”

After a busy early campaign with her top grand prix horses, Everdale, Glamourdale and Dark Legend, as well as her upcoming stars – including Inclusive, 11th in the CDI4* at Aachen – Lottie will now focus on training at home ahead of selection for the worlds this month.

Laura Tomlinson, Lara Butler and Susan Pape joined Lottie on the British Nations Cup team, finishing sixth.

Laura’s hot 12-year-old Vivaldi stallion Fallatijn faced his biggest challenge yet in the huge Aachen atmosphere, but he improved on a rather tense, distracted grand prix to score a fraction under 71% with a much more focused ride in the special.

“I really believe when he learns to take a breath and stay relaxed when away from the other horses he will be mega,” said Laura. “Being first to go [in the special] meant we were not in front of the big crowd, which helped ‘Finn’ too.”

Lara also improved her scores over the two tests with the Bechtolsheimer family’s home-bred Polarion gelding Kristjan, scoring 69.7% in the grand prix and 70.1% in the special.

Germany-based Susan rode the Zenon stallion Harmony’s Eclectisch to 69.15% in the grand prix and 68% in the special.

CHIO Aachen 2022 dressage results: Denmark dominate

Denmark won the Aachen Nations Cup for the first time, relegating home side Germany to second, and cementing them as one of the favourites to win team gold at the dressage World Championships in Herning this August.

The Danish line-up of Carina Cassøe Krüth (Heiline’s Danciera), Daniel Bachmann Andersen (Marshall-Bell) and Nanna Skodberg Merrald (Atterupgaards Orthilia) alongside their top performer Cathrine Dufour (Vamos Amigos), are the same quartet who will form the home team in Herning, and they proved unstoppable throughout the competition at Aachen.

Riding the Pidgley family’s 10-year-old Vamos Amigos (by Vitalis out of a Blue Hors Hotline mare), Cathrine achieved a CDIO5* hat-trick, leading the grand prix on 81.54%, the special on 80.06% and the freestyle on 88. 38% – personal best scores for this incredibly talented gelding in each respective test.

“I’m super proud of [Vamos Amigos],” said Cathrine. “I might have had five minutes too much warm-up [in the special], so I had little less power compared to the grand prix, when he was super, super electric. He’s 10 years old and is doing a super job.”

The German team, comprising Isabell Werth (DSP Quantaz), Benjamin Werndl (Famoso OLD), Ingrid Klimke (Franziskus 15) and Frederic Wandres (Duke Of Britain FRH), finished second after Isabell was eliminated in the grand prix special.

Sweden finished third, ahead of the Netherlands in fourth, Spain in fifth and Britain in sixth. The USA took seventh, with Australia eighth.

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

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

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

Britain’s Lara Butler is in the lead at the halfway stage of the London Horse Show dressage grand prix freestyle, supported by Horse & Hound, riding the 16-year-old gelding Kristjan.

Lara and the Bechtolsheimers’ Polarion gelding scored 76.3% with a really lovely test, to lead ahead of Gareth Hughes on KK Dominant, who posted 75.85%.

Lara’s test at the London International Horse Show was fluent, elegant and mistake-free other than an unfortunate break in their final extended trot. Using the Celtic style soundtrack she rode to with her former top horse Rubin Al Asad, but adapted to a new floorplan, the pair pulled in good marks for their tempi changes – riding two lines of very straight and clean one-times – as well as their rhythmic piaffe-passage work, which remained bang on the beat of the music.

“He was amazing; he was on fire in there,” said Lara. “That’s the first time he has been in that sort of atmosphere and when we went in I could feel him saying, ‘Oh my goodness’, but he just came into his own.

“He floats across the arena and he looks like a little ballerina I think.”

Gareth and the 12-year-old Diamond Hit stallion Dominant, who opened the London Horse Show dressage yesterday (16 December), looked as though they might creep ahead of Lara, with a delightful routine to a new Beatles medley, until mistakes in both lines of one-time changes dropped their marks just below Lara’s.

“We had a great time, with new music, fun music to ride to. I’ve never ridden to it before so that was cool,” said Gareth. “We didn’t get the one-tempis unfortunately, which was expensive as we had two goes and failed both times. But you know what? He’s a young horse, he’s inexperienced. It’s a big arena, it’s a big atmosphere. It was a lot of fun.”

In third place at the halfway stage is Spain’s Alejandro Asencio Mendez riding Focus, just ahead of Britain’s Louise Bell and Into The Blue.

The top riders from yesterday’s grand prix compete later this evening in the London Horse Show dressage freestyle. Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Duke Of Britain FRH, second, in the grand prix ride at 9.20pm, followed by Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Atterupgaards Orthilia at 9.29pm. Britain’s Lottie Fry and Dark Legend enter the arena at 9.38pm while grand prix winners Charlotte Dujardin and Gio, and favourites for the win tonight, ride last at 9.56pm.

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

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

Charlotte Dujardin scored a resounding win on the first day of the London Horse Show dressage, posting 82.55% in the short grand prix, supported by Horse & Hound, aboard her Olympic and European championship partner Gio.

Charlotte and “Pumpkin”, who is now owned by Annabella Pidgley, finished well clear of the rest of the field with Charlotte saying that she was “absolutely over the moon” with the test.

There was a battle for second place at the London International Horse Show, with the three riders placed below Charlotte all scoring within 0.7% of one another. In second was Germany’s Frederic Wandres with the British-bred Dimaggio son Duke Of Britain with 75.16%. They were winners at Olympia in 2018 and are the current leaders of the Western European league in the FEI Dressage World Cup.

“I was the last competitor so there’s always then a bit of pressure on, but Duke Of Britain is known to be a consistent horse,” said Frederic. “I had a small interruption in the two tempi changes but that’s it; all the other things he was delivering on point.”

Just behind Frederic was Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald riding the former British Olympic horse Atterupgaards Orthilia. The 16-year-old Gribaldi mare won team silver at the Rio Olympics with Britain’s Fiona Bigwood, and added to her medal tally this year, helping the Danish team to bronze at the Europeans in Hagen. She and Nanna posted 75.1% here, to finish just ahead of Britain’s Lottie Fry. Lottie piloted her own and the Van Olsts’ Zucchero son Dark Legend to 74.53%.

“That felt like the best [test] he’s ever done, apart from the piaffes where we had some small issues, small misunderstandings,” said Lottie of the 13-year-old gelding. “But apart from that he really felt amazing in there. He was really brave and trying to show off, which was really nice as he can be super nervous.”

This is the second time a short grand prix test has been used at the London Horse Show, with a version having been trialled at Olympia in 2019. The floorplan has since been updated and was generally well received by riders.

“I actually think it is a really good test,” said Britain’s Lara Butler, who finished eighth with Kristjan. “It presents almost more challenges than the actual grand prix because of it being shortened; you have to be so much more on the ball. But we riders ride the grand prix over and over and over again, so actually it is quite good to throw us into doing something different and giving something else a go.”

Gareth Hughes said that he felt this test acted as a good precursor to the freestyle that follows tomorrow evening, and pointed out that the shorter test is more of a challenge for those with more forward-going horses.

“Everything comes up so quick and you have very little time to prepare – that’s the big thing,” he said, after his seventh-place finish with KK Dominant. “For an inexperienced horse it can be a bit of a shock for them because everything comes up quick and it’s quite unexpected, but once you get into the flow it is the same as anything. I mean, riding a grand prix is really hard, and we get used to the grand prix test, so, I think once we get used to this, it will be fine.”

The London Horse Show dressage continues tomorrow (17 December) with the grand prix freestyle kicking off at 7.30pm.

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It’s one thing training a horse to grand prix level. But keeping them there long-term and maintaining their fitness and form as they enter their senior years is another challenge altogether. Lara Butler is a top rider who has plenty of experience when it comes to training older horses – her international grand prix winner and Olympic reserve horse Rubin Al Asad (Rufus) was retired earlier this year at the grand age of 18, while his successor Kristjan is now 16 and in the form of his life. 

“Kristjan doesn’t really have the classical body for dressage so we have taken our time building up the strength in him,” explained Lara, who recently triumphed in the grand prix and grand prix special at Keysoe CDI with the Polarion gelding, who was bred by the Bechtolsheimer family. 

“Every horse is an athlete and we want them to last as long as possible; the philosophy with the Bechtolsheimers is not to push a horse too fast. Kristjan has needed time to grow into his body,” said Lara, on episode 79 of The Horse & Hound Podcast. 

“Kristjan and I have a very good relationship – he has been a bit of a challenge along the way but he is flourishing in his slightly older age. Now Rufus has retired he is top dog and he makes sure you know it!

“The older the horses get, the more you as a rider get to know them both inside and out, so you know if they need a tweak here or there. The extra years with them allows us to spend even more time with them.”

So how does Lara go about training older horses to keep them fresh, fit and loving life?

“We try to give them as much variety as possible, including hacking round the fields. I think it is great for dressage horses to get onto a different surface. We do polework – not jumping, but cavaletti work that helps strengthen them and also keeps their mind occupied. Kristjan is so intelligent that he needs something to occupy his brain at all times otherwise he gets bored. 

“Kristjan is similar to Rufus in that they both need suppling work, but Rufus was easier to take out for a canter in the fields – Kristjan has got quite a big buck in him! But with both of them, I don’t do movement after movement; it is all about keeping their reactions quick and keeping them soft and supple over their backs. 

“As older horses they know their job, so it is all about keeping them interested in the job so they still want to go out and do the best they can.”

