Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships 2009: Day three
last updated on September 19, 2009 20:13
As the light begins to fade on the third day of the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships the atmosphere is electric with the news that Carl Hester has taken his 50th National title here today after winning the Grand Prix and Inter I Freestyle.
The benchmark was always within Carl’s grasp with his first win of the competition on Thursday in the Prix St. George making 47 titles. His 76.10% tonight in the Freestyle sealed the deal in impressive style.
Runner up in the Grand Prix, Maria Eilberg celebrated another family victory today as younger brother Michael headed the Advanced Medium Open with Woodlander Dornroschen on 72.26%.
Finally Charlotte Andrews enjoyed success in the September sunshine as she took top honours in the Preliminary Championship riding 6 year old Welcome O on 71.82%
Tomorrow the final day of the championship promises some fantastic competition with the Grand Prix Freestyle and the chance for Carl to make 51. Not to mention the Parade of Medallists, Celebrity Ride and Drive and of course fantastic shopping and atmosphere. Don’t miss the climax of the National Dressage Championships 2009!
Dressage Deluxe Grand Prix Champion
Carl Hester and Liebling II, 71.36% (pictured above)
“Liebling had a two week holiday after the Europeans and has come back really well for today,” said Carl. “He’s now very confident in these movements and was extremely relaxed today. He’s maybe not the most extravagant horse but he’s established and so easy to collect.”
“We did have a mistake in the two tempi-changes but other than that, the test was clean and very efficient.”
 |
|
Bates Intermediaire I Freestyle |
“I often have a drama with my music and today was no exception!” said Carl. “I discovered at 1.30pm, four and half hours before my test, that my music CD was lost. I had to ring home and get someone to run up a CD - it was for a freestyle programme I last rode eight years ago!”
Drama aside, the programme, set to a Simon and Garfunkel medley was head and shoulders above the field with a score of 76.10%.
“He was so full of expression and he came out on the third day still full of running – a great championship horse quality.”
 |
|
BETA Preliminary |
“I was delighted with him today,” said Charlotte who rides Welcome O, and other young horses for owner, Julie Hugo. “He’s six years old and was very immature when Julie first bought him a year ago but he has a great attitude to work and took everything in his stride.”
Charlotte, a recently qualified veterinary surgeon, has combined her studies with riding and competing. “She could frequently be found with her head in a book in the back of the lorry,” quipped Julie. “Charlotte rides all my young horses. She’s a very tactful rider, has plenty of ‘stickability’ and is used to riding powerful horses – she does a fantastic job of starting them off.”
Charlotte and Welcome O will now contest the Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted tomorrow morning.
 |
|
Martin Collins Advanced Medium Open |
“I’m so pleased with her and it’s always good to ride a test like that at the Nationals,” said a delighted Michael following his win. “In the collecting ring she was good and I was hoping we could pull it off in the arena. She has great star quality and presence but is still really level in her mind – she really is a super mare.”
“In the medium open, she was a little fresh but today she was fantastic. The more advanced the test, the more she comes into her own.”
“On Tuesday, I’m having an operation on my hip so I’ll be out of action for three months. As soon as I’m back riding, we’ll continue training and will maybe do the Sunshine Tour in the spring. My sister Maria has competed there the last couple of years and we’ve found it’s a great experience for the horses.”
For a full list of results go to www.bdchampionships.co.uk
If you visited the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships please complete our online survey here
