British Combinations Make Their Mark at CDI Hagen

Podium placings, career milestones and an acclaimed Harmony & Fairness Award marked a standout week for British riders competing at CDI Hagen (22 – 26 April). Strong performances across the CDI1* and CDI4* levels were mirrored overseas at CDI Ocala, marking an exciting start to the season for many riders.

Sadie Smith posted two strong results to achieve two top five finishes aboard her own Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino x Charatan W), in their first abroad CDI of the season. The combination achieved third place in the 4* Grand Prix with 71.630% and fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 76.380%. To top off their successful week, the pair were awarded the ‘Harmony and Fairness’ prize. Launched in 2019, the Harmony and Fairness prize was pioneered by German couple, Kristina and Jörg Anrecht, owner of Anrecht Investment. The award is chosen by vote from the spectators and awarded to the rider they believe produced the most harmonious, soft, and correct test, prioritizing the well-being and lightness of the horse. The award is presented during some of the most high-profile dressage events held in Germany.

When asked to reflect on her time at Hagan, Sadie described it as being “just amazing over there; it was such a great show to experience. It’s our first one this year so I was really pleased with her. There were a few green mistakes, more on my part than her’s but I was absolutely delighted to be awarded the prize for Harmony and Fairness, especially at such a big show like that- I was really proud of that.”

“Hagen is really special: last time I went there was in 2005 when I was on work experience with school. I went to the Europeans and watched Carl Hester ride there and that’s when I knew dressage was definitely what I wanted to do so it was just so cool to be there and actually be a competitor myself. It’s a real pinch me moment that I’m out here doing this after working so hard, and that I’ve finally got a horse who can go out and experience it all on.”

Alongside Sadie; Annabella Pidgley, Laura Tomlinson and Susan Pape also contested in the 4* classes, achieving multiple top ten finishes across the week. Annabella Pidgley contested Sarah Pidgley’s Vamos Amigos (Vitalis x Hotline) and Gio (Apache x Tango). On the Thursday, Anabella finished fifth with Vamos Amigos in the Grand Prix, 0.2% behind Sadie on a score of 71.412%. Aboard Gio on the Friday, the combination scored 71.717% in the Grand Prix ahead of fellow British riders Susan Pape aboard her own Harmony’s V-Plus (Vivaldi x Fürst Romancier) and Laura Tomlinson riding her own and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Full Moon II (Fürstenball x Gribaldi). Susan finished tenth on 69.283% and Laura just behind in eleventh with 69.261%. On Saturday, Anabella finished seventh in the highly competitive Grand Prix Freestyle aboard Vamos Amigos with a strong score of 73.340%. In the Grand Prix special, Susan Pape finished eighth on 70.404%, Annabella and Gio finished ninth on 69.915%, and Laura Tomlinson finished twelfth on 69.596%.

In their first 1* competition abroad, Dannie Morgan posted two exceptionally strong results aboard his own Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano). Competing in the PSG and Intermediate I, Dannie achieved fourth and third place respectively with 69.882% and 70.529%. Dannie praised Fever Tree, affectionately known as Gordon at home, and reflected on his experience on Instagram: “Gordon, as always, has done me proud holding his own in such great company. We finished on the podium in the Inter I alongside one of my riding heroes, Ingrid Klimke, which was a pretty cool moment”.

Catherine Laudrup-Dufour dominated the 4* competition with British-owned Mount St John Freestyle (Fidermark x Donnerhall), owned by Emma Blundell, owner of the Mount St John Stud in North Yorkshire. Catherine and Freestyle topped the 4* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with 82.391% and 83.085% respectively.

Across the pond, British rider Charlotte Osborne also took to the international stage last week at CDI Ocala, USA. In the 1* PSG, Charlotte finished second aboard her own Nadal W (Just Wimphof x Westpoint) to score 68.618% in only their second CDI together. Charlotte also contested her own Titanium M (Top Gear x Dream of Heidelberg II) to score 65.441% in the nine year old gelding’s international debut. In the Intermediate I, Charlotte finished third with Nadal W with a score of 66.882% and sixth with Titanium M on 64.500%. In Intermediate I freestyle with Titanium M, Charlotte took the win with 71.220%, five percent ahead of second place. Charlotte also competed in the CDI4* with her own Fruhlingszauber (Fortino 12 x Rubinstein). In the Grand Prix, the combination finished thirteenth with 62.217% and fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 69.445%.

Results- Top three and British Results

23 April

4* Grand Prix

1. Katharina Hammer and Denoix PCH, 77.261% (GER)

2. Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Flash Gordon 37, 73.456% (DEN)

3. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 71.630% (GBR)

5. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 71.413% (GBR)

1* Prix St Georges

1. Lena Haßmann and Doc-Holliday 3, 71.823% (GER)

2. Anush Agarwalla and Straight Horse Floriana, 70.941% (IND)

3. Lydia Jordan and Fuerst Ampere, 70.147% (SWE)

4. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 69.882% (GBR)

24 April

4* Grand Prix

1. Catherine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle, 82.391% (DEN)

2. Ingrid Klimke and Vayron NRW, 75.087% (GER)

3. Maria von Essen and Invoice, 73.370% (SWE)

8. Anabella Pidgley and Gio, 71.717% (GBR)

10. Susan Pape and Harmony’s V-Plus, 69.283% (GBR)

11. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 69.261% (GBR)

25 April

1* Intermediate I

1. Lena Haßmann and Doc-Holliday 3, 71.008% (GER)

2. Ingrid Klimke and Oneofakind OM, 70.971% (GER)

3. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 70.529% (GBR)

4* Grand Prix Freestyle

1. Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Flash Gordon 37, 79.615% (DEN)

2. Katharina Hemmer and Denoix PCH, 77.710% (GER)

3. Ingrid Klimke and First Class 92, 76.950% (GER)

5. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 76.380% (GBR)

7. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 73.340% (GBR)

4* Grand Prix Special

1. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle, 83.085% (DEN)

2. Ingrid Klimke and Vayron NRW, 74.915% (GER)

3. Maria von Essen and Invoice, 73.979% (SWE)

8. Susan Pape and Harmony's V-Plus, 70.404% (GBR)

9. Annabella Pidgley and Gio, 69.915% (GBR)

12. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 69.596% (GBR)

Full Results 

Photo: Digishots