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In our 79th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H’s Polly Bryan talks to international grand prix-winning dressage rider Lara Butler about training horses for longevity in dressage, why her newest grand prix star is something special and the build up to The London International Horse Show. H&H's Pippa Roome then catches up with the H&H news team to discuss the Horse & Hound Awards, changes in entry and membership fees at British Eventing and ways to prevent tack theft. Finally, trainer Jason Webb continues his new series about starting young horses with a focus on tacking up young horses this week. We hope you’ll enjoy listening.

Episode 79 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers, is now live.

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• View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

In our 79th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H’s Polly Bryan talks to international grand prix-winning dressage rider Lara Butler about training horses for longevity in dressage, why her newest grand prix star is something special and the build up to The London International Horse Show.

H&H’s Pippa Roome then catches up with the H&H news team to discuss the Horse & Hound Awards, changes in entry and membership fees at British Eventing (BE) and ways to prevent tack theft.

Finally, trainer Jason Webb continues his new series about starting young horses, with a focus on tacking up young horses this week.

• We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

H&H Plus podcast: episode 79

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 78: Tom Jackson | GC Prague Playoffs | Lungeing young horses | News round-up

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 76: Dan Skelton | Starting young horses | News round-up

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 74: Izzy Taylor | GCT final leg | Success & failure | News round-up

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Rubin Al Asad, one of Britain’s most successful international grand prix dressage horses, has been retired aged 19.

Owned by the Bechtolsheimer family, the gelding has been the top ride of Lara Butler and a consistent performer at top level since making his international grand prix debut in early 2015.

The Rubin Royal son, known at home as Rufus, has amassed countless top placings at the highest level of the sport, and was British team reserve for three consecutive championships: the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2017 European Championships and the 2018 World Equestrian Games. 

“This is a sad decision because Rufus is in such good form, but he doesn’t owe us anything, and we owe him a lot, including the chance to retire on a high,” Lara told H&H. 

“Ideally, we would have liked to retire him at Olympia but of course we have been struggling for shows. But it was nice to have the national grand prix championships in December,” she said of the Rubin Al Asad’s final competitive outing, where they scored a fraction under 80% to finish sixth. 

The pair’s last international result was taking freestyle second with 77.45% at Keysoe CDI3* in October 2020, but Lara says that it was their personal best performance at Olympia in 2019 that is among the highlights of their career together.

“We scored 81.45% and I just couldn’t believe it. He just gave it his all and that was the best test I have ever ridden on him,” she said. “Getting through to ride the freestyle at Aachen in 2018 is another highlight – watching the videos of that day still gives me goosebumps. 

“Rufus is so special in so many ways. You don’t find many horses who truly give their all in the arena with you, but he would always put in that extra oomph for me,” she added. “He was the first horse that I trained up to grand prix – and he exceeded all expectations after coming back from a serious back injury as a young horse. He really taught me how to ride a sharp horse, as well as how to have patience. 

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“He would pick up piaffe out of walk with just a click and loved to passage all around the arena.”

Rufus will be retired to the field while Lara concentrates on her other grand prix ride, Kristjan, and the upcoming star Amiek C, as well as youngsters. 

“It will be weird not to have Rufus in the stables, but he will still be getting his beloved banana every day,” Lara said. “He has done five years at the top, and it’s time for the others to have the chance to prove themselves.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riders and horses in alphabetical order:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lockdown training pays off for Charlotte Dujardin, young guns shine and Natasha Baker comes out on top

Keysoe CDI 3* and CPEDI, Beds, 4–11 October

Top riders demonstrated the value of lockdown training with a number of exciting personal best scores in both para and able-bodied classes at Keysoe’s international dressage show.

Charlotte Dujardin and Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle both looked pleased to be back in the arena. Their professional, harmonious and flowing performance in the grand prix was rewarded with a personal best of 83.19% and five 10s. Freestyle still had her game face on the next day to go even better in the grand prix special to win with over 84% and earning seven 10s.

After the grand prix, a visibly thrilled Charlotte said: “It’s one of the best grand prix tests I’ve ever done. In the past, she’s always been a bit ring-shy in the piaffe and doesn’t really show what she can do.”

During lockdown, Carl Hester organised some training shows with five-star judges, which Charlotte found useful, and the feedback they gave has resulted in picking up extra marks.

“I felt really emotional at the end of the test,” she said. “Every piaffe stayed quick and energetic. She felt easy to ride. I think doing the smaller shows has helped her to get confident in the arena.”

Charlotte also took second place in the grand prix with her own and Renai Hart’s Gio (Pumpkin) who, at the age of nine, was doing his third grand prix and his first one indoors.

“He got a little bit tight, but was still mistake-free,” she commented. “He’s so much fun to ride and very different to Freestyle. He’s little, nippy and twisty. He almost tries too hard.”

Despite technical difficulties with the music, Charlotte and Pumpkin put in a punchy, powerful performance in the freestyle to win with 83.36%, ahead of Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad on 77.46.

“He’s like a Ferrari”

Classic Briolinca, ridden by Gareth Hughes, also proved her worth as a contender, nudging in front of Carl Hester riding Charlotte’s En Vogue in the grand prix and grand prix special. Briolinca’s tests were soft and harmonious, and Carl demonstrated that he is getting the measure of managing Vogue’s athleticism and power.

Lara Butler and her own and Anne Hutton’s Amiek C (by Ampère) were runaway winners in the prix st georges (PSG) and inter I, with 75.24% and 76.71% respectively, before bagging the inter I freestyle on the last day. Both performances were calm and assured, despite Amiek’s low competition mileage. Lara bought the 10-year-old seven years ago and this year he has stepped up with a win and second place at small tour at the Hagen CDI in September.

“I was pleased with his fluency and how he was able to keep up the power throughout the PSG test,” said Lara. “His exuberant flying changes are a highlight. It’s like sitting on a Ferrari, with the engine rumbling underneath you.”

After her inter I win, Lara said: “He keeps surprising me – and yesterday, we were able to improve on some things. It’s only his third inter I test, so what more can you ask for?”

Bowing out in style

In the youth classes, Irish rider Martha Jobling-Purser finished her last pony classes in style, winning all three on her pony Europeans ride, Valido’s Starlight. Martha was wearing a jacket badge that had belonged to her great-aunt Juliet Jobling-Purser, who was a member of the Irish eventing team at the Mexico Olympics.

“He felt fit and super-lively for 16,” said Martha who has now passed on the ride to a new lease home, although eventually he will return to her to retire.

Travelling all the way from Denmark was worthwhile for young rider Laura Jarlkvist Rasmussen and Aatoftens Dornier. She spent two weeks with trainer Kenneth Dyrby before the show, which must have contributed to her clean slate in all three young rider classes.

Para gold medallists on top form

In the para international classes, Paralympic gold medallists Natasha Baker, Sophie Christiansen and Sophie Wells had a good show, each winning all three of their classes.

Natasha and Keystone Dawn Chorus repeated last year’s performance where they also won all their grade III classes.

“On the first day, we were both a bit ring rusty, as this was our first show since Covid,” commented Natasha. “We made some big mistakes and all our halts were horrendous! We got some fours but fortunately some eights as well. I was frustrated with myself, so I gave myself a kick up the butt and the second day’s test was a completely different outcome. She felt awesome and was really pushing uphill from behind.”

A super score of 77.75% in the grade III freestyle was the highest of the para classes and an emotional win for Natasha, because she used the music on which she won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics on the much-missed Cabral (JP).

“Riding the programme brought back some amazing memories,” she added.

Sophie Wells won all three of her grade V classes with Roland Kinch’s 11-year-old Don Jovi gelding, Don Cara M, at his first international show. Sophie took over the ride from Amy Woodhead in January and along with her other ride, C Fatal Attraction, will be aiming at 2021’s Tokyo Olympics.

“He’s not spooky, but can be anxious. He was quite hot on the first and third day – it’s a learning curve for him as it’s his first three-day show,” said Sophie. “He’s very sensitive, so I’m on top form all the time which is great for my riding.”

Ten straight wins before Keysoe

Grade II para rider Jemima Green scored over 74% to win the freestyle on her own Elrite (Echo), their best result to date. Elrite was originally bought with an eventing career in mind, but Jemima lost the use of her legs in a serious car accident. However, over the past two years she has successfully made the change to para dressage and admits to being hooked now.

With the help of trainer Marcia Cundy and Jemima’s daughter, Virginia, who exercises and competes Elrite in able-bodied competitions for Jemima, the pair have had a successful season with 10 straight wins before coming to Keysoe.

“I was very much a cross-country girl but when I started riding again, it was almost impossible to ride a straight line,” said Jemima. “The more I do, the better it gets as the muscle memory comes back.

“Echo loves it – she didn’t really like the galloping and mud of eventing. She likes being the centre of attention,” added Jemima.

Ref Horse & Hound; 15 October 2020

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A crack line-up has been revealed for next week’s Keysoe CDI3*, the first dressage international to take place in Britain since before the coronavirus lockdown.

Charlotte Dujardin will lead the billing, bringing forward both her top two rides: the double world bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle, and rising star Gio.

The 11-year-old Fidermark mare Freestyle’s last international competition was the Amsterdam World Cup qualifier in January, where she and Charlotte scored just under 82% at grand prix and 89.5% in the freestyle. Freestyle was recently awarded 85% from five-star judges for an unofficial grand prix at Hartpury, which Carl Hester described as “probably the best grand prix she has ever done”.

