Crozet 25: Top placings for British trio

The British silver medal winning trio in action in the Grand Prix Special delivered three top performances to secure placings inside the top nine, as the battle for the individual medals provided a breathtaking day of dressage at the FEI European Championships.  

Friday’s Grand Prix Special delivered an Individual medal showdown for the history books, with a new nation claiming the gold medal and some seasoned combinations showing what makes them the best on the continent. The day rewarded harmonious partnerships and high-quality test riding, and set up what promises to be a showstopping finale on Sunday, as the top 18 return for the Grand Prix Freestyle.  

Britain’s trio – Becky Moody, Carl Hester and Lottie Fry – put on a great show and delivered three tests to be proud of, all earning spots inside the top nine and successfully progressing on to Sunday’s FEI European Championship final.  

Lottie Fry and Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale produced the opening performance for the British riders in the Grand Prix Special test, taking to the arena under stormy skies in the picturesque alpine setting. The pair produced a full-risk trot tour, displaying enormous half passes with elasticity and energy aplomb; high quality passage brought in high marks, as did plenty of airborne canter work, but today a handful of miscommunications in the piaffe just kept the score behind the pair’s personal best. The score from the experienced panel of Christof Umbach (H – LUX), Janet Lee Foy (H – USA), Hans-Christian Mattheisen (K – DEN), Katrina Wust (C – GER), Peter Storr (M – GBR), Maarten Van Der Heijden (B – NED) and Raphael Saleh (F – FRA) was 75.289%, resulting in ninth place on the final standings. 

“I was really pleased with him,” Lottie commented, “the canter was amazing and much improved from the Grand Prix, we fixed the pirouettes from yesterday so that was really good. Unfortunately we had some moments of tension and miscommunication in the piaffe but overall I’m really happy with him, and it’s something to improve for the freestyle. I’m proud of him. It’s not the easiest arena, it’s a little closed in – but I’m happy with the result.” 

 “It’s just about getting the communication right in the test,” Lottie added about what she’ll be looking to perfect with her piaffe on Sunday when she rides an exciting new freestyle programme, “in the warm up today it was really good, so it’s just fine-tuning – it's so close and it’s tiny aids. I’m excited about the new music, it’s all a bit of a secret and it’ll be fun to ride on Sunday.” 

Returning to the Jiva Hill arena for her second test of the week, Becky Moody delivered a six-minute display of high-quality test riding, with a masterclass on how to ride the challenging Grand Prix Special lines. Her own and Jo Cooper’s Jagerbomb looked in top form today, earning eights for his passage – which truly never missed a beat; steep balanced canter half passes were a highlight in the canter tour, alongside big, bold two tempi changes and a huge extended canter. Her efforts were praised by ClipMyHorse commentator and BD legend Richard Davison, who said she ‘rode the test of a lifetime’. The pair earned Britain’s top placing in the Individual medal competition, with a career best senior championship placing of fifth and 77.796%.  

Commented on today’s super round, Becky gave an ever-professional analysis: “We had a bit more go today, which made life easier – overall it was a much better today. I know there’s still so much that can be better, the piaffe wasn’t the best and the passage was good but again, I was having to help him a little bit more. I know there’s more in there, so to get that mark knowing that, I’m happy. Sunday’s another day and we’ll have an easy day tomorrow; with a bigger crowd on Sunday, who knows, we might have exactly what we want.” 

“It’s about finding balance. We stood still and we walked okay – but I’m going to keep striving for that ultimate energy that makes everything feel top, but keep his mind relaxed enough to know that we halt here and do it. It’ll be a work in progress for many more years to come!” 

With Fiona Bigwood’s Fame, Carl Hester produced yet another consistent masterclass of championship test riding; earning a score almost identical to day one, a superb 76.383%. Their test showed balance and accuracy, and class delivery of the complex lines – including the pirouette  – one-time change – purouette centre line towards the end of the test, where the first pirouette earned an average score of 8.6. Both halts at the start and end of the test were poised and square, testament to good home training.

Speaking about his sixth-place performance in the rain Carl reflected: “It was better than yesterday, there were no mistakes and I was happy with it. It was just another consistent test. At the start of the season he’s quite fresh, and now he’s just a really chilled out character. I was really pleased with how he was in the arena. He’s never ever let me down and he still hasn’t today, he feels amazing so I’m very happy with his consistency.” 

“It’s always nice to share it with somebody,” Carl commented on the joy of having Fiona Bigwood by his side, as friend and owner, “we’ve known each other a long time, the fact that she asked me to ride him – that's what a friendship is – she trusts me and I trust her. She’s honest when I’m riding and can always tell me how much I need to do or what else I need to do.” 

Following an impressive opening ride in the Grand Prix test, Belgium’s Justin Verboomen went one better today after riding a mistake-free, stunning performance which saw the crowd take to their feet in standing ovation. With his Zonik-sired gelding Zonik Plus, who’s still just nine-years-old, Justin produced a performance that epitomised harmonious riding and the magic of light riding. Their test drew in plenty of nines, and a handful of tens for the canter pirouettes – which were without doubt a highlight. A score of 82.371% would be the winning score, giving Belgium their first ever championship medal – and placing Verboomen as the worthy winner at the top of the podium.  

“It’s unbelievable, I’m speechless and I can’t believe what’s just happened,” the proud rider spoke after his test, “He’s only nine-years-old, he has so much to learn and I have so much to learn. I had so much pressure that I put on myself and it was so difficult to handle. Even like that he did an incredible job, he’s just always trying to listen to my aids.” 

Today the Grand Prix winners Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle had to settle for silver; their impressive performance also displayed admirable harmony and unity, with the partnership making just one mistake in the one tempi changes. Their silver medal score was 81.687%, and there’s certainly a lot to look forward to in the freestyle. The ever-consistent Isