Bronze, Silver, Gold & Freestyle winners crowned at Equissage Summer spectacular

The Equissage Pulse Para Dressage Championships 2025, held at Hartpury University & College in Gloucestershire (19-20 August 2025) provided two days of fantastic competition as the titles were decided for the Bronze and Silver Championships, as well as the Gold Semi-Finals.

With plenty of titles on offer across the event, there were standout performances across the grades and sections, showcasing the strength and depth of British para dressage.  

Hattie Spurling was one rider to bring home multiple titles from the show. With her Phoebe Hughes’ 19-year-old gelding Top Biats, Hattie rode to victory in the Grade 5 Bronze with a score of 72.31%; the duo followed this up with a Grade 5 Silver win too, where they notched up a super 69.70%. The combination complete a successful season, where they’ve gained plenty of mileage and class wins, including earning the Grade 5 title at the Para Home Nations earlier in the year. 

Speaking about her show and her partnership with ‘Top’, Hattie commented: “I was absolutely delighted with our performance at Hartpury, Top was brilliant in both tests and was a pleasure to ride. We have only been together since April but have already developed a really good partnership and it was lovely to see this reflected in our scores. To have come away with such good results was beyond expectation! I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to ride Top and it’s great to see how well he has taken to para dressage after retiring from his eventing career. It was also lovely catching up and supporting everyone else!” 

Isabella Benfield earned 1* wins back at the Addington CPEDI in the spring, and showed her super form with her nine-year-old gelding Lamborghini again at Hartpury. The pair are gaining great experience together and put that to use in the Grade 3 Silver, to take the win on a fantastic score of 70.40%. 

The pair certainly have a bright future ahead, and speaking at the time Isabella commented: “I have only had Lamborghini for just over a year and I was so pleased to win the Grade 3 Silver at our first Summer Championships together and with a score of 70.4%.  I am so happy also to have qualified for the Gold Finals at the Nationals next month too. Lamborghini is such a loving horse and looks after me, and I am looking forward to our future journey together.” 

Across the competition, Grade 4 rider Shirley Hart (pictured above) was a standout competitor. With her own Der Diamant, Shirley claimed the Bronze title with 69.76%, as well as the Grade 4 Freestyle Bronze with 67.92%. 

Shirley, who took to para competition after her Multiple Sclerosis worsened, told us about her journey: “Hartpury was extra special because Diamond had colic surgery two years ago and then had complications and we didn’t think he would survive. It was a long road to recovery but he made it and now feels better than ever. He probably doesn’t have the most toned abdomen on the dressage circuit, but he is proud of his scars because it shows he is a survivor! 

“At 70 years old, I was probably one of the oldest riders there too. My coaches are Sophie Wells and Hannah Moody. I often think , ‘isn’t it strange, they both tell me to do the same thing!’ It obviously works and I am grateful to them both for all their help.” 

Shirley and Diamond have worked through the levels to BD Elementary and have represented the North & East Region at the Home Nations on many occasions. Shirley is also a one-horse owner rider and told us more about her dancing partner, “I have owned Diamond since he was four-years-old, he’s 16 now. He came down from Scotland with a sticker with my address on attached to his bottom, reminding me of Paddington Bear.” 

Elsewhere in the Equissage Pulse Bronze titles, Alison Corp took the victory in the Grade 1 section with her own 14.2hh skewbald gelding Apache Dancer; whilst Chelsea Butcher and her New Forest pony Howen Phillip earned a super strong 69.83% to take the Grade 3 win. 

Alisha Robbins and her 17.1hh gelding Framsham Fella went home with multiple titles to their name, including the Grade 1 Silver title as well as the Grade 1 Silver Freestyle title – watch this pair next year, they showed the form of a very secure combination.  

Grade 2 combination Jason Inchley and his own Rubin Ryella earned a Silver title at Hartpury; the pair were on route to their first ever Gold Finals at the LeMieux National Championship and looked a picture in the arena.  

Amy Mayho also picked up a plethora of placings. With her own Toto Light (Tolegro x De Beer) she took the top spot in the Grade 4 Silver contest with a stellar score of 69.80%, whilst her other ride Roque took the runner-up spot with 68%. Amy and August Roque also placed second in the Grade 4 Bronze competition with another great score of 69.05%.  

