Sadie Smith and River Rise Onassis (Glamourdale x Amsterdam) have completed a remarkable comeback, winning the KBIS young horse test for seven-year-olds on 81.17% at the 2026 National Dressage Championships – almost exactly a year on from a horsebox accident that very nearly claimed the mare’s life, on the journey home from these very championships.

Sue Garrard, “Sassy’s” owner, was driving her home from these championships last September when her horsebox was hit from behind on the M6 in atrocious weather – driving rain, squally gusts, standing water.

The impact sent the lorry fishtailing before it toppled over, skidding across all three lanes of the motorway. Sue escaped through the passenger window largely unhurt, but Sassy was left trapped inside, surrounded by sharp metal and broken fibreglass, panicking each time a passing car went past. “I thought she was dead,” Sue said at the time.

As no vet reached the scene for three hours, Sue spent that time dangling into the horse area, held by a firefighter, trying to keep the mare calm until she could finally be sedated and cut free.

Sadie remembers the agonising wait for news that night: “I got a call saying there’d been an accident, but nobody knew what had happened. I didn't find out until about 10 o'clock that night that they were okay – I didn’t really know the full extent until the next day. It was really awful, it took a long time for the vets to get there.”

A year on, River Rise Onassis was back at Somerford Park – and on top of the leaderboard.

Sadie added the mare’s remarkable temperament played no small part in the outcome that night: “I think the horse’s temperament saved her – she just stood there and didn’t rush around while Sue was with her.

“If she’d been throwing herself around with no vet there for that long, she’d have really damaged herself. She did herself good just by standing still.”

The road back to competition was a cautious one. “It was amazing that she survived,” Sadie said, “but she came away with quite deep cuts around her fetlock joints, and it took a long time to heal because it kept opening up every time she walked – it was proud flesh, it was horrible. It was quite emotional, to be honest, because it was so traumatising.”

River Rise Onassis had only been back in full work since around January or February this year, and today’s win was just her third competitive outing since the accident. “She’s hardly done any shows – I did one to qualify, at Hartpury, and this is only our third outing since. But she’s been great – he just gets on with it.

“She’s been fine with travelling again too – it’s like nothing had happened to her. She's so good, and she trusts us, and it just means the world to us.”

Now that River Rise Onassis is back in full swing, Sadie is optimistic about her future – and already rates her potential alongside her grand prix mare, Swanmore Dantina (Dia).

“Technically, she moves better than Dia – her natural ability is better, her canter and her hind leg are so strong, she’s just amazing to sit on,” Sadie said.

“But she’s a different type of horse – taller, longer, more angular, whereas Dia’s a lot shorter. She’s taking longer to strengthen, so I’m taking my time with her – I’ll train her over the winter and hopefully bring her out internationally at small tour level next year.”

Sue watched the test from the side, visibly moved. “She had tears in her eyes when I came out,” Sadie said. “I can’t imagine what it's been like for her.”

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and pick up a copy of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from Thursday 17 September

Charlotte Dujardin has been crowned the national champion at the 2026 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, scoring 79.4% to win the Kudos freestyle on Brave Heart II – their first kür together.

It’s the third time she’s been crowned national champion after winning in 2015 on Barolo and 2020 on Mount St John Freestyle.

The overall national title is decided on the combined score of the grand prix and the freestyle – and Charlotte’s grand prix score alone, more than five percentage points clear of her nearest rival, had already put it within touching distance.

But perfectionist that she is, Charlotte was never going to play it safe and settle for that lead – she came out to win the freestyle outright too.

“That’s actually Gio’s music, from the Tokyo Olympics,” she explained. “All year I’ve been doing specials, focusing on that and the grand prix, and then I was thinking, ‘Oh no, I'm going to have to do a freestyle – what am I going to do?’

“I thought I’ll have to use one I’ve already got, so I thought this might work. He’d literally never done the floorplan before though – I just had to give it a go and see what happened.”

It was ambitious – with piaffe pirouettes and a curving in-and-out line of one-time changes – but she pulled it off with aplomb. As she entered the LeMieux Arena, a strange hush fell over the grandstands, just as it had yesterday for the grand prix.

The canter pirouettes were the standout technical movement, with one judge awarding as high as a 9 – the only real dip came in the transitions in and out of the piaffe, hardly a blemish on an otherwise exceptional test.

“He got a bit ahead of the music at the start, so I was a touch too far ahead waiting for it,” Charlotte admitted.

“But he gave everything a really good go, and I was so proud of him – it’s a very technical, difficult test, lots coming in and out of it, piaffe pirouettes, changes on the curves.

“The only thing I changed was the end and didn’t do another piaffe pirouette – because I think for him, he’s just done loads of it. But I was thrilled with him – no big mistake. It just felt like a really good experience for him as well.”

For all the technical elements of the test, it was Brave Heart's temperament that seemed to please Charlotte the most. Owned by Ellie McCarthy, the 12-year-old gelding stood unbothered after his lap of honour as vans and traffic dismantling the trade stands rumbled past around him, patiently posing while Charlotte stopped to take pictures with several young fans.

“He’s such a sweet horse, you can’t fault him – he comes out for the prize-giving and just stands there for everyone to pat him, have pictures, see him. The crowd, the spectators coming over for photos – it was very, very nice.

“It was a nice end to the show, and the sun was shining, which is even better – so we didn’t get wet!”

Final national championship standings:

• Charlotte Dujardin – Brave Heart II – grand prix 75.04%, freestyle 79.4% (154.444)
• Fiona Bigwood – Donna Bella – grand prix 70%, freestyle 75.05% (145.05)
• Gareth Hughes – Mowgli-Olympia MC – grand prix 70.46%, freestyle 73.95% (144.407)
• Alexander Harrison-West – Kickback – grand prix 68.17%, freestyle 72.93% (141.099)
• Ruby Hughes – Farrell – grand prix 69.59%, freestyle 67.83% (137.412)
• Kimberley Siddorn – Dutch Class – grand prix 66.44%, freestyle 70.18% (136.61)
• Olivia Oakeley – Full House – grand prix 67.33%, freestyle 68.90% (136.226)
• Darren Hicks – Tramontana Tiger Feet – grand prix 64.8%, freestyle 67.78% (132.579)
• Tom Goode – Furstenrausch PS – grand prix 64.74%, freestyle 67.35% (132.089)
• Anne-Marie Cowan – Woodcroft Royal Charter – grand prix 63.98%, freestyle 66.18% (130.153)

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and pick up a copy of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from Thursday 17 September

Charlotte Dujardin claimed the LeMieux grand prix in some style at the 2026 National Dressage Championships, riding Ellie McCarthy’s Brave Heart II to a personal best – if pick-your-own tests are excluded – of 75.04%, more than five percentage points clear of the rest of the field.

Gareth Hughes took second on Mowgli-Olympia MC (70.46%), with Fiona Bigwood third on Donna Bella (70%).

“I haven’t had him that long, I think I’ve done about six or seven shows now, so not a great deal,” Charlotte said. “At home, he’s always felt really impressive, really exciting to go, and then I get to a show, and he goes into himself a bit – he goes a little shy on me.

“It’s just been about building his confidence to grow into himself and be a performer. Today, as I went through the test, it got bigger and better, and I feel like he’s getting better and better every show we do."

The LeMieux Arena is notoriously tricky, with stands close on both sides and wind whipping through all the bits not strapped down, but Charlotte said the 12-year-old gelding took it in his stride: “It’s a tricky arena – in the warm-up you’ve got the stands with people sat behind you and you can hear them getting up and down, which makes them a little tense.

“Then when you go in, there’s lots of flapping, everything’s quite close. But he doesn’t look at anything – I didn’t even do the arena walk – he just went in and gave it a good go. I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Heading into this summer’s World Championships, Charlotte and Brave Heart II were locked in a tight race with Fiona and Donna Bella for the fourth and final British team spot for Aachen.

A stunning double at Hartpury in July – personal bests in both the grand prix and special – swung Charlotte’s international grand prix average ahead of Fiona’s, with just a fraction of a percentage point separating them. In the end, though, it was Fiona and Donna Bella who got the selectors’ call, going on to win team silver.

“He was so, so close to selection,” Charlotte said. “I just needed a few more runs, and then I think, for sure, he would’ve been there. But it was what it was – how could I be disappointed? I felt like I’d done everything there was to do. There will always be another time.”

Charlotte Dujardin on her national championships winner’s future

Brave Heart’s future with Charlotte beyond this season isn’t fully settled: “I think potentially he might be one that Ellie either rides herself or sells. I only ever had him for a bit, I never really expected to keep him this long. But he gets better and better each show, and he almost needs to just keep going now.”

The win puts Charlotte in pole position heading into tomorrow’s freestyle, where the overall national champion title will be decided on the combination of grand prix and freestyle scores.

Charlotte, though, was characteristically unfussed about the prospect: “I don’t even think about it. I wouldn’t even know [how many titles I have] – I never really count.”

For the record, she’s been crowned national champion twice before – in 2015 on Barolo, and in 2020 on Mount St John Freestyle.

Asked what fuels her famous competitiveness if not the titles, she said: “I don’t compare myself to anybody – I just do my own thing. My goal is to beat myself – always asking what I did in that competition, what I could have done better, what I need to go away and work on.

“My mindset is to always become better, try and be a better version of myself throughout. I am very, very competitive, though.”

That drive extends beyond her competition rides, too – she lit up just as much talking about her up-and-coming star Secret Agent, and his progress at home: “I literally got 12 ones on him yesterday, so I was super happy.”

Final grand prix results:

1. Charlotte Dujardin – Braveheart II (75.04%)
2. Gareth Hughes – Mowgli-Olympia MC (70.46%)
3. Fiona Bigwood – Donna Bella (70%)
4. Ruby Hughes – Farrell (69.59%)
5. Alexander Harrison-West – Kickback (68.17%)
6. Olivia Oakeley – Full House (67.33%)
7. Spencer Wilton – Woodcroft Django Mon Ami (66.57%)
8. Kimberley Siddorn – Dutch Class (66.44%)
9. Laura Tomlinson – Forest Hill (65.52%)
10. Daniel Bremner – Houston V (64.89%)
11. Daniel Sherriff – I’m Bayford Hall Incognito (64.87%)
12. Darren Hicks – Tramontana Tiger Feet (64.8%)
13. Tom Goode – Furstenrausch PS (64.74%)
14. Anne-Marie Cowan – Woodcroft Royal Charter (63.98%)
15. Laura Tomlinson – Full Moon II (63.5%)
16. Matt Frost – Kerouac (63.37%)
17. Jonny Clarke-West – Goomong Zinfandel (63.02%)
18. Alice Oppenheimer – Headmore Bella Ruby (62.61%)
19. Greg Sims – Waverley Fellini (61.74%)
20. Becky Edwards – Dita Von Teese (60.74%)

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and pick up a copy of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from Thursday 17 September

Laura Tomlinson won two titles at the 2026 LeMieux National Dressage Championships this week – the Fairfax Saddles PSG gold and the D&H gold inter I – on her latest star, Ostmarks Digal (Grand Galaxy x De Noir), an eight-year-old gelding who’s arrived on the domestic scene in some style.

Digal has been with Laura since December, coming over from the same German yard as her former top ride, Rose of Bavaria, who retired in 2024. “The first couple of times I rode him at a show, I wasn’t overly impressed – he was quite challenging to get on,” Laura admits.

“He was a bit fidgety here, too. But the more we get to know him, the easier he is – he’s known at home as Smeagol sometimes when he’s being naughty. But he knows his job, and he enjoys it.”

She rates Digal as more talented than her two current grand prix horses, Full Moon and Forest Hill, albeit in different ways: “Full Moon’s got incredible suppleness I haven’t felt on many horses, but he’s got a bit of an ADHD brain that struggles to focus the whole time, whereas Digal and Forest find it easier to focus long enough for a good test.

“Digal’s not as naturally supple as Full Moon, and he’s so tall and leggy that he brings a lot of exuberance – I need to make sure the athleticism is there to match it.”

At home, the foundations for grand prix work are being laid: “He’s got pretty good changes at home, hasn’t done 15 ones yet, but he’s well on his way.

“We’re plugging away at his confidence in the piaffe-passage – the pieces of the puzzle are already there; it’s just starting to put them together now.”

Digal opened his account at Somerford Park with victory in the Fairfax Saddles PSG gold on Thursday, scoring 71.79%. “There was a moment in the first half-pass where he could have gone either way, felt like he could get a little spicy, but he came back very good, made a very grown-up decision and stayed with me,” Laura said. He followed up with the D&H gold inter I on Friday, improving to 71.97%.

“I do have high hopes for him,” Laura added. “I think he’s very talented. The more advanced movements, the more confident he is in the ring with me, the more will come.

“I think he’ll be a horse that takes a moment to feel comfortable doing it all in the ring, but when he does, I think he’ll do everything without a problem.”

Along with Forest Hill and Full Moon II – who was longlisted for the World Championships in Aachen this summer – Laura looks to have a talented up-and-coming string.

