‘Hopefully he can be a team horse – that’s the dream’: back-to-back champions and new partnerships kick off National Dressage Championships
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.”
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That partnership is already clicking. “He finds the movements so easy and stayed relaxed today. For me it’s about how I put the power in and keep the harmony, because he has so much quality to show off. We went for a safe test, but it gives me confidence to know I can ask for more.”
Looking ahead, Erin is aiming high. “He’s in such a different place to other horses because he’s so established in his work. This year is about learning as much as I can about him, so next year we can really come out with some solid performances. Hopefully, he can be a team horse – that’s the dream.”
Laura Scott continued her good run with CEI Summer Days, scoring 70.63% to take grade IV. The pair are in fine form, having also won the elementary silver regional title at Bicton (72.17%). It made for a hectic day, with Laura heading straight from the prizegiving into the warm-up for the HorseQuest elementary silver.
“This was his first time in an arena like this, so for him to just go in, stay relaxed and do his thing was pretty special,” Laura said. “A couple of little spooks, but nothing major – he stayed with me the whole way.”
A former amateur point-to-point jockey and event rider, Laura turned to para dressage after a 2017 fall left her with broken vertebrae and spinal cord damage. “I couldn’t even walk for three months, but getting back on a horse was all I wanted to do – I had to do it.
“I love para dressage because it gives me that competitive focus again. Everyone is competitive, of course, but it’s such a supportive environment – people want each other to do well.
“I still feel like we haven’t scratched the surface yet. There’s so much more in there, which is really exciting. I’d love to be on a senior team one day – Europeans, worlds, maybe even the Paralympics. That’s the ultimate dream. But for now, it’s about taking each day as it comes and trying to improve.”
In grade I, Susanna Wade retained her national title with Premier Royal Mint, scoring 69.03%.
“I’m thrilled with the test,” she said. “He’s 18 now, so this might be his finale. If it is, what a way to finish – you can’t really top becoming national champion twice in a row.
“He was a little on his toes out there, but my trainer Spencer Wilson just said, ‘Take that energy and use it.’ I was a little worried, but I trusted him and it worked.
“He’s so safe and sensible. He loves the big occasions with his ears pricked, but at home he finds it boring – he’d much rather be out competing.”
Alice Begg also made it back-to-back titles in grade V, this time with Nalique. They scored 68.68% to defend the crown she won last year on her former ride Gluckauf.
“She’s only seven this year, so for her to just go in and take it all in was brilliant,” said Alice. “I felt like she took me – I could just sit back and guide the test, and she said, ‘I know what I’m doing, Mum.’
“Often in a test you’re so focused that you don’t get to enjoy it, but this time I could – it was lovely not to finish thinking, ‘Wow, that went really quickly.’”
Alice also filled the runner-up spot with Kolita, another horse she believes has big potential. “The hope for both of them is to go out and do some internationals. For Nalique in particular, there’s so much more in there. The next six months are about making her stronger so next year we can come out with bigger scores.”
Georgia Wilson clinched a competitive grade II on Faside Got The Love (Jax) with 70.72%. This year she has focused on the nine-year-old while her Paris Paralympic partner Sakura (Suki) enjoys a holiday.
“I’ve had Jax since he was four,” Georgia said. “He’s probably one of the hardest horses I’ve ever had – he’s quite wobbly, so you have to be really balanced yourself and concentrate. But we’re getting better, and the scores just keep getting more consistent now.
“Suki’s having a holiday – she’s been going since Tokyo – so it’s made me really get to grips with Jax. He was always in the background, but now I’m focused on getting it right with him.”
It’s been a milestone year outside the arena too. “I got married in June – I can’t really remember any of it, to be honest!” she laughed. “I’m looking forward to the honeymoon now.”
Looking ahead, Georgia is eyeing Wellington CPEDI in October. “The plan is just to keep building those consistent scores. Suki will come back into work once I’m back – she’ll be going up the Welsh hills to get rid of her big belly!”
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Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the magazine’s dressage editor and sports manager, overseeing coverage of equestrian sport. After studying equine science at Myerscough College, he spent four years working for leading dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing at the 2015 National Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs including Aachen and Saumur. He holds a master’s degree in Literature from York St John University (2021).