Latest from Horse & Hound in National-dressage-championships

From a best-ever test to an unflappable debut and a wild-card shock: national championships’ final-day triumphs

Oscar Williams — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:20:08 +0000

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.

Sonnar Murray Brown and Devina B at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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 Hill and Jobarde-E at the 2025 National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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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Hat-trick history, family glory and a Broadway star: young horse champions crowned at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

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Hat-trick history, family glory and a Broadway star: young horse champions crowned at the 2025 National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:21:20 +0000

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.”

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

Amy Woodhead and MSJ Viva Dannebrog win the KBIS seven-year-old title at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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).

Jezz Palmer and MS Broadway M take the KBIS five-year-old title at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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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From storms to stardom: career-best performance wins national champion title

Oscar Williams — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:00:50 +0000

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 29th 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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From bridesmaid to champion: Michael Eilberg’s freestyle glory at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:59:11 +0000

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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From Adele-inspired one-two to silver redemption: up-and-coming combinations shine at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:51:11 +0000

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%).

Lauren Burrows and High Hoes Esquisse at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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.”

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‘By far the best title I’ve ever won’: once-in-a-lifetime horse carries Sadie Smith to an emotional grand prix win at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:51:35 +0000

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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‘I came here hoping for top 10’: rising star joins Sadie Smith in taking titles at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 09:03:34 +0000

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.

Ella-Grace Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson win the Topspec medium silver title at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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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Unstoppable Geniaal: history made with PSG supreme repeat at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:26:14 +0000

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%.

Gijs Van Vooren and Hawtins Quattro at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

“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.”

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‘It meant a lot’: poignant story behind Becky Moody’s new national four-year-old champion

Oscar Williams — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:18:42 +0000

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.

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

Oscar Williams — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:30:11 +0000

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).

Amy Ward and MS Broadway M at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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.

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

Oscar Williams — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:41:11 +0000

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%.

Lauren Aston and Free Flo at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

“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.”

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

Oscar Williams — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:08:04 +0000

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 and CEI Summer Days at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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.”

Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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 and Nalique at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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 and Faside Got The Love at the 2025 LeMieux National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

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!”

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

Gemma Redrup — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:32:48 +0000

If you’re wondering how to follow all the action at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships this year, you’ve come to right place.

The National Dressage Championships are taking place on 11–14 September at Somerford Park in Cheshire, with the nation’s leading combinations across all levels set to take part.

The H&C+ streaming service will be showing selected classes from the main arena at the National Dressage Championships from Thursday 11 September until Sunday 14 September for a fee in the UK. If you’re abroad, and trying to watch H&C+ like you normally would back in the UK, then you can use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 72% off, plus a £50 Amazon gift card and a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

H&C+ provides its service to Germany, the UK, the USA, the Netherlands and Switzerland, so you will be able to tune in via Horse & Country in those destinations.

Alongside the senior championships, the KBIS Young Horse and Rothera Bray under-21 finals spotlight future stars, while the Equissage Pulse Para classes showcase top-level para dressage.

This year marks the 70th running of the Nationals, with the LeMieux grand prix and Kudos grand prix freestyle set to decide who joins legends such as Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Carl Hester on the roll of honour as national champion.

Spectators can watch every test up close from the grandstands or head to the warm-up rings to catch the behind-the-scenes buzz. Big names including Becky Moody, Gareth Hughes, Abi Lyle, and returning national champion Lewis Robertson-Carrier, are on the start list. Anna Ross adds extra sparkle with a weekend masterclass and a new British breeding showcase.

How to watch the National Dressage Championships on TV

There will be no terrestrial TV coverage available from this year’s National Dressage Championships.

H&C+ provides its service to Germany, the UK, the USA, the Netherlands and Switzerland, so you will be able to tune in via H&C+ in those destinations.

Annual H&C+ membership is £84.99 as a one-off payment and there’s also an option to pay in 12 monthly instalments of £14.99. Non-members of H&C+ are also able to watch this event with a H&C+ event pass, which allows you to purchase a pay-per-view pass to view this event alone from £14.99 for 30 days.

*Pricing for the H&C+ Annual Membership and H&C+ Freestyle options may differ by territory. Please see the H&C website for further details.

How to watch the National Dressage Championships from anywhere

Not in the UK right now? You don’t have to miss out on any of the action from the National Dressage Championships.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will alter your device’s IP address to make it appear to be in a different country, allowing you to access your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It’s great for watching horse sport on the move, and it’s also handy even if you’re watching at home. VPNs are designed with internet security in mind, creating encrypted connections that keep your data safe from third parties and improve streaming speeds by preventing bandwidth ‘throttling’ from your internet service provider.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, which is the best VPN in the world according to our colleagues at TechRadar.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access.

3. Then head over to H&C+ on your browser or device and enjoy the livestream.

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Use this secure VPN to access the National Dressage Championships live stream from anywhere in the world. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

If you want to watch the rest of the action as it happens, you will need to attend the event in person. All tickets must be ordered online and will be issued as e-tickets (you can pay for these on the gate, but they must be booked beforehand).

Whether you’re ringside or tuning in from home, Radio Nationals adds another layer to the experience. Kim Ratcliffe and John Bowen will be on air throughout the four days, mixing expert commentary with plenty of good-humoured chat.

You can listen to Radio Nationals via the British Dressage website on any smart device, and Kim and John will be on air from the main LeMieux arena early on Thursday 11 September. Live scoring will also be available on Equipe throughout the event.

H&H will be on the ground at the 2025 nationals too, bringing you rolling coverage online every day. And for the full round-up and in-depth analysis, don’t miss the 18 September issue of the magazine.

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(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

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Carl Hester: ‘We don’t want tension in dressage – we want collection and energy’

Carl Hester — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:13:49 +0000

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

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Talented pair of horses achieve surprise hat-trick of National Dressage Championship titles

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:50:51 +0000

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 Ingham and Mowgli S at the 2024 National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)

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

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

Oscar Williams — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 17:55:39 +0000

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.”

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

‘You’re in the lap of the gods’: home-bred five-year-old wins back-to-back young horse titles

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 17:32:07 +0000

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.”

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

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

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 17:00:43 +0000

“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.”

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

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

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 16:06:36 +0000

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’.”

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

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

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 15:33:35 +0000

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

European champion ends pony career on a high with National Dressage Championships win

Polly Bryan — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:26:01 +0000

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.”

Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit competing in the juniors at the National Dressage Championships 2024. (Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)

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

Laura Tomlinson’s latest star steals the show on his freestyle debut at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:56:04 +0000

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!”

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

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

Polly Bryan — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 18:40:47 +0000

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

‘The first time I rode her, she ditched me’: exciting mare scoops seven-year-old title at the National Dressage Championships

Polly Bryan — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 16:58:59 +0000

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.”

