last updated on September 17, 2006 01:00

Sandy Phillips became national dressage champion for the first time, having gained the highest combined scores from the grand prix and grand prix freestyle during the 2006 Blue Waters National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Sandy and Lara 106, who represented Britain at the recent World Equestrian Games, won the grand prix and finished second in the grand prix freestyle after a close-fought competition with Spencer Wilton and Dolendo.

Top international judge Stephen Clarke said: “It was neck-and-neck. Spencer’s freestyle was more harmonious, but Lara showed more suppleness and expression.”

Senior team selector and judge David Trott said: “Lara has the potential to be a high-scoring international horse.”

Sandy’s prize includes a two-week all-inclusive holiday to the luxurious Blue Waters Hotel in Antigua.

She said: “It’s an honour to be the British national champion and I’m thrilled to have won the holiday.”

Blue Waters Grand Prix Freestyle Championship

Spencer Wilton rode Ann Cory and Carl Hester’s Dolendo to lead the grand prix freestyle with an impressive 73%, two percentage points shy of winning the title of national dressage champion.

“I was surprised to win the freestyle as we made a mistake in the one-time tempis, but I did have room in test to have another go, which would have improved our mark slightly,” said Spencer, who is heading off to his first international competition abroad tomorrow with the 12-year-old 17.1hh gelding by Donnerhall. It will be their second international show. “We are learning together, which means it can be a bit hit-and-miss sometimes.”

Sandy Phillips and Lara finished second with 72.6%. They also made a mistake. The 12-year-old mare mistook her rider’s aid to go from passage to a trot half-pass for a canter aid.

Biotal Equine Gold Medium Restricted Championships

Jessica Dunn was astonished to have won the medium restricted title with her 10-year-old Belgian-bred mare Dunn To A T.

“We’ve had a bad summer with lameness and injuries, so I’m amazed to be here,” said Jessica, who is hoping to become an equine physio and also enjoys show jumping.

NFU Mutual Preliminary Championships

Jo Lees bought the winner of the preliminary title two years ago from well-known dealer Sandra Biddlecombe and gave the ride on her five-year-old 16.2hh Sir Nario to Victoria Bailey as she is five-months’ pregnant.

“Sir Nario had a year off last year as he was growing so fast and only came back into work in the spring,” said Jo.

Victoria, who is in her final year of a business degree, only started affiliated dressage this year after having to retire her home-bred show jumper.

“I now have the dressage bug,” said Victoria. 

Pavo Potential International Dressage Horse Championships

Showmaker, ridden by Garry Williams, won the four-year-old section of the Pavo Potential International Dressage Horse Championships and then went on to become overall champion.

The 17.1hh Westphalian by Show Star is owned by Garry in partnership with a stud in Germany, where he is used as a breeding stallion. Showmaker has been a regular commuter between Britain and Germany and recently finished sixth in Germany’s extremely competitive and prestigious Bundeschampionat.

Garry said: “The more he does, the better he gets; he’s like driving a Bentley.”

Click our dedicated championship website www.bdchampionships.co.uk for full results and audio interviews with all the champions.