Charlotte Dujardin has another exciting rising star in her string in the form of the eight-year-old mare Alive And Kicking. The pair topped the young horse prix st georges championship final at the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage on gala night (9 July) with a +79% score. Charlotte says she was “really proud” of the “very talented mare”. “I would really like to now try and get her to grand prix,” she adds.
Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan, winners of the 2022 Hickstead Derby.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
William Funnell reflects on the attraction of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby in his exclusive H&H column this week. “It was great to see such big crowds turn out for last month’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting – they had 35-40,000 people over the week, which shows that people still love a spectacle. Even Saturday’s speed Derby figures were up,” he says. “For the people who perhaps like to watch showjumping once a year, they go to watch the Derby rather than the same-old jumping round a sand ring. As a sport, we need to remember that.”
3. Gold medallists on song ahead of World Championship selection
Lee Pearson and Breezer on winning form at Hartpury.
(Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)
Britain’s Tokyo Paralympic team gold medallists were on winning form at Hartpury CPEDI3*. Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer, and Sophie Wells on Don Cara M both bagged a hat-trick of wins across their respective grades. Their Tokyo team-mates Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus won their first class, the grade III team test, but had to withdraw from the remainder of the week as Natasha was unwell. Ireland’s Michael Murphy and Cleverboy enjoyed a repeat of their 2021 results, with a clean sweep in the grade I classes. Britain’s Nicola Naylor (Del Piero and Humberto L), Marcelle Ward (Dornroeschen) and Erin Orford also went home with wins.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
