BD Youth riders deliver standout performances at Wellington CDI ahead of European Team selection

BD Youth riders once again produced an outstanding set of results at Wellington CDI (2 – 10 July); following a standout campaign season, combinations put their best foot forward as this trial marks the final international fixture before the European Teams are announced.

Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa | Kevin Sparrow 

Isla Sully, Amelia Dovey and Lilah Gibbs delivered an exceptional set of performances, taking wins across both days of the competition. Starting in the Juniors, current FEI World Rankings leader Isla Sully piloted Cassandra Sully's Vagabond de Massa (Rieto x Xaquiro), setting a blazing trail in both the Team and Individual competitions. In Saturday’s Team Test, the combination danced their way to a winning score of 71.061% in front of judges Hans Voser (SUI), Susanne Baarup (DEN) and Isobel Wessels (GBR). Behind Isla, Oriana McNamara followed closely in second place aboard Andrea McNamara’s Active Solaris (Sezuan x Fidermark), scoring 70.000%, while Ella-Grace Dovey finished third on Hannah Dovey, Verity Jenner and Katie Hardouin’s Escomond (Escolar x Caprimond) with 69.569%.

In Sunday’s Individual Test, Isla went on to claim her second victory with a personal best score of 72.598%, impressing judges Patricia Wolters (NED), Hans Voser (SUI) and Nick Burton (GBR). Reflecting on her performance, Isla commented:

“Wellington is always a high-pressure show, but V was amazing and stayed very consistent. There are always things to work on, but I am pleased to be bringing some of the work from home into the arena. I want to say a big thank you to my trainer Sarah Millis and the girls at the yard; I really appreciate your support and hard work behind the scenes. My favourite part of the show has to be seeing the stewards fighting over V’s nationality! He is such a special horse, and I am forever thankful for the day he came into my life.”

Finishing in second place, Queenie Moule produced an excellent test to score 69.461% aboard Louise Moule’s Baroness Bibi (Benicio x Don Romantic), while Sofia Games completed the podium in third with 68.725% aboard Katie Oliver Games’ Bovary JBM (Baron x Dicaprio).

Continuing her winning streak from Hickstead CDI, Lilah Gibbs topped both the U25 Intermediate II and Grand Prix aboard Sarah Millis’ Dude III (Dancier x Rubinstein). Following a highly successful run at the April Hartpury CDI and May Hickstead CDI, where Lilah won five out of six classes and placed second in another, she and Dude scored a personal best of 70.539% in the Intermediate II and 68.547% in the Grand Prix.

In both classes, Georgina Nicholls followed closely in second place with Briarwood Notorious (by Negro), scoring 68.333% and 65.897% respectively. Third place followed the same pattern, with Ruby Hughes riding Fanella Quinn and Abigail Lyle’s Farrell (Fabregas x Davignon I) to 67.745% and 65.299%. Ruby also contested the Young Rider competition, riding Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Jazz Dance (Jazz x Hemingway) to victory in the Individual Test with 71.176%, and finishing fourth in the Team Test on 68.333%.

The Young Rider Team Test was won by Mette Dahl riding Fiona Bigwood’s Daytona Platinum (Dante Weltino OLD x Charon), who achieved an impressive 72.157%. Mette also claimed third place with her championship team horse Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, scoring 68.676%. Second place went to Myles Graham, riding Linsey Roberts and Daniel Sherriff’s Fred Astaire WD (Fiderbach OLD x Benvenuto) on 70.147%. The combination has shown steady progression throughout the season and produced another consistent test in the Individual competition, scoring 70.686%.

Amelia Dovey produced another outstanding set of results aboard Hannah Dovey’s Sheepcote Jackson (Johnson x Don Primero), taking commanding wins in both the Team and Individual tests with 78.825% and 79.996% respectively. In front of judges Nick Burton (GBR), Alice Schwab (AUT) and Maria Colliander (FIN), Amelia achieved a 71.400% technical score in the Team Test alongside a dazzling 86.250% rider mark, earning 9.0s for precision and general impression.

Just behind Amelia, Sebastian Houlston finished second on both days with Charlotte and Robert Lutener’s Full Fusion BS (Blue Hors Zack x Mooiman), producing two consistently impressive tests to score 74.725% and 75.996%. Third place on both days was also claimed by Amelia Dovey riding Leslie Forlee’s Boccelli 6 (Belissimo M x Riccione), scoring 74.525% and 71.992%.

The Pony tests showcased some of the most exciting up-and-coming talent battling for top spot over the weekend. In the Team Test, Ella Fraser took victory with 70.381% riding her own and Rebecca Fraser’s Brouwershaven’s Viceroy. She was closely followed by Queenie Moule on Louise Moule’s Amden Supreme Golden Dancer, just behind on 70.000%. Martha Jones claimed third place with 68.191% aboard Jonathan Cawley’s Cognac IX. The duo then went on to win Sunday’s Individual competition with 69.459% in front of judges Kjell Myhre (NOR), Patricia Wolters (NED) and Maria Colliander (FIN). Ella Fraser followed closely in second, just behind on 69.415%, while Queenie Moule claimed third with 68.874%.

Thanks go to the organisers and team at Wellington for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout the competition.

Results- Top three

Saturday 6 June

U25 Intermediate II

1. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 70.539% (GBR)

2. Georgina Nicholls and Briarwood Notorious, 68.333% (GBR)

3. Ruby Hughes and Farrell, 67.745% (GBR)

Young Riders Team Test

1. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 72.157% (GBR)

2. Myles Graham and Fred Astaire WD, 70.147% (GBR)

3. Mette Dahl and Fidelio van het Bloemenhof, 68.676% (GBR)

Juniors Team Test

1. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa, 71.061% (GBR)

2. Oriana Mcnamara and Active Solaris, 70.000% (GBR)

3. Ella-Grace Dovey and Escomond, 69.596% (GBR)

Pony Team Test

1. Ella Fraser and Brouwershaven's Viceroy, 70.381% (GBR)

2. Queenie Moule and Amden Supreme Golden Dancer, 70.000% (GBR)

3. Martha Jones and Cognac IX, 68.191% (GBR)

Children on Horses Team Test

1. Amelia Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 78.825% (GBR)

2. Sebastian Houlston and Full Fusion BS, 74.725% (GBR)

3. Amelia Dovey and Boccelli 6, 74.525% (GBR)

Sunday 7 June

U25 Grand Prix

1. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 68.547% (GBR)

2. Georgina Nicholls and Briarwood Notorious, 65.897% (GBR)

3. Ruby Hughes and Farrell, 65.299% (GBR)

Young Riders Individual Test

1. Ruby Hughes and Mount St John Jazz Dance, 71.176% (GBR)

2. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 70.931% (GBR)

3. Myles Graham and Fred Astaire WD, 70.686% (GBR)

Juniors Individual Test

1. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa 72.598% (GBR)

2. Queenie Moule and Baroness Bibi 69.461% (GBR)

3. Sofia Games and Bovary Jbm 68.725% (GBR)

Pony Individual Test

1. Martha Jones and Cognac IX, 69.459% (GBR)

2. Ella Fraser and Brouwershaven's Viceroy, 69.415% (GBR)

3. Queenie Moule and Amden Supreme Golden Dancer, 68.874% (GBR)

Children on Horses Individual Test

1. Amelia Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 79.996% (GBR)

2. Sebastian Houlston and Full Fusion BS, 75.996% (GBR)

3. Amelia Dovey and Boccelli 6, 71.922% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS