Addington CDI: British stars spring to top placings

Carl Hester led the home contingent, making their mark across the CDI1*, CDI3* and Under 25 divisions at Addington Equestrian, as British riders enjoyed the first domestic CDI fixture of the year (2–5 May 2025).

CDI3*

Returning to competition for the first time since the Paris Olympics, Carl Hester and his Olympic team bronze medal winning partner Fame XX (Bordeaux 28 x Rhodium) made a winning comeback. Carl expertly piloted the 15-year-old gelding, owned by Fiona Bigwood, to victory in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with two top scores of 77% and 76.936%. “Fame’s enthusiasm for the Grand Prix never lessens… he felt as good as ever,” Carl shared on social media, summing up a performance that showed no signs of time away from the white boards. The combination now look forward to a run of domestic CDI fixtures, as part of the campaign for FEI European Championship selection.

Laura Tomlinson enjoyed a successful competition with two rides, achieving top placings. The Gloucestershire-based rider made a promising seasonal debut with Issey (Johnson x Rubinstein), who’s an exciting new ride owned by her cousin Beatrice Marienau; the duo achieved the runner up spot in Saturday’s Grand Prix, scoring 71.609%, followed up by a narrow-margin win in the Grand Prix Freestyle where a super score of 76.070% gave the pair victory by just 0.01%. Laura’s super home-bred Full Moon also looked a picture and achieved his highest placing in the Grand Prix Special, earning 70.404% to finish behind Carl and Fame.

Sadie Smith and the elegant Swanmore Dantina (by Dante Weltino) continued their upward trajectory at Grand Prix level, enjoying two top-three placings on their first international appearance at Grand Prix level. In the Grand Prix, the duo earned third place with 71.304% before going on to notch up 76.060% for their debut Grand Prix Freestyle, finishing second by just a whisker. “I’m so pleased for our first freestyle at the level and absolutely delighted to get two scores of over 70% at our first international at Grand Prix,” said Sadie on social media, “I’m so excited for the future with my best girl.”

CDI1*

Taking home a double victory and three podium finishes in total, Nikki Barker was a dominant force across the CDI1* classes. The Suffolk-based rider opened her account with a third-place finish in the Prix St Georges, a class won by China’s Sarah Rao on board the 14-year-old Vivaldi-sired stallion Geniaal (71.176%); a double podium finish was next up for Nikki, who took the Intermediate I win on 73.333% with her own and Rebecca Harrow’s Dan Icarus, whilst Sara Lucas’ Iwan joined his stable mate on the podium taking third with 71.127%. Completing a successful week, Nikki and Dan Icarus produced a powerful performance to top the Intermediate I Freestyle on a score of 76.650%, rewarded by Mary Robins (NZL– E), Anne Prain (FRA – C) and Andrew Gardner (GBR – M).

Fresh from their recent success at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, Matt Frost and his own Kerouac continued their strong form as they made their international debut. The duo were consistent challengers across the Small Tour classes, riding to two second place results in both the Prix St Georges and the Intermediate I Freestyle.

CDIU25

In the U25 competition,, the wins were shared between Greece and Australia. In the opening Intermediate II test, Australia’s Tyla Schou and Dennis Deniro took the win ahead of Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, with Britain’s Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS completing the podium. The tables turned the following day, as Theodora and Robinvale claimed a win for Greece in the Grand Prix 16 – 25, before going on to repeat this success in the Grand Prix Freestyle.

Congratulations to all riders taking part in the first domestic CDI fixture of the year, thanks go to the team at Addington Equestrian and all officials, volunteers and supporters who put on a great spring event.

Results – top three

Saturday 3 May

CDIU25 Intermediate II
1.   Tyla Schou and Dennis Deniro, 68.137% (AUS)
2.   Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 67.892% (GRE)
3.   Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS, 67.108% (GBR)
CDI1* Prix St Georges
1.   Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 71.176% (CHN)
2.   Matt Frost and Kerouac, 70.784% (GBR)
3.   Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 70.098% (GBR)
CDI3* Grand Prix
1.   Carl Hester and Fame XX, 77.000% (GBR)
2.   Laura Tomlinson and Issey, 71.609% (GBR)
3.   Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 71.348% (GBR)

Sunday 4 May

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25
1.   Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 67.307% (GRE)
2.   Tyla Schou and Dennis Deniro, 65.214% (AUS)
3.   Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS, 63.248% (GBR)
CDI1* Intermediate I
1.   Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 73.333% (GBR)
2.   Darren Hicks and Sir Robinson, 72.304% (GBR)
3.   Nikki Barker and Iwan, 71.127% (GBR)
CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1.   Carl Hester and Fame XX, 76.936% (GBR)
2.   Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 70.404% (GBR)
3.   Nathalie Wahlund and Gorklintgards Scorpion, 68.574% (ITA)
CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1.   Laura Tomlinson and Issey, 76.070% (GBR)
2.   Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 76.060% (GBR)
3.   Louise Anne Bell and Into The Blue, 70.265% (GBR)

Monday 5 May

CDI1* Intermediate I Freestyle
1.   Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 76.650% (GBR)
2.   Matt Frost and Kerouac, 76.025% (GBR)
3.   Darren Hicks and Sir Robinson, 74.133% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1.   Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 72.975% (GRE)
2.   Tyla Schou and Dennis Deniro, 71.700% (AUS)
3.   Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS, 69.892% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS

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