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Addington CPEDI: Spring success for home stars
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Thu, 08 May 2025 15:56
A strong home line up enjoyed success in Buckinghamshire at Addington Equestrian’s CPEDI (2 - 5 May 2025), with multiple victories, exciting debut performances and personal bests celebrated.
CPEDI 3*
Nottinghamshire’s Sophie Wells (pictured above) recorded a hat-trick of Grade V wins with the nine-year-old mare LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (St Schufro x Gribaldi). The duo posted the highest score of the show for their Freestyle performance, rounding off a week of consistency and confidence with 78.125% rewarded by judges Anne Prain (FRA), John Robinson (GBR) and Mary Robins (NZL). “It’s felt like a long time since Paris, but so good to have made some progress over the winter and it follow through to the arena,” Sophie shared via Facebook, praising the Lady Joseph Trust’s mare for her calm performances, “It’s a big thing and means the world to see her more chilled and happy.”
Alongside her wins in the saddle, Sophie also celebrated the success of riders she trains, including Gabriella Blake who was also in excellent form aboard Strong Beau. Gabby claimed victory in the Grade I Grand Prix A on 74.097% and secured two runner-up spots behind Paris medallist Mari Durward-Akhurst.
Following a top performance at the Equissage Pulse Para Winter Championships in March, Mari and Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg (Gribaldi x Diamant) were yet again a standout combination, achieving two wins with superb scores of over 77%. “Athene was utterly amazing… a win with 77% and a 10! It’s not every day that happens,” said Mari on social media as she reflected on her first win and phenomenal high score.
Jemima Green and Georgia Wilson dominated the Grade II competition. Jemima and her seven-year-old German-bred gelding Fantabulous claimed a double victory, winning the Grand Prix B test and the Freestyle competition with a superb score of 75.312%. Whilst Georgia and her nine-year-old mare Faside Got The Love took the top spot in the Grade II Grand Prix A, earning 71.322%.
In Grade IV, Nicola Naylor and the exciting eight-year-old mare Moulin Rouge VIII impressed on their international debut together, taking three wins with scores over 70%. “Moulin Rouge’s (aka Satine’s) debut on the international stage and what an entrance she made, winning the hat-trick,” said Nicola, posting on Instagram. “We have been partners for such a short time, but there is a magic click and she is an exceptional young horse.”
Whilst it was success for Ireland in the Grade III classes, as Jessica McKenna and D.C.I Cerruti delivered a winning hat-trick. British Grade III rider Vicky Earnshaw earned her highest 3* placing of the week in the Freestyle, taking second place with Charlotte Arling’s Midline Rioja.
CPEDI 2*
The 2* competition saw further success for Vicky Earnshaw, this time with her second ride, her own Prince Pepe. The Grade III combination set the bar high with a beautiful Intermediate Freestyle, which earned a new personal best score of 70.267%.
Grade I rider Elan Williams celebrated two milestones. Ceris Williams’ Verdi-sired gelding Temple Ogue made an outstanding international debut in the 2*, taking home a trio of wins, whilst Elan’s faithful partner BKS Brandini stepped up to 3* for the first time, earning third place with a brilliant score of 71.489% in the Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle. “I’m very proud of my boys. Otto did a great job taking me up to 3* for the first time,” Elan wrote on Facebook, “Verdi was incredible for me and did what was asked. I cannot wait to develop our partnership.”
The young rider is currently juggling horses, schoolwork and upcoming GCSEs: “I have a couple more weeks of training and qualifiers, then it’s GCSE exam season, so the shows slow down until I’m all free at the end of June – then I’m back!”
Sara Louise Bates impressed in the Grade IV Intermediate classes, winning both the Freestyle and Intermediate B tests with Patty Allen’s Solo Hit 2 (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall). The Warwickshire-based rider also secured two podium placings in the Grade IV Grand Prix classes aboard Tango VII. Meanwhile, Fiona Maynard took home a win in the Grade IV Intermediate A, alongside five podium finishes across the 2* and 3* sections, showing impressive consistency with her two rides, Philippa Moss’s Don Felix and her own Denver IX.
CPEDI1*
The 1* section offered a platform for combinations to gain valuable international experience. Grade III rider Isabella Benfield competed with two rides but led the way with a top score of 69.688% in the Grade III Novice B aboard Lamborghini III at their first international competition together – a significant step in a journey that only began in August last year.
In addition, Grade II rider Lacey Ohara made her international debut under the guidance of Sophie Wells. “It’s been a good few years teaching Lacey from the beginning and it’s challenged me to be a better coach, but it’s fulfilling to see progress,” Sophie wrote on Facebook, “Seeing her smile her way around the show was very special.”