But she revealed that former grand prix ride Soegaards Bon Royal – who stood out at the London International Horse Show in 2024 but hasn’t competed since – has retired aged 12 after failing to recover from an old check ligament injury: “He won’t be coming back to competition, really. I was hoping Tyla Schou, who’s based with me, could have a couple of little national shows on him to get a feel for that level, but his scans just don’t hold up to the work, sadly.

“He’s very happy in the stable, very happy in the field, but we’re not going to be able to compete him again. His welfare is absolutely the most important part."

Sven Rothenberger, judging at the nationals for the first time, picked Digal out unprompted when asked which horses had caught his eye this week. “I have to say the horse of Laura Tomlinson seems to be a talent to take the weight and make the difficult movements later,” he said.

“I had the feeling that after every extended movement, she was able to do a very collected movement too – that showed me the horse really took the weight onto the hind legs, with the shoulders coming up, so it always had an uphill tendency.”

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and pick up a copy of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from Thursday 17 September

Meet the horse bought for £1 who went from throwing people off to kissing spines surgery to the LeMieux National Dressage Championships – having recovered from a broken leg along the way.

Heather Bennett’s 10-year-old Hawtins Figaro is due to compete at elementary and medium level with Craig Messenger this week (10-13 September), and had also qualified for the para finals with Heather.

The competition comes two years after Heather bought him.

“I got him from another para rider; he’d had her off and injured her quite badly, and he had her trainer off too,” she told H&H. “She told me what had happened and I said it sounded like kissing spines.”

Heather had to wait until her vet Tim Booth was available, and he confirmed her suspicions.

“He said ‘Yes, kissing spines but it’s fixable’,” she said.

“My history has been that I’ve taken everyone’s cast-offs. I’m not a rich person so I’ve got to make good of what I ride. My friend had said he had the nicest temperament and [asked] why was he suddenly exploding. You find horses like this can get pushed from pillar to post and no one actually looks at the horse and asks what’s happening with it.

“I’ve had a few with kissing spines; I rehabbed another one and won the winter championships with him. But with kissing spines, it’s not about the surgery, it’s all about the rehab, and many people don’t have the knowledge or the time or the inclination to do it properly.”

Heather took her time, and after initial box rest for “Fig”, followed by groundwork and a slow build-up with frequent physio treatment, started competing him last summer, and qualified for the 2025 nationals.

“I brought him home and it was a lovely day so I put him out in the field,” she said.

“When I brought him in, he was on three legs.”

Fig had managed to break his splint bone, by “messing about in the field”, as was confirmed when Heather took him straight to the vet.

“Luckily it didn’t need surgery, so it was just time – and rest again,” she said. “He’s quite sharp and likes to keep his brain occupied so box rest is a challenge. He’s such a sweet horse but his brain’s very reactive.”

Heather had also had some health issues so about six months ago, she asked Craig and Dan Watson at Aster Horses to take him on.

Craig told H&H Hawtins Figaro is “very sharp but very lovely”.

“He was strong enough, he’d had enough time, his back was fine, his leg was fine,” Craig said. “He’s always a bit cheeky but within six months,we’ve gone from nothing to medium, and now we’ve qualified for the nationals.”

Fig and Heather also won the grade IV at the Hickstead CDI in May, which Dan and Craig organised.

“He thinks he knows best but he’s a really nice horse with a lovely temperament,” Craig said. “He’s very quick-minded so we can do pirouettes and changes; he’d probably do prix st georges next year. We’re looking forward to the nationals.”

Heather added that she has been unable to travel to Somerford to compete but will be cheering Craig and Fig on.

“I’m not sure I’ll actually be able to watch!” she said. “But at least he’s still going, I’m glad Craig is taking him.

“He’s a character. He loves people, he loves his treats and he’s very vocal when he sees you; he’s a sweetheart and the best pound I’ve spent – plus the interest!”

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Dannie Morgan and the outstanding Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano) stormed to victory in the Bret Willson advanced medium gold at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, scoring an emphatic 77.25%.

Amy Woodhead and MSJ Viva Dannebrog – who edged Dannie and Fever Tree in the seven-year-old class the previous day – finished second on 73.56%, with Kate Cowell and Samarkand third on 71.67%.

“It’s probably the best test I’ve ever done with him, so I’m thrilled,” Dannie said. “He’s a superstar – he’s proved time and time again what a good horse he is, and it puts more pressure on me because I just have to do my bit. I know what he’s capable of.”

The improvement from the previous day was clear. “In the seven-year-olds, he was a little tense in the walk,” Dannie explained. “He has so much energy; he always wants to do more, so I really tried to focus on relaxation today. It was a great help having Carl [Hester] and Sadie Smith there to support me in the warm-up.”

Fever Tree’s growing experience has paid off. “At the winters, he was just coming seven, still a bit green, and he wasn’t quite as established in the changes,” Dannie said.

“This year, he’s done quite a lot – he went out to Verden for the World Breeding Championships and was fourth in the small final. That’s a much harder level, nearly prix st georges [PSG], so he’s well established at the level now.

“I was wowed by the score. It’s really exciting, and a proud day for his breeder, David Stone, who gave me the opportunity to buy him.”

Verden was a turning point in more ways than one. “I loved it,” Dannie said. “It gave me a better understanding of what I need to do moving forward, and the confidence to stand on that world stage and know we can hold our own. A lot of riders I look up to came and gave lovely comments about our partnership – to hear that from people you respect is really nice.”

Dannie already has clear plans. “The idea now is to train him at home over the winter. I’ll start working towards some of the grand prix movements and hopefully come out at internationals at small tour next year.”

Devina B proves unflappable as Sonnar Murray Brown takes elementary gold

Sonnar Murray Brown and Amanda Leadbeater’s six-year-old mare Devina B (De Beau x Validation S) claimed the HorseQuest elementary gold title on 74.79%, edging out Dannie on Freya VII (74.49%) and Bryony Goodwin with SJL Niko (74.27%) in a nail-biting finish.

The result was especially sweet for Sonnar as it was his and Devina’s first national championships together. “I’m really pleased – she’s such a lovely horse, but you never know how they’re going to deliver in an environment like this,” he said.

“It’s our first nationals, her first real season of competing. She only did a couple of shows as a four-year-old, and she just kept growing and growing until we felt she was ready.”

Sonnar praised the mare’s temperament throughout the stay-away show. “There’s nothing that really phases her,” he explained. “She gets on the lorry, looks around as if to say, ‘Where am I?’ then just tucks into her hay. That’s really important for the future, knowing she can cope with this sort of atmosphere – especially in these conditions.”

Devina’s quality shone through despite the wind and rain. “I was really pleased with how she stayed with me. The trot felt a little more regular and easy today, and the simple changes were really nice. She’s such a talented mare – I love riding her. She’s still got so much to learn, but she shows you every day that she could be a really great horse.”

For Sonnar, the competitive standard made the win all the more rewarding. “The company was full of really good horses, which makes it even better,” he said. “Everyone here is so talented, and there are so many lovely horses coming through.”

Wildcard winner Laura Hill and Jobarde-E shine at the National Dressage Championships

In another close contest, Laura Hill and Jobarde-E clinched the Bret Willson International advanced medium silver with 68.97% – just ahead of Jennifer Harkness on Inouk (68.81%) and Liam Wattrus on Fürstenvae (68.72%).

Laura admitted she hadn’t expected to top the leaderboard after qualifying via a wildcard. “We were fifth at our regionals,” she explained. “He did the best trot he’s ever done in that test, but then got so on fire that he picked up two 10s, then started leaping in the canter work, which dropped us right down. So to come here and win is just amazing.”

Their nationals test, she said, was a near-clear round. “I was really happy with it. He felt like he was bubbling, and it could have gone either way, but he got more confident as the trot went on. Our nemesis is the serpentine changes, but they went really, really well today. He even over-tried in the half-pass – he went too steeply sideways – but then regained it and gave me a lovely elastic extended canter.”

Her delight at the score was clear. “I thought it would be around 67–68%, so to get 68.9% was fantastic,” she said. “When I realised I’d won, I was delighted. My aim was just to place, so to come out on top was incredible.”

Jobarde-E, known at home as Romeo, has been with Laura since he was three. “He’s owned by Janice Robson, who very kindly bought me a dressage horse,” Laura said. “We went abroad to try lots, and he was the one we just loved. He didn’t even have a name – I named him Romeo because I definitely felt the love for him. He was a colt at the time, and he’s been such a special horse ever since.”

Romeo has already enjoyed early success, placing at novice level as a young horse, but Laura believes this result shows how far he has come. “We’ve had ups and downs – I had twins, and we missed some consistency in the middle – but he’s come really good again. We’ve just started PSG now, so I’m really excited for the future.”

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Nicola Mahoney rode her homebred Game On II (Governor x Sir Donnerhall) to a place in history at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, winning the KBIS British Dressage six-year-old title. The gelding, who claimed the four- and five-year-old titles with Ashley Jenkins, is just the second horse ever to complete that hat-trick of young horse championships, after Hawtins San Floriana.

It was a fiercely close contest. Tom Goode and Noora Bint-Hamad Al Khalifa’s striking Veto (Vitalis x Sir Donnerhall) were second, Sadie Smith and River Rise Onassis (Glamourdale x Amsterdam) third.

The top two tied on 88.2% from the first round; judge Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington explained: “Game On was the most complete package at the moment. The walk pushed it over the edge, but it was tight.”

Nicola admitted she was overwhelmed: “It’s just the most incredible feeling. I’m so happy I could show him off because I know he’s amazing – I think he’s the best horse in the world.”

She also confessed to nerves: “I felt so much pressure, not from anyone else, just from me. I wanted to do him justice. The six-year-old is a big step up, so I’m really happy we proved he’s still incredible.”

There was a dramatic wait to see who was crowned champion, the three horses all circling at the foot of the arena waiting for the final score to be read out. “It was horrible!” Nicola said. “Tom’s horse looks amazing, and I thought he might have me.”

As for Game On’s qualities, Nicola was emphatic: “He swings so beautifully through his body. He’s the most trainable horse I’ve ever been involved with – he comes out every day with a huge smile on his face and just wants to work.”

Woodhead sisters share in mare’s remarkable run of young horse titles

Amy Woodhead and MSJ Viva Dannebrog (Vitalis x Don Schufro) claimed the seven-year-old title with 79.47%.

It was a talent-stacked podium, with Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree – described by Carl Hester as “the best young horse in the country” – close behind on 78.77%, and last year’s six-year-old champions Alicia Lee and Della Ballerina third on 76.62%.

Viva Dannebrog boasts an illustrious record at the nationals, having also won the four- and five-year-old titles. She missed the six-year-olds in 2024, but this year’s triumph capped a unique triple crown.

“It feels super special because she has now been ridden by my sister and me since she was a four-year-old,” Amy said. “She won the four-year-old title with Holly [Woodhead], the five-year-old with me, and now the seven-year-old – so it’s really special.”

Amy admitted to mixed feelings about the missed year. “I was really sad to miss the six-year-old class, but it was because she was breeding – and now she’s got some really super foals on the ground, so that’s exciting.”

The win carried added weight given the calibre of the class. “Fever Tree is an outstanding horse, so it’s a massive achievement to beat Dannie,” Amy said. “After my test he came running up, saying he was gutted but so pleased for me. That’s really good team spirit.”

Amy is planning a careful progression. “We’re hoping to do our first prix st georges by the end of the year. She might be green but I’ve never pressured her. She’s gone the best she ever has here, so I’ll just let her take her time.”

Above all, she values Viva Dannebrog’s temperament. “She’s a real trier – she has a really big heart. I can feel when she’s trying for me. She’s still growing in confidence, but once she’s fully secure, she’s going to be fantastic.”

Jezz Palmer strikes five-year-old gold with MS Broadway M at the National Dressage Championships

Jezz Palmer and MS Broadway M (Bon Courage x Royal Classic) won the five-year-old title, finishing ahead of Sadie with River Rise Pizzazz (Valverde x Lord Leatherdale) and Sarah Millis on Special Agent Amour (Amour x Maestro JGB).

Bred by Britta Witte, the gelding had already picked up the Centre Line prelim silver earlier in the week with his owner Amy Ward, and his standout paces again caught the judges’ eyes.

The pair trailed Sadie from the first round by just 0.4%, but the ride judge’s opinion swung it their way, the walk proving decisive.

“He gave me a super feeling,” said ride judge Phoebe Peters. “He has a huge walk, huge swing in the back, a big uphill canter, and in the trot, I liked his reactions.”

Jezz admitted the result had been a long-held goal. “It’s always a pressure situation at the end, because of the way it’s judged – you’re never sure while you’re waiting.

“But I’m very happy with the result. It was a goal in the back of my mind, and to finally beat Sadie too – she’s dominated this year – I was quite happy!”

MS Broadway M was sourced by Amy from Martin Schleicher, and Jezz knew straight away there was something special. “When she got him home and I sat on him, I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of horse in here.’ His walk is insane, really amazing, but for me it’s his canter – his hind legs are so under him all the time, he gives you so much power and a great feeling.”

The week hasn’t all been smooth for Jezz, but the young horses have impressed throughout. “It’s been a week of ups and downs, so it’s nice to go home with a win,” he said.

“The older horses didn’t quite go to plan, but all the young horses have been amazing. They all finished in the top 10, most in the top five, even at novice and prelim. The week started rocky but got better and better.”

River Rise Pizzazz, winner earlier in the week of the BETTALIFE novice gold, showed his quality again but felt the effects of a busy schedule. “I loved watching him – he had a super balance in the canter,” said Phoebe. “But he did feel a little tired today, and in the trot I’d like him to swing a bit more from behind.”

Becky Moody and Andree Buxton’s Raver TC (First Date x Spinoza) won the four-year-old title earlier in the week, scoring 84.6%.

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Sadie Smith has been crowned national champion at the 70th edition of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships, winning the Kudos grand prix freestyle on 77.05% with Swanmore Dantina, and adding her name to the roll of honour alongside legends such as her mentor Carl Hester, Lorna Johnstone and Jennie Loriston-Clarke.

Sadie became the 30th rider to become national champion, and her freestyle win also sealed her place as the leading rider of the 2025 championships with four victories, including the Centre Line prelim gold earlier in the day on Peter Belshaw’s Times Roccoco (74.27%).

“I feel so emotional – it’s a career high,” Sadie said. “The people who’ve won this before are those I’ve always looked up to and aspired to be like. Carl messaged me straight after the test saying well done, and to have my name there now, with his, and to do it on my own horse too… it’s hard to put into words. You dream of doing this.”

Sadie was visibly moved when talking about her British-bred 10-year-old mare. “She’s so special – like my best friend. I can just get on and off we go together. That’s our partnership.

“She makes me feel confident, even though I’m not always confident, and it feels like it’s getting better each time as we’re learning together.”

Their win came in extreme conditions, as gale-force winds battered the showground. Spectators clung to hoardings and marquees to stop them flying away, while during Sadie’s test the sound of bins and tents crashing could be heard around the arena. A technical hitch also meant she had a long wait before starting.

“We were joking in the warm-up that this is proper British dressage – out in the rain and wind,” she said. “It did feel like everything was going to fall down around us. She was a little worried at first, but once we went in, she just relaxed and gave me more power.”

The result was a personal best. “It was probably one of the best tests I’ve done, and the first time I’ve ridden that freestyle with no mistakes. That’s what I was really hoping for.”

The freestyle, set to Japanese-inspired music, came together at the last minute. “I only had a week to get it ready before Addington CDI,” Sadie said.

“Carl kindly let me use one of Uthopia’s floorplans from the 2011 Europeans, which we adapted. It’s unusual music, but I really like it. The end was a little off as I was ahead of the music, but I think I just about pulled it back.”

A Madonna-themed routine – featuring Who’s That Girl, La Isla Bonita and Frozen – helped Gareth Hughes and Lufada MVL into second overall, and last year’s champions Lewis Robertson-Carrier and Diego V finished third.

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After a run of second-place finishes, Michael Eilberg and MSJ Encore finally had their crowning moment in their class together at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, winning the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I freestyle gold with 74.4% to secure the inter I supreme title.

They finished ahead of Matt Frost and Kerouac in second, with Jessie McConkey and Wilson Stensvang third.

“He’s been a bit of a bridesmaid this week,” Michael admitted. “He had a couple of mistakes in the other tests he’s done, and we’ve had a little bit of difficulty nailing the changes this week.

“But he loves the freestyle programme – it really suits him – and we nailed the changes and managed to put a clean test together, which was really rewarding.”

“The music was composed by Gary Patterson – and it’s a complete original composition. He plays all the instruments himself; nothing is taken from anywhere else.

“It was originally written for my former grand prix horse Half Moon Dynasty, who was very similar: powerful, rhythmical. The whole thing is built around the beat,” Michael explained.

MSJ Encore, he added, has been a long-term project. “He’s been with me since he was a foal, so we’ve done everything together. He’s such a lovely horse to have, such a presence – a real character on the yard.

“Everybody absolutely loves him. As he’s gone up the levels, he’s just got stronger and stronger. He knows a bit of the grand prix work now, so hopefully over the winter we’ll press on with that and see what next year has in store.”

This year’s nationals were a change of pace for Michael. “Normally, I have seven or more horses here, and I’m running around doing everything. But this time I really focused on the ones I thought could feature at the top end,” he said.

“It meant I could give them the time and do a proper job, and it’s nice it all came together at the end,” he said.

Two titles in two days at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Gijs Van Vooren and Judith Davis’ British-bred gelding Hawtins Quattro made it two titles in two days at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, adding the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I silver (71.29%) to the prix st georges (PSG) silver they won yesterday (12 September). Gijs also took third place on Hawtins Bellegra with 68.82%.

“I came to work for Hawtins Stud seven years ago, backing the young horses,” Gijs said. “Since then, I’ve built my way up to riding at PSG and inter I.

“It’s been such an exciting journey, and it’s all thanks to Judith. Without her, there wouldn’t be me. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and I feel a lot of pressure because I want to do her and the horses justice.”

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Rob Barker scored a remarkable one-two at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, winning the TopSpec medium gold title on Kilian’s Bartholomew (Boris) with 73%, and finishing runner-up on Licorno with 72.14% – both horses owned by long-time supporter Christine Kirk.

This was no easy field either. Sadie Smith and Times Oddjob – two-time national title winners at the winters – settled for third, and Becky Moody lined up with two strong contenders.

“I just feel so grateful,” Rob said. “It doesn’t happen every day, and it keeps you going. When the long days in the winter come in, it keeps the motivation high.”

He admitted the achievement still hadn’t quite sunk in. “I always try to stay quite level. I say to clients or anyone I’m helping: whether you win or lose, you still have to get home and train the next week. You’ve just got to keep going.”

Central to his success, he added, is the guidance of Isobel Wessels. “I’m so lucky to have Isobel – she mentors and coaches me in everything.

“Wins like this just cements the belief to stick to your ways and trust in your process.

“What we work for every day is keeping the horses happy and feeling really good in their bodies. Then they naturally give you more, rather than always pressing for it. When you get to a show and they offer it to you, that gives you confidence.”

That philosophy extends to his approach to competition. “Some people feel they need to do lots of shows, but I’m the opposite. I’m a bit like Adele – I’ll do a few shows, then hide away for a bit, and come back out.”

Both of his championship horses, he says, embody that ethos. “Christine bought Boris as a two-year-old, so we’ve had him all the way through. He’s really genuine, with a great temperament.

“Licorno only came from Poland two years ago – Isobel spotted him at a clinic – but he’s ended up being a really cool part of the team. They’re both so genuine, so willing and so talented.”

Rob is already setting his sights on the top level. “The aim is grand prix,” he said. “Boris is only six, but he’s so talented and willing. He’ll do this week, then have an easy few weeks.

“I’ve also got a few more at home stepping up to that level, so I’m really excited – it’s been a long time coming.”

Redemption ride at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Yesterday’s novice gold (12 September) showcased future equine stars, and the BETTALIFE novice silver celebrated rising riders. Lauren Burrows claimed the title with her own six-year-old mare High Hoes Esquisse (Kizzy), bred by Nicky Callam, with 72.39%.

Event rider Jack Stancombe was second on Fastnet Rock (71.94%) and Sophie Lee-Amies – who works for Sadie Smith – close behind in third with River Rise Ooo La La (71.84%).

For Lauren, who grooms for Dannie Morgan, the win was especially sweet after mistakes in the elementary silver on the opening day cost her a top placing.

“I really wanted to go out today and redeem myself,” she said. “In the elementary, I had a mistake in the walk-to-canter – she just ran away with me – so I was determined to do a better job today.

“I was really pleased with the trot work, but she got quite hot in the walk, which made the canter a bit tight. It was hard work to contain the energy and still make it look pretty, so I wasn’t sure if it would be enough. I’m really glad it was.”

She was quick to acknowledge the support behind her. “I couldn’t do it without Dannie. He’s been a massive part of the journey with her. I bought her unbroken as a three-year-old, and she’s the first horse I’ve produced from scratch, so it’s really cool to get this kind of success.”

High Hoes Esquisse had already given Lauren a taste of victory at the nationals, winning the prelim silver title last summer and taking the Tyrell Trophy as the highest placed British-bred mare.

Now, the pair have their sights set higher. “I’d love for her to take me to grand prix. I think she has the talent for it – she was very hot in the arena today, and that’s what you need at that level. For now, it’s about keeping training, having fun, and seeing where we get.”

After a long week, however, the Escalito mare will enjoy some downtime. “She was wild on the first day, but now she’s tired. She deserves a bit of a holiday after this.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina (Dia) won the LeMieux grand prix at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, scoring 71.96% – another statement result in a breakout year for the pair.

“To win the grand prix at the nationals has always been a dream of mine,” Sadie said. “And it’s another Dia has helped me achieve – she’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse for me.”

The win carried huge personal significance. “When I was younger it was an achievement just to get here, and I’ve only ever ridden in the grand prix here once before, on Keystone Dynamite six years ago. It’s taken that long to train another horse up to this level.”

Although she is one of the most decorated riders in British dressage, Sadie admitted this one meant more than most.

“By far, it’s the best title I’ve ever won. Grand prix is so hard – it feels like learning to ride all over again. It’s so technical, and I really admire the riders who make it look easy. It’s an amazing feeling to have done it.”

Sadie Smith leads the way in the 2025 National Dressage Championships grand prix

Alex Harrison-West and Kickback were the first in and held the lead going into the first break on 68.96%.

Sadie and Dia were the first of the pre-competition favourites to go afterwards, and opened strongly with eights for their extended trot.

The extensions across all three paces proved highlights, and more eights in the double-marked extended walk gave them a commanding lead. Dantina looked effortless throughout, the only blemish a touch of hesitation in the first and final piaffe.

“She did some lovely work – the changes were really good, and I was really pleased with my pirouettes, which we got eights for,” Sadie said.

“Her passage is getting stronger too, but today she just lost a bit of energy in the piaffe. It’s about getting the balance with the power – if I make it too hot, she gets tense and loses the relaxation in the other work. It’s still a work in progress, but she always tries for me.”

Still, Sadie came out of the arena unsure. “I was moaning to Carl [Hester] as usual, pointing out all the little bits in my test – he’s probably sick of me, I’m always so negative,” she said with a laugh.

There was still a strong line-up to come. Last year’s national champions, Lewis Robertson-Carrier and Diego V, were among the main challengers.

The 18-year-old gelding’s piaffe was as sharp as ever, but mistakes in the one-time changes and the trot transition after the second pirouette left them on 68.24% and in eventual fourth.

Becky Moody followed on James Bond II, who showed exceptional piaffe and looked poised to challenge for the lead. But Becky chose to retire the powerful 11-year-old stallion after the zig-zag, later saying she thought he might have knocked himself in the extended trot.

That put the spotlight on the final combination, Gareth Hughes and Monica Lindstedt’s Lusitano mare, Lufada MVL. They scored eights for their passage but, with mistakes in the changes, finished on 69.41% – good enough for second.

“I thought one of the others might beat me,” Sadie said. “When Gareth was going I couldn’t watch. When I found out I’d won, I just cried, to be honest. I rang Steve Readings, who co-owns Dia with me – he’s not horsey at all – and even he was so excited.”

Sadie will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of Carl, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Charlotte Dujardin tomorrow (14 September), when the overall national champion is decided on the combined scores from the grand prix and the Kudos grand prix freestyle. She carries a 2.55% lead over Gareth, with Alex a further half a point adrift – putting her in pole position.

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After dominating the winter championships with four national titles, Sadie Smith kicked off her 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships with a win, taking the BETTALIFE novice gold title on Sarah Tyler-Evans’ five-year-old gelding River Rise Pizzazz (Valverde x Lord Leatherdale), scoring 74.68%.

At one stage, it looked close with Sophie Wells and Charlotte Hogg’s Ontario LC, who scored 72.87%, but River Rise Pizzazz grew in confidence through the second half of the test. As he moved into the canter work, sevens began to turn into eights.

“I was so pleased with him,” Sadie said. “He was such a good boy. We had one spook at A, but other than that he went really well through the test. We did the four-year-olds here last year and could barely get around, but this year he’s so much more confident. He’s a lot stronger in his body now.”

She added: “To be honest, I came out smiling because his trot is starting to get a lot of swing to it. But the main thing was confidence – he’s gone from being quite a spooky horse to really trusting me.”

The novice gold at the nationals often doubles as a de facto young horse class, with talent spotters on the lookout for future stars. River Rise Pizzazz – already a prelim gold champion at the winters – looks certain to be counted among them.

From top-10 hopes to first place at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson clinched the Topspec medium silver with 70.44%, finishing more than a percentage point clear of Anna Burns and San Isidro.

The win adds to a remarkable record for the pair, who ended 2024 by becoming Britain’s first-ever children-on-horses medallists at the European Championships in Opglabbeek, Belgium – winning gold – and the national children-on-horses champion.

Now, a year on, Ella-Grace is still surprising herself. “I came here hoping to get top 10 at most. I wasn’t expecting to come top five, let alone first,” she admitted.

