British U25 contenders make their mark at Hagen a.T.W CDI

The Covalliero Dressage Days fixture in Hagen, Germany, saw Harrison Ashton and Lilah Gibbs achieve top placings and personal milestones ahead of team selection (3 – 11 June 2025).

On board Henri Rouste’s elegant black mare Million Dreams (Millennium x Sandro Hit), Harrison Ashton (pictured above) rode to a consistent fourth place in the CDIU25 Grand Prix 16–25 on 66.513%, before climbing the leaderboard with an impressive freestyle performance, earning second place on 73.750%. The score, awarded by judges Christine Prip (E), Peter Holler (H), Cornelia Hinsch (C), Sascha Schulz (M) and Janet Lee Foy (B), placed the British duo just behind Germany’s Emma Caecilia Lienert and Windermere J'Obei W, who took the win with 74.100%.

Following their success, the German-based Brit took to Instagram to share his pride in his dancing partner, affectionately known as ‘Mildred’: “Pleased to see how much her confidence is growing. It was her first attempt at a freestyle that we had finished on Friday, created by the very talented Tom Hunt.”

“She’s still green at this level, but it makes me excited for all the potential she has,” Harrison added, before thanking Henri Ruoste for his ongoing help and support.

Joining Harrison in flying the flag for Great Britain was fellow Under 25 rider Lilah Gibbs with her 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Dude III (Dancier x Rubinstein). Returning to competition after breaking her femur in a skiing accident earlier this year, which required surgery and intensive rehab, the London-based rider marked her comeback with sixth place in the Grand Prix on 65.744% and a strong third in the freestyle on a super 71.035%.

“I was really pleased to have a mistake-free test on the first day,” said Lilah. “It wasn’t our best test to date, but it felt like a big achievement to get a clear round given the minimal preparation we had. In the freestyle he felt a little tired and I was definitely a little rusty, but considering we hadn’t been in the ring for almost four months I was really happy to still come away with a top three placing and it just felt so nice to be back out competing.”

Both riders demonstrated competitive form against a strong international field, showing promise as the summer season unfolds and they prepare for this year’s FEI Under 25 European Championships in July.

Results – top three and British placings

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16–25
1.    Emma Caecilia Lienert and Windermere J'Obei W, 69.410% (GER)
2.    Erin Nichols and Kind Pleasure, 67.256% (USA)
3.    Nane Grunwald and Don Casati, 66.949% (GER)
4.    Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 66.513% (GBR)
6.    Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 65.744% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1.    Emma Caecilia Lienert and Windermere J'Obei W, 74.100% (GER)
2.    Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 73.750% (GBR)
3.    Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 71.035% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS 

Photo © Dirk Rüchel