Brits show their class at Compiègne CDIO5*

A British team combining experience and youth achieved an admirable fifth place out of ten nations at Compiègne CDIO5* in France (04 – 07 May 2023) - the first leg of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ of 2023. Lottie Fry stamped a new Freestyle PB with Everdale and was unbeaten in the CDI3* with Lars van de Hoenderheide.

Under the supervision of Chef d’Equipe Caroline Griffith, the British team featuring Lottie Fry and Everdale (pictured) alongside senior team newcomers Andrew Gould with the up-and-coming Indigro and Annabella Pidgley with Vamos Amigos, achieved their creditable team placing in strong company at the prestigious French CDIO.

In this Nations Cup format, athletes receive points equivalent to their finish position in each test. Those points are then totaled for a final team score, with the lowest cumulative score taking top honours. Team riders complete two tests each; all riders contesting the Grand Prix before splitting across the Special and Freestyle.

The Tokyo and European Championships team medal duo of Lottie and Van Olst Horses’ 14-year-old stallion Everdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) were second in the Grand Prix, later earning a superb new PB of 85.675% to win the CDIO5* Freestyle, riding to their acclaimed Tokyo programme. “Everdale was on fire for a new PB today!” said Lottie on social media after her winning ride. “85.6% and winner of the 5* Grand Prix Freestyle, and yesterday 77.4% in the 5* Grand Prix! He’s just unreal.”

Andrew Gould and Tatiana Skillman’s 10-year-old black stallion Indigro (Negro x Jazz) showed their potential posting scores just shy of 69% in both the Grand Prix and Special. “My first experience of competing at the Nations Cup for GBR has been amazing,” said Andrew, a team bronze medallist at the 2000 Young Rider European Championships, and on his senior team debut here in Compiègne. “Indigro and I have learnt so much about each other. He’s come on so much, we are very excited for his future.”

Fresh from an U25 hat-trick at Le Mans CDI, Annabella Pidgley (18) impressed with 11-year-old gelding Vamos Amigos (Vitalis x Hotline) to finish inside the top ten in both the Grand Prix and Special with scores of 71.957% and 70.894% respectively. Annabella is forming an exciting partnership with Vamos Amigos who is owned by Sarah Pidgley, and was formerly produced and competed by Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour.

“Despite the weather, Compiègne was a great show for Vamos and I, as our partnership continues to grow,” commented Annabella. “[I] Was thrilled to get a top ten placing with nearly 72% in our first Senior Nations Cup and I’m really looking forward to building from here over the next few months. [He’s] A very special horse. Now my IB exams are nearly finished so I will be able to place full focus on my wonderful horses. Thank you to my team and sponsors for your continued support.”

Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth won both the Grand Prix and Special with her World Championship team gold medal partner, Heiline’s Danciera, to spearhead a Danish win on a team total of 36 points. The Netherlands followed on 41 points, with Germany taking third on 45. The British challengers completed on a team total of 64.

Lars unbeaten in CDI3*

Presenting Van Olst Horses’ Belgian-bred chestnut gelding Lars van de Hoenderheide (Negro x Layout), Lottie was unbeaten in the CDI3* winning both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle by a significant margin with scores of 75.783% and 81.210%. Her closest rival was the popular Swede, Patrik Kittel with Well Done de la Roche CMF.

“The one and only Lars,” enthused Lottie. “Two new personal bests of 75.5% in the Grand Prix and 81.2% in the Freestyle! He’s just amazing, with the biggest heart.”

Lottie also claimed the win in the CDI1* Prix St Georges aboard the nine-year-old Everdale son, Jackson on 75.529%, later taking third place in the Inter I (72.382%).

Another British combination to enjoy a podium spot was the Young Rider duo of Claudia Davis and her 13-year-old black gelding, Fergus RT (by Uphill). Claudia, who trains with Kyra Kyrklund and Richard White, posted 68.529% to take third place in the Young Rider Team Test. She and Fergus also finished just outside the podium in the Freestyle on 71.375%.

