National Dressage Championships young horse four-year-old results

Event rider Holly Woodhead proved she still has the magic touch in the dressage arena at the 2022 LeMieux National Dressage Championships, as she rode Mount St John Equestrian LLP’s MSJ Viva Dannebrog to win the KBIS National Dressage Championships young horse four-year-old final.

Holly, who has only switched back to pure dressage recently, was emotional after her victory: “I haven’t done pure dressage for a very long time; since I was on ponies. I’m ever so grateful to Emma [Blundell] for allowing me to work with these amazing mares, and obviously to my sister, Amy, for being pregnant so I get the rides!”

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

Event rider goes back to her roots and takes title at National Dressage Championships

Holly has been partnered with Viva Dannebrog, a chestnut mare by Vitalis, since the beginning of the year and the nationals was their fourth competitive outing.

“In the arena she’s very onside, she works with me and she doesn’t give up. We haven’t asked for the extra gears yet as we want her to be happy in her work as a young horse.

“Whether it’s an event horse or a dressage horse, I like them all to feel really good in themselves and be happy,” added Holly. “It’s so important.”

Judge David Hunt said: “You could really see the horse was with the rider as soon as she picked up the reins, which is so important later on; a grand prix horse needs to come into the ring being with the rider, listening with energy. And the winner had all of these qualities.”

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