The CPEDI at Addington delivered a superb showcase of para dressage, and thanks go to the venue and everyone who supported this successful show. Congratulations to all the competitors, their horses and support teams.
Results - top three
CPEDI3*
Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 74.097% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 73.195% (GBR)
3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 68.403% (GBR)
Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 77.014% (GBR)
2. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 73.681% (GBR)
3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 68.889% (GBR)
Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 77.689% (GBR)
2. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 77.278% (GBR)
3. Elan Williams and Brandini, 71.489% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix A
1. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 71.322% (GBR)
2. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 70.977% (GBR)
3. Jemima Green and Foxy Donna de Fontaine, 67.356% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 71.500% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 69.667% (GBR)
3. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 66.889% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 75.312% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love,
3. Roberta Sheffield and Nardando, 66.945% (CAN)
Grade III Grand Prix A
1. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 66.778% (IRL)
2. Tin Chi Timothy Tsang and Jockey Club Cethegus M, 65.722% (HKG)
3. Kate Kerr-Horan and Lykkebo's Don Akino, 64.445% (IRL)
Grade III Grand Prix B
1. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 67.889% (IRL)
2. Fleu Schrader and Jockey Club Todays Special, 63.278% (HKG)
3. Tin Chi Timothy Tsang and Jockey Club Cethegus M, 63.111% (HKG)
Grade III Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 71.489% (IRL)
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja, 69.000% (GBR)
3. Tin Chi Timothy Tsang and Jockey Club Cethegus M, 65.745% (HKG)
Grade V Grand Prix A
1. Sophie Wells and Ljt Egebjerggards Samoa, 74.616% (GBR)
2. Charlotte Cundall and First Pitch, 72.094% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Nalique, 68.889% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix B
1. Sophie Wells and Ljt Egebjerggards Samoa, 72.719% (GBR)
2. Charlotte Cundall and First Pitch, 71.272% (GBR)
3. Charlotte Cundall and Fj Veyron, 69.517% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Sophie Wells and Ljt Egebjerggards Samoa, 78.125% (GBR)
2. Charlotte Cundall and First Pitch, 74.000% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Nalique, 70.842% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge VIII, 73.194% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Denver IX, 68.472% (GBR)
3. Heather Bennett and Venus Gemini Dhi, 68.102% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge VIII, 72.748% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Denver IX, 69.640% (GBR)
3. Sara Louise Bates and Tango VII, 66.712% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Nicola Naylor and Moulin Rouge VIII, 76.092% (GBR)
2. Sara Louise Bates and Tango VII, 71.208% (GBR)
3. Fiona Maynard and Denver IX, 70.467% (GBR)
CPEDI2*
Grade I Intermediate A
1. Elan Williams and Temple Ogue, 66.355% (GBR)
2. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 64.375% (GBR)
Grade I Intermediate B
1. Elan Williams and Temple Ogue, 67.250% (GBR)
2. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 64.583% (GBR)
Grade I Intermediate Freestyle
1. Elan Williams and Temple Ogue, 67.356% (GBR)
2. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 63.134% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate A
1. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 68.889% (GBR)
2. Janet Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells, 63.889% (GBR)
3. Danielle Smith-Turner and Barravalley Breeze, 62.936% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate B
1. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 67.742% (GBR)
2. Janet Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells, 66.382% (GBR)
3. Danielle Smith-Turner and Barravalley Breeze, 61.075% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate Freestyle
1. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 70.267% (GBR)
2. Danielle Smith-Turner and Barravalley Breeze, 62.600% (GBR)
3. Janet Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells, 62.323% (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate A
1. Helen Geddes and Her Ladyshipp, 64.286% (GBR)
2. Donna West and Hio Lookswell, EL (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate B
1. Helen Geddes and Her Ladyshipp, 61.717% (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate Freestyle
1. Helen Geddes and Her Ladyshipp, 65.383% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate A
1. Fiona Maynard and Don Felix, 66.800% (GBR)
2. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 65.200% (GBR)
3. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant, 63.733% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate B
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 66.398% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Don Felix, 66.022% (GBR)
3. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant, 60.753% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate Freestyle
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 69.142% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Don Felix, 68.642% (GBR)
3. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant, 63.008% (GBR)
CPEDI1*
Grade II Novice A
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 64.792% (GBR)
Grade II Novice B
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 63.854% (GBR)
Grade II Novice Freestyle
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 66.100% (GBR)
Grade III Novice A
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini III, 66.250% (GBR)
2. Isabella Benfield and Cookies And Cream, 59.792% (GBR)
Grade III Novice B
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini III, 69.688% (GBR)
2. Isabella Benfield and Cookies And Cream, 56.250% (GBR)
Photos © Spidge Event Photography