The nine-year-old Apache son Gio is still in his first year of grand prix, but has already produced mega scores, with just under 80% at his last official outing in January, and plus-80% scores from top judges at Hartpury this summer.

Carl Hester will also be in action, aboard his newest grand prix ride En Vogue. The 11-year-old Jazz gelding is owned by Charlotte, who competed him up to grand prix, but she passed the ride to Carl earlier this year. Carl and Vogue already have a 78% grand prix special under their belt, but Keysoe will be their international debut as a partnership.

Gareth Hughes – Britain’s best performing rider at last year’s European Championships – will bring his team horse, the 14-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca. Gareth will also ride the 14-year-old Wolkentanz II gelding KK Woodstock, winner of the grand prix freestyle at the Keysoe CDI in March this year.

Emile Faurie will partner his World Equestrian Games medallist Dono Di Maggio. Emile has been reunited with the 13-year-old gelding this year as his pupil and Dono’s owner Theodora Livanos has been out of action after leg surgery in the spring.

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Other top riders competing at Keysoe include Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, Lara Butler on Rubin Al Asad and Louise Bell riding Into The Blue.

The CDI runs from 9-11 October, following the conclusion of the CPEDI3* on 6-8 October. The small and tour, and youth sections are also set to feature strong line-ups.

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

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

Lottie Fry will make her first senior championship team appearance for Britain, having been selected as part of the line-up announced today (1 August) for the European Championships in Rotterdam.

Netherlands-based Lottie, 23, will ride alongside Olympic gold medallists Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, as well as European and world team medallist Gareth Hughes.

She will partner her own and the Van Olsts’ 11-year-old Zucchero gelding Dark Legend, with whom she won individual gold at the under-25 European Championships in 2018. This year, the pair have performed extremely successfully for Britain on Nations Cup teams at Compiegne, Geesteren and, most recently, CHIO Aachen, where they scored plus-74% in the grand prix and plus-75% in the special.

Charlotte Dujardin will ride her 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) double bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle, at her first European Championships since 2015. Emma and Jill Blundell’s 10-year-old Fidermark mare has been unbeaten so far in 2019, and has not scored under 80% since WEG.

Sonnar Murray-Brown’s 12-year-old Latimer gelding Erlentanz has been selected as Charlotte’s direct reserve ride.

Carl Hester will also partner his WEG medallist; his own, Ann Cory and Anne Evans’ 11-year-old Diamond Hit son Hawtins Delicato. Carl has enjoyed a busy show schedule with “Del” this year, and the gelding, who finished sixth in the grand prix at WEG and ninth in the special, has grown in confidence throughout 2019.

Gareth Hughes completes the quartet riding the 13-year-old Trento B mar Classic Briolinca, with whom he led Britain to victory in the Compiegne Ntaions Cup in May this year. This will be Gareth’s first team appearance since winning team silver at WEG 2014 — he was forced to withdraw from the 2017 Europeans at the 11^th hour after Don Carissimo failed the trot-up in Gothenburg.

The first reserve is four-time Olympian Richard Davison with his homebred Lingh gelding Bubblingh, a combinations that was on the winning British Nations Cup team at Compiegne.

The second reserve is Lara Butler with Wilfred and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad. The pair were reserves for the Rio Olympics in 2016, the European Championships in 2017 and WEG in 2018.

The grooms are Alan Davies, Lucy Scudamore, Claire James and Steph Sharples.

Performance manager Caroline Griffith said “I am absolutely thrilled to be working with such a fantastic team this year.

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“All the combinations have had phenomenal results in preparation including several personal bests and scores which evidence they are among the best in the world. The selectors have included young horses, older horses, young riders and more experienced riders; combined it has all the ingredients of an amazing recipe for success.

“I feel honoured and privileged to be working with the riders, owners and grooms all of whom play such a major part in making this happen and I have absolutely no doubt that we head to the championships excited by the opportunity to show our capabilities to the full. The riders have asked me to thank everyone for their support, they are keen now to get on with the job and make Team GBR proud.”

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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Charlotte Dujardin took the roof off at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage CDI3* as she and Mount St John Freestyle finally rode their much-anticipated kür.

Having been denied the chance to ride her new music routine at the World Equestrian Games in September last year, this opportunity has been a long time coming, but Charlotte and the 10-year-old Fidermark mare made the most of it in the Superflex grand prix freestyle with a huge score of 87.6%. No judge had her below 86%, with two marking as high as 89%.

“That was my first time riding to that music,” admitted Charlotte, who also dedicated her ride to Roy Burek, the late chairman of Charles Owen, whose memorial service was held the same day.

Emma and Jill Blundell’s lovely mare was on top form, pulling off beautiful changes and super pirouettes — of which Charlotte rode two sets of doubles and two singles. They concluded the performance with a dramatic extended trot down the centre line as their Frozen-inspired music reached its crescendo.

“I’m absolutely thrilled because the degree of difficulty is immense; it is one thing another another and there is no room for error at all. On the last centre line I really didn’t know if I was going to stop — was was still raring to go,” laughed Charlotte.

“I don’t know what it is about that horse but she makes me cry every time, and that music feels so magical to ride to.”

Hayley Watson-Greaves took second after posting an international personal best score of 77.96% with her 15-year-old Rubin Royal gelding Rubins Nite. The pair produced a beautiful routine, and their highlights included smooth changes, rhythmic passage and their trademark extended trot.

Also achieving a personal best was the KK Woodstock, the ride of Gareth Hughes, who finished third on 75.93%. The elegant 13-year-old danced through the floorplan with just a mistake in their one-time changes pulling their marks down.

Lara Butler slotted into fourth with Kristjan, posting 72.99%.

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Earlier in the evening, Jayne Turney rode Shirley Rixon’s nine-year-old Starnberg gelding Penhaligon’s Jupiter to victory in the hotly-contested Elite Stallions young horse prix st georges championship.

“Neither of us have ever done anything this big, so I’m speechless,” said Jayne, who has trained this horse since he was a five-year-old, and is still fairly new to the level herself. “He went in and thought it was a bit scary, but even when he feels like that I can still put my leg on, and he lets me help him.”

Don’t miss the 11 July issue of H&H for the full report from Hartpury CDI3* and Premier League.

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Have you ever looked at riders competing at the top of their game and wondered how on earth they got back in the saddle so quickly after having a baby? H&H caught up with riders, an equestrian mindset coach and a sports therapist to talk about experiences, physical and mental changes, and share a few top tips too

Event rider Lucy Jackson was back on board just 10 days after giving birth to her little girl Evie in 2017.

“Actually, when the midwife came to see us for our 10-day check, I had to be got out of the school!” says Lucy, who was riding 10 days before Evie was born but had used her knowledge as a physiotherapist to help her body prepare for and recover from the birth. She had a good support team in place too.

“I treated the birth like getting ready for a three-day event and changed my exercises to suit,” explains Lucy. “For me the recovery process wasn’t that bad — rehab from breaking my collarbone was a lot worse. But when you’re pregnant, people like to fill you with all these horror stories about how long it’ll take you to get back in the saddle.”

International dressage rider Lara Butler rode for the first time five weeks after having her little boy Jack.

“I was very excited to get back in the saddle as I missed it a lot, but I was nervous of how I was going to feel; whether I would feel weaker,” said Lara. “But I also realised that the only way I was going to know was by getting on and starting slowly.”

Badminton winner Piggy French didn’t compete until the March following her son, Max’s July 2016 birth (pictured top competing one year after Max’s birth at the European Eventing Championships).

“I had an emergency C-section in the end so it took me little while longer to get back in the saddle than it might have done,” says Piggy. “To be honest, I was just quite happy being a mummy for a short while. It’s a once in a lifetime thing to have a child for the first time so I wanted to enjoy the moment as much as possible rather than be in a hurry to get back to the horses.”

There’s no denying that some riders can feel a mental shift after having a baby. With a new list of priorities, a new life needing attention, physical changes and so much else, it’s hardly surprising that this can happen. But the changes aren’t always what you expect.

“I used to over-analyse four faults I picked up showjumping and, you know what? Sometimes four faults just happen,” says Lucy. “Having Evie and being with Harry (Lucy’s boyfriend who is in the King’s Troop and has been on two front line tours) makes me realise that as long as my family is OK, it’s fine. I think it’s made me a better rider as I’m able to focus clearly and then move on.”

Jane Pike is an equestrian mindset coach and says that many new mums worry about letting their horse down. But it’s not just this that Jane sees in new mums.

“One of the most common fears that intensifies after having children is the fear of getting hurt — and for understandable reasons,” says Jane. “Not only do we need to consider the personal implications of being injured, but also the implications that it would have on our children and our ability to provide for them.

“The fear of getting hurt is a valid one, but it has to be contextualised and evaluated. On the one hand, no longer riding will certainly prevent riding-related injuries (you can’t get hurt riding if you don’t ride, after-all!), but if it’s a decision that’s upsetting on every other level, you need to consider the implications of this on your well-being also.”

As for the physical side of things, moving on from any issues connected directly with giving birth, there are other areas to consider too. Dee Holdsworth and Ben So’oialo-Chan provide elite rider and equine soft tissue therapy, strength and conditioning. They also work with Lara Butler.

“It’s important to remember that everyone’s different,” says Dee. “Lara, and many top riders, have a team of people supporting them and their horses. Also, some mums might not have been as riding fit as others before birth, so it’s important not to compare yourself with others.

“When we work with new mums, we concentrate on balance, abdominal and pelvic floor exercises, coordination, strength and flexibility. And the great thing is that many of these exercises are simple to do at home with a Swiss ball — you can change your chair for one and it will help you become more aware of your seated posture as well as helping with balance and hip mobility.

“You may feel different or weaker after having a baby, and that’s perfectly normal, but there are lots of ways you can address this through the correct exercises.”

Piggy agrees with this: “I found I’d lost a lot of fitness and was conscious of trying to get that back. I have a personal trainer called Ali Cooper who comes once a week for an hour and I’ve found that has made a real difference to how I feel. I think I’m now probably fitter than I ever have been.”

Advice for new mums wanting to get back into the saddle

“I’d say do it — I’m always very aware of the impact what I do has on my family and support team, but I also know that if I get some time away from being a mummy I’m a much better mummy for it,” admits Lucy. “The support team is so important — we really do operate like a family.”

Piggy’s advice is to take your time and not be in a mad rush to get back riding again.

“Having a child is a huge thing so I think it’s important to enjoy that experience and come back to riding when you feel ready,” says Piggy. “Just because someone else was riding within a week doesn’t mean you have to be as well.”

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Lara suggests that patience is key, as is riding when you feel ready.

“I didn’t have the easiest of births so it was hard for me waiting for my body to heal enough for me to get back on, but it was important that I did wait. Also plan your time as much as you can and have someone that you trust looking after your baby so you can fully concentrate on you and your horse as that’s your time to relax!”

Jane also offers some great advice on this: “Taking time to do things that fill you up, that allow you to recharge and that inspire you is an important part of self-care, and that in turn affects how you are in front of others.”

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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International grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler (nee Griffiths) has welcomed her first child with her husband Billy Butler.

Lara, 30, gave birth to a son, Jack Mark Butler, on Friday, 12 April.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jack into the world. He arrived on his due date so is already proving far more punctual than his mother,” Gloucestershire-based Lara told H&H.

Lara is the reigning British national champion with her long-time top ride Rubin Al Asad (Rufus), having taken the title at last September’s National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh. The pair have also been British team reserves for the Rio Olympics in 2016, the European

Championships in Gothenburg in 2017 and the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018.

Lara announced her pregnancy in December last year, and continued to ride and compete until the latter stages, finishing sixth in the World Cup qualifier at Olympia with Rufus.

Article continues below…

She is hoping to return to the saddle in time for the summer season, with both the 17-year-old Rubin Royal son Rufus and her upcoming grand prix ride Kristjan. Lara and Kristjan, who is by Polarion, made their international grand prix debut in November last year at the Oldenburg CDI4*, finishing third in the freestyle.

“I’d like to aim towards doing a show at the end of May or beginning of June, all being well,” Lara said. “My boys are super fit and ready to go so I just have to get myself fit again.”

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 (18 April) don’t miss our summer vet special, including features on colic, tendon injuries, an essential guide to bandaging, arthritis and much more, and our horses for sale special on how to find the right horse for you, plus ensuring a successful sale and more.

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German rider Frederic Wandres caused a stir when he claimed the Olympia grand prix freestyle title this evening (18 December), by the smallest of margins.

Frederic and the British-bred 11-year-old Duke Of Britain (by Dimaggio) finished their stunning freestyle on exactly the same score as Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and the 10-year-old Hawtins Delicato — posting 80.03%. However, it was Frederic who had the slightly higher artistic score, and therefore clinched the victory.

”This is the best show I’ve ever been to — and we reached the magical 80%,” said Frederic who, despite being in his first season with “Harry”, has previously scored up to 79% for this freestyle.

“To win this, against Charlotte and Hans Peter — it’s a very nice Christmas present!”

Charlotte used Valegro’s 2011 freestyle routine for her test on Carl Hester, Lady Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s Diamond Hit son Del (above), who has only ever completed one previous grand prix freestyle.

“Last night he was a bit sticky, but today he felt much more ready and prepared,” Charlotte said. “It’s only his second freestyle test, and it didn’t have a very high degree of difficulty — there’s no piaffe turns — but he will have come away from it really confident.”

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Last night’s grand prix winner Hans Peter Minderhoud, from the Netherlands, had to settle for third on the 10-year-old stallion Glock’s Dream Boy NOP, after a couple of expensive mistakes kept their score at 77.99%.

Hans Peter was disappointed with his performance overall — he reported that the Vivaldi son warmed up very well, but felt a little behind him once in the arena.

Britain’s Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite produced another super performance, this time with their new, incredibly difficult freestyle routine, which earned them 77.7% for fourth, even with a blip in the one-time changes.

Richard Davison filled fifth once again, posting 75.68% with Bubblingh, while Lara Butler and a very fresh Rubin Al Asad took sixth on 74.17%.

Don’t miss the full report from Olympia, in the 28 December issue of H&H.

What did you think of the dressage at Olympia this year? Write to hhletters@ti-media.com for a chance to see your views in H&H magazine and win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger (please include your name and address; letters may be edited). 

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Tonight’s Olympia grand prix (17 December) went the way of the Dutch as Hans Peter Minderhoud took the top spot with the 10-year-old black stallion Glock’s Dream Boy NOP.

Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin held the lead for a long time from first draw, having posted 73.03% on Carl Hester, Lady Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s 10-year-old Hawtins Delicato. But Hans Peter and the stunning Vivaldi son just edged into the lead with 73.89%, much to the excitement of the crowd.

This is Dream Boy’s first competition since WEG and his first major indoor show, being still in his first year of grand prix, but his only major error was a mistake in the two-time changes.

“I was very happy with his score tonight; he has a lot of talent and there were some things that can go better, so we can still improve a lot,” said Hans Peter, who plans to next campaign the horse at Amsterdam CDI at the end of January.

Charlotte also had a mistake in the changes with Del (above) — this time in the ones — but showed some super piaffe and lovely two-time changes.

“I’m really pleased with him — going first meant I didn’t have a chance to watch anyone else ride the new test, but I actually quite enjoyed it,” said Charlotte, referring to the new, shortened grand prix routine that was piloted here. “This was a great experience for him; he just got a bit tense towards the end.”

Germany’s Frederic Wandres completed the top three, riding the 11-year-old Dimaggio gelding Duke Of Britain to 72.63% on his first appearance at Olympia.

The next three spots were filled by Brits, with Hayley Watson-Greaves pulling out a super test to take fourth with Rubins Nite, just ahead of Richard Davison and Bubblingh in fifth. A couple of mistakes had Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad in sixth.

All 12 combinations will go forward to compete in tomorrow night’s grand prix freestyle, which serves at the World Cup qualifier. Lara will be the first British rider on, at 8.10pm, while Charlotte will be in action at 9.20pm. Hayley will compete next, at 9.30pm, with Richard in action at 9.50pm. Hans Peter Minderhoud will be the final rider of the evening, entering the arena at 10pm.

Don’t miss our full coverage from Olympia, plus all the reaction from the new grand prix, in the 28 December issue.

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The entries for the CDI4* dressage at the London International Horse Show, Olympia (17-18 December) have been revealed, with Charlotte Dujardin topping the bill in her first competitive Olympia appearance since 2015. However, Charlotte won’t be riding her World Equestrian Games (WEG) individual bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle, as previously planned, but will instead partner Carl Hester’s WEG team ride Hawtins Delicato.

The nine-year-old Fidermark mare Freestyle is currently regaining full fitness after a cough.

“Freestyle had a cough recently and had to have time off,” confirmed Carl. “She’s now back in work but Charlotte and I want to give her time to get back into full condition. We’re mindful that she’s a young horse competing at the highest level and want to give her enough time.”

With Charlotte piloting the 10-year-old Diamond Hit gelding Delicato — with whom she enjoyed much success at small tour and inter II level — Carl will not be riding at this year’s Olympia.

“I am gutted to not be competing at Olympia this year as it is one of my favourite events, however I will be there with Charlotte, who is in with a good chance on Hawtins Delicato,” he said.

Charlotte may start the competition as favourite to win, but she will have to be at the top of her game, with stiff competition coming from her fellow British riders: Richard Davison (Bubblingh), Lara Butler (Rubin Al Asad) and Hayley Watson-Greaves (Rubins Nite).

This year’s field also features some strong international contenders. Charlotte’s biggest rival is likely to be the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the 10-year-old Blue Hors Zack stallion Glock’s Zonik NOP, who finished seventh individually at WEG on plus-77% scores.

Edward’s partner and Dutch teammate Hans Peter Minderhoud will also bring forward his WEG ride, the exciting 10-year-old Vivaldi stallion Glock’s Dream Boy NOP.

The sole German representative is an Olympia first-timer, Frederic Wandres, who has enjoyed a super first season with the 11-year-old Dimaggio gelding Duke Of Britain.

Also making his Olympia debut this year will be Spain’s Juan Matute Guimon, at 21 years old the youngest rider in the field. He will bring forward his WEG ride, the 12-year-old Fighting Fit son Quantico.

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France will send two riders: Marie Emilie Bretenoux with Quartz Of Jazz and Stephanie Brieussel on Amorak, while Portugal’s Maria Caetano (Coroado), Belgium’s David Engelen (Royal Rubinstein), Denmark’s Ulrik Moelgaard (Michigan) and Sweden’s Minna Telde (Isac) make up the remainder of the line-up.

