News
British combinations excel at CDI Deauville and Wierzbna Bialy Las
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:04
British riders enjoyed a successful week on the international stage, securing victories and podium finishes across CDI Deauville and CDI Wierzbna Bialy Las (3 – 6 September). Lewis Carrier led the way with a Grand Prix and Freestyle double aboard Diego V, while Mette Dahl claimed two Young Rider wins and Annabella Pidgley impressed in Poland with Vamos Amigos.
Lewis Carrier delivered two standout performances to deliver back-to-back victories in the 3* Grand Prix and Freestyle competition aboard his own Diego V (Spielberg x Welt Hit II). This formidable combination built on their success that they had at the Hartpury Summer CDI to score 71.522% and 75.470%, winning both classes by clear margins. Reflecting on his results, Lewis commented that “I’m absolutely over the moon with Diego. To come away from Deauville having won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle is pretty special, especially with a horse who has been such a huge part of my life and career.
“At 18 years young, he still feels amazing and I think that’s what makes results like this mean even more. We’ve been together since the very beginning and he’s taken me through youth teams and into senior Grand Prix, so to still be going out there and getting better together is something I’m incredibly proud of. He felt brilliant in both tests and really gave me everything. There are always things we can keep improving, but I couldn’t have asked for much more from him this weekend. I’m very lucky to have him and a brilliant team of people behind us.”
Following on from her brilliant success at the European Championships, Mette Dahl competed in the Young Rider classes, where she grew in confidence over the three days to bring home two wins and one second placing. Aboard Fiona Bigwood’s 15-year-old gelding Daytona Platinum, who is affectionately known at home as Dino, Mette performed in three brilliant tests scoring 68.039% in the team test, 69.804% in the individual, and topping off the week with 73.983% in the freestyle.
In the 1* competition, Sara-Jane Lanning showcased Nicola Seale’s British-bred mare Hawtins Lirica (Lemony’s Nicket x Dimaggio), producing two incredibly consistent scores of 67.010% and 67.745% to finish sixth and fifth in the Prix St Georges and Intermediate I competition. The pair then went on to compete in Sunday's Freestyle competition, where they finished sixth on 70.300% in front of judges Jean Michel Roudier (C - FRA), Alban Tissot (M - FRA) and Natacha Waddell (E - BRA).
Bobby Hayler and Darren Hicks also attended Deauville, campaigning Susan Van Hout’s Iconic (by Charmeur) and Darren’s own Tramontana Tiger Feet (Grey Flanell x Hotline). Bobby has recently returned to the international arena for the first time since 2018, debuting Iconic at the Wellington CDI back in June.
Over in Poland, Annabella Pidgley attended the World Cup qualifier event at CDI Wierzbna Bialy Las with Sarah Pidgley’s Vamos Amigos (Vitalis x Hotline). The pair were among some strong company and grew in confidence across the two days, where they scored 67.783% in the Grand Prix and then performed a fantastic freestyle to score a massive 75.205%, where they finished eighth and fifth respectively. Reflecting on her results via Instagram, Annabella commented that “We didn’t have the best start in the GP but today we managed to find an amazing balance between power and relaxation, and Vamos gave me the best feeling in the arena. I was just smiling the whole way down the last centre line because the feeling throughout was just fantastic. Thank you Vamse for this amazing ride, as always.”
The Grand Prix was won by Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva riding Maxima Bella, who scored 74.500%. The Freestyle was then won by Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Zum Gluck, who scored a brilliant 81.225%.
Congratulations go to the riders, and to the grooms, owners and whole team involved as we look forward to the next international fixture.
Results – top three and British results
CDI Deauville
Thursday 3 September
1* Prix St Georges
1. Fie Christine Skarsoe and Forte Village, 71.912% (LUX)
2. Amber Heidbuchel and Rianta Van De Kempenhoeve, 69.608% (BEL)
3. Hannah Milena Rother and Santiago De Chile 2, 68.627% (GER)
6. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 67.010% (GBR)
Friday 4 September
1* Intermediate I
1. Fie Christine Skarsoe and Forte Village, 72.353% (LUX)
2. Hannah Milena Rother and Santiago De Chile 2, 71.422% (GER)
3. Amber Heidbuchel and Rianta Van De Kempenhoeve, 70.343% (BEL)
5. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 67.745% (GBR)
3* Grand Prix
1. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 71.522% (GBR)
2. Jeroen Devroe and Jackpot, 70.283% (BEL)
3. Corentin Pottier and San Cloud’s Lucky, 70.218% (FRA)
15. Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet, 62.413% (GBR)
16. Bobby Hayler and Iconic, 62.282% (GBR)
Young Rider Team Test
1. Yasmin Westerink and Fashion in Black NRW, 70.392% (NED)
2. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 68.039% (GBR)
3. Carmen Coronel and Miami Turfhorst, 67.158% (NED)
Saturday 5 September
3* Grand Prix Special
1. Jeroen Devroe and Jackpot, 71.404% (BEL)
2. Corentin Pottier and San Cloud’s Lucky, 71.192% (FRA)
3. Dominique Filion and KHA Diva Corieta Texel, 70.106% (NED)
10. Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet, 62.489% (GBR)
11. Bobby Hayler and Iconic, 62.255% (GBR)
3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music
1. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 75.470% (GBR)
2. Camille Judet Cheret and Donaustern 12, 73.305% (FRA)
3. Lara Van Nek and All At Once, 72.810% (NED)
Young Rider Individual
1. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 69.804% (GBR)
2. Carmen Coronel and Miami Turfhorst, 69.069% (NED)
3. Carmen Coronel and Honore, 69.069% (NED)
Sunday 6 September
1* Intermediate I Freestyle to Music
1. Fie Christine Skarsoe and Forte Village, 74.958% (LUX)
2. Amber Heidbuchel and Rianta Van De Kempenhoeve, 73.533% (BEL)
3. Robin Heiden and Karanto-Pomona, 72.700% (NED)
6. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 70.300% (GBR)
Young Rider Freestyle to Music
1. Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum, 73.983% (GBR)
2. Yasmin Westerink and Fashion in Black NRW, 73.925% (NED)
3. Carmen Coronel and Honore, 72.483% (NED)
CDI Wierzbna Bialy Las
Friday 4 September
Grand Prix
1. Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella, 74.500% (POL)
2. Patrik Kittel and Zum Gluck, 74.174% (SWE)
3. Nadja Aaboe Sloth and Favour Gersdorf, 73.565% (DEN)
8. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 67.783% (GBR)
Saturday 5 September
Grand Prix Freestyle to Music
1. Patrik Kittel and Zum Gluck, 81.225% (SWE)
2. Sandra Sysojeva and Maxima Bella, 79.770% (POL)
3. Nadja Aaboe Sloth and Favour Gersdorf, 79.665% (DEN)
5. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 75.205% (GBR)
