Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships 2010: Day one
last updated on September 09, 2010 16:32
Friday of the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships, Warwickshire, saw Carl Hester grow ever closer to the 50 championships benchmark. Win number 48 today, and his second of the championships so far, Carl and Uthopia flew in on an impressive 72.74% to take the Intermediare I title.
It was also a good day for Carl's former stable jockey Lucy Cartwright who rode the 17.1hh gelding Chagall to take the Elementary Open Championship on a massive 73.29% as well as the Novice Open with 71.43%.
Other winners of the day were Sophie Christiansen, who, fresh from her success at the European Para Equestrian Dressage Championships who took the overall title in the para grades on 74.33% and finally Mike Jones and Two Mills Playboy who took top spot on 67.82% in the Advanced Medium Restricted Championship.
KBIS British Equestrian Para Dressage Championship
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KBIS British Equestrian Para Equestrian Dressage Championship Grade IA |
“I’m so happy with him as he didn’t put a foot wrong, not even in the prizegiving,” said Sophie. “We felt that this year’s European Championships was too soon for him but today’s result has proved that he can now cope with everything.”
“He’s only 11 years old and just gets better and better,” explained Sophie. “He’s a great prospect for the World Equestrian Games next year and is likely to cope better with the journey than my other ride Lambrusco who’s a little older now.”
“I’d like to thank Sarah and Tony Pidgley, the owners of ‘Robin’ for their support.”
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KBIS British Equestrian Para Equestrian Dressage Championship Grade IB |
“The warm-up was closed when I worked Gentleman last night, so I worked him in the field,” explained Lee. “It actually worked to my advantage as he was really forward and that continued in the test today.
“He’s come back really well after Norway too,” explained Lee “and is feeling really in front of the leg. He grows in the big arena which is great although he can be a bit tighter at a show. He’s still only eight though so he’ll relax with more experience.”
“I’d like to qualify at elementary, medium and advanced medium for the Winter Championships.”
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KBIS British Equestrian Para Equestrian Dressage Championship Grade II |
“He was relaxed and focussed on me,” said Felicity who’s owned Roffelaar for the past three years. “This was his first competition for quite a while so I wasn’t sure how he’d react but he took it all in his stride – I was delighted with him.”
“We’ll be out competing over the winter and continue training with next year’s World Equestrian Games in mind.”
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KBIS British Equestrian Para Equestrian Dressage Championship Grade III |
“I’m extremely pleased with Derek (Ocean Diamond),” enthused Simon. “It’s a great way to end the season. I didn’t ride here last year because of the Paralympic Games so it’s great to be here and to take back the title.”
“He’s not done a huge amount since the Europeans in Norway - I really just picked him up three days ago so I’m extremely happy. In my eyes the horse is a legend! He’s such a nice person to have around and very calm but at the same time he gives so much. I just press the button and off he goes.”
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KBIS British Equestrian Para Equestrian Dressage Championship Grade IV |
“This was a great opportunity to bring Reece (Valerius) out and today he was great - he actually thrives on the big atmosphere,” said Sophie, who’s ridden the seven year old 17.2hh gelding for the past two years.
“At home, he’s working at Prix St Georges and I’m hoping to have him and my two other horses out at small tour and young riders next year.”
“My trainer Angela Weiss has been a great help bringing us through the levels. Working with her, I’ve had the opportunity to ride many talented horses and I’ve learnt so much - it’s been inspiring.”
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Martin Collins Advanced Medium Restricted |
“I bought him as a three year old and liked him so much I decided to keep him,” said Mike who buys and sells competition horses. “He’s so easy to train and nothing ever fazes him. He’s now nine and I’ve never known him to put his ears back – he’s such an easy horse.”
“He’s ready for Prix St Georges now and does all the Grand Prix work at home which is my long term aim with him.”
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Dodson & Horrell Novice Open |
“He’s a gentle giant,” said Lucy, who rides the 6 year old gelding for owners Isobel Wessels and Bridget Powell. “As he’s a very big horse, he’s a slow developer but he has no weaknesses. He has great ability combined with a wonderful temperament – even during the arena walk, I rode him on the buckle, he’s that sensible”
The talented Chagall, who was fifth in the Shearwater Young Dressage Horse Championship (ridden by Carl Hester) will now be aimed at the 2010 winter elementary championship as the next step of his career.
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Bates Intermediaire I |
“Uthopia was really great today. He was more relaxed and rideable than yesterday,” said Carl. “It’s a more difficult test and he coped really well. His concentration in the surroundings and big atmosphere is really great - quite unusual for a horse of his age, especially a stallion.”
“He’s a very exciting horse - so elastic and off the floor which attracts the marks.”
Carl and Uthopia will now contest the Bates Intermediaire I Freestyle tomorrow afternoon.
For a full list of results go to www.bdchampionships.co.uk
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