This year’s Olympia will pilot changes to the grand prix on the first evening of competition (Monday 17 December), which decides the running order for the World Cup qualifier freestyle class the following night. A new, shorter grand prix routine will be used, as well as mounted interviews with riders directly after their test.

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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International grand prix dressage rider Lara Butler (née Griffith) has revealed that she is pregnant with her first child. Lara, 30, and her husband Billy, whom she married in 2017, are expecting a baby boy in April.

“We have a different kind of breeding programme going on at Eastington House Stables at the moment as Billy and I are very excited to be expecting our first child in April,” Gloucestershire-based Lara told H&H.

“Training is still going well and I feel great,” she said. “I’m currently looking forward to competing at Olympia and, all being well, I’ll be back out competing after April.”

Lara is due to compete her prolific grand prix campaigner and reigning national champion Rubin Al Asad (Rufus) at Olympia in December. The pair, who were team reserves for the World Equestrian Games team this year, as well as the 2017 European Championships and 2016 Rio Olympics, have a great track record at Olympia, having finished fifth in the freestyle in 2017 and fourth in 2015.

Lara also plans to campaign both the 16-year-old Rubin Royal son Rufus and her upcoming grand prix ride, the 13-year-old Kristjan, for the European Championships team in 2019, though she told H&H she “will definitely play that one by ear”.

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In addition to claiming the grand prix title at the British Dressage championships in September, Lara has enjoyed a successful international season with Rufus. She and Kristjan, who is by Polarion, also made their international grand prix debut in November at the Oldenburg CDI4*, finishing third in the freestyle.

Lara is based with Olympic dressage rider and H&H columnist Laura Tomlinson, who is also pregnant — she and her polo player husband Mark are expecting their third child in January.

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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Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad’s patience was rewarded as the pair were crowned LeMieux National Dressage Champions after years in the bridesmaid spot.

The ever-consistent pair — reserves for the Rio 2016 Olympics, 2017 Europeans and this year’s World Equestrian Games — were also reserve champions here at the nationals in 2017 and 2013.

The combination finished second in Saturday’s grand prix, before producing a stunning freestyle to claim the title.

“It has been a long time coming, I’ve tried three or four times now and have been reserve a few times, so it’s nice to now be in the winners spot,” said Lara told the crowds during the prize-giving.

“I produced a good test so I’m really pleased that the judges were happy with me and rewarded us with the mark.

“He will now have a break and hopefully we will pick him up again for Olympia — with his age [16], we do pick and choose our shows quite carefully.”

The pair performed a technical and expressive routine music by Dire Straits, which suited the Bechtolsheimer’s big-moving bay to a tee.

Double pirouettes, a curved line of changes and passage right on the rock and roll beat were among the stand-out highlights of the test, which received a mark of 77.08% from the judges.

Lara added she felt for Gareth, who won Saturday’s grand prix with Classic Briolinca, but sadly retired in the early stages of his freestyle when the mare became unsettled.

Hayley Watson-Greaves and WG Rubins Nite’s quality freestyle resulted in the pair soaring up the leaderboard to claim the reserve champion spot.

The pair were lying in fifth overnight, but a strong performance to their ethereal soundtrack was rewarded with a score of 75.15%, which pulled them up to second place overall.

Sonnar Murray-Brown and his exciting 11-year-old Erlentanz finished third in both the grand prix and the freestyle on scored of 70.58% and 73.93% respectively.

The pair, both in their first year at grand prix, showed some breathtaking extensions to Charlotte Dujardin’s iconic How to train your dragon soundtrack.

For the full report from the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound — out Thursday, 27 September.

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Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin spearheads the British dressage team for this September’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), which was announced today (17 August).

Charlotte will pilot the nine-year-old Fidermark mare Mount St John Freestyle, owned by Emma Blundell, at Tryon International Equestrian Center, US, on her first championship appearance since the retirement of Valegro.

Charlotte is joined on the team by her London 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning team-mate Carl Hester, who has been named with his own, Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s 10-year-old Diamond Hit gelding Hawtins Delicato. Both Freestyle and “Del” are in just their first year of grand prix.

Competition for the remaining two slots of the team has been fierce, but Spencer Wilton made the cut with his Rio Olympic and 2017 Europeans ride, Super Nova II. The 15-year-old De Niro gelding, who is owned by Jen Goodman and Spencer, had 10 months out of competition due to an injury, returning to the arena with solid grand prix scores at Hartpury and Hickstead CDIs in July.

Filling the other team spot is Emile Faurie with Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio, an 11-year-old Dimaggio gelding. This will be Emile’s third WEG, having returned to the senior team for the 2017 Europeans for the first time since 2011. Emile has also been named with a direct reserve horse, another De Niro son, this time Elena’s Knyaginicheva’s 14-year-old stallion Delatio

Lara Butler is the final reserve, with her long-term partner, the Bechtolsheimers’ 16-year-old Rubin Al Asad. Lara and “Rufus” were reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 Europeans.

Dressage performance manager Caroline Griffith said: “It’s very exciting to be working with a team of riders that have such a wealth of experience between them and I know that they will use that experience to best effect. We have seen some great scores this year from those on the short list, which, for me, underlines the strength of the four athletes and horses that will be travelling to Tryon.

“If anyone can prepare this high-calibre group of young horses for a World Equestrian Games, we know Carl, Charlotte, and Emile can. Add to that Spencer and we have capacity for some truly exciting team scores and a great competition.”

British Dressage CEO Jason Brautigam added: “We’re exceptionally lucky to be in a position to field four riders with Olympic experience in Carl, Charlotte, Emile and Spencer. In our team for WEG we have three exciting young horses making their championship debut, alongside a fourth making his third consecutive team appearance.

Continues below…

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“They have all been carefully campaigned through the year to peak for Tryon – and with the team’s vast experience of preparing for the big occasion, confidence in the camp is high. We are looking forward to seeing these combinations in action and wish them all the very best in the USA.”

The Games run from 11 to 23 September.

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 shortlist for the British World Equestrian Games (WEG) dressage team has been confirmed.

Eight combinations have been listed, from which four will be selected to make up the British team that will travel to Tryon, North Carolina in September.

Charlotte Dujardin spearheads the line-up with Emma Blundell’s nine-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle (pictured above, centre). The talented Fidermark mare only began her grand prix career this year but is so far unbeaten, with scores of over 80% in the grand prix special.

Carl Hester is also listed with his young grand prix star, his own, Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s Hawtins Delicato (pictured above, left). This British-bred 10-year-old, by Diamond Hit, is another in his first year of grand prix.

Rio silver medallist and 2017 Europeans team member Spencer Wilton is short-listed with his Olympic ride, his own and Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II. The 15-year-old De Niro gelding has spent 10 months away from competition due to an injury, but made his comeback at Hartpury CDI in July this year, finishing third behind Carl and Charlotte. The pair also won the grand prix at Hickstead CDI in late July.

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Emile Faurie and Gareth Hughes are both named with two rides; Emile has Elena Knyaginicheva’s Delatio, the 14-year-old De Niro stallion with whom he posted plus-73% at the Aachen CHIIO5* last month, and Hof Kasselmann KG’s Dono Di Maggio, an 11-year-old by Dimaggio who was second and third at Fritzens CDI4* at the end of June.

Gareth has made the short-list with Steve and Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo (pictured above, right), with whom he travelled to Gothenburg to compete on the British team at last year’s Europeans, before being forced to withdraw when the Don Crusador gelding sustained an injury after arrival. Gareth is also listed with his own, his wife Rebecca’s and Julia Hornig’s 12-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca.

Lara Butler and the Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Al Asad complete the shortlist. Lara and the 16-year-old Rubin Royal son are the only combination not to have competed on a championship team, though they were selected as reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 Europeans.

“We have a great mix of exciting young horses with experienced riders and established combinations all of whom have performed well this year so I am very, very excited about the World Games,” said dressage performance manager, Caroline Griffith.

“All of those campaigning this year have pushed those on the shortlist hard for their places, a true sign of the strength, depth and quality we have in this country.”

There is no definite date for the team announcement, though it is expected within the next two weeks.

Don’t miss our full preview of the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, on sale Thursday 30 August

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Charlotte Dujardin has re-entered the top 10 on the world dressage rankings for the first time since 2016 with Valegro.

Charlotte and her current top horse, Emma Blundell’s nine-year-old Fidermark mare Mount St John Freestyle, rocketed from 69^th up to 10^th position in the latest rankings update on 1 August.

Freestyle is in just her first year at grand prix but is currently unbeaten at the level, raking in points from her CDI wins in Joosland, The Netherlands, in April, Windsor in May, Bolesworth in June and her most recent outing to Hartpury in July. There, she posted 77.44% to top the grand prix, and 80.51% for victory in the mare’s second ever grand prix special.

Charlotte is no stranger to the top of the world rankings — she occupied the top spot from 2012 until 2015 with Valegro, until the Negro gelding was retired from competition in 2016.

Germany’s Isabell Werth remains at the top of the 2018 rankings with just six weeks to go until the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA (11-23 September). She holds the top spot with her triple gold medallist from the 2017 European Championships, Weihegold OLD, but has moved into the second spot with Emilio 107, with whom she won both the grand prix special and the freestyle at Aachen CHIO5* last month, and eighth with Don Johnson FRH.

It is, however, Bella Rose 2, ranked number 268, who is Isabell’s first choice of ride for WEG. The 14-year-old Belissimo mare returned to competition in July after nearly four years out, and is unbeaten so far on her comeback.