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Newlywed to national champion: Lewis Carrier takes grand prix title one week after his wedding

Polly Bryan — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 15:00:21 +0000

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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Rising star secures dominant win in the four-year-old class at the 2024 National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 13:06:36 +0000

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.”

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Last-minute music helps secure a second title for unstoppable pair on day two at the National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:58:11 +0000

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%.

Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE during the prizegiving after winning the PSG silver title at the 2024 National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

“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.

Alice Peternell and Newton D claim the novice gold title at the 2024 National Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

“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!”

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‘Hopefully they’ll both get to the top’: meet Laura Tomlinson’s future stars who dominated day two of the Nationals

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:07:09 +0000

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!”

Laura Tomlinson on her PSG runner-up Full Moon II. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

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!”

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Fancy That! ‘Dreamy’ chestnut mare secures second national dressage title of her career

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:39:45 +0000

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%.

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‘My competitive spirit isn’t going anywhere’: top riders talk motherhood at the 2024 National Dressage Championships

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:40:26 +0000

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

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

Oscar Williams — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 20:09:56 +0000

Sarah Higgins and Geniaal won the Fairfax Saddles prix st georges (PSG) gold at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships scoring 73%.

It was a mammoth class of 38, running from just past 11am to almost six o’clock in the evening – that took in pretty much everything the British weather has to offer.

Sarah is based in Cheshire and shares the ride on Geniaal with his owner Sarah Rao. She was quite early to go in proceedings here at the National Dressage Championships so had an anxious wait to see where she’d finished.

“As much as I want my friends to do well, all afternoon I was thinking ‘Please don’t do as well as I did!’,” she laughed.

“I’ve ridden him once in the last month, which was yesterday, because Sarah rides him most of the time – so he’s totally been a product of her work.

“It just so happed that I rode him in one test at the beginning of the year which qualified us for this. That’s partially why I was so nervous this morning. Normally I’m quite chill, but I felt a little bit underprepared.

“I knew he was a good horse and that I had a chance, so I was adding pressure on myself. I had my trainers Hannah Moody and Richard Davison here for the warmup and they know me so well and did a good job keeping me calm.”

Amazingly, for a rider as decorated as Sarah, this was her first-ever national title.

“I felt like it was something that was never going to happen, but thankfully he’s a truly, truly amazing horse and I’m just so grateful to be able to ride him.”

What set the pair apart was their ability to nail the double-marked coefficient movements. They averaged over seven for the collected walk before the pirouettes – which tripped up a lot of other combinations – and scored several eights for their canter half-pirouettes.

“He can get hotter than he looks sometimes, and 10 minutes before I went in I was like ‘Oh God, he’s getting quite excited.’

“But when I actually went in he felt so rideable and so with me. Then the rain came and he got a little tight. It really, really came down during my extended walk, which is always a bit of the test where we have to be a little careful picking him up for his canter.

“But thankfully we just about managed to get away with it and then his canter was just a dream after that.”

What’s next after the National Dressage Championships?

Big things are now in the offing for Geniaal , but it won’t include climbing any further up the levels for the 13-year-old Vivaldi gelding.

“His owner will potentially do the national games in China next year,” Sarah explained, “but we’ll keep him at small tour. He probably could do grand prix, but he’s happy at small tour, and he’s so good at it I wouldn’t want to push him out of his comfort zone.

“So she’ll continue to learn on him and gain more experience, but hopefully I might be able to steal the ride from time to time!”

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

Dominant mare continues her remarkable unbeaten run at the National Dressage Championships 2024

Oscar Williams — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:32:32 +0000

Sadie Smith and her own nine-year-old mare Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino x Charatan W) continued their unbeaten 2024 streak to win the Stuebben inter II title on 74.15% at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Micheal Eilberg and MSJ Dante VX ran them close, finishing on 73.5%, with Alexander Harrison-West and his pocket-rocket Kickback third on 69.74%.

“It’s amazing, I really wanted to win that,” beamed Sadie after the prizegiving. “It’s the first national title I’ve won above small tour and I knew it was a strong class.

“I was so pleased with the test, it’s probably some of the best work we’ve done.”

The pair had numerous highlights – their extensions across all three paces were exceptional, scoring a nine for their extended trot, eights across the board for their extended canter and an average of eight for their extended walk.

Therein lies Swanmore Dantina’s main strength – she’s remarkably well-rounded. The only time her scores dropped below a seven more than once was in their piaffe passage work, which will improve as she becomes stronger.

“I’ve been really trying with the piaffe,” Sadie added. “I’ve only done three inter II tests before coming here. She lacked a bit of confidence in it before, and I’ve not ridden much at the higher levels either, so we’re sort of learning it together.

“She’s starting to really get going in the piaffe, and I was chuffed with that. In time I’ll get more power and strength in the passage and make that more expressive, at the moment she’s still a bit green, but we’re getting there.

“I’m taking my time with her and it’s paying off because every time I go out it’s better and better. Her temperament is what makes her special. She’s not a massive mover, but she has nice paces and has learnt to do everything in a nice, correct way which means I can start to add the power in over time.

“She’s well up for it as well, which is nice. You could quite easily try to do too much too quick with her, so I’ve got to be careful not to do too much – that’s fairer for her.”

Being on the cusp of grand prix – and with such a special mare – Sadie’s career looks set to really take off in the near future. But she’s keeping her feet firmly on the ground, and said she’d wait for her former boss Carl Hester’s seal of approval before making that step up.

“It would be amazing to have a horse at grand prix, that’s what you’re always dreaming of but I’m just going to keep training over winter and I’ll just do one when he says I can.

“I’m now based by myself and when I was working for him I obviously had that constant support when I was riding. Now I have to trust my instincts a little bit, and it’s all still quite new – so I always go back to him for advice.

“But it was nice today, I had by friend Dannie Morgan helping me warmup, and it’s nice that we’re able to support each other.”

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

‘Who better to train with?’: British Olympic medallist helps crown elementary winner at National Dressage Championships 2024

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:20:18 +0000

It was a close call in the Horsequest elementary silver at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Thursday 12 September).

With less than one per cent separating first and second place, it was Amy Foulstone and her own Irish-bred nine-year-old HHS Sterling who earned the sash with a score of 71.03%.

“The medium trots and simple changes were the best we’ve ever had them in a test,” said Amy. “I was a bit nervous thinking: ‘Are we going to pull it off?’ So it was really, really lovely.

“There were a couple of things, he slightly hollowed in medium canter and the simple changes could still be better. But overall I was really pleased. He’s not often been in this sort of environment, but he held it all together.”

Though from an eventing background, Amy describes herself as having “a real passion for dressage”. Currently preparing for the Summer Area Festival Championships at medium level, the rider trains with Olympian Becky Moody, who is based just 10 minutes from her door.