Riding early in the class meant an agonising wait. “It was a very, very long wait – we kept trying not to look at the scores, but then we’d give up and check our phones again,” she laughed.

Her winning test was marked by strong medium canters and simple changes, but she credits Sheepcote Jackson’s temperament as much as his talent. “He’s such a good boy in there. He’s very lazy, so it always looks a lot better than it feels – but he’s so fun to ride.”

Preparation for nationals included ironing out small details. “We just kept working on the little mistakes and our corners – I always forget about them in the test,” Ella-Grace explained.

She also enjoyed another recent milestone in her development. “I had my first ever lesson with Carl Hester a few days ago — it went really, really well.”

The 15-year-old already has her sights set on the next step. “We’re aiming to go out at juniors over winter and hopefully move him up. My other horse, Boccelli, has been helping me learn the changes, so that’s the plan.”

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Sarah Higgins and Geniaal crowned their 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships in style, sweeping to the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I gold with 74.27% and returning to claim the Fairfax Saddles prix st georges (PSG) freestyle and PSG supreme championship.

It was a statement day from a horse fast becoming a legend: the 14-year-old gelding now has five national titles, marking him out as British dressage’s standout small tour campaigner.

In the inter I, the pair blew the field away – finishing more than three per cent clear of runners-up Michael Eilberg and MSJ Encore (71.2%). They were exceptional throughout, with the changes and Geniaal’s self-carriage a highlight. Their sole error was a hesitant transition from walk to canter.

“Honestly, the test felt amazing. It was one of the best I’ve ever had – not just on him, but on any horse,” Sarah said. “Today was probably one of his better rein-backs, and picking the reins up from the extended walk into canter is always a dicey area – but it was a total pleasure.”

She added: “When I ride a test like that, I think if he’s not getting big scores, then what hope have I got on my other horses? Having a horse like this to ride shows you how it should feel – with the younger ones, it gives me a goal. One day I hope they can feel like that too.”

Only afterwards did Sarah reveal that the warm-up had been far from straightforward. “He gave me such a fright today – the rain came down as soon as I got on him, and then as we were going down the long side behind the grandstand all the crowd went up the stairs, and he got really scared by the noise.

“For the first half of my warm-up, I couldn’t go anywhere near the side of the arena. He’s not a spooky horse at all, so I thought, ‘Oh God…’ but when I went in, it felt amazing.”

She added: “I’m probably just a dramatic person – most people wouldn’t even mention it!”

Her performance drew high praise from her trainer, Richard Davison. “She rode so well, and I think that horse produced the best inter I tests I’ve ever seen him do,” he said.

Then, with a grin, he added to Sarah: “You can only go downhill from here now!”

But she proved him wrong barely an hour later, cruising to victory in the PSG freestyle with 76.75%. That result not only sealed the PSG freestyle, but also crowned her the PSG supreme champion as the highest scorer across both PSG classes – making Sarah the first rider to retain the title since its introduction.

“He’s just a truly, truly amazing horse,” she said after the prizegiving. “We already knew it, but he’s proved it again over the last two days. I just feel incredibly lucky – and thankful to his owner, Sarah Rao, for giving me the opportunity to ride him.”

The freestyle itself was a joy. “I borrowed Amy Woodhead’s music again – I didn’t know it totally well, but I really enjoyed the ride. I was a little worried he might be on his toes after the prize-giving an hour earlier, but he was such a professional. He was amazing.”

Above all, Sarah said the experience has reminded her of why she loves to compete. “When you’re riding a horse like him, you’ve just got to enjoy it. There are more important things in the world than dressage tests, so if I’m not enjoying it, I shouldn’t be doing it. And I’m certainly enjoying it at the moment – that’s for sure.”

As for what’s next, her sights are already set. “For the horse, he’ll be going to Thailand in November with Sarah [Rao] for the Asian Championships. And I’ve got some really exciting young horses at home that I hope will come here in the future and be competitive too.”

From wild card to PSG winner at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Gijs Van Vooren won the Fairfax Saddles PSG silver title, riding Hawtins Quattro to 70.62%.

“I can’t believe it,” he said afterwards. “I was really stressed, so it hasn’t really sunk in yet. He’s such an amazing horse, and we’re learning together. It’s the first horse I’ve trained to this level, so it’s just unbelievable really.”

The pair came into the class as wild cards after a difficult regionals. “We didn’t have a good regionals – I made lots of mistakes. So I didn’t have high hopes. I just wanted a clear round and to do him justice. It was like redemption,” Gijs explained.

This time, the focus paid off. “I tried not to think about the mistakes from regionals and I didn’t look at who else was in the class – I just tried to stay in the moment and remember it’s me and the horse. If you think about it too much, it just goes wrong. That’s what happened at regionals, but today he was so confident. I was just so pleased.

“I have to thank Judith Davis of Hawtins Stud, who bred him and gave me this incredible opportunity. I’m so grateful to her.”

Training Quattro himself makes the result even more rewarding. “It’s been a journey with lots of ups and downs. It makes it even more satisfying knowing I trained him up myself – that’s why it feels so unbelievable.”

Looking ahead, the pair are already pushing on. “He’s starting to play with inter II now – he’s a very capable horse, I just need to get my head around it. I didn’t really have expectations today. It was just me and Q, and doing our best – and it worked.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to follow the 2025 National Dressage Championships live streams and on TV wherever you are

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Becky Moody and Andree Buxton’s Raver TC (First Date x Spinoza) won the KBIS British Dressage (BD) four-year-old title at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships with 84.6%. It was Becky’s second title of the championships, having already won the inter II gold title on Jack Diamond.

Tom Goode rode Deborah Cunningham’s Ravenna II (Kaiman x Impresario) into second on 82.4%; Jezz Palmer and Martin Price’s Viktorious Anmore (Victorio Grande x Toto Jr) secured third with 80%.

“He was amazing – he’s a really sweet horse, super-talented, lovely brain,” said Becky after the win. “It’s his first big stay-away show and he was a little mind-blown this morning, but he was so good when it mattered.”

The judges awarded Raver TC a 9 for trot and 8.7 for way of going and general impression, marking him as a horse with serious potential.

“He’s got such a cool trot,” Becky added. “He’s got a really good walk too, but it was a little tense today so he didn’t show it off to his best.

“But he’s just such an elegant horse. He’ll be a good 16.2hh, but he’s that lighter type – he looks smaller right now because he’s still filling out. He’s so trainable as well and just really nice to have around.”

Bred by Tim Coomans in the Netherlands, the gelding only joined Becky’s yard this year. The long-term goal is clear: “It’s early days, but with every horse our aim is grand prix – and that’s certainly the hope with him.”

Emotional story behind Becky’s win at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

But behind the horse is a story that gives the win deeper meaning.

Raver TC is owned by Andree Buxton, who decided to buy a dressage horse after losing her husband last year. “Today is actually the anniversary of his funeral, so for her to be happy with his performance today… it meant a lot,” Becky said.

Their partnership began in unusual fashion. “She sent me a letter – an actual paper letter – saying she wanted to own a horse for me to ride. It was amazing, I’d never even met her before. She’s such a lovely lady and has fitted in so well with the team.”

Unlike the five- and six-year-old classes, the four-year-olds had just one shot to impress judges Sascha Schulz and Spencer Wilton, with no second round – a welfare-led move to avoid overburdening these younger horses.

The seven-year-old class will run in the same single-round format, but follow a set floorplan akin to an advanced medium test, judged and scored like a standard BD class.

Action continues tomorrow (13 September) with the five- and six-year-olds; the top three from each class will earn a spot in Sunday’s finals (14 September). Former European pony champion Phoebe Peters returns to the UK for the first time in five years to serve as the riding judge.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to follow the 2025 National Dressage Championships live streams and on TV wherever you are

‘Hopefully he can be a team horse – that’s the dream’: back-to-back champions and new partnerships kick off National Dressage Championships

‘Yesterday was awful… but today everything clicked’: PSG title defended after an emotional turnaround at the National Dressage Championships

‘There’s definitely a 10 in there’: after a stop-start journey, Becky Moody’s latest star takes centre stage

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Becky Moody and Jack Diamond (Electron x Diamond Hit) won the Stuebben inter II gold title at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, scoring 72.12%.

The 11-year-old gelding now holds four national titles, but the road to this point hasn’t been smooth. His career has been somewhat stop-start since his early successes, and this was only his second competition of the year – the other was a win in the Vale View Premier League inter II, in which he scored 71.19% to qualify.

“He’s always been incredibly talented and a gorgeous horse,” Becky said. “But I’ve had to keep giving his body time to catch up, and he had some time off for some dental work too, so with that, and everything else over the last couple of years, he’s taken a bit of a back seat.

“He’s such an enormous mover; it’s taken a long time for him to be physically able to manage his own scope.”

Jack Diamond’s talent was never in doubt, but his early years were a tad dramatic. Becky once described how, as a four-year-old stallion, he dumped her “pretty much at Carl Hester’s feet” during a young horse class.

“I just remember someone shouting, ‘Sit up!’ and two seconds later I was on the ground!” she said. “Carl helped me up, dusted me off and put me back on. He did qualify for the nationals, but I didn’t take him – I was too terrified! We gelded him not long after.”

“Legs” has retained his exuberance, but Becky says he has matured into one of the most sensible and rideable horses on the yard.

“He’s actually probably one of the easiest horses we have now. Anyone can get on him,” she said. “There’s a truly exceptional horse in there – it’s just about getting him to a place where he can find that in himself, and in that situation.”

The inter II test showcased that potential, with particular highlights in the trot work.

“I think he has the most classically correct piaffe I’ve ever sat on,” Becky added. “It’s phenomenal – when I carry a whip.

“I don’t need to use it, but just having it gives him confidence. There’s definitely a 10 in there… but without it, we get 6.5s!”

After a long journey of setbacks, Becky says this title feels especially meaningful.

“I do still get the same buzz – every horse is at a different point in their education, and it’s really satisfying to achieve something new with each of them,” she said. “It’s a great show to finish the season with.”

From knee reconstruction to a winner at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Amy Ward triumphed in the Centre Line prelim silver – the biggest class of day one at the 2025 National Dressage Championships, running from 8am to mid-afternoon – scoring 75% with the five-year-old gelding MS Broadway M (Bon Courage x Royal Classic).

She also took sixth with another five-year-old, Pete D (Glock’s Taminiau x Armani), on 69.87%, marking an extraordinary first appearance at the championships.

“This is my first year campaigning back in British Dressage,” Amy said. “This time last year I was here as a groom, supporting Jezz Palmer and the Anmore Dressage team – and I remember thinking, ‘This is where I want to be’.

“To come back 12 months later with two horses and take a title… it’s just the absolute cherry on top.”

Broadway, affectionately dubbed “Mr Consistent”, matched his personal best in the ring.

“He’s a powerhouse – and a total showman,” Amy said. “He’s only five, but he thrives on the atmosphere. I’m small, he’s huge, so I’ve had to learn how to really ride him – to make that partnership work.”

Amy’s success is even more remarkable given that just a few years ago, she wasn’t riding at all.

“I didn’t sit on a horse for over 15 years,” she said. “Then four years ago, I had a serious skiing accident and needed full knee reconstruction – I had to learn to walk again.”

That rehab became a turning point.

“I remember thinking during a physio session, ‘Oh my God, I’m never going to ride down the centre line again’,” she said. “That became the motivation. A year later I got back on a horse to see if I still could… and the addiction spiralled from there.”

Now based between the UK and Dubai, Amy says returning to competition as an adult has given her a new outlook.

“I competed a lot when I was younger, but this time I’ve come back with a totally different mindset. I’m mentally in a much better place, and I think that’s why I’m able to enjoy it more. I didn’t even get nervous until I was off the horse and waiting for the final scores!”

As her two five-year-olds finished inside the top 10, Amy says the result is a strong sign she’s on track.

“It’s a massive confidence boost. I set a goal a year ago to be here, and I wouldn’t be without Jezz and the Anmore team. No one does this alone. Taking on two horses was probably a bit mad – but here we are, and I couldn’t be happier.”

MS Broadway M will return later this week in the KBIS five-year-old class, this time with Jezz Palmer in the saddle – and a shot at a second title.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to follow the 2025 National Dressage Championships live streams and on TV wherever you are

‘Yesterday was awful… but today everything clicked’: PSG title defended after an emotional turnaround at the National Dressage Championships

‘Hopefully he can be a team horse – that’s the dream’: back-to-back champions and new partnerships kick off National Dressage Championships

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A stellar field contested the Fairfax Saddles prix st georgres (PSG) gold – the headline class of the day at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships – but once again it was Sarah Higgins and Geniaal who came out on top. Their winning score of 73.29% secured back-to-back titles, confirming their place as the pair to beat.

“Last year it was my first national title, which felt amazing. This year feels very different – I’m exhausted. I’ve been travelling non-stop with horses all over the world, and I think it’ll take a few days to sink in,” Sarah admitted.

From the start, that quality was on display, and it looked set to be a tight contest. Sara-Jane Lanning set the early benchmark with Hawtins Lirica, scoring 69.65% for a clean, consistent test highlighted by eights in the double-marked extended walk – good enough to lead early on.