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The second-highest ranked Brit is Emile Faurie with Delatio; they have risen three places to 27^th after a successful Aachen. Lara Butler, who also performed well in Aachen, has risen to 33^rd with Rubin Al Asad, with Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite sitting just behind in 36th. Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato occupy number 128 after just six international tests together.

Completing the top 10 are the USA’s Laura Graves and Verdades (third), Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy (fourth), Germany’s Dorothee Schneider with Sammy Davis Jr (fifth) and Helen Langehanenberg with Damsey FRH (sixth), Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Deja (eighth) and Holland’s Edward Gal with Glock’s Zonik (ninth).

Don’t miss our full preview of the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, on sale Thursday 30 August

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Isabell Werth remained the queen of Aachen as she and Emilio 107 scored a personal best of 87.63% to claim freestyle victory. It was her 12^th individual win here, and the 12-year-old Ehrenpreis gelding is the fourth horse with whom she has taken the title.

She was chased all the way by the Americans, however. But it wasn’t the USA rider most would have expected to give her the closest run for her money, Laura Graves, but instead Kasey Perry-Glass who rounded off a fantastic show here in Aachen to finish second with 85.2% on the 15-year-old Diamond Hit son Goerklintgaards Dublet — a full 10% higher than they managed at this show in 2017.

Laura did however recover very well after a tricky ride in the special — where Verdades took a strong dislike to a camera on the side of the arena — to fill third with 85.09%, despite not riding the 16-year-old gelding quite on full power.

“When Laura posted 85% I knew I had to give everything,” said Isabell. “I’m proud that we could improve each day here, and Emilio was brilliant today.”

It was massive personal best for Kasey and Dublet, who have only once before broken the 80% barrier, and showed that taking a break for the latter half of 2017 has paid off.

“I could feel it was a good test — he was very with me in there,” said Kasey.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour took fourth, posting 84.83% with Atterupgaards Cassidy, whom she has partnered since juniors.

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Britain’s Lara Butler (below) concluded a successful show with a beautiful freestyle on the 16-year-old Rubin Royal gelding. They scored 76.37% — their highest score of 2018 — with a harmonious, fluid routine to their popular Celtic-style soundtrack.

“He’s just got better every day here — he found another gear in there today,” Lara told H&H. “It’s weird to think that I’ve just ridden all the tests at Aachen — it’s everyone’s dream to ride here and now I’ve done it!”

Emile Faurie snuck in front of Lara with 76.55% on Delatio. This is the first show for the powerful De Niro son since February, having been off due to injury.

“He felt great in there, just a little tired, which is to be expected after six months off,” said Emile, who is aiming the 14-year-old at WEG selection, along with his other ride, Dono Di Maggio.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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In a complete reversal of fortune from Thursday’s grand prix, a super performance from Isabell Werth in the special secured Germany the Nations Cup victory, while a below par test from grand prix winner Laura Graves meant overnight leaders the USA had to settle for second.

On Thursday, Isabell posted an uncharacteristically low score of 72.51% with the 12-year-old Ehrenpreis gelding Emilio, who showed several serious moments of resistance in his grand prix. Today, however, the pair were back to their usual selves, pulling out a score of 79.13%, which remained at the top of the leaderboard.

“I was really surprised with what happened on Thursday, but today it was back to the old Emilio,” said Isabell, who was also celebrating her birthday. “It was a really nice test, although I wasn’t expecting to stay in front until the end of the competition with the others coming behind me.”

Indeed, her teammates were on super form too, with Helen Langehanenberg within a whisker of the top spot with 79.02% on Damsey FRH. Both Dorothee Schneider (Sammy Davis Jr) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Delera BB) posted plus-76% and elevating Germany to the top of the Nations Cup podium.

The USA finished second, five marks behind Germany, with Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet their top performers, scoring 78.79% for a fantastic test to slot into third.

The imposing Verdades gave Laura Graves a tricky time; the 16-year-old gelding was hot from the moment he entered the arena, and took a strong dislike to the camera on the side of the arena, with major spooks in the extended trot down that long side, and again in the canter. But even with the blips the pair scored 74.09%.

Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy led Denmark to third, with their 77.48% test leaving them fourth individually after Cassidy broke to canter in the third extended trot.

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Both Emile Faurie and Lara Butler performed well for Britain to finish 13^th and 14^th respectively, and qualify to ride the freestyle tomorrow morning.

Emile and the De Niro stallion Delatio continued their successful comeback to competition after lameness to post 73.66% in just their second special together.

Lara was delighted with Rubin Al Asad’s performance; she had the 16-year-old by Rubin Royal on song to post a shade under 73%, their best performance in a special this year.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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The USA’s Laura Graves made her World Equestrian Games (WEG) medal intentions clear on day one of the Nations Cup dressage at CHIO Aachen, with an 80.6% grand prix win aboard Verdades.

At their first show since finishing second in April’s World Cup final in Paris, Laura and “Diddy” pulled out a punchy, powerful test. Their score sheet was full of eights; the 16-year-old gelding by Florett AS does not really have a weakness, and looks set to challenge for gold in Tryon this September.

“We’re using this as a stepping stone for Tryon,” Laura said. “When you get a horse to this point they know the job and it becomes about those half-point marks. We took small details away from Paris to work on, and I’m so pleased with him today.”

Laura’s marks boosted the USA to the top of the Nations Cup team leaderboard at the halfway stage, with Germany sitting in an unfamiliar second after Isabell Werth posted an uncharacteristic drop score of 72.52%. Her 12-year-old Emilio 107 was not onside, with several moments of resistance causing their score to plummet.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour took second with Atterupgaards Cassidy, her double individual bronze medallist at the 2017 European Championships. Despite a costly spook going into their second passage, the pair posted 78.49% to put Denmark in third at this stage.

“I don’t really know what happened — the spook cost us marks, but today was the first time going in there that Cassidy really coped with the atmosphere,” said Cathrine.

Just four weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Helen Langehanenberg was the best of the home team, scoring 77.03% to stand third with the 16-year-old stallion Damsey FRH.

Britain’s two individual riders both gave good accounts of themselves. Emile Faurie finished 13^th with the 14-yar-old De Niro son Delatio (above), and their 73.12% would have been higher had it not been for a mistake in the otherwise lovely one-time changes.

The eye-catching black stallion had not competed since February due to injury.

“We could have given him another couple of months off but we decided to come here as he’s qualified for WEG,” Emile told H&H. “I’m thrilled with him today. He just needs a bit more oomph; towards the end he was feeling the heat a bit.”

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Lara Butler was delighted with her mistake-free test on Rubin Al Asad, at the pair’s Aachen CHIO debut. The 16-year-old Rubin Royal gelding produced his best performance of 2018 so far, earning 72.64%.

“He was super – apparently he just needs a really big occasion!” laughed Lara. “His twos felt super, his passage felt really good — he is probably going the best he ever has at the moment.”

All the riders go forward to the next stage of the competition, the grand prix special on Saturday morning.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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International grand prix rider Lara Butler was British team reserve for both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2017 Gothenburg Europeans with the Bechtolsheimers' Rubin Al Asad. H&H headed to Gloucestershire to meet her

1. Her father was in the King’s Troop

“The army was never a consideration for me — it’s far too disciplined,” laughs Lara. “My dad has taught me some of the tricks of the trade though, such as how to clean my boots really well and properly shining them. I was complimented on them at Olympia.”

2. Her competition essentials include Jelly Babies

“I have to have four or five Jelly Babies just before I compete, every time,” explains Lara. “I used to struggle with counting in the changes and so I stuff Jelly Babies in my mouth just before I go in the arena to help with my energy and concentration levels. They help me stay mentally sharp.

3. She has a healthy appetite

“I like to eat a lot — I eat a lot more than people think. My husband Billy and I take it in turns to cook each evening — we try to have a proper dinner every day.”

4. Her lurcher, Monty, was a wedding present from Laura Tomlinson, but was stolen just seven months later

“We had a phone call one afternoon from a guy who said he had our dog, pretending to be a vet. We ended up having to pay to get him back, but we’re so glad we were able to,” says Lara.

5. She’s able to switch off from horses when she wants to

“One of the benefits of this job [stable rider for the Bechtolsheimers] is that, unless there’s a show, we always get our day off, which is Saturday afternoon and Sunday,” explains Lara. “I like to get away and spend the time away from horses — and I don’t miss it if I’m away for a week. I enjoy the break.”

6. Her husband Billy is also super sporty

He won the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race in 2017.

“Billy isn’t horsey but he’s very supportive and comes to almost every show with me. He can even take off bandages now,” says Lara.

7. She temporarily gave up horses as a child

“I was about six or seven, and for some reason I decided that I just didn’t want to ride anymore,” recalls Lara. “Then when I changed my mind, my mum made me go to a riding school all through the winter, and ride regularly in the cold and rain, to prove that I was committed this time.”

Continued below…

8. Her international ride Rubin Al Asad (Rufus) has beaten the odds

“Rufus got cast in his stable and tore a back muscle just before I started at the Bechtolsheimers, so it’s actually a miracle that we’ve got him to where he is,” explains Lara. “No one thought he would ever even get to grand prix, let alone be doing what he is. It’s taken a long time and lots of patience to get here.”

Don’t miss the full interview with Lara Butler in today’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (25 January 2018)

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Olympians Richard Davison and Emile Faurie will spearhead the British attack at this year’s Olympia CDIW4* (12-13 December).

