last updated on January 19, 2010 13:28

Bold Hunter, owned and ridden by Ann Bostock, won the Retraining of Racehorses & SEIB Elite Dressage Performance Award at the British Breeding Breeders’ Awards Dinner & Awards ceremony held at the Grange City Hotel, London on 9 January 2010.

Organised with British Dressage, the award is a points championship open to any level from novice upwards. It is available through Retraining of Racehorses for any Wetherbys registered thoroughbred competing in British Dressage competitions.

“I am thrilled to win this award” said Ann, who has ridden the 16 year old Polish Precedent gelding (pictured) since his last race three years ago. “He (Bold Hunter) ran 92 times during his racing career both on the flat and over hurdles so my aim when I started dressage with him the year before last was to win 92 points!

“He hunts with my husband and still goes on the gallops with the point-to-pointers”, said Ann who trains with Judy Harvey. “He’s so versatile and switches easily between that and dressage. Hopefully he’ll upgrade to elementary this year and I’d love to do a medium with him.”

The Breeders’ Award Dinner also saw Dimaggio offspring win two of the three age categories of the British Dressage Young Horse Awards. Sponsored by British Dressage these awards are for top British-bred young dressage horses.

Don Archie by Dimaggio, who was bred by Suzanne Lavandera won the five year old section. He is now owned by Ann Cory and Carl Hester and is ridden by Carl.

Another Dimaggio sired horse, Headmore Delegate, took the six year old category. Owned and bred by Sarah and Alice Oppenheimer and ridden by Alice, he was also last year’s five year old winner.

Rommano Ruinart by Rhodiamant won the four year old title. Rommano Ruinart bred by Jennifer Gilchrist and owned by Clayton Down was also the 2009 Potential International Dressage Horse four year old Champion. He is ridden by Tim Sillevis.

RoR & SEIB Elite Dressage Performance Award results:
1st Bold Hunter, owned and ridden by Ann Bostock
2nd RockCracker, owned and ridden by Sam Perks
3rd Mister Bojangles, owned by Dee and Tony Lousada and ridden by Paul Hayler

British Dressage Chief Executive Amanda Bond presents the British Dressage Young Horse Award (in the 5 year old section) to Ann Cory

Six year old winners Sarah & Alice Oppenheimer accept their award

 Amanda Bond presents the four year old award to Clayton Down

Photos courtesy of Trevor Meeks