“I thought if I’m giving this dressage malarkey a go, who better to help me than Becky?” says Amy. “We’ve been going to Becky for quite a while throughout the season. She’s been the real key to getting him ready to be here.”

Amy describes her Heritage Fortunus x Cavalier Royale gelding as “a trainable, cool cucumber”. Known at home as Dexter, he has now won 10 of his last 11 tests – so it’s safe to add “talented” to his list of qualities too.

Second place rider Bethany Edginton and Nelson HD rode a high-scoring test only marred by 4.5s for the free walk. She earned a score of 70.22%.

“I’m shocked”: Prelim champion and five-year-old ride excel at 2024 National Dressage Championships

Lauren Burrows and High Hoes Equisse win the prelim silver. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

It was high scoring and hotly contested in The Centre Line preliminary silver championship, with the crown going to Lauren Burrows and her own High Hoes Esquisse with 77.41%.

Lauren and her 2019 Escaltio mare won their regional final at Parwood in Surrey and beat their score in today’s championships by 4%.

“I just wanted to go in and be harmonious and keep her relaxed,” she told H&H. “I think she felt really with me, listening well, and I’m super pleased with her. This is her first year competing at all.”

She added: “I think that’s the highest mark she’s ever got. I’m shocked – I wasn’t expecting it at the nationals with three judges.”

Lauren says she gets a lot of help from Dannie Morgan, who she works for, and has high hopes for the future for her young mare.

“She’s got a lovely trot, I really think we’ll be able to train it. Her canter is lovely, very balanced.

“The ultimate dream would be grand prix – Dannie has helped me a lot and I couldn’t have done any of this without him I’m very grateful for his help.”

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

‘Hopefully I’ll do both’: British para rider and new Grade IV national champion aiming to compete at inter I

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:34:38 +0000

“It takes a special horse to adapt from able-bodied competition to para dressage.”

Those were the words of Fiona Maynard, newly crowned grade IV grand prix champion at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2024.

Despite an “accidental canter” in the medium trot, the World Class Programme para rider’s winning margin on her own Denver IX was more than one percent.

National Dressage Championships: what’s next for Fiona?

Fiona – who has a visual impairment – has her friend Emma Payne call for her during her tests. This, she says, was the biggest adjustment for the 2011 Dresemann gelding.

“That was the hardest thing for Denver to get used to. He was obviously an able-bodied horse before he came to me,” remarks Fiona. “Initially, in the first few tests, he would halt next to Emma and look at her as if to say: ‘What are you doing in my arena?’

“He’s got a great sense of humour and a good personality, so takes it all in his stride.

“Now he’s got used to someone yelling while he’s doing his test. We do need to sort a few bits out in the calling so I don’t run Emma over, though!”

Though the “laid back” gelding has adjusted well to para dressage, Fiona also has impressive plans for able-bodied classes, too. She’s made her able-bodied debut at prix st georges earlier this year and plans to step up to inter I in the near future.

She says: “I’m learning a lot with Denver. I want to do some more prix st georges with him over the winter. We’ve got the CPEDI3* at Wellington soon, which will be fantastic. But the able-bodied inter I is what I want to do. Hopefully we’ll be back another year to do both!”

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

How RSPCA George is proving rescue ponies can with his multi-faceted career

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:50:49 +0000

Standing at just 12hh, RSPCA George may be small but he certainly is mighty – especially when he’s sharing the LeMieux National Dressage Championships collecting ring with horses of a far bigger stature.

The diminutive piebald cob, whose dam was rescued from the roadside while she was pregnant with him, continues to make waves on the national dressage scene alongside his 11-year-old pilot, Theo Charnley.

The duo attended no less than nine championships last year. As well as adding two intro titles to their trophy cabinet, Theo and George also made the step up to novice. A trip to the unaffiliated Carnival of Dressage at Aintree this year paid off, as they came home with the novice sash.

Speaking at the National Dressage Championships on Thursday (12 September), where Theo and George scored a respectable 69.14% in the The Centre Line preliminary silver championship, dad Paul Charnley told H&H it’s been a race against the clock to reach Theo’s dressage milestones.

“We thought Theo was going to grow out of George at the end of last year and he wouldn’t go much beyond intro. But then we realised Theo wasn’t growing too much and kind of hit the reset button. We said ‘OK, we are actually going to do novice next year. We needed to put a lot of work in. You really have to step up.’ A lot of hard work has gone on behind the success.”

At home, Theo’s been working on getting George “more supple and active” in his way of going. The young rider once again impressed all three judges with his riding position, achieving his highest scores in those collective marks.

After he took the National Dressage Championships centre line today, Theo told H&H he “wasn’t worried”.

“It was nice to ride down there and to achieve coming here – we’ve been very busy,” he said.

Having gone further in dressage than they thought possible, Theo and Paul have been looking ahead to the future with George and are gunning for success in an entirely different discipline – driving.

“Theo started driving with the British squad and did a couple of camps at the start of this year,” explained Paul. “At some point we’ll have to say Theo is too big, so it is time to come off George. The European Driving Championships are in Romania in two years time, so we’re really hoping to qualify, but we’ll see.

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever been mad enough to go from dressage to driving. But Theo’s represented England in the British Dressage Youth Home Nations Championships – I certainly think he’d be the only one to go on to represent Great Britain in driving too.

“So, let the amazing story continue!”

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

‘I’m really proud’: British para stars crowned at National Dressage Championships 2024

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:25:20 +0000

Grand prix grade I champion Susanna Wade was the sole para dressage rider to break into the 70s at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Thursday 12 September).

Riding Ami Mcclean’s Premier Royal Mint, she scored exactly 70% to win the class by a decisive margin. The 2007 gelding by Royal Hit is a relatively new partner for his rider.

“My trainer, Jess Thompson, found him for me,” explained Susanna. “He’s an advanced horse who needed a bit of an easier life. He hasn’t done much for the last three or four years, and he’s not been here before so I didn’t know how he would react. But the second he gets inside the boards, he knows his job.”

The pair have recently started training with Spencer Wilton, and Susanna was happy that the work she’s been doing at home paid off in the test, commenting that the fluency she achieved was “a high point”. The pair have Wellington CPEDI ahead of them in October, and hope to be in contention for next year’s European Championships.

National Dressage Championships: “I’m really proud – he came out a bit shy, but he’s only six”

Jemima Green was delighted with how six-year-old Fantabulous held it together. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

Jemima Green’s own 2018 gelding Fantabulous stepped up to the plate to secure the grade II grand prix title for his rider. The duo scored 66.33% with their best marks for their walk work.

It is the six-year-old’s first National Dressage Championships.

“It’s his biggest show and he’s only six years old,” explained Jemima. “He came out a little bit shy, but it’s something I expected and he held it together. I’m really proud of him.”

Jemima says she and Fantabulous, stable name Fanta, have been doing lots of groundwork with Alice Oppenheimer to prepare him.