However notable absentees from this year’s line-up are crowd-favourites Carl Hester, freestyle winner in 2015 and 2016 with Nip Tuck, and Charlotte Dujardin, who won with Valegro in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Richard will partner Bubblingh, the 11-year-old Lingh gelding with whom he won the grand prix freestyle at this year’s Hickstead CDI in July. There they posted 74.18%.

Emile will bring forward Elena Knyaginicheva’s 13-year-old breeding stallion Delatio (De Niro x Rubinstein) — a horse he has had the ride on for just four months. The striking black stallion dominated at Vale View’s high profile show in October, claiming the grand prix with over 74%.

He will be joined by Gareth Hughes riding his European Championship team-selected horse Don Carissimo, who sadly had to be withdrawn due to injury after arrival in Gothenburg this summer. This will be the Don Crusador 12-year-old’s first international competition since, but he had already made huge waves in what is his first season of grand prix, with a freestyle personal best of 76.67%.

World Equestrian Games (WEG) hopefuls Hayley Watson-Greaves and Lara Butler make up the British contingent. Hayley will ride her own 13-year-old Rubin Royal son Rubins Nite, with whom she was crowned British Dressage national champion earlier this year. The pair have already achieved several top 10 placings on the World Cup circuit this autumn.

Lara returns to the Olympia arena with the Becktolsheimers’ 15-year-old Rubin Al Asad, also by Rubin Royal. The pair were named reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 European Championship team, and recently finished second at Oldenburg CDI4* with a grand prix personal best of plus 74%.

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds will return to the international arena with her popular Jazz gelding Vancouver K – another who was withdrawn from the Europeans due to injury — while British-based Dane Anders Dahl will pilot his consistent performer, the 13-year-old Selten HW.

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Among the international field, from which eight nations will be represented, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel will partner his Gothenburg ride Delaunay OLD, who has posted freestyle scores in the 80s this year. Holland’s Edward Gal will bring forward his talented nine-year-old stallion Glock’s Zonik.

The grand prix will take place on Tuesday 12 December at 7.30pm, with the freestyle on Wednesday 13 December at 7.20pm.

The full list of competitors is as follows:

• Quartz of Jazz Marie Emilie Bretenoux (France)
• Star Wars Bertrand Liegard (France)
• Alcazar Katherine Bateson Chadler (US)
• Bubblingh Richard Davison (Great Britain)
• Don Carissimo Gareth Hughes (Great Britain)
• Delatio Emile Faurie (Great Britain)
• Rubins Nite Hayley Watson-Greaves (Great Britain)
• Rubin Al Asad Lara Butler (Great Britain)
• Vancouver K Judy Reynolds (Ireland)
• Selten HW Anders Dahl (Denmark)
• Glock’s Zonik Edward Gal (the Netherlands)
• Thriller Katja Gevers (the Netherlands)
• Michigan Ulrik Moelgaard (Denmark)
• Cennin Madeleine Witte-Vrees (the Netherlands)
• Delaunay Old Patrik Kittel (Sweden)
• Roberto Des Frettes Charlotte Haid Bondergaard (Sweden)
• Sir Donnerhall II Old Morgan Barbancon Mestre (Spain)

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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An all-male squad will represent Great Britain at the FEI Longines European Dressage Championships next month.

The squad features two combinations from the Rio 2016 Olympic medal-winning team — Carl Hester with Nip Tuck and Spencer Wilton on Super Nova II.

This will be Carl’s eighth Europeans appearance overall and his fourth consecutive senior championship with this horse.

They are joined by Emile Faurie, for whom this will be his sixth European Championship, and Gareth Hughes, whose last senior championship appearance was at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

Lara Butler is the reserve.

“Barney [Nip Tuck] just goes from strength to strength and has exceeded all our expectations,” said Carl.

“Gothenburg will be our fourth straight championship appearance and at just 13, Jane [de la Mare, the horse’s joint owner] and I couldn’t ask for more.

“It’ll be a tough task, but we’ll certainly do our best. Our pony team recently showed just what ‘girl power’ can achieve with a bronze medal; now it’s down to us guys to show what we can do!”

The full line-up of Brits heading to the championships on 21-27 August in Gothenburg, Sweden, is:

• Emile Faurie, 54, based in Oxfordshire, with Hof Kasselmann’s Weekend Fun and Elena Knyagincheva’s Lollipop 126 as a direct reserve
• Carl Hester, 50, based in Gloucestershire, with Jane de la Mare and his own Nip Tuck
• Gareth Hughes, 46, based in Warwickshire, with Anne and Steve Keen’s Don Carissimo
• Spencer Wilton, 44, based in Berkshire, with Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II

Reserve:

• Lara Butler, 29, based in Gloucestershire, with Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad

Spencer said: “I was in a slightly different position this year compared with last, in that I’ve had a really strong season so I wasn’t feeling the pressure as much as I was when waiting for the phone call for the Olympic Games. But still hearing the words is a massive relief and it’s a huge honour.

“I definitely learnt a lot about myself and Neville [Super Nova II] in Rio and I gained a lot of confidence from seeing him cope with the bigger situation better than he had done in the past.

“He’s come back bigger and stronger this season as we’ve had a number of personal bests and I can’t wait to take him to the championships.”

Emile said he is “thrilled” to be back on the squad and to take Weekend Fun to his first championships.

“My focus now is to make sure both horses are fresh and healthy and in a routine ready for Gothenburg,” he said.

Gareth added it is “always an honour” to be selected to represent your country.

“Anne and Steve Keen have owned Darcy [Don Carissimo] since he was a foal, so it’s been an amazing journey for them,” he said.

“This is Darcy’s first year at grand prix and he has performed way beyond our expectations.

“I’m really looking forward to riding him at these championships alongside this very exciting team.”

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British Equestrian Federation’s dressage performance manager Caroline Griffith said there has been “strength and depth” in the field of combinations for selectors to choose from.

She added this is “testament to the ever rising standards in dressage” and “bodes well” for Tokyo 2020.

“We go to the European Championships with an extremely experienced squad who are focused and targeted on delivering their best performances,” she said.

She also thanked the riders, owners, support teams, UK Sport and the National Lottery.

British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said it is a “very strong team” and welcomed back Emile and Gareth to the squad.

“While we may have had to say farewell to Valegro, our star performer of the past five years, who was always going to be difficult to replace, it is testament to the strength in depth of Team GBR that we can still field such a strong line-up of experienced riders,” he added.

“We wish Caroline and the team the best of luck in Sweden, as well as expressing our thanks and appreciation to the owners, staff and home teams for all of their support on the journey to Gothenburg.”

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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Sophie Wells collected her second gala title in as many nights as she danced to victory aboard Valerius in the inter I freestyle at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medal-winning combination rode to the same Tom Hunt soundtrack as last year’s Games, but with a more technical floorplan on this occasion.

The pair scored 75.83% – a clear three percent above second placed Lara Griffith and Kristjan.

“I almost cried when I found out I had won,” said Sophie, who won yesterday’s PSG freestyle with C Fatal Attraction.

“I didn’t expect to win last night either. It is so nice to win and prove that para is no different to able bodied dressage.”

Lara and the Bechtolsheimer’s talented 12-year-old gelding treated the audience to a flowing routine accompanied by a J-Lo compilation set to a Latin best.

A highlight was the two-time flying changes, which were exactly in time.

“He loves a party, which makes him a fun horse to ride,” said Lara.

Taking third was Nathalie Kayal with her own DHI Homerun (“Jojo”) on a score of 72%.

“I’m really surprised,” said Nathalie. “It was a really hot class tonight — I followed Sophie in and I could see she was going to do a lovely test.

“The horses have really felt the atmosphere tonight.”

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Nathalie, who trains with Roland Tong, Carl Hester and Debbie Childs, said she worked with several people to put together the dramatic soundtrack for her test.

“He has been here twice before, so it was third time lucky,” she laughed.

She added Jojo “absolutely loves” people and gets so excited when getting ready for a show he does what is affectionately known as his “Disney dance” – likening his enthusiasm to that of a child going to Disneyland.

“If there was an award for cuddliest horse, he would beat Valegro,” she added.

“He really wanted to show everybody his moves tonight.”

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound – out Thursday (20 April) for a full report from the Winter Dressage Championships and Area Festival finals

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Last year's Olympic dressage travelling reserve Lara Griffith is based at Laura Tomlinson's Cotswold yard where she is stable jockey. With cream-coloured gravel, an immaculate school, manicured grass and a Cotswold stone barn, the set-up is story-book perfect. Lara gives Horse & Hound a tour...

Lara, 28, arrives at the yard in Ampney St Peter, Gloucestershire at 7am to check the horses. The property belongs to Dr Bechtolsheimer and is where his daughter, London Olympic dressage team gold-medallist Laura Tomlinson, grew up and honed her skills

Lara tacks up for a morning in the saddle — she has worked at the yard for six years, having previously been based with Emile Faurie for seven years

Part-time groom Gerry Kelly leads one of Lara’s Tokyo hopefuls Amiek C (Ampy) into the indoor school

“I’ve never sat on something with so much power,” says Lara while working in the sometimes sharp 17hh Ampy

Laura Tomlinson (and her pint-sized helper Annalisa) give a helping hand in the outdoor school

From around 12.30pm, Lara helps turn the horses out and assists with yard duties

It’s all hands on deck for Lara at the yard, where there is a team of seven full-time grooms headed by yard manager Amy Richardson

A lasting memento — Lara was the Olympic dressage travelling reserve for Rio last year

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At around 1pm Lara returns to her cottage on the estate, which she shares with her fiancé Billy Butler

In the afternoon, Lara either schools, lunges or hacks out on the farm, pictured here with Laura

After helping with more yard duties and ensuring all the horses are rugged up correctly, Lara calls it a day and heads back to her cottage — where the task of competition entries awaits…

Don’t miss our exclusive at home interview with Lara Griffith in this week’s special show guide issue of Horse & Hound magazine (23 February 2017)

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

Rising British dressage star Lara Griffith has said she is “delighted” after securing her first international win in Florida last weekend (Saturday 21 February).

