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last updated on September 14, 2006 00:00

Some 350 competitors are converging on Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for the biggest show in the British calendar, the 2006 Blue Waters National Dressage Championships, which runs from 14-17 September.

The first four champions of the show are Debbie Bridges (elementary restricted), Gemma Green (elementary open), Carl Hester (prix st georges) and Jodie Lister (intermediaire II).

NEW Equine Wear Elementary Restricted Championship

It was Debbie Bridges’s first time at the nationals and she made her trip from Lanarkshire a worthwhile one. Debbie rode her own Dutch-bred eight-year-old Rechercheur, who is by Inspekteur, to win the elementary restricted with nearly 67%. She has ridden the horse she calls “Tony The Pony”, because he is only 15.3hh, for just over a year.

“This is my best result and has great sentimental value. I lost my dad suddenly a couple of years ago, which allowed me to buy my horses,” said Debbie, who runs a livery yard in Lanark.

NEW Equine Wear Elementary Open Championship

Jenny Green’s Showtime lived up to his name, scoring nearly 72% in the elementary open ridden by Jenny’s 22-year-old daughter, Gemma, who was enjoying her first win at the nationals.

“We came here to prove how good he is, so this is a great result for all the team - my family, trainers, vet, farrier - and me,” said Gemma, who is trained by Henk van Bergen and Jennie Loriston-Clarke and has ridden the impressive seven-year-old 17hh Dutch-bred stallion by Contango for less than a year.

Derby House Saddlery Prix St Georges Championship

Carl Hester decided last year that his ambition is to win 40 national titles before he turns 40 next June. He is well on the way as winning the prix st georges here with Rowan Lewis’s Blakes Da Vinci brings his tally to 39.

“It was a stupid idea that turned into a goal. Now I need another win. I won’t be satisfied until I do it; the show is not over yet,” said Carl, who rode the laid-back eight-year-old 16.3hh stallion by Donnerhall to victory with a score of 71.6%.

TRM Intermediaire II Championship

Hampshire-based freelance trainer Jodie Lister has brought her 11-year-old 16.2.hh Dutch-bred gelding Nicky up through the ranks since a three-year-old to win the intermediaire II title here.

Jodie, who trains with Jennie Loriston-Clarke, said: “He tries his heart out and has exceeded all my expectations. We won the elementary title here in 2001, but I never dreamt we would win at this level.”

Jodie and Nicky are also competing in the grand prix.

“This is our first season in the big tour and we are still green in grand prix, so we’ll just enjoy taking part in that class,” she said.

The much-admired amateur Dr Steph Croxford achieved a creditable third place in this class with Mr President, which was a particular achievement as her saddletree broke in the middle of her test.

“When I took the saddle off in the warm-up arena after the test, it just fell apart,” said Steph, who had to borrow a saddle for the prize giving.

Click our dedicated championship website www.bdchampionships.co.uk for full results, radio interviews and all other info.