“We’re trying to get him used to high-pressure situations and transfer it to the ridden work,” she said. “It’s a long road to go down, but we’ll practise more and more.”

The pair are also heading to Wellington and have the Europeans in their sights as a goal. Ultimately, Jemima is excited for her young horse’s future.

“He’s definitely got the talent and the temperament,” she says. “There’s not many six-year-olds that can cope on their own – I haven’t got the legs to support him, so he has to be confident.”

In the grade III, Kate Reilly rose to the top by a wide margin with 67.67% on first ride Impulz W, a 2013 Wynton x Rubenstein I gelding owned by Karen Reilly. This improved upon her score with 2009 gelding Lymepark Riggeletto in the same class by more than six percent.

“Each time you come out, you learn something new”

Fiona Maynard describes Denver as “a very cool horse”. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

Despite an uncharacteristic five in a sea of sevens for a mistake in the medium trot, Fiona Maynard and her own Denver IX clinched the grade IV grand prix title in style with 69.23% – giving the pair a comfortable lead of almost a whole percent.

“The accidental canter in the medium trot cost me quite dearly,” said Fiona, “but we still got a great score. I think I just needed him straighter before I pushed him – each time you come out, you learn something new, don’t you. But he’s a very cool horse. His canter work felt really powerful.”

It was love at first ride for Fiona and the 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Dresemann when she bought him two years ago, when she found him to be “a really fun horse with a great sense of humour”. “He was literally in bed before the prizegiving, we were frantically getting him ready!” she added.

Fiona made her able-bodied prix st georges debut earlier this year and hopes to rise to intermediate I in the near future. She also has October’s Wellington CPEDI next on her agenda.

In the grade V championship, Alice Begg took the top spot with Gluckauf, her own 2009 Hanoverian Grand Cru gelding.

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

Future stars to look out for at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships

Oscar Williams — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:00:20 +0000

After a tumultuous year for British dressage, the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships (12–15 September) will look to bring the summer season to a positive conclusion at Somerford Park.

With none of the horses who represented Britain at the Paris Olympics or Paralympics in action, it’ll be a great opportunity to check out the international stars of tomorrow.

We’ve rounded up three of the most exciting combinations to look out for.

National Dressage Championships 2024 ones to watch: Fürstenrausch PS

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Tom Goode’s nine-year-old ride Fürstenrausch PS (Fürstenball x Festrausch) will contest the stacked LeMieux grand prix.

The pair made the step up to the level at Solihull Equestrian Centre in February, scoring an eye-catching 72.17% – but they’d been on many peoples’ watchlists before then, raking up several small tour wins.

“I’ve had him since he was five,” explained Tom, who is based with Emile Faurie. “He came to us to be sold but we wanted to find an owner so I could keep the ride. Thankfully, his now owner Richard Jackson was looking to buy something for me to compete on at the time and he just fell in love with him – which is lucky for me!

“He’s obviously still very young but he has a great engine and a real natural talent in the collected work and he’s starting to come into his own with the grand prix movements, but there’s no pressure on him.”

Freddie – as he’s known at home – gained more grand prix experience at Myerscough and Addington Premier Leagues, before making his international debut at Hickstead CDI3* in May – scoring 67.22% to finish 12th.

Their summer peaked with a second place in the grand prix at Hartpury Premier League (67.96%) and a win at Bury Farm High Profile (70.65%).

“He feels more and more established at the level and his test today was the most relaxed he’s been in the walk, which is something I’ve been working on,” said Tom after his win at Bury Farm. “He’s feeling stronger and getting more confident in the ring.”

National Dressage Championships 2024 ones to watch: Swanmore Dantina

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sadie Smith and her nine-year-old British-bred mare Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino x Charatan W) will be competing in the inter II and are coming into the championships on remarkable form, unbeaten in competition this year.

The combination already had serious pedigree having won the KBIS six-year-old final at the 2022 nationals and being selected to compete at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Ermelo the following year.

They’re also the reigning inter I (75%) and inter I freestyle (81.75%) winter national champions. Both of their tests there were harmonious and fluent, receiving several nines for their canter work and collective mark for general impression.

“She’s always got her ears forward, she has a beautiful frame,” said Sadie, who’s produced “Dia” through the levels after buying her as a three-year-old.

“I had been planning to sell her because at the time I had another horse who was at a higher level and she was going to fund that one, but for whatever reason she’s ended up staying with me and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

All three of their inter II tests have scored over 75% so far, with their most recent win coming at Bury Farm High Profile (75.34%).

“She needs to get a bit more confident in the piaffe but she was taking me forward in the passage,” added Sadie. “She loves doing it and I love riding her. She’s now getting stronger and her trot is getting bigger as she finds it easier to push.

“She’s such a generous and honest horse I could easily be greedy and do too much with her. I’ll wait until we can do the work really well and she is strong and confident enough before making the step up to grand prix. She’ll tell me when she’s ready!”

National Dressage Championships 2024 ones to watch: Game On II

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ashley Jenkins and Nicola Mahoney’s second generation home-bred gelding Game On II (Governer x Sir Donnerhall) are the reigning four-year-old national champions, and will look to double up on their titles as they contest the five-year-olds this time out.

“I love everything about him,” Ashley said. “He’s not the tallest, but then neither am I. But he fills the arena – he’s my perfect horse.”

The pair have won nine of their 10 competitive outings, and made their novice debut at Onley in April winning on 76.67%.

“In theory, I’ve given up breeding because it’s just too hard,” Nicola said after their win at the nationals last year. “I’ve just got this horse and his younger half-sister, but then something like this happens and you start to think.

“Ironically, this one is nothing like his siblings, his dam, grand dam or sire but he’s been amazing since the day he was born – it’s why he’s called Game On!”

In April their pair scored the highest mark of their career, scoring 95% in the five-year-old qualifier at Addington Premier League – receiving a perfect 10 for their canter work.

“I think his type and his canter are what make him stand out,” Ashley added. “His canter is pretty exceptional.

“With a horse like this, we just take every day as it comes. But he gives me high, high hopes for the future.”

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

Laura Tomlinson: ‘It’s just what the doctor ordered’

Laura Tomlinson — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:25:19 +0000

Laura Tomlinson shares her thoughts on Paris, pre-nationals prep and Pony Club life lessons

I must start by congratulating all our equestrian teams at the Paris Olympics for providing us with thrilling sport and outstanding horsemanship, not to mention, many medals! It was certainly just what the doctor ordered.

Personally, I was most inspired by Becky Moody and her partnership with her home-bred horse Jagerbomb. It is easy to watch from afar and comment on, even criticise, what the riders are doing and what we think they should have done, but riding in those sorts of atmospheres, under such pressure, is something to which few people can relate. The effect those conditions can have on first-time horses is immense.