They were soon chased by a string of pre-class favourites. First up, Matt Frost and Kerouac, the reigning winter PSG freestyle champions, produced plenty of highlights and a soft contact throughout, but couldn’t quite recapture their winter form, finishing on 68.91%.

Next in, Michael Eilberg and EDH Nanouk – winners of the Elite Stallions young horse PSG at Hartpury earlier this summer – delivered a precise, mistake-free performance, accurate to the marker throughout. Their 69.59% left them agonisingly close, just 0.05% adrift of Sara-Jane.

Then, as the wind began to pick up, came the final big hitter before the break: Becky Moody and Magic Dream. The compact mare, already a double champion here last year – winning the seven-year-old and advanced medium gold titles – once again rose to the occasion.

With half-pirouettes scoring eights and only a slight slip in the first line of changes, they posted 70.74% – enough to seize the lead going into the interval.

But the lead didn’t last long – Sarah was in the arena soon after the break. Consistency is the hallmark of the 14-year-old gelding, but even so, his changes stood out – Richard Baldwin at M rewarded them with two nines.

“He was just brilliant – the changes felt super, and when he’s in that frame of mind, everything feels easy. It’s not a hard job when he’s like that,” said Sarah.

Even so, there were anxious moments to come. The final rider of the class was Michael Eilberg again, this time with MSJ Encore, a pair boasting multiple international and Premier League wins this year. For a moment, it looked like they might edge ahead – until costly mistakes in both sets of changes dropped them to 71.65% and second place.

“It was a tense afternoon because I knew Mike was going last, and he’s an amazing rider with a fabulous horse. Waiting for his test was nerve-wracking,” said Sarah.

“The small tour has been so strong this year – at every Premier League and international, the level of horses and riders has been incredibly high. To come out on top in that kind of company makes it very special.”

A comeback after a tough start

Adding to the emotion of the win was how far Sarah had come in just 24 hours.

“Yesterday I had probably the worst ride I’ve ever had,” she said. “I was stressed, I didn’t feel prepared, and it turned into a panic ride. When I got back to the yard, I had two more to ride, and I told the girls, ‘That was awful. I’m riding so badly. I don’t want to get back on.’ And I didn’t – I went home. A proper little diva strop.”

So what changed?

“Honestly, it was just me getting a grip,” she said. “Last year, I came here excited. This year I felt like if I didn’t win, I’d be disappointed because we won last year, which is a terrible mindset to ride with. But I reset, and today, everything clicked. He was amazing.”

Sarah and Geniaal will be back in action tomorrow for the PSG freestyle (Friday 12 September). The top-scoring combination across both classes will be crowned PSG supreme champion.

Sarah holds a 1.65% lead over Michael, and if she maintains it, she’ll become the first rider ever to retain the supreme title since its introduction.

Back-to-back titles mark the rise of an exciting partnership at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Lauren Aston and Free Flo also secured back-to-back national titles, adding the HorseQuest elementary silver to the BETTALIFE novice silver they won last year. Their 70.27% put them just ahead of Lauren Burrows, with Beaux Lyon in second on 69.33%.

“To win last year at our first nationals was amazing, so to do it again feels a bit crazy,” said Lauren, who works full-time in marketing. “I didn’t expect it… I guess I just need to have more faith in her – she’s brilliant!

“I was really pleased with her extensions. She’s a huge horse and we’ve taken things slowly, but the work on balance is really starting to come through.”

Perhaps flying under the radar a little as they are competing in the silver category, Lauren and her eight-year-old Fürst Romancier mare are proving one of the most exciting partnerships in the country.

They’ve won 15 of their 19 tests this season, and what makes the run even more impressive is that they are climbing the levels together.

“We’re learning together. I’ve had her since she was two – we started at novice and elementary, now we’re just starting changes and hope to get out at advanced medium this winter.”

Free Flo has also developed a flair for the spotlight. “She’s an attractive, big-moving horse and she does love to show off – especially in prizegivings, when it’s on her terms!”

On when she realised the mare’s potential, Laured added: “We did well in the Nexgen young horse series against a field of about 20 professionals – that’s probably when I realised she might be something special. As her strength has grown, so have her paces and suppleness.

“We’ve got a few more young horses from the same breeder in Germany, so it’s exciting to see if they can follow in her footsteps.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to follow the 2025 National Dressage Championships live streams and on TV wherever you are

‘Hopefully he can be a team horse – that’s the dream’: back-to-back champions and new partnerships kick off National Dressage Championships

‘I felt like it was something that was never going to happen’: local rider beats the rain to win her first-ever national title

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The Equissage para dressage gold classes launched the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships in style.

It marked the finale of the summer season for Britain’s para riders, with every combination earning their place via last month’s semi-finals at Hartpury.

The top four from each grade lined up, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jemima Green and Fantabulous, who took a title here last year before winning two bronze medals at this summer’s European Championships.

Erin Orford topped the grade III with LJT Nutbush, scoring 71.72%. The 13-year-old gelding was previously campaigned by Sadie Smith and most recently by Carl Hester, who won a prix st georges with him at Somerford Park Premier League in 2021.

“We’re still quite a new combination – this was only our third show together – but each time out I feel like I learn more about him,” Erin said. “He’s such a gentleman in his temperament and attitude. He has so many gears, so it’s about putting them in the right place and building our communication.”

The ride came via Carl’s role as president of the Lady Joseph Trust, who’ve been supporting Britian’s para riders since 2009. “Carl knew I was looking for a horse and kindly thought of me,” Erin explained. “After a short trial, it came together with the support of the trust and the owners [Anne Barrott, Henrietta Cheetham and Rowena Luard]. It’s such a privilege to ride a horse with that kind of foundation in his training.”

“At our first show I almost just sat there and smiled, then realised I actually needed to ride him,” she laughed. “He’s so well trained, but for me it’s about finding out how to get the best from him.”

That partnership is already clicking. “He finds the movements so easy and stayed relaxed today. For me it’s about how I put the power in and keep the harmony, because he has so much quality to show off. We went for a safe test, but it gives me confidence to know I can ask for more.”

Looking ahead, Erin is aiming high. “He’s in such a different place to other horses because he’s so established in his work. This year is about learning as much as I can about him, so next year we can really come out with some solid performances. Hopefully, he can be a team horse – that’s the dream.”

Laura Scott continued her good run with CEI Summer Days, scoring 70.63% to take grade IV. The pair are in fine form, having also won the elementary silver regional title at Bicton (72.17%). It made for a hectic day, with Laura heading straight from the prizegiving into the warm-up for the HorseQuest elementary silver.

“This was his first time in an arena like this, so for him to just go in, stay relaxed and do his thing was pretty special,” Laura said. “A couple of little spooks, but nothing major – he stayed with me the whole way.”

A former amateur point-to-point jockey and event rider, Laura turned to para dressage after a 2017 fall left her with broken vertebrae and spinal cord damage. “I couldn’t even walk for three months, but getting back on a horse was all I wanted to do – I had to do it.

“I love para dressage because it gives me that competitive focus again. Everyone is competitive, of course, but it’s such a supportive environment – people want each other to do well.

“I still feel like we haven’t scratched the surface yet. There’s so much more in there, which is really exciting. I’d love to be on a senior team one day – Europeans, worlds, maybe even the Paralympics. That’s the ultimate dream. But for now, it’s about taking each day as it comes and trying to improve.”

In grade I, Susanna Wade retained her national title with Premier Royal Mint, scoring 69.03%.

“I’m thrilled with the test,” she said. “He’s 18 now, so this might be his finale. If it is, what a way to finish – you can’t really top becoming national champion twice in a row.

“He was a little on his toes out there, but my trainer Spencer Wilson just said, ‘Take that energy and use it.’ I was a little worried, but I trusted him and it worked.

“He’s so safe and sensible. He loves the big occasions with his ears pricked, but at home he finds it boring – he’d much rather be out competing.”

Alice Begg also made it back-to-back titles in grade V, this time with Nalique. They scored 68.68% to defend the crown she won last year on her former ride Gluckauf.

“She’s only seven this year, so for her to just go in and take it all in was brilliant,” said Alice. “I felt like she took me – I could just sit back and guide the test, and she said, ‘I know what I’m doing, Mum.’

“Often in a test you’re so focused that you don’t get to enjoy it, but this time I could – it was lovely not to finish thinking, ‘Wow, that went really quickly.’”

Alice also filled the runner-up spot with Kolita, another horse she believes has big potential. “The hope for both of them is to go out and do some internationals. For Nalique in particular, there’s so much more in there. The next six months are about making her stronger so next year we can come out with bigger scores.”

Georgia Wilson clinched a competitive grade II on Faside Got The Love (Jax) with 70.72%. This year she has focused on the nine-year-old while her Paris Paralympic partner Sakura (Suki) enjoys a holiday.

“I’ve had Jax since he was four,” Georgia said. “He’s probably one of the hardest horses I’ve ever had – he’s quite wobbly, so you have to be really balanced yourself and concentrate. But we’re getting better, and the scores just keep getting more consistent now.

“Suki’s having a holiday – she’s been going since Tokyo – so it’s made me really get to grips with Jax. He was always in the background, but now I’m focused on getting it right with him.”

It’s been a milestone year outside the arena too. “I got married in June – I can’t really remember any of it, to be honest!” she laughed. “I’m looking forward to the honeymoon now.”

Looking ahead, Georgia is eyeing Wellington CPEDI in October. “The plan is just to keep building those consistent scores. Suki will come back into work once I’m back – she’ll be going up the Welsh hills to get rid of her big belly!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to follow the 2025 National Dressage Championships live streams and on TV wherever you are

‘Yesterday was awful… but today everything clicked’: PSG title defended after an emotional turnaround at the National Dressage Championships

‘There’s definitely a 10 in there’: after a stop-start journey, Becky Moody’s latest star takes centre stage

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

Watch the National Dressage Championships this week and catch the nation’s leading combinations across all levels.

The LeMieux National Dressage Championships take place at Somerford Park, Cheshire, and attracts top names including Becky Moody, Charlotte Dujardin and Gareth Hughes.

If you can’t watch live, do follow our National Dressage Championships live results service, which will be live from late morning on Thursday 10 September.

How to watch National Dressage Championships 2026

There will be no terrestrial TV coverage available from this year’s National Dressage Championships, but Horse & Country TV will be live streaming select classes. These classes will also be available to watch back on demand.

A H&C+ subscription works out at from £7.08/month for an annual subscription, or the rolling monthly option is £14.99 – find out more at horseandcountry.tv. H&C+ provides its service in the UK, US, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Find the full live broadcast schedule below.

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National Dressage Championships live stream schedule

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Carl Hester reflects on the LeMieux National Dressage Championships and shares some practical new ideas to move dressage forward

What a brilliant few days at Somerford Park for the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. It was great to see so many British-bred horses and new names taking the titles.

What a fabulous wedding present for Lewis Robertson-Carrier who took the national title on Diego V. The contest was wide open and very close – it could have gone to anybody.

Due to it being in September it lacks the team horses who are on breaks after a busy summer. I still feel it’s a class that could be held earlier in the year so that all combinations can be included.

The young horses are among the most popular for spectators, so I was disappointed to see the ride-judging part of the young horse classes cut to just two horses. With four in for the final judging two were sent out and only two were ridden. I can see the need to trim time but let’s bring back ride-judging all four.

So much of a horse’s potential is shown by the way it feels to ride. Point proven in the six-year-olds with Alicia Lee and Della Ballerina, brought in in third place, then kept to be ridden in the final two, then after the ride promoted to champion! It’s all about the feel.

Give and retake at grand prix level

I had an interesting exchange of ideas with Kyra Kyrklund at the nationals. With the amount of criticism thrown at dressage – tension, not in self-carriage, that horses aren’t happy or confident – Kyra’s view, which I agree with, is that something has to change. It would be better to get ahead of the game and make suggestions rather than sit back and have changes imposed on our sport.

Kyra has lots of ideas but this one I think would be brilliant. As the FEI young horse tests have a give and retake the reins in trot, why don’t we introduce it at prix st georges and grand prix level?

Kyra’s thinking is that instead of having three trot extensions in the grand prix, the final one could be replaced by two half circles over X in trot, where the rider allows the horse to lengthen its neck, showing it’s carrying itself.

As opposed to doing a give and retake on the diagonal or anywhere else, all the judges would be able to see the movement from wherever they were sitting. It would also allow the horse a breather, which means the final centre line in piaffe and passage would really show a horse relaxed – and that piaffe and passage are not produced through tension.

Kyra has already put this forward to the International Dressage Riders Club and the FEI in advance of the FEI stakeholder meeting on 1 October.

Kyra told me: “We have to admit to critics that there has been a lot of tension. We also have to show that we don’t want tension, what we want is collection and energy. This movement would also enable judges to see in black and white if a horse is working correctly with relaxation.”

As she says, riders training for the young horse classes get quite good at it, so why not keep it in the tests throughout the levels? Of course top riders use it in training – I certainly do. It would be good to encourage those who struggle with the movement or find it difficult to train, to practise and perfect it.

I’m in favour of this movement being included more and so is Stephen Clarke. We hope that other key people will get behind it too.

Loving the chestnut mares

Finally, I can’t believe I was brought up in an era where you weren’t supposed to touch a chestnut mare. What a change! National seven-year-old winner, six-year-old winner, and five-year-old reserve champion. Chestnut mares are the future. We all love them – congratulations!

● What moves would you like to add to higher-level tests to encourage positive change? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Blenheim, HOYS and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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‘I’ve dreamt of this for so long’: Lewis Robertson-Carrier is crowned national champion in a nail-biting contest

‘Grand prix horse in the making’ crowned national six-year-old champion

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

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

Bryony Goodwin completed an impressive hat-trick of titles at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, when her Topspec medium gold winner from yesterday, Dion II, served up a win in the Bret Willson advanced medium silver too.

The nine-year-old Dante Weltino son is making a name for himself on the British dressage scene after winning the elementary gold title here last year, but Bryony admitted she was surprised to come out on top at either level here.

“Dion’s new to advanced medium so I didn’t have great expectations, and the medium yesterday was such a hot class that I went in just hoping for a top five place,” she said.

“The medium’s his comfort zone, and I just wanted to give him a good confidence-giving round in the advanced medium. But he did such a super job, so that’s lovely and very exciting. For me, the fact he was confident enough for me to ride forward into the changes was the highlight, and his trotwork was lovely and supple which meant I could ride a nice, accurate test on him.”

Bryony explained that Dion’s rideability and trainability stands him apart, as does his overall frame and way of going.

“He stays out to the bit really well, and goes in a lovely rhythm while always giving the appearance of being relaxed, so the judges really like him.”

“It’s not all about chasing ribbons and sashes”

It can be tempting to push such talented horses, but Bryony is thankful to have a “super” joint owner in Sam Bolton, who’s happy to go at Dion’s pace.

“For Sam it’s all about the horse and the horse being happy, so we can go at the right pace for him. She’s not all about chasing wins and ribbons and sashes.”

And in the spirit of taking her time, Bryony’s decided not to campaign Dion towards the Winter Dressage Championships in the months to come.

“I think sometimes you can over-compete, and he has done brilliantly this year so we’re just going to train him this winter and hopefully next year he will come out at prix st georges (PSG).”

Already excelling at PSG is Bryony’s other National Dressage Championships winner, Krack DE, who won the Fairfax Saddles PSG silver earlier in the week. The 13-year-old, who’s owned by Antonia Brown, took a step down on the final day of the show to finish second to his stablemate Dion at advanced medium.

“Krack didn’t quite have the same power in some of his work today, as he was a little tired,” reflected Bryony. “He tried really hard for me and sometimes he can try too hard, so I’m pleased he could stay relaxed and do another test so nicely for me.”

“It was absolutely pouring down but he felt amazing”

Sarah Ingham described her HorseQuest elementary gold win with Mowgli S as “a long time coming”. It’s the first national title for the seven-year-old Spielberg gelding, whose trust Sarah has had to work to gain since buying him as a youngster.

“I’ve had him since he was three – I bought him after seeing him on Facebook – and although he was lovely he was really weak, and sharp too, so I didn’t compete him for a couple of years. But once he trusted me, he’s gone from strength to strength.”

Sarah and Mowgli finished second at both their regional finals – “I’ve been the bridesmaid twice, so we came here with a job to do” – and took the win here with 73.56%, beating the score they qualified with.

But despite her determination to improve, Sarah said she tried hard not to overdo the training at home in the run-up to the National Dressage Championships.

“I have tried to keep things chilled and trust that he knows what he’s doing,” she said. “And in the test it was absolutely pouring down but he tried so hard. It felt amazing.

“I absolutely adore him,” added Sarah, who trains with Emile Faurie. “His temperament is his main strength – he is so trainable – and he doesn’t have a physical weakness. He’s so adjustable too.”

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Gareth Hughes pilots remarkable family horse to grand prix freestyle victory at National Dressage Championships

Quiet riding pays off for prelim gold winner at National Dressage Championships

‘Grand prix horse in the making’ crowned national six-year-old champion

True diva keeps her cool to secure a first-ever national title for her rider on day three at the National Dressage Championships

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Lewis Robertson-Carrier and Diego V have been crowned national champions at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

The overall championship is decided by the sum of combinations’ scores from the grand prix and the Kudos grand prix freestyle.

Lewis and Diego won the grand prix and held a 0.63% lead over second-placed Gareth Hughes and Classic Goldstrike going into the freestyle. Lewis rode before Gareth and scored 74.85%, with eights for his changes, trot work and choreography.

“The piaffe and passage felt good, the changes came off, and in general he felt really solid,” Lewis said.

“He loves an atmosphere and the halts have been a little difficult because he anticipates the crowd clapping, but today I was so pleased because he stayed focussed until the end.

“We had an uncharacteristic mistake in the canter pirouette so I knew it wasn’t going to be our best score. But I managed to adapt and put another pirouette somewhere else which clawed me back a few marks – but the whole test was so fun to ride.”

Gareth rode a near-faultless test on Goldstrike with the live scoring periodically having them ahead of Lewis and Diego – who’d hung back in the warmup to watch the scores come through.

In the end, Gareth’s 74.95% was enough to win the freestyle but fell just short of overtaking Lewis’ overall score.

“It was a nail-biting wait,” Lewis admitted. “I was watching the scores come in for Gareth, who was riding a great test, but I’m so pleased, I woke up this morning and I really, really wanted this.

“It’s something you dream of, especially having watched the likes of Gareth and Carl [Hester] do it in the past. And this horse deserves it – I know everyone says this about their horse, but Diego really is one in a million.”

The victory felt even more poignant for Lewis and Diego, who’ve come up through the levels together — from novice to national champion.

Watching Lewis reflect on his career while he held Diego, who was decked out in his winners’ rug and rosettes, standing alongside his now-wife Olivia Robertson-Carrier – it was hard not to be swept up in the emotion of the moment.

“From where we started to where we are now, it’s been an incredible journey,” Lewis said.

“Diego’s 16-years-old now but, honestly, he feels like he’s just coming into his prime. I think over the next couple of years he’s going to get better and better.”

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Ashley Jenkins landed back-to-back young horse titles when he topped the KBIS five-year-old line-up at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships with last year’s four-year-old winner Game On I.

The Governer x Sir Donnerhall son, who was bred by owner Nicola Mahoney, dominated the five-year-old contingent here at Somerford Park, scoring 90% to lead the first round of the competition before coming out on top in the final.

The format of the final involves young horses being assessed by a ride judge, this year Alex Harrison-West, and Ashley said the last time he’d seen somebody else ride “G” was at the nationals last year. But, as Nicola pointed out, the fact that he gave Alex such a good ride in the Somerford arena demonstrated his exceptional rideability, alongside his three outstanding paces.

“He’s rideable and happy to do the job because he’s not been over-produced,” she explained. “It’s been all about getting the balance right, and not taking advantage of a good-moving horse. Ashley’s been really fair to him, and has been producing G for the long term, not just for young horse classes.”

She added that they considered campaigning for the World Breeding Championships this year, but opted out in favour of giving G another year of “cross-training” instead, with plenty of hacking and polework and “lots of good experiences”.

Following this win, G will have some time off before Nicola starts riding him herself – and the World Breeding Championships are not off the cards for 2025.

“The plan for him changes every day to be honest. But he does just seem to take everything we throw at him and he loves it – he loves being the centre of attention,” said Nicola.

“You always go into breeding hoping you’ll breed an amazing horse, but you’re in the lap of the gods. But he has been that special horse from the start.”

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“Some people have a family car. We have a family horse,” said Rebecca Hughes after her husband Gareth Hughes piloted the remarkable Classic Goldstrike to Kudos grand prix freestyle victory at the 2024 National Dressage Championships.

Gareth and Goldstrike came out on top of a close three-way battle, scoring 74.95% to just keep their noses in front of yesterday’s LeMieux grand prix winner Lewis Carrier, second today with 74.85%, and Laura Tomlinson on Soegaards Bon Royal, who finished on 74.6%.

And it was a heartwarming victory indeed – the 11-year-old Tango x Krack C gelding is ridden and competed by all three members of the Hughes family, who own him with Julia Hornig. This season he was reserve ride for Gareth’s 17-year-old daughter Ruby at the junior Europeans, while also competing at grand prix with both Gareth and Rebecca throughout the year.

“He’s a real trier. He has to step up to different levels for all of us, but he loves coming out to shows,” said Gareth, who was second in yesterday’s National Dressage Championships grand prix behind Lewis Carrier and Diego V.

“He tried so hard yesterday and today, and he couldn’t have done any better in these two tests. He’s not a horse with any real highlights, but he also doesn’t have any weaknesses. It’s my job to ride a mistake-free test, and especially in a situation like today when the pressure is on, if they look to me to help them round and we finish mistake-free than I’ve done my job. Then it’s up to the judges.”

And the judges were certainly fans of the pair’s Greatest Showman freestyle routine, showering them with eights for the pirouettes, changes, choreography and harmony. It’s an old programme Gareth dug out of the archives after the freestyle that earned him fifth at the World Dressage Championships with now-retired team horse Classic Briolinca proved a touch too tough for Goldstrike at Windsor earlier this year.

“This one’s technically a bit easier and gave him a bit more time to get his head around things. Through it all I thought he tried really hard – things like going from extended canter into pirouettes and then straight into tempis isn’t what he’s used to,” said Gareth. “I was happy with the whole test.”

Goldstrike may have earned himself a national title at top level, but Gareth is being realistic when it comes to considering him as a potential team horse.

“He’s a good horse, but probably not one we’ll target for teams,” Gareth confirmed. “You never know – it depends on what the team is – but I’m staying realistic and just seeing what happens.”

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The young horse finals at the National Dressage Championships are always something of a window into the future of the sport, and one young partnership made quite the splash as they claimed the 2024 KBIS six-year-old title.

Alicia Lee and Della Ballerina squeaked into Sunday’s final after finishing fourth in Saturday’s qualifier, on the same score as Beth Bainbridge and WHD Elton, but with a slightly higher way of going mark that propelled them ahead and into the deciding round. And there they thoroughly impressed judges Spencer Wilton, Christine Prip and ride judge Alex Harrison-West to come out on top.

“I am so excited to do that – I was not expecting to win,” said a quite overcome Alicia. “I always knew she was a quality horse, and I really think she’s a horse for the future, but you never know what the judges are going to think. So to have the judges agree that she’s special and going in the right direction is really satisfying.”

The title is even more rewarding for 25-year-old Alicia, who bought the Destacado x Weltmeyer daughter as a foal and has produced her all the way, saying that she’s a horse “who makes my life easy”.

“When you buy a foal you never really know exactly what you’re getting, but I really did think she was special. She has really good paces and great adjustability in all three of them. She can half halt and collect well and she really offers the collection as well as extension – she feels like a mini grand prix horse in the making.

“I’ve owned a few foals from the same dam as her and loved their characters and how sweet they were, so I liked her too. Unlike most foals, when I bought her she looked exactly as she does now, just a mini version – she already had this lovely neck and strong back. She never went through an ugly duckling phase – she started off looking like the finished article.”

Grand prix is certainly Alicia’s goal for this special mare, but right now, she is just enjoying the journey and the rewards that come with breeding and producing young horses.

“I have quite a few young horses that I’ve either bred myself or bought as foals,” she says. “I find it a really enjoyable process starting them from the very beginning and creating my own horse, effectively. I’m not in a position to buy a horse that’s already trained but I love the process of making them and I love breeding and bloodlines. I’m a big fan of German bloodlines especially, and I always try to breed from chosen lines, and where I’ve looked at the sire or dam and thought, ‘I want to ride that’.”

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Jezz Palmer has been one of the busiest riders at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, and having already taken the KBIS four-year-old title with Premier, he added the Centre Line prelim gold title to his haul on the final day of the show, riding Lucy Reynolds’ Olaf TC.

This Kevin x Ravel five-year-old is another to watch for the future, and he certainly impressed the judges here, with scores of nine for the canter work and the medium walk adding up to a super total of 77.24%.

Jezz credits his friend and trainer Dannie Morgan for being his “eyes on the ground” while warming up today, and for encouraging him to take a less-is-more approach with Olaf, who, according to Jezz, has a tendency to “tip over the edge”.

“Dannie told me to leave him as he was, that he looked good, and trusting him paid off – I did the right thing by sitting more quietly. His canter felt unbelievable today – it’s amazing to sit on as it’s really off the ground – and the trot was perfect for what we needed in this test.

Jezz, who had five rides in total today, also finished third in the class aboard another exciting four-year-old, Platinum SNW, whom he describes as “like a toy to ride”.

“He’s only four, but he came here, coped with the atmosphere and held his own. And he’s not the bravest of horses, so I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

“She disapproved of the rain today”

Becky Moody’s seven-year-old winner, Magic Dream, added another title to her 2024 National Dressage Championships collection when the pair squeaked past Matt Frost and Kerouac to take the Bret Willson International advanced medium gold.