The Equissage Pulse Gold Semi-Finals provided some top quality action as the show preview the grand finale at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. Team riders Gabby Blake (Grade 1), Georgia Wilson (Grade 2) and Erin Orford (Grade 3) showed their experience and class to win their grades with inspiring scores. The Grade 4 Semi-Final was won by the well-suited combination of Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, who earned 70.09%; whilst Alice Begg was queen of the Grade 5 competition, taking a one-two in the placings.  

Congratulations to all competitors, across the levels and grades. Thanks go to Equissage Pulse, for their long-standing support of the BD Para Championships; as well as to the team at Hartpury University & College for their support in running a fantastic event.  

Results – top three

Equissage Pulse Bronze & Silver Championships

Grade 1 Bronze
1. Alison Corp and Apache Dancer, 63.95%

Grade 3 Bronze
1. Chelsea Butcher and Howen Phillip, 69.83%
2. Danielle Smith-Turner and Elaphine Declan, 67.58%
3. Mark Griffin and Chilly Breeze, 66%

Grade 4 Bronze
1. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant, 69.76%
2. Amy Mayho and August Rogue, 69.05%
3. Lisa Griffin and Chilly Breeze, 64.05%

Grade 5 Bronze
1. Hattie Spurling and Top Biats, 72.31%
2. Harriet Williamson and King D II, 71.22%
3. Loretta Joynson and Tresais Lancelot, 67.95%

Grade 1 Silver
1. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 68.33%
2. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, 68.23%

Grade 2 Silver
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 70.18%
2. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 67.46%
3. Jason Inchley and Fantasia QS, 65%

Grade 3 Silver
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini III, 70.40%
2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau VIII, 69.29%
3. Janet Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells, 69.13%

Grade 4 Silver
1. Amy Mayho and Toto Light, 69.80%
2. Amy Mayho and August Roque, 68%
3. Lesley Mcnaughton-Wells and Liberty’s North Star, 65.87%

Grade 5 Silver
1. Hattie Spurling and Top Biats, 69.70%
2. Flossie England and Sankro, 67.86%
3. Melissa Smith and Pitingo II, 67.56%

Equissage Pulse Freestyle Championships

Grade 1 Gold
1. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 75%
2. Elan Williams and Brandini, 68.92%
3. Felicity Marriott and Serafina Hit, 67.75%

Grade 1 Silver
1. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 67.92%
2. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, 67.83%

Grade 2 Gold
1. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 71.92%

Grade 2 Bronze
1. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 68.67%

Grade 3 Gold
1. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 69.92%
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja, 68.50%
3. Isabella Benfield and Cookies and Cream II, 65.75%

Grade 4 Gold
1. Sara Bates and Tango VII, 69%

Grade 4 Silver
1. Lesley McNaughton-Wells and Liberty’s North Star, 66.92%

Grade 4 Bronze
1. Shirley Hart and Der Diamant, 67.92%

Grade 5 Gold
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 68.44%
2. Liz McBurney and Bangalore C, 66.63%

Grade 5 Bronze
1. Harriet Williamson and King D II, 67.92%
2. Sarah Oram and Tamrik Captain Jack Sparrow, 67.83%
3. Mark Colvin and Knocknacree Bertie, 67.17%

Equissage Pulse Gold Semi-Final

Grade 1
1. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 74.17%
2. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 69.58%
3. Elan Williams and BKS Brandini, 68.61%

Grade 2
1. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 73.22%
2. Georgia Wilson and O’Daily, 72.28%
3. Lee Pearson and Breezer III, 71.28%

Grade 3
1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 73.33%
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 68.39%
3. Janet Cummings and Rhonderful Dorrells, 67.39%

Grade 4
1. Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, 70.09%
2. Sara Bates and Tango VII, 69.10%
3. Heather Bennett and Hawtins Figaro, 68.56%

Grade 5
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 68.86%
2. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 68.82%
3. Liz McBurney and Bangalore C, 65.20%

Photo: Kevin Sparrow