The fact that Becky and Bomb stepped up and looked like they had been doing it forever, and were having the most fun out of everyone, was a testament to their partnership. They clearly had full faith in each other. It certainly gave me a lot of inspiration for my home-breds. What a dream to ride down the centre line on the world stage, on a horse who has been with you for his or her whole life’s journey.

Having won Olympic medals in London 2012, on a wonderful horse that I had a partnership of dreams with but was not home-bred, I said to my father then, my next big goal is to make it on to a British team with one of our home-breds.

I’m not there yet but am loving the journey with our youngsters and seeing their characters and confidence develop alongside their physical strength and ability.

Unconventional nationals prep

We have the national dressage championships coming up and I will ride a horse in the grand prix whom I have had for three years and two home-breds in the small tour classes. I’ll also be hosting the masterclasses, where I’ll be using home-bred horses.

My preparation, however, will not have been completely conventional. As I write this column, I am on holiday with my family and when I get back I will have 10 days to get in the groove before I ride down the centre line at Somerford Park.

I am a mother of four, and the “summer holidays” are a very long stint of children at home. Although I have been training as much as possible, I had eight consecutive days of Pony Club camp: first mini with my middle two children and then junior camp with my eldest. This was followed up with the Pony Club Polo Championships a week later, which involved a weekend camping in Cowdray.

All of the above is heaven for the children – exhausting for the parents, but worth every second.

“Beyond refreshing”

In light of all the terrible press equestrian sports are receiving at the moment, it was beyond refreshing seeing the children support each other, learn together and doting on their ponies – while learning good horsemanship and managing their ponies’ wellbeing.

The Pony Club has certainly reminded me what equestrian sports should be all about.

We all began as kids who loved our ponies and wanted to do the best we could with them. We cherished them through highs and lows – more lows, usually with plenty of falls and problems, but we all know that ponies teach kids resilience and responsibility.

As “grown-ups” in horse sport, maybe we should all head back to Pony Club camp for a refresher course in what it’s all about. It’s time to show the outside world why horses are so loved and addictive, and remind ourselves how privileged we are to have them in our lives.

Good luck to those of us competing at the nationals. Let us bring a little fun, support and love to Somerford Park, less judgement towards one another and a little more forgiveness to ourselves and our horses for any parts that don’t go as well as we might have hoped.

● What is the best life lesson horses have taught you? Let us know 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

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Carl Hester: ‘Riesenbeck was like a rock concert – the top of top sport’

Carl Hester — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:28:15 +0000

Top British dressage rider and trainer Carl Hester reflects on the European Championships, the nationals, and his ones to watch

After two of the busiest, craziest weeks of the season it seemed really fitting that in the year of British Dressage (BD)’s 25th anniversary we were able to bring home team gold. The European Dressage Championships at Riesenbeck was one of the most exciting competitions I’ve ever been part of. Sunday’s freestyle was like a rock concert.

You could feel the tension through the air in the warm-up and riding up the chute to the arena felt intimidating. The lion’s den maybe, but this is what top sport should be about, and with sublime performances, exciting scores including several personal bests, Riesenbeck was the top of top sport.

Everyone knows the army of support and helpers behind our team, and with the pressure on to win gold, our grooms and everybody in the support team played a part. Quite simply, one of the best ways to produce our best performance is to have only that to focus on, and it’s down to our support teams that we were able to achieve it.

After a mad dash home on the Sunday night – arriving at 3am – it was then time to start preparing the seven horses going to the LeMieux National Dressage Championships from our yard. With three days to get ready, it was amazing that they all performed as well as they did. Thankfully, while we were in Germany, the team at home did an excellent job ticking them over with stretching, hacking, lungeing and turnout. Sometimes a horse learns more in a week off than when you’re schooling it.

Reason to celebrate

I really felt that the championship at Somerford Park had grown, not only in size, but in spectator numbers, which is a good sign.

With my thoughts very much on the 25 years since BD parted from the British Horse Society, it’s great that medals across all levels are becoming more regular – not only seniors but the youth teams, too, with young rider and junior medals, and some outstanding rides from our pony riders. British dressage is not only becoming more successful, but more united across the board.

Of course, some things could be better. Although it’s wonderful to have a medal parade, you had to feel for the rider trying to handle a four-year-old in the next arena. Let’s not forget that everyone has to pay really expensive entry fees. My thought for the future is that during prize-giving medal parades and suchlike, we need to abandon competition elsewhere to make it a level playing field.

I also know that some of the silver competitors felt they were almost at another competition as their arena was so far away. Surely a solution would be to have the competition arenas parallel, with two warm-ups at the back. Then hopefully everyone would feel more included.

On a personal level, it was En Vogue’s turn in the spotlight and I was delighted to take my 11th national title. Although Vogue had a “Vogue moment” in the music, I was thrilled it was still good enough for him to have his moment of glory as he’s been brilliant all year.

The National Dressage Championships still has that special feeling. For many, the start of Strictly Come Dancing heralds the route to Christmas. For me it’s the end of the nationals. I’ll enjoy the prospect of not competing again until spring, and a winter’s work of schooling some future stars.

A few exciting horses caught my eye at Somerford Park. In the young horse championships, seven-year-old winner St Giles Flamboyant showed a lot of talent under Nicola Buchanan. Ashley Jenkins’ four-year-old winner, Nicola Mahoney’s Game On I, was another, and what a marathon Becky Moody had. It looks as though she has the most exciting team of horses ever.

Meanwhile, Rupert Byam-Cook, aged 11, was surely the youngest competitor. I was delighted to meet him, and we had a good giggle about the fact that my middle name is Rupert. He was runner-up in the prelim silver, and I hope to see him representing the boys in the future.

● Did you go to the National Dressage Championships? Let us know what you thought of the set-up at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your views published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 28 September, 2023

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

‘I would have been thrilled with a top 10 finish’: rider’s shock win in hot national final

Alex Robinson — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 20:18:47 +0000

Bryony Goodwin rode her own Dion II to finish at the head of the HorseQuest elementary gold championship on the final day of the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

The 17hh Dante Weltino eight-year-old scored 72.1% for Gloucestershire-based Bryony.

“That was exhilarating,” Bryony said as she left the arena after her lap of honour. “I was so pleased with my test. It was such a hot class. I was looking through the entries and I’d have been thrilled with a top 10 finish.

“Warming up he was a little unsettled by the clapping of the crowd, but during the test he really gave it his all. He stayed with me the whole time.”

Bryony has ridden the gelding, whom she co-owns with Sam Bolton, for two years.

“We have such a lovely partnership now,” she said. “He’s a big horse so he’s taken time, but he’s recently started working at medium.

“I’ve won a couple of young horse titles at the nationals, but it’s nice to win a ‘proper dressage’ class finally.”

National Dressage Championships: super stallion continues his reign

In the TopSpec medium silver championship at the National Dressage Championships, top marks were scored by Virginie de Senneville riding Claire Wyatt’s powerful Fidertanz six-year-old Fire Kracka. The stallion finished on 72.2%.