She won the grand prix special at the Global Dressage Festival aboard her partner of four years, Rubin Al Asad.

On just the second attempt at this level for the 13-year-old gelding, the combination scored 69.608% to win the class ahead of second placed American rider Sharon McCusker and her horse Wrigley on 69.098%.

The 26-year-old has been based with British Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson since 2013. In an interview with H&H last year, Laura confirmed that competing on the 13 week tour in Florida should put both her and Lara on the British selector’s radar for the European Championships in Aachen during August 2015.

The pair were also second in the grand prix two days previously (19 February), narrowly beaten on a score of 71.020%.

“‘Rufus’ was slightly tired after his grand prix test two days before the grand prix special, but he still produced an awesome test with just a few mistakes,” Lara told H&H.

“He felt the best he ever has — stronger and very rideable — in the grand prix, and there was a huge improvement even on his first performances in Florida just two weeks ago.”

Rubin Al Asad will now have a two week break before his next competition.

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Meet Lara Griffith, dressage’s rising star

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Laura also contested the grand prix and scored 62% with her 11-year-old mare Unique (Minnie) — who was having her first attempt at this level. Laura said that Minnie was “a little confused by so many movements so she was a little all over the place”, but that she was looking forward to having another attempt soon.

Lara and Laura are due to return to the UK in March. Providing that the horses travel well, both riders have their sights set on several European shows to try to secure their team selection.

Laura revealed in an interview with H&H in 2013 that she has big plans for her protégé.

“We want to develop a future British rider along with our horses,” she said. “The goal would be for Lara and I to ride together on the team at Rio 2016, perhaps even on home-bred horses — my parents would be beside themselves if that happened, Mum would grow to 6ft tall. Of course we’ve got a lot of work to do for that to happen, but you’ve got to dream big.”

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

Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

It’s great to see Paul’s daughter is sporting the famous ‘Tapner red’ away from the eventing scene

Clever Smokey indeed. Francis Whittington deservedly soaking up his victory at Blenheim Horse Trials

It looks like event rider Georgie Strang’s boyfriend has got some shopping to do after she finished 8th Blenheim Horse Trials with Cooley Business Time

Nicky Roncoroni’s dog doing his best to remain inconspicuous

Keeping with the dog theme, Aoife Clark’s dog stages a silent protest at the sight of the lorry being packed for another three-day event

Lara Griffith and her boss Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson’s Rubin Al Asad claim victory at the national dressage championships

The sport gene has obviously rubbed off on the eldest daughter of ex-premiership footballer Michael Owen

And finally, kudos to multi-gold medal-winning para dressage rider Natasha Baker for throwing herself out of a plane all in the name of charity

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

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Dressage rider Laura Tomlinson has added an exciting young horse to her string (pictured).

Dolcevende O (Dotty) is a bay 6-year-old mare by the Lord Sinclair son Lord Loxley out of a mare by Jazz. She was imported a month ago from the Netherlands by the Bechtolsheimers and has settled in well at their Gloucestershire base.

“I tried her a couple of times and loved her active hindleg and responsiveness to the way I work,” Laura told H&H.

“She has 3 beautiful paces and the rest is up to us to teach her!”

As Laura is due to give birth to her first child — a daughter — in a month’s time, her stable jockey Lara Griffith, herself now a successful grand prix rider, will train the mare her until Laura starts riding again.

“Lara will work on the basics to build up some muscle until I’m back in the saddle and can get stuck in,” said Laura.

Laura is best know for her relationship with the magnificent Mistral Hojris (Alf) and her upcoming stars Unique VIII and Polar Bear — all of whom are at least 17.2hh.

“Dotty is smaller — about 16.2hh — and finer than my usual rides,” she added.

A talented rider with access to some of the best training and horse power in Britain, Lara Griffith can't quite believe her luck

Lara Griffith, 25, British dressage’s latest rising star, is heading to Olympia (16 December 2013) for her World Cup qualifier debut riding trainer Laura Tomlinson’s Andretti H.

Lara contested her first international grand prix at Hickstead in July 2013 with Andretti and went on to finish third to Carl Hester in the grand prix freestyle at the National Dressage Championships in September.

A 2013 appearance at Olympia will be the icing on the cake for the rider who arguably has the best job in dressage and admits: “I keep waiting for someone to wake me up”.

On joining the Bechtolsheimers as stable jockey in 2010, Lara became responsible for exercising Laura’s horses in her absence — including Andretti, on whom Laura became national champion in 2010 and 2011.

Over the years, Lara began training on Andretti under Laura and her father Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s watchful eyes with a view to competing him as a schoolmaster.

He’s no easy ride, as Laura says, he may be easy in the movements, but you have to be able to use your seat to connect him.

They go to Olympia with fair odds. Looking forward, Laura has even bigger plans for her protégé, saying: “We want to develop a future British rider along with our horses. The goal would be for Lara and I to ride together on the team at Rio 2016, perhaps even on home-bred horses — my parents would be beside themselves if that happened, Mum would grow to 6ft tall. Of course we’ve got a lot of work to do for that to happen, but you’ve got to dream big.”

There is no shortage of superstar horses at the Bechtolsheimers’ yard to make this dream a reality, including Unique, Pamina (home-bred), Polar Bear (home-bred) and Kristjan (home-bred), who is one of Lara’s rides and according to Laura “gets better the harder the movements become”.

Lara says: “My goal has always been to be like Laura and I’m always training with the future in mind — whether or not that’s Rio, we’ll see, it seems crazy to think about it.”

Lara Griffith — the early days

Lara came from a “horsey” family. Her father was in the Kings Troop and her mother, Caroline, rode, acted as chef d’équipe for Britain’s under-21 teams, has been show secretary for a number of high profile events and is current British Equestrian Federation World Class co-ordinator for dressage.

“My parents had a livery yard in Buckinghamshire when I was very young, so there was always a pony to ride,” says Lara. “I gave up when I was young for a few years though — I can’t remember why. When I wanted to get back into it my mum sent me to the local riding school for regular lessons through the winter to make sure it wasn’t just a phase.”

When she was 8, Lara acquired a 5-year-old pony called Gamble.

“He took off with me a few times on hacks,” she recalls. “He ended up a good pony though, we sold him on to the Riding for the Disabled Association and years later I learned that [Paralympic gold medallist] Natasha Baker learnt to ride on him.”

Lara joined Vale of Aylesbury Pony Club, mainly to event, but “didn’t do anything too serious” with the 13.2hh.

She progressed to a 14.2hh called Mr Sparrow.

“I got him on loan through Carol Hogg, who ran Under-21s Dressage, and started to take dressage seriously, joining the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) and training with Dan Greenwood when he was based at Emile Faurie’s. Emile taught my mum,” Lara explains.

Moving on to horses

By 13, Lara grew too tall for ponies and loaned her first horse, Sir Dunaway, with a view to doing dressage.

“He taught me up to advanced medium level and we’d spend a few weeks in the summer training with the Moody sisters [Becky and Hannah],” Lara recalls.

Next she needed to move on from her schoolmaster to a junior team contender. Continuing a tradition of loaning rather than buying equines, she took on Morgi Fortuna, with whom she contested the 2004 Junior European Championships aged 15.

“That was the first year I met Laura Tomlinson — she was on the young rider team with Douglas Dorsey,” recalls Lara of her now trainer.

Lara loaned another horse, Warlock, who had been on the Dutch young rider team with owner Veronique Andre de la Porte. The Dutch family were happy for him to go to a nice home and continue competing.

“Warlock taught me the most of all of them. We kept him until he was 17, when he went back to the Netherlands in retirement,” she says. “He was a schoolmaster, but not easy. I took him to the 2006 Junior Europeans having only been riding him for 3 months. By 2008 he’d taken me up to young rider level.”

On Warlock’s retirement, Emile Faurie — with whom Lara was based for 7 years — helped her secure the ride on Hilary Sawyer’s smart grey mare Dawning Hopes.

“Being a big mare, she was a completely different kettle of fish,” says Lara.

The pair contested the 2009 Young Rider Europeans and were the best placed British combination in Lara’s last year at the level.

Emile didn’t feel it was right to ask the mare to continue to grand prix and so Lara, while studying equine science at Oxford Brookes, concentrated her efforts on producing Anne Hutton’s Don Benito to prix st georges level (PSG).

“He was my first young horse and I was proud to produce him to PSG as that’s what you’ve got to be able to do to make it — produce horses,” says Lara.

She sold the gelding in 2013 and purchased a three-year-old from the Netherlands to fit in well among her responsibilities as stable jockey for the Bechtolsheimers.

To find out how Lara landed the best job in dressage, and read all about her relationship with trainer and mentor Laura Tomlinson, don’t miss the 28 November 2013 issue of Horse & Hound 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