The Governer mare has been busy this week, coming second in the overall Fairfax Saddles prix st georges championship before taking the seven-year-old title.

“She’s a horse who always has energy so even today she was really up for it and ready to go,” said Becky, who had to endure heavy rain for her advanced medium test as the rain started coming down with force at Somerford Park, and credits changing into fresh, dry gloves just before entering the ring as being a game changer for coping with the wet conditions.

“Interestingly, she was a bit spooky today. It was her fourth time in that arena and she hasn’t been at all spooky so far. I think she was disapproved of the rain and everything just looked a bit shiny and different,” said Becky. “She spooked as we entered and we broke to trot, and during the changes on the serpentine she had a look at something in front of her. But apart from that it was a nice, easy, consistent test.”

The pair finished on a high, gaining a 10 for their final halt, and had lots of eights scattered across their test sheet, particularly for the pirouettes and lateral work.

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Reigning pony European champion and world number one Abigail Gray rounded off her final season in ponies in spectacular fashion, claiming the national pony title at the 2024 National Dressage Championships.

Abi, 16, and the prolific grey gelding George Clooney BS proved unbeatable once more as they headed the pony final with 73.86%. The simple changes were the highlight of their fluent round, earning eights and a nine from the judges.

“George felt really relaxed today and the test was great,” reported Aberdeen-based Abi, who has enjoyed a highly fruitful two seasons with the Caesar 171 son, previously piloted by Mette Dahl and Sophie Taylor.

“He has such a big personality and he loves to perform – he’s such a showman. He always tries his hardest for me. We’re trying to find me a horse right now, as I would love to do juniors. Ultimately, I’d like to train up to grand prix but that requires a lot of dedication.”

“I’ve now achieved all my targets for this year”

Myles Graham and his “heart horse” Nibeley Union Hit topped the junior line-up, building on a strong season that saw them score a top-six finish at the junior Europeans.

“It was a harmonious test, a nice clean round with no mistakes, which is all I can ask from her,” said Myles, 17, who is hoping to contest both young riders and juniors next year with the 17-year-old Nibeley Union Jack mare.

“I’ve definitely now achieved all my targets for this year – getting to the Europeans for the third year was a dream. She’ll have some down time after this, then we’ll have a quiet winter working on training to get going for next year.”

Meanwhile, Morgan Haerr and Behroez put a “dodgy” warm-up behind them to come out on top of the young rider final.

“He just felt a bit strong and tense in the warm-up, but as soon as we got between the white boards he was a really good boy,” said 18-year-old Morgan, who’s just completed her A levels and is hoping to carve out a career with horses. “I’ve had him just over a year and we’re finally starting to click. I think that showed today – I was really pleased with him.

“We’ve got another three years in young riders, so I’m hoping we can get better and better. Next year I want to aim for the Europeans.”

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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After playing second-best to his stablemate Forest Hill in the inter I yesterday, Laura Tomlinson’s Full Moon II had his turn in the spotlight today, winning his first-ever freestyle in the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships on 76.48%. With Forest Hill rested, Full Moon was also crowned inter I supreme champion in the process.

“I knew I was only going to have one in it and whichever one I didn’t ride today I was going to use in my demo tomorrow,” Laura explained.

“Yesterday, Forest Hill was brilliant whereas I felt Moony still hadn’t shown his full potential because he’d had a couple of mistakes and was still a bit hot.

“So I thought, Moony’s got the power to go another day while Forest has already proved his point so he can have a break – but it was close between them, I knew they both had a good chance of taking this title if it all went well.”

The pair got off to a fantastic start in their test, scoring eights for their trot half-passes – which carry a coefficient so are double marked – and shoulder-ins.

“It’s taken him three days to properly settle in and let me really ride him, but he felt amazing,” Laura said. “When I was warming him up, the first time I picked up canter he squealed which set me on edge, but as he heard the music coming across from the main arena he started to calm down.

“I was able to then really max him out in the test. His half-passes felt amazing, he’s got such ability to sit in the pirouettes and he got all his changes – which can sometimes be the sticking point when he’s a bit tense.

“It felt like he was on autopilot and I could just enjoy the music and the crowd. He definitely feels like he’s got the power to move up a level – I’m really excited about him.”

Riding to a J-Lo compilation, Laura certainly looked like she was enjoying the occasion as she took one hand from her reins as she came down her last centre line to encourage the crowd to clap louder.

“It’s been a little while for me since I’ve won a national title so it absolutely still gives me a massive buzz,” she added.

“I’ve got so much going on at home with my family, and I think because you’re on a different journey with every horse, each time you have a win – whatever the level – it fills you with excitement.

“And that means as much to me as doing it in a grand prix, because he had that will and ambition to do it with me, and that’s a great feeling to have.”

Laura will compete in the Kudos grand prix freestyle tomorrow with her 10-year-old gelding Soegaards Bon Royal, who finished third in the straight grand prix today on 70.63%.

“He’s never done a freestyle before either so I’m exciting to see how he copes,” Laura said. “He felt really good today, he still needs to build up a bit of strength and balance but I’ll give it my best and see what happens!”

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Lauren Aston won her first-ever national title aboard her seven-year-old mare Free Flo, taking the Bettalife novice silver on day three at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, scoring 74.3%.

“I’m so proud of her,” Lauren said, “I’ve had her since she was two so we’ve been with each other all the way through.

“We’ve been working a lot on her balance and transitions, and gaining the small marks. We had a couple of nines so I was over the moon with that.”

Lauren added that Flo can be hot – and she did indeed show off some of her more “extra” moves in a high-spirited prizegiving – but during her test she held it all together.

“I always have a bit of a ‘How is this going to go?’ thought but she was with me and listening through the whole test. But she’s a mare and a true diva, and she knows what she likes and doesn’t like.

“We’ve been taking it slow with her because she’s so big and she’s taken a long time to develop but she’s got so much potential.”

“I’m enjoying dressage more than I ever thought I would”

Sara Squires secured the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I silver title with the 11-year-old Laetitius C.

Former five-star eventer Sara, who has competed at both Badminton and Burghley but has since switched her primary focus to dressage, led the class with 69.82%, hanging on to her lead after a small blip in the flying change that followed her extended canter.

“I’d have loved a clear round – it doesn’t happen very often at this level – but he was super in there and really let me ride him,” said Sara, who trains with Serena Pincus. “I also nailed my pirouettes, which was awesome. I’m not going to say they haven’t been a bit of a mental challenge for me.”

Sara explained that she enjoys the challenge of dressage “more than I ever thought I would”, and while she does have a four-year-old she’d like to produce for eventing next season, she won’t be returning to that sport at top level.

“Dressage focuses you mentally and challenges you physically – it’s all about connecting the horse and riding with leg and seat. It’s made me a much better rider, and although I miss the thrill of riding cross-country I don’t want to do the high level stuff anymore.

“Laetitius C has been mine since he was a sharp four-year-old and I’ve loved the journey with him. He’s now a real performer who can pull it out of the bag on the big occasions,” she said, adding that he’ll now be making the step up to inter II.

“He’s started the ones, the piaffe’s not a problem – it’s all just putting it together. It’ll be another massive mental challenge for me.”

Bryony Goodwin added to her win in the prix st georges silver yesterday, taking the Topspec medium gold title on Dion II with 72.62%.

It’s Dion’s second national title after winning the elementary gold last year, and he’ll have the chance to add another accolade when he goes head to head against his stablemate Krack DE in the Bret Wilson International advanced medium silver tomorrow (15 September).

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Becky Moody continued her dream dressage summer with a resounding victory aboard the aptly named Magic Dream in the KBIS seven-year-old young horse final at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. The pair received 78.45% to finish almost 4% clear of their closest rivals, Samarkand and Kate Cowell.

This Governer x Swarovski mare, who claimed the medium gold title at last year’s nationals, finished reserve champion in the Fairfax Saddles prix st georges (PSG) yesterday at Somerford. Becky said it felt good to bring her out at the slightly lower level required for the seven-year-old final today.

“It felt easy for her. She’s such an exciting horse for the future as she has plenty of go, a good engine, lots of expression and she’s a really nice person too.”

Becky has partnered Jo Cooper’s Magic Dream – who is known as Shroom at home – since the mare was three. They may be a perfect partnership nowadays but their relationship got off to a somewhat inauspicious start.

“With young horses, I always want to sit on them before buying them as the feel is really important to me, but it was the summer of 2020 so we couldn’t fly to see her. Rebecca Dudley, an agent I work with a lot, sent me some videos and I thought she was super cool – I loved how naturally reactive she was,” said Becky.

“I asked if she had a good temperament as I don’t like being ditched, and Rebecca assured me that she was good. So we got her home, and the first time I rode her, she ditched me!

“But that was the only time she’s ever done it – it was a freak thing. I think she just had a fright.”

The mare will now complete one more year at small tour, with sights firmly set on grand prix in the future.

Having helped Britain to team bronze at the Paris Olympics just over a month ago, Becky revealed that the past few days at the National Dressage Championships have been “crazy”.

“It’s taking me longer to get anywhere as loads of people want to say hello,” she laughed. “But it’s so cool to feel the British Dressage love and I’m hoping we can inspire the generation of tomorrow.”

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Lewis Carrier concluded his wedding week in the best possible way, by claiming the prestigious LeMieux grand prix title at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Just eight days after tying the knot with now-wife Olivia Robertson, Lewis was back in the saddle piloting his trusty Diego V to victory at Somerford Park. His personal-best score of 71.97% was enough to edge him in front of Gareth Hughes and Classic Goldstrike, who finished second ahead of Laura Tomlinson and Soegaards Bon Royal in third.

Lewis and Diego’s win today was accompanied by a sense of coming full circle. Having made their National Dressage Championships debut nine years ago at medium, they first contested the grand prix here in 2022, but had to retire mid-test due to lameness. Last year, they made a successful return to the LeMieux arena to claim third, and to win today “felt like the stars aligned”.

“It feels surreal to win – every year you want to be that person – but I’m also just relieved that it went well, because in dressage there are so many ups and downs,” admitted Lewis.

“He felt fresh today, so I had to work to keep him together and make sure he didn’t over boil. Our test wasn’t perfect – he is still getting better – but it was good enough. We’ve got a few little things to work on, but he felt so good and I hope to keep that feeling for the freestyle tomorrow. He really enjoys the freestyle with the music, so it’ll be about making sure he keeps his focus.”

“Diego’s played his part in the wedding happiness”

Lewis and Diego are always an enjoyable pair to watch, with the 16-year-old Spielberg son going in an easy, open frame. They’ve been a partnership for over a decade now and it shows in the harmony that shines through their tests. Today, the extended paces earned them their highest marks, but remarkably, every single movement was enough for a mark of seven and above.

Their performance was especially impressive given Lewis’ attention has been somewhat divided over the past few weeks.

“The wedding has been a stress but a nice stress, because it’s something we could control, whereas with horses you can only control so much,” added his wife Liv. “And now Diego’s played his part in keeping the wedding happiness carrying on.”

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Jezz Palmer and Martin Price’s Premier (First Date x Governor) won the KBIS four-year-old class at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships in dominant fashion, scoring 90%.

Jezz almost made it two podium places with his second ride of the class. He and Tara Faulds’ gelding Platinum SNW just missed out on third to Beth Bainbridge and Galaxico (Grand Galaxy Win T x Samarant) who scored 79%. Katie Owens and the impressive Florisemo (Floris Prince x Laurie’s Crusador) were second on 79.4%.

“We bought Premier last year from Holland through RD Sport Horses,” Jezz explained. “We tried loads of horses and he was by far the standout find.

“We’ve been taking our time with him, with our main focus being to qualify for this, so to win is amazing.”

The pair have not long got back from the FEI Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo, where they placed fourth in the consolation final on 77%.

“Because he has such a chill head we thought he’d be fine travelling all that way and we were right,” Jezz added. “He more than held his own out there, and he then had five days off before he came here.

“This was our first year going to Ermelo – we’d qualified before, but it was the year of Covid so it was cancelled. It was a fantastic experience, and a great opportunity for our team and we learnt a lot – you look at things a lot differently once you’ve been to a show like that.”

Premier certainly looks set for a bright future and scored nines for his trot, canter and way of going, with a 9.5 for his general impression.

“His canter stood out to me when we first saw him,” Jezz said. “And I really loved his motherline, I’ve got a thing for the Governor lines.”

With such an exciting string of horses coming through, Jezz is always one of the busiest riders at these championships. He was last-to-go in the inter I on Honey D’Or before the break in which the prizegiving for the four-year-olds was held which necessitated a rapid wardrobe change.

“I had to quickly swap from my tailcoat to my short jacket, it’s probably the fastest I’ve changed!” Jezz laughed.

“I’m lucky, my groom Molly Ryan is amazing, she keeps everything running smoothly and I can stay in the saddle, train and help all the clients we have here.”

As well as his team at home, Jezz explained how important having the backing of an owner like Martin is as a professional rider looking to make it to the top.

“He’s set up a breeding programme at Anmore which is going to be huge and it’s so exciting for me to be his rider.

“Funnily enough, we got to know each other when I was riding his show cob. He had bought some two-year-olds from Caledonia Dressage – who’ve supported us a hell of a lot in setting up our stud – and then asked if I’d be interested in riding them in a couple of years time.

“He then bought a couple of my rides who I had in to sell, so we’ve just built this whole team of horses quite quickly, with at least four every year coming through.”

On what advice he’d offer other younger riders coming through the ranks Jezz added: “One of the things I always say is ‘When you’re working hard, work harder,’ because there are always long days, it’s always hard but then you get days like this and it makes it all worth it.

“So always stay focussed through the ups and downs – becauses there a lot of downs but remember there are also ups.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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

Sarah Higgins and Geniaal claimed their second prix st georges (PSG) title in as many days, winning the Fairfax Saddles freestyle on 77.15% at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

As the best-scoring combination across the two classes the pair were also crowned PSG supreme champions, ahead of last year’s winner Becky Moody on Magic Dream in second with Nicola Buchanan and St Giles Flamboyant finishing third.

“He felt so relaxed in the arena but I was quite nervous beforehand to be honest,” Sarah said.

Part of the reason for Sarah’s nerves were that she didn’t have a freestyle pre-prepared for Geniaal.

“I’ve had a very busy couple of weeks and I kept telling myself I must sort it out, but I never got around to it!” she laughed.

“I borrowed my friend Amy Woodhead’s music last minute – well, this morning – and I’ve been listening to it and watching videos of it all afternoon.

“I was panicking a little that I wasn’t going to know it well enough but once I got going I thought ‘Oh, this is actually quite enjoyable’ and it felt really easy in the end.”

It was a busy day for Geniaal, who was ridden by his owner Sarah Rao to 68.24% and 13th place in the inter I earlier in the day. But luckily Sarah is local to Somerford Park so was able to take Geniaal home last night for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

“I think he’s earned a good rest in the field next week.”

New partnership shines to claim PSG silver in close-fought contest at National Dressage Championships

Bryony Goodwin won the PSG silver title on Antonia Brown’s 13-year-old gelding Krack DE scoring 69.88% to narrowly see off Amanda Towle Shaw and Rockwood Virtue – who was a team bronze medallist at the young rider European Dressage Championships with Oliver Gould this summer – on 69.29%.

“We’ve only been working together for a few months so it’s lovely to have come here and done this,” Bryony said. “Neither of us have competed at this level since 2021 and he tried really hard for me so I’m really, really pleased.

“His trot work was great, he stayed out to bridle in a lovely frame and rhythm. I made a mistake in one of the changes but he was very forgiving, picked me up and let me carry on.”

The whole time Bryony was conducting interviews after her prizegiving, she was still sat on Krack DE who didn’t bat an eye at all the microphones thrust his way.

“I thought he’d get in a bit of a pickle, but he’s being such a gentleman,” Bryony remarked while giving him a pat. “I just feel so lucky – it’s not very often you get given a higher level horse to get to know and compete.”

“I was quite relieved to stay on!”

Alice Peternell and her own Newton D were third to go in the Bettalife novice gold and had a “nightmare” wait to see if any of the 31 riders to come could match her 74.19%. Darcas Lever and Savannah I came close with 73.82% but, in the end, not close enough.

“He’s been quite difficult, he tried to dump me when we got here yesterday and he gave it another go this morning,” Alice laughed.

“He’s a really talented horse and when he’s on side he’s great. I was quite relieved to stay on to be honest so winning was a bonus!”

Newton originally came to be Alice to be sold due to his rider-dumping tendencies, but Alice could always see the talent beneath the bravado so took a chance on him.

“I was judging my sanity at times, but when you treat him will, and get him to work with you by doing real basic and easy things like transitions, his talent shines through.

“I also have to thank my yard manager Lee Westaway who comes with me, he’s brilliant. I probably wouldn’t have been able to do my test today if it wasn’t for him leading me about and encouraging me – having that support team around you really does make a difference.”

Akin to a young horse class, the novice gold has historically been something of a talent-spotting competition. With an average age below six and with several expressive, big-moving horses riding down the centre line, this year was no difference.

So to win is a real stamp of approval, and Alice has now won it in successive years – last year’s winner Vespasiano will compete later in the week in the elementary and medium gold. With such top talent coming through Alice – who was long-listed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics – is hopeful of a return to the top level.

“That’d be the real hope. I’ve always had horses that other people don’t want to get on but as I’m getting older I don’t think it’s so sensible any more!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Dressage stalwart and Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson clinched a one-two at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

She took the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I gold championship on Forest Hill (Fursten Look x United) with a personal best score of 71.77%, while her other mount, Full Moon II (Furstenball x Gribaldi), had to settle for second place on 71.15%.

Of her winning mount, Laura said she noticed a jump in confidence in comparison to yesterday’s (12 September) prix st georges (PSG) class – where he scored 69.76% to finish fifth.

“I haven’t had the best prep, I think,” she added. “Yesterday, the PSG was kind of our practice run, because I haven’t had a chance to get them out. Normally I would have, but with kids holidays and everything, I haven’t really managed to do a whole heap.

“Forest Hill was a little bit more confident than yesterday, his changes definitely improved. He’s still not his max for sure, but he produced a really nice correct round.”

Laura told H&H she has targeted Forest Hill’s suppleness and athleticism in training and both he and Full Moon II have begun work on “more advanced” movements at home.

“Forest Hill has always been quite correct, but it’s just getting him to become a little bit more athletic, so I’ve got that suppleness at my fingertips in the ring. It’s still a work in progress, but I think today, thankfully for him, Full Moon had a couple of mistakes in the changes, so he got the upper hand.”

National dressage championships: “He’s like a sofa!”

He may have been eclipsed by his stablemate, but Laura will full of praise for second place mount Full Moon II.

“He’s just a little bit cockier than Forest Hill, and really fun to ride – he’s like a sofa!

“Full Moon’s a naturally more supple horse, but he can potentially creep into his back a little bit more in the canter work. It got the better of him today.”

With Soegaards Bon Royal still to go in the grand prix tomorrow (14 September), Laura has developed a real string of upcoming grand prix horses.

“Both Forest Hill and Full Moon are homebreds and have been through our system so it’ll be exciting to see how far they go.

“They both went to the young horse world championships last year, but they haven’t done your typical stay away CDIs so I think that’s the next step.”

When asked to choose which horse she thinks will go further, for Laura it’s “hard to say”.

“Forest Hill’s got a really classical piaffe, and it’s easier to teach him the one-time changes.

“Full Moon’s got that extra bit of go. Yesterday, in the PSG he was super hot. I was thinking, I wish I was riding an inter II or a grand prix even, because I could ride the steep half passes and get my leg on him.

“Temperament wise, Full Moon has that hotness, which is going to help. But then Forest Hill’s sensible side will probably help too.

“So I don’t know – hopefully both of them will get to the top and they can take turns!”

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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

Caroline Hunt and her own Fancy That gave the standout performance in the Topspec medium silver at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Friday 13 September).

Caroline and her 2015 mare earnt a sea of mostly sevens and eights from the judges. The duo impressed with their lateral work, scoring highly for the shoulder-in and travers, and both were richly rewarded in the collective marks, in particular those earned for Caroline’s position.

Caroline took home the coveted sash by a comfortable margin with a score of 73% – ahead of second place by more than two-and-a-half per cent.

“She was just dreamy, really lovely to ride,” Caroline told H&H. “She knuckled down and said ‘what would you like me to do?’

“I haven’t been out as much as I would like this year, so I wasn’t expecting the result today. The training at home has been worth it!”

Caroline bought Freya, as Fancy That is known at home, as a two-year-old and imported her from Germany.

She said she produced Freya “steadily” because she “found the work quite easy”.

“I’ve taken it slowly so it’s not too much too soon,” she added.

National dressage championships: “She went between the boards and said: ‘this is my job’”

Today’s rug and sash is not the first Caroline and Freya have taken home. The pair won the elementary silver title in 2022 and have their sights set on qualifying for the winter championships as well as moving up a level with the help of para rider Julie Payne, who is based on the livery yard Caroline runs.

“We’ve been working towards advanced medium, so we will tackle that next,” she said. “Julie’s my eyes on the ground, it works quite well.”

Caroline gained her ticket to the championships at Parwood Equestrian in July this year. Today, she bested that ticket-winning score by 4%.

“She was more relaxed today, she went between the boards and said: ‘I know what I’m doing. This is my job’

Caroline said a refined warm-up helped boost their marks.

“We’ve really honed it and made sure Freya feels really supple and relaxed, and knows what’s expected of her. I’ve worked on a really consistent way of going and kept things similar to home.

“Previously I might have got sucked into the atmosphere, but you’ve got to forget what’s going on around you and pretend you’re at home.

“It’s nice to get another rug and a sash, and I’m very privileged to have such a talented mare who loves her job.”

To complete the elementary silver podium, Rose Foley (Suarez) came second with 70.38%. She was closely followed by Beth Miller (U-gino) who scored 70.03%.

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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It’s the question put to every high-performance athlete if she decides to have children: “How do you balance motherhood with your career?”

Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists Laura Tomlinson and Natasha Baker share their experiences with H&C+ and an audience in the BD Fan Zone at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Friday 13 September).

Natasha, who became a parent for the first time to baby Josh in 2023, says for her it was “an end to life as I knew it before, but the start of a very beautiful life”.

“Being a mum is full-on, and they need a lot of you,” she continues. “You have to find a new normal. For me, it’s leaning into the support you’ve got. We’re used to being around a big team to be able to compete at the level we do and it’s the same – you’re just having that extra person as part of your team.”

Laura, mum to four, “tag-teams” parenting with her husband and has a supportive community around her.

“I’ve got people in various areas of my life that are great at stepping in, and my kids love it as well,” she says. “On Sunday, for example, my 10-year-old daughter’s got a one-day event, and our head girl is on duty for that.

“It does take a village, but I think the village is what makes it fun. You go through the highs and lows together. If you’re having a bad time, you pick each other up. And if you’re having a great time, then everyone’s celebrating, and it makes it more special.”

From the National Dressage Championships: “It’s taken time to get my head around it”

First-time pregnancy is uncharted territory for anybody. “As an able-bodied person, you don’t know how pregnancy is going to go,” comments Natasha. “You don’t know how childbirth is going to go. You don’t know how coming back is going to go.

“But throw in a disability just for fun, and I had no idea how my body was going to react to carrying a baby or how I would react to having a C-section. Obviously, I do sitting trot without stirrups all the time. So, you know, they cut through all of the layers of my abs getting Josh out. I wasn’t quite sure whether I would be fit enough and strong enough to come back from that so quickly.”

Natasha said her Paralympic selection for 2024 felt “amazing”.

“I just wanted to go out there, do my best and ultimately make him proud, and hopefully in 17 or 18 years, he can look back and say ‘my mum won two bronze medals when I was 16 months old’!”

Laura says balancing her roles as rider and parent has helped her learn to be kinder to herself.

“When you’ve reached a certain level, coming back quite well doesn’t feel good enough, in a way,” she says. “For me, it’s taken a little bit of time to get my head around that.

“Actually, for a little while, I’ve got to change my change my expectations and be a little bit fair on myself as to what I can achieve.”

Laura adds that this has made her more patient, which, she admits, “isn’t my strong point”.

“Once I’m on a horse, I can forget everything”

Both riders stress the importance of “me time” – and both credit horses as a vital source of it.

Laura maximises her effectiveness in the saddle by staying “super organised”.

“I make a very detailed plan of exactly which kid needs to have what with them on which day,” she adds. “Then I can relax, because I know everything’s covered at home.

“I think I’m very good at compartmentalising and sort of switching in and out of gear mentally. Once I’m on a horse, I can very much forget everything. And for that 45 minutes, I can just go into a flow state quite easily.”

Organisation is something Natasha she admits she has had to learn since becoming a parent.

“Laura hit the nail in the head with organisation and planning,” she says. “Leaving for Paris just it was chaos. I think it took me probably about a week to get everything organised. I’m not just packing for me and Lottie [Natasha’s paralympic ride)] any more.

“I wasn’t a very organised person before having Joshua, but you have to learn to be organised. I think that’s probably been the hardest thing.”

“Things have to change, but it doesn’t have to be negative”

Laura says staying at the top is “very much the goal”, “but for example, coming into the championships here, I literally got back from a two-week holiday 10 days ago. That was the only time my husband and I could both go on holiday with the kids.

“It wasn’t ideal preparation. I haven’t had a chance to do a little warm-up show, which was very telling yesterday in my prix st georges!”

Laura has compromises to make, but always keeps the positives in her sights. “Things do have to change, but that doesn’t have to be negative. Like, if you have not such a good day at the office, you go back to your house, and it’s much easier to forget and not dwell on that.”

While Natasha is keen to expand her brood, she still aims to be at the LA Games in 2028 in one capacity or another.

“I’ve still got that drive,” she says. “I’ve still got that competitive spirit, so that’s not going anywhere. I think we’re just going to have to see what life throws at me.

“Either riding or presenting – I will be in LA!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website