“He is a pleaser and he always wants to work hard for me; he’s very willing and every time we try something new he wants to try and do it well,” said Virginie, prelim winner here 12 months ago with Fire Kracka. “He was absolutely mega today. We had a great warm up, and he went all the way through his test.”

This on-form duo won at novice and elementary level at the Winter Dressage Championships in April this year.

“He keeps giving a little bit more each time out,” Virginie added. “He’s so consistent and every time I can push for a bit more.”

The stallion has covered in the past but this year he has been solely aimed at training and competition.

“We have a very good routine that just works; it’s been the same from the very beginning of his career,” Virginie said. “He has holidays often, too. I know him so well, and he knows me. We have several plans in the pipeline for him, but we’re not able to reveal them just yet!”

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

‘It’s still a thrill to win’: Carl Hester crowned British national champion for the 11th time

Jo Prestwich — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 20:12:24 +0000

The Lemieux National Dressage Championships drew to a close with Carl Hester and En Vogue being crowned British national champions. It’s the 11th time Carl has taken this title during his career, the last time being in 2019 with Nip Tuck.

It was perhaps not the biggest surprise to see Carl take the honours, however it wasn’t all plain sailing on their route to the accolade.

The title is determined by total marks from the grand prix and grand prix freestyle. Vogue won the former with a test Carl described as, “One of the nicest grands prix I’ve ridden”, but of the latter test, Carl said: “He reminded me that Vogue is still Vogue no matter that he’s been brilliant in every other test he’s done this year!”

Vogue scored 77.1% in the freestyle despite a few fiery moments during his complex programme.

“He had one eye on A all the time and I wouldn’t say music is his favourite thing,” added Carl. “To be fair he’d not been ridden for eight days whilst I was at the European Dressage Championships and that’s a difficult floorplan, but he’s so talented at the more difficult movements that he needs a more challenging test.”

Carl Hester: ‘My career is based on National Dressage Championships’

Carl was in fact pipped to the freestyle title by Becky Moody and her home-bred Jagerbomb, who is still in his first season of grand prix, and scored 77.9%.

“Congratulations to Becky,” Carl said. “She was travelling reserve for the Europeans, which is a hard thing to do, but she played her part brilliantly and she deserved that win today.”

“It’s still a thrill to win the overall title,” said Carl. “My whole career is based on national championships – when I started riding that was my aim and I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve ever ridden at. One year I brought 10 horses so just to have one this time is a luxury.”

Becky was herself delighted with her boy, whose test was expressive, fluent and correct, with her popular Tom Jones music getting everyone’s toes tapping.

“He is an absolute legend,” she said. “It’s no secret that I would have sold him as a four or five-year-old but it just shows that temperament and trainability trumps all. He’s always going to be special to me as I bred him but today he was on another level. That was a difficult floorplan for any horse let alone a nine-year-old but he just gives it a go. The piaffe needs to be a bit sharper and the changes a touch straighter but I couldn’t be more pleased.”

The horse is out of the Jazz mare Udysee and by Dante Weltino.

“I’d actually wanted to use Dante Weltino’s sire Danone I but couldn’t, so in the end I took a chance and put her to his son who was only seven at the time,” Becky said. “The mare was very Jazz so trainability was not her greatest asset and I think by chance I used a stallion whose offspring have trainability by the bucket load.”

Don’t miss the 21 September issue of H&H for 14 pages of reports from the National Dressage Championships, covering all sections and levels.

‘He wows me every single day’: praise for newly crowned four-year-old national champion

Jo Prestwich — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 16:55:55 +0000

“If I’m honest I thought he should come home with the sash; he wows me every single day,” said Ashley Jenkins after winning the four-year-old section of the KBIS young horse finals with Nicola Mahoney’s home-bred Game On at the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

“I love everything about him,” added Ashley. “He’s not the tallest, but then neither am I. But he fills the arena. He is my perfect horse.”

Judges Christine Prip, Erik Thielgaard and Lewis Carrier were all in complete agreement over their winner, grand prix rider Lewis having the enviable task of riding the four finalists this year.

“They were very different horses and each lovely in their own way but Game On was the clear winner, his quality shone through,” Lewis said.

Game On is a second generation home-bred for Nicola: “In theory I’ve given up breeding because it’s just too hard. I’ve just got this horse and his younger half-sister but then something like this happens and you start to think,” Nicola said. “Ironically this one is nothing like his siblings, his dam, grand dam or sire but he’s been amazing since the day he was born – it’s why he’s called Game On!”

‘We came with high expectations today’

The five-and six-year-old champions at the National Dressage Championships were a re-run of last year as both MSJ Viva Dannebrog and Iceland Girl PS, four and five-year-old winners respectively 12 months ago, took the five and six-year-olds this year. The only difference was that this year it was Amy Woodhead riding the former, after her sister Holly stood in for her last year.

Viva Dannebrog, owned and bred by Emma Blundell, is a daughter of Diva Dannebrog, ridden to grade III para World Championship silver by Natasha Baker.

“Diva Dannebrog is Don Schufro x Brentano II – good old-fashioned German bloodlines,” said Emma. “We put her to Vitalis to get a little more blood and to get the shoulder through more, and what a mare she is proving to be.

“Viva Dannebrog had her first embryo transfer foal on the ground last year, which topped our online auction,” added Emma. “We came with high expectations today, and we hoped she’d win – she’s a very special horse.

“What a beautiful mare,” was judge Christine Prip’s take on six-year-old winner Iceland Girl PS, ridden by Tom Goode for Deborah Cunningham. “She has a lovely soft canter, and the trot still needs to develop but the ingredients are all there.”

Lewis Carrier, third in the previous day’s grand prix with Diego V, was tasked with riding the top four in each class, and he was fulsome in his praise.

“I would love to take any of the 12 horses forward home with me – and I have room on my lorry,” he quipped.

“If I had to choose one it would be a very tough decision between the four and five year-old winner. I think the four-year-old Game On would just take it.”

‘He’s quite wet – he’ll let you know if something isn’t right’: big-moving gelding adds to his national title tally

Alex Robinson — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 15:04:30 +0000

Davy Harvey scored a victory in a strong Bret Willson International advanced medium gold championship on the final day of the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

His ride was Judy Peploe’s Don Frederic 10-year-old Diamond Blue, whom he partnered to score 74.5% – nearly 3% clear of their nearest rivals, Nicola Buchanan and St Giles Flamboyant. Every one of the five judges had Davy and Diamond Blue as their winners.

Davy has been riding “Denzel” for three years.

“He’s taken a long time to develop his way of going so he’s both uphill and balanced,” said Davy. “He just loves to trot so he always pulls in the good marks there.

