NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships 2010: day four
last updated on April 11, 2010 12:47
The fourth day of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, 7-11 April, saw five more champions crowned—bringing the total number of championships decided this week to 25, with a further five to be decided tonight and tomorrow.
Thursday’s Novice Restricted Freestyle winners Sadie Smith and Ambience (pictured) scored the day’s highest mark with their 76.67% in the Horsesense-Elevator Preliminary Championship—nearly an unbelievable seven percent higher than second place’s Laura Woodcock and Whispers.
Other winners on the day were Jo Barry and Vilvaldi V who added a second national title to their collection with their win in the Bucas Medium Music Freestyle on 73.70%. The pair bettered second place Paul Hayler and Florando by nearly two percent.
Also on top form was Maria Eilberg and Woodlander Rockstar who, fresh off their success on the sunshine tour, scored 68.95% to become the British Horse Feeds Advanced Medium Open Champions.
Still to be decided in tonight’s Gala Night is the Superflex FEI Intermediate Freestyle Champion.
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Horsesense-Elevator Preliminary Winter Championship Fareham based young dressage rider Sadie Smith, 20, has won her second championship of the week. Riding Sandra Kirkpatrick and Roland Tong’s five-year-old British-bred gelding Ambience IV, she scored 76.67%, almost seven percent above her nearest rival to win the Horsesense-Elevator Preliminary Championship. Smith, who won the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Restricted Music Freestyle on Thursday with Ambience said: “He was brilliant again – he felt exactly the same as the other day. He’s so professional and does everything I ask of him. He is sharp though not in a naughty way – he’s totally attentive.” Smith, who works for her trainer Roland Tong and Ben St John-James, mainly riding the young horses said: “I’d love to eventually compete and train horses to grand prix.” |
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British Horse Feeds Advanced Medium Open Winter Championship
Maria Eilberg with Woodlander Rockstar 68.95% Maria Eilberg who last year was part of Great Britain’s silver medal winning team at the European Championships, Windsor, took top honours in the British Horse Feeds Advanced Medium Open Championship. Riding Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Rockstar, an impressive eight-year-old stallion by Rotspon, she was first to go and held the lead to the end of the competition with her score of 68.95%.
“It was a long wait until the end of the class,” said Maria “I’m so happy that we held onto it!” “On the whole he very relaxed. In one canter half-pass he was holding a bit and looking but other than that I was happy with the test,” explained Eilberg. The partnership has recently enjoyed success on the Spanish Sunshine Tour winning several owners’ classes. ”Having been in Spain, where we worked on PSG movements between classes, and upping his work at home, he’s going really well. He’s now far more connected and really coming into his own,” said Eilberg. “This will be an important year for him moving up to PSG.” |
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Bucas Medium Music Freestyle Championship Local dressage rider Jo Barry is on top form partnered by her own and Lady Hope’s eight-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Vivaldi V. The combination won the Bucas Medium Music Freestyle, adding a second victory to her championship count. First to go, the talented partnership posted a score of 73.70% to lead the field from start to finish in convincing style. “I felt it went even better today. He was more relaxed about being in the arena, was nicer in the hand and being a more difficult test, he had to concentrate which helped.” “I feel it’s a big responsibility to have a horse like him – it does put a bit of pressure on. At home though, to us, he’s just ‘Freddie’. I dote on him and we’re great friends – we work together. Barry and Vivaldi will contest another championship tomorrow, the Albion Medium Open Winter Championship. |
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Petplan Equine Novice Restricted Area Festival Championship Herefordshire teenager Lucy Pincus, 13, headed a large field of 29 riders to secure victory in the Petplan Equine Novice Restricted Area Festival Championship. Riding Serena Pincus’s seven-year-old 14.2hh gelding Sheepcote Sandmartin she won this championship class, against mostly senior riders, with a strong score of 69.83%. “I’m so pleased – it’s amazing,” said a delighted Pincus “it’s been my ambition to win a presentation rug!” “We won the first round this morning which was great. I wasn’t so confident that we’d do well in round two. For it to go well again this afternoon is fantastic!” Pincus and Sheepcote Sandmartin will be competing in the Petplan Equne Peliminary Area Festival Championship on Sunday. |
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Petplan Equine Elementary Restricted Area Festival Championship Riding Moira Johnston’s 14-year-old Belgian-bred gelding Walter, Nantwich dressage rider Lauren Wilson sealed victory in the Petplan Equine Elementary Restricted Area Festival Championship. “This is the first time I’ve competed here at this show so to win is amazing!” said Wilson. “Our test went really well especially the medium trot - that’s definitely his forte.” Lauren took over the ride on Walter a year ago. “I knew of Lauren when I was looking for a rider,” said Johnston. “She had just returned from working at a yard in Germany and I thought she and Walter would suit each other. He was not easy to start with and Lauren has really turned him round.” “We keep him happy by hacking and giving him a bit of variety,” added Wilson. “He’s great to ride now and he loves being at a show. Since being here he hasn’t put a foot wrong.” “Now I’d like to qualify him for the summer regionals and work towards medium level.” |
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Superflex Intermediate I Music Freestyle Charlie Hutton has won the prestigious Superflex Intermediate I Music Freestyle in front of a sell-out evening crowd at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartoury Arena, Gloucestershire. Riding his mother Pammy’s ten-year-old Danish-bred gelding Abira, he posted a score of 72.42% to seal victory in front of a sell-out evening crowd. “I’m thrilled to have done this tonight,” said Hutton “our floor plan was very technical but it all came off – I’m so happy with him.” “Abira has had six months off following colic surgery and this was his first competition since the summer” explained Hutton. “I’m so pleased that he’s returned well – he’s a very special horse to us. We could have had him back in time for the Sunshine Tour but we wanted to give him a bit longer.” “World Class choreographed the test with Wim Ernes and Gary Wood from Equitunes did the music. I had it choreographed two years ago and know the music so well that as Abira’s developed more ground cover, I can adjust it and choose when to do things.” “I was feeling nervous as it’s the first time I’ve competed him this year though I also felt it was his time to shine. This is my first big title with him.” This year, Hutton plans to run Abira at international small tour and will also campaign him for young riders. |