Results: top three and British placings
CDIO5* Grand Prix
1. Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera, 78.674% (DEN)
2. Charlotte Fry and Everdale, 77.413% (GBR)
9. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 71.957% (GBR)
26. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 68.978% (GBR)

CDIO5* Grand Prix Special
1. Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera, 76.107% (DEN)
2. Lynne Maas and Electra, 74.596% (NED)
3. Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock, 73.234% (GER)
10. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 70.894% (GBR)
17. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 68.830% (GBR)

CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Charlotte Fry and Everdale, 85.675% (GBR)
2. Patrik Kitttel and Touchdown, 82.875% (SWE)
3. Thamar Zweistra and Hexagon’s Ich Weiss, 79.445% (NED)

Team results
1. Denmark - 36
2. Netherlands - 41
3. Germany - 45
4. Sweden - 50
5. Great Britain - 64
6. France - 76
7. Spain - 90
8. Belgium - 94
9. Portugal - 100
10. Switzerland - 131

CDI3* Grand Prix
1. Charlotte Fry and Lars van de Hoenderheide, 75.783% (GBR)
2. Patrik Kittel and Well Done de la Roche CMF, 73.500% (GER)
3. Matthias Alexander Rath and Thiago GS, 73.500% (GER)
15. Anna Ross and Habouche, 68.826% (GBR)
16. Andrew Gould and Genie, 68.739% (GBR)
30. Fiona Bigwood and Daytona Platinum, 65.391% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1. Matthias Alexander Rath and Thiago GS, 74.936% (GER)
2. Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock and Queolito, 71.979% (GER)
3. Claudio Castilla Ruiz and Hi-Rico Do Sobral, 69.574% (ESP)
5. Anna Ross and Habouche, 69.213% (GBR)
7. Andrew Gould and Genie, 69.043% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Charlotte Fry and Lars van de Hoenderheide, 81.210% (GBR)
2. Patrik Kittel and Well Done de la Roche CMF, 77.150% (SWE)
3. Maria Caetano and Fenix de Tineo, 74.435% (POR)

CDI1* Prix St Georges
1. Charlotte Fry and Jackson, 75.529% (GBR)
2. Andrina Suter and Briatore NRW73.971% (SUI)
3. Anna Kasprzak and Everian L, 72.471% (DEN)

CDI1* Intermediate I
1. Anna Kasprzak and Everian L, 72.853% (DEN)
2. Isabel Cool and Herr Charmeur Coolhorses, 72.676% (BEL)
3. Charlotte Fry and Jackson, 72.382% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25
1. Daphne van Peperstraten and Greenpoint’s Cupido, 69.205% (NED)
2. Luca Sophia Collin and Ferrero D, 68.282% (GER)
3. Juan José González de las Cuevas Pi and Denksport, 67.282% (ESP)
10. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 64.205% (GBR)
11. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 64.051% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Daphne van Peperstraten and Greenpoint’s Cupido, 74.808% (NED)
2. Adrian Roldan Narvaez and Floyd, 73.225% (ESP)
3. Alexandre Cheret and Bamona, 72.308% (FRA)
9. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 69.075% (GBR)
12. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 67.558% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Team Test
1. Mado Pinto and Hot Bit de la Gesse, 69.912% (FRA)
2. Jette de Jong and Heavenly Charming, 68.882% (BEL)
3. Claudia Davis and Fergus RT, 68.529% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Individual Test
1. Mado Pinto and Hot Bit de la Gesse, 71.569% (FRA)
2. Mado Pinto with Joolz de la Gesse, 69.706% (FRA)
3. Jette de Jong and Heavenly Charming, 69.559% (BEL)
9. Claudia Davis and Fergus RT, 67.598% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Freestyle
1. Jette de Jong and Heavenly Charming, 75.925% (BEL)
2. Meilin Ngovan and Dreamdancer, 73.110% (SUI)
3. Louise Brauwers and Jerveaux de Baian, 72.290% (BEL)
4. Claudia Davis and Fergus RT, 71.375% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Team Test
1. Anna Dupuy Pelardy and Jarina des Vallees, 71.717% (FRA)
2. Ines de Koninck and Feuerdorn VB, 71.717% (FRA)
3. Clara Collard and Escape, 71.061% (BEL)
16. Emma Howson and Junky XL, 63.737% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Individual Test
1. Anna Dupuy Pelardy and Jarina des Vallees, 72.206% (FRA)
2. Ines de Koninck and Feuerdorn VB, 71.961% (FRA)
3. Clara Collard and Escape, 69.804% (BEL)
14. Emma Howson and Junky XL, 65.441% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Freestyle
1. Clara Collard and Escape, 74.130% (BEL)
2. Karina Zakhrabekova and Ein Stern, 72.755% (AZE)
3. Ines de Koninck and Feuerdorn VB, 72.715% (FRA)
6. Emma Howson and Junky XL, 68.540% (GBR)

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photo © Rui Pedro Godinho