“He’s quite a wet horse; everything has to be right for him. If something isn’t, he lets you know about it, which is handy as he doesn’t suffer on. He enjoys his work, though, which makes my job easier.

“His owner Judy throws her heart and soul into dressage, and this win is a total team effort,” added Davy, for whom this was a first summer nationals victory, following a hat-trick at the Winter Dressage Championships earlier this year, which included an advanced medium title with this horse.

“Next month we’ll be aiming him at the dressage Future Elite final at Horse of the Year Show so our focus will be full steam ahead towards that now.”

Don’t miss the 21 September issue of H&H for 14 pages of reports from the National Dressage Championships, covering all sections and levels.

European championship riders on a roll in National Dressage Championships youth classes

Alex Robinson — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:20:50 +0000

European team riders continued their stunning form on home soil to take top honours in the Rotheras Under 21 Championships at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Annabella Pidgley and her nine-year-old mare Espe finished top of the young riders class, on a score of 74.2%. This is their second title of the week, having already taken the prix st georges gold freestyle title.

“I’ve learnt to appreciate the improvements as they come,” said Annabella, who won double gold at the Europeans on Espe earlier this season. “We’ve had Espe since she was six. To see the development of this mare from then to now, when she is winning all over Europe, has been amazing.”

Annabella is currently riding full-time. She has been offered a place at King’s College London to study business but she has deferred a year to focus on horses: “I took a gap year to be a real athlete and spend time improving myself as a rider through every lens that I possibly can, including gym work and nutrition, now that I don’t have school. I want to do the yard work and spend as much time as I possibly can with the horses.”

Fellow 2023 Europeans competitor Abigail Gray, 15, topped the pony championship at the National Dressage Championships with British-bred grey George Clooney B.S on a score of 74.5%.

“My highlight was getting a nine for my last halt,” said Aberdeenshire-based Abigail, who is in her first season with 12-year-old George, who was previously competed by Mette Dahl. “My extended canter also felt really fun today. He’s such a wonderful pony and I’m so lucky to have him.

“He has a big canter so that has taken some time to get used to. George is a very nice person, but he can be cheeky when it comes to food!”

The National Dressage Championships children-on-horses title went to Darcey Blaze Marcus and Tackmann’s Dark Deluxe (76.8%) while top of the junior field was Sophie Wallace and First Light (72.1%).

‘Carl Hester is my idol’: nationals success for 11-year-old dressage star and his Welsh gelding

Alex Robinson — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 11:33:29 +0000

An 11-year-old rider finished as runner-up in The Centre Line prelim silver championship on his debut at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. Rupert Byam-Cook and his mother Nicola Byam-Cook’s Welsh section C pony Twyford Salamander (Solo) scored a final total of 71.1% to provide them with a coveted spot on the podium.

Rupert has been riding Twyford Salamander, an 18-year-old palomino gelding, for two years.

“Finishing second at the nationals was one of the best days of my life,” reflects Rupert, who also competed Solo at the Area Festival championships held at Hartpury earlier this year. “His free walk was a highlight during our test, and I was pleased that I managed to keep him nice and forward. However, the best thing was the fact that I actually remembered my test!”

Class sponsors, The Centre Line, also helped Rupert achieve another dream when they sourced him a custom-made jacket, inspired by Rupert’s idol, dressage legend Carl Hester.

“I look up to Carl so much and he is my idol; he makes all of his horses look effortless,” Rupert says.

“When we were at the Area Festival finals earlier this year, The Centre Line said that if we made it into their class at the summer championships then they would make Rupert a jacket,” Nicola explains. “When he won his wildcard they stuck to their word and they designed him a copy of Carl’s jacket which they have named ‘the mini Carl’. They also helped to organise Rupert meeting Carl here at Somerford, which was just incredible.”

Solo has been based with the family for five years and he’s been a pony of a lifetime.

“While he’s very safe, he’s not as easy to ride as he may look,” Nicola says. “You really do have to ride him to get those higher marks out of him.”

The family drove up from their home in Hampshire the night before to compete at Somerford Park in Cheshire.

“When I heard my score called out after my test and I realised that I was in the lead I couldn’t believe it,” Rupert recalls. “The suspense was high for a few hours; I couldn’t eat anything!”

Prior to catching the dressage bug, Rupert competed in Pony Club activities, but the young star now has ambitions to stay within the sport: “At home I’m starting to train at novice and elementary so I’m currently working hard on perfecting my sitting trot.”

Nicola adds: “I never feel the pressure myself when I’m competing but I get really, really nervous watching my children. As a mother, I’m constantly worrying whether I’ve got both the child and the horse prepared enough, or if I’ve forgotten something important.”

Rupert has been training with Nicky Pasco for the past two years.

“He trains with her about once a month and she’s helped us immensely,” Nicola confirms.

Is this the horse of the 2023 nationals? Third title of the week for Charlotte Dujardin and talented mare

Alex Robinson — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:36:39 +0000

Somerford Park heroes Charlotte Dujardin and Becky Moody were neck and neck throughout on day three of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

In the ultra-competitive TopSpec medium gold championship, Becky Moody beat the very best to take the crown on Jo Cooper’s six-year-old mare Magic Dream, who finished on a score of 76.2%. The Governer-sired Dutch warmblood has always been destined for the very top; in 2021, she posted a victory in the five-year-old young horse finals at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage with a remarkable score of 92.6%.

In second on 75.7% in the medium gold final was Sonnar Murray-Brown aboard his own mare Faside Simply Amou, while Charlotte and Peter Belshaw’s Martinez six-year-old Times Mon Amour had to settle for third on this occasion after scoring 74.9%.

Later on during the afternoon, Charlotte was back to her winning ways as she lifted the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I freestyle gold accolade on Peter Belshaw’s Times Kismet, who was winning her third title of this year’s National Dressage Championships.

This victory secured Charlotte the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I supreme championship sash.

“The feeling she gives me is phenomenal; it is as if she is on air,” said Charlotte, when commenting on Kismet. “She is definitely a girl with attitude, too.”

Second to Charlotte and Kismet in the inter I freestyle was Becky, this time in the saddle of Jo Cooper’s nine-year-old stallion James Bond, another consistent horse who has been giving it his all during nationals week.

‘He deserves every moment of this’: Carl Hester ticks off his final goal of 2023

Alex Robinson — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:56:21 +0000

At the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, Carl Hester and Lady Anne Evans’ exceptional En Vogue claimed the top spot in the LeMieux grand prix gold championship.

The prolific 14-year-old Jazz gelding led second-placed Becky Moody and Jagerbomb by over 4.5%, with a score of 76.74%.

“Vogue hasn’t been out for a while, but he produced a fairly clean test today,” said Carl, who recently returned from the European Dressage Championships where he won team gold with the Bigwood-Dahl family’s 13-year-old stallion Fame.

“The national championships signals the end of the season and I was looking forward to giving Vogue something to do. At the Europeans, Fame got all the glory he deserved, but Vogue has been on an equal footing all year and I’m glad he got to come here and prove himself. He deserves every moment of this and I wanted to give him his best chance today. Winning with him here was one of my end-of-season goals.”

Carl Hester on his National Dressage Championships winner

Carl believes En Vogue has improved tenfold over the past season, as he explained: “He might be 14, but this year he’s going the best he’s ever gone and he’s definitely more relaxed about things. Today, he really settled into his rhythm. Vogue finds the walks and rein-backs difficult as he’s always thinking about the next thing. But today he did the best rein-back he’s ever done.

“The best thing about him is his canter work. He’s so secure and strong in that pace. His pirouettes were also brilliant today. Overall, he was a pleasure to ride.

“Fame has the technical edge, but they’re both brilliant horses who want to work. They’re not horses you can just get on and do a grand prix with; they are both full-time jobs but they’re brilliant, talented horses.

“I couldn’t pick which one I prefer to ride,” Carl added. “They both have the same work ethic which is ‘let me do it, let me do it’ so it’s just a case of steering and calming, which suits me as that’s how I like riding.”

Carl had little time to turn around ahead of this year’s National Dressage Championships after his success at the Europeans last week: “We drove home through the night on Sunday, landing back home at 3am. I then had six horses to ride on Monday morning, before I had four lessons to teach. Then, I’ve been teaching lots of people ahead of the nationals. I haven’t had time to stop yet, but it’s all fine as I’m going on holiday next week!”

Meanwhile, the on-form combination of Katie Scott and her own Liverpool KS achieved an impressive victory in the BETTALIFE novice silver championship on 72.1%, just 24 hours after they secured glory in the elementary silver championship.

‘This is every breeder’s dream’: nationals glory for young home-bred mare

Alex Robinson — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:54:31 +0000

A home-bred mare cemented her potential as a star of the future as she topped the KBIS seven-year-old young horse championship at the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Nicola Buchanan rode the Countess of Shaftesbury, Dinah Ashley-Cooper’s St Giles Flamboyant to score a chunky winning total of 78.8%.

By Franklin, “Frankie” is out of a Furst Romancier mare, as Nicola explained: “Her dam has had six foals so far and all of them are amazing. Frankie is her first foal, and I’m also riding her half sister, who is by Dream Boy. We also have a four-year-old out of the same mare who is very similar in stamp to Frankie. Dinah is breeding some lovely young horses, so it’s an exciting time for the St Giles prefix.

“It’s every breeder’s dream to breed a talented horse with a bright future, and Frankie is definitely that.”

Nicola has ridden horses for Dinah for over a decade and she has been partnered with Frankie, who was second at the nationals last year in the medium final, since she was a five-year-old.

“This horse is just so athletic; if I could ride 10 like her each day, life would be amazing,” Nicola continued. “She is so willing to show off and work. She tries her heart out and it’s so lovely to have a horse who is with you all the way.”

First National Dressage Championships title for 19-year-old rider

Alice Knight, 19, was delighted to lead the Saracen Horse Feeds inter I silver championship with Wendy Knight’s 13-year-old SJL Dom Perignon.

The gelding was originally produced by Michelle Blake of Childeric Dressage Saddles, who competed him up to small tour level.

“We had him on lease for about a year, and we were given the opportunity to buy him earlier this year,” explained nationals debutante Alice. “This is our first championships together; I’m so proud of him.

“His highlight is definitely his extended canter; it just comes out of him in the arena. Our canter pirouettes were also super tidy and neat. He loves competing and being trained. He lives for his work and he thrives on being busy. I hope to campaign him at inter II next year.”

The family have recently started up their own business, Knights Dressage, which is based in West Sussex.

“This is the biggest win of my career so far,” Alice added.

‘This is what makes you a better rider’: nationals supreme winner on finding the key to her exciting stallion

Alex Robinson — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 11:48:40 +0000

Becky Moody was crowned Fairfax Saddles prix st georges (PSG) supreme champion on day two of the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Becky had finished as the runner-up in Thursday’s PSG gold championship and in Friday’s gold freestyle championship, riding Jo Cooper’s big-moving Desperado nine-year-old James Bond, and they took supreme as the best combination across the two classes.

“His first test this week was one of the best he’s done to date,” said Becky, who stood second in that class behind Charlotte Dujardin and Times Kismet, while she was the bridesmaid to Annabella Pidgley and Espe in the freestyle. “In the freestyle he was just a little tired, but he’s really coming on and I’m really excited about his future. He’s getting stronger and he’s also more confident which means he’s starting to find everything easier.”

As a five-year-old, “Q” was reserve champion in the novice final at the winter nationals. Later that year he topped the elementary championship at the summer nationals.

“He is a stallion, but he’s a very good boy in general,” Becky said. “He’ll climb the walls for about five minutes when he gets into a new stable at a show, but then he settles. He’s maturing and growing up a lot. Our training hasn’t been plain sailing and we’ve had to find solutions to several different problems along the way, but this is what makes you a better rider in the long run.

“It’s taken me a while to find the key to him. He’s always had a lot of movement, but not the best engine, which I think is a bit of a stallion thing. But, he’s really getting there now.”

This was the second time in a row that Becky has taken the overall PSG supreme honour at the summer nationals. At this year’s National Dressage Championships, Becky Moody has seven rides: “I think I’m competing in about 16 classes over the four days. Some of the horses are doing three classes each, so it’s a little bit crazy and hectic.”

‘He’s hot but super-talented’: Brightwells purchase gives rider a first nationals victory

Alex Robinson — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:58:22 +0000

A rider and a horse she has owned and competed for over seven years took the top spot in the Fairfax Saddles prix st georges (PSG) silver championship on day two of the 2023 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, held at Somerford Park.

Alex Chick and her own Apache 12-year-old gelding Giovanni BM finished on a winning score of 69.2%. Alex was elated to win her first National Dressage Championships title on the horse she has produced through the levels alongside working in dressage.

“I’ve had him since he was five and I’ve trained him myself with the help of my trainer, Toby Hewlett,” Alex said.

“Gi” was a Brightwells auction purchase, but Alex had intended to buy another horse.

“I didn’t get the one I originally wanted so I decided to buy him, but I’m so glad it worked out the way it did as he’s been a phenomenal horse for me,” she said.

“He’s a super-talented boy but he’s hot so the changes have taken a while to get,” Alex added. “I finally feel like we’ve got them now. We’d love to get to grand prix one day, but only time will tell.”

Alex works as a young horse rider for Woodcroft Stud.

“Most of the time I’m riding three or four-year-olds,” she said. “Gi is my own horse and while riding young horses is what I love doing, it’s nice to change it up with him. I fit him in with a lot of late nights around work. It’s just important to try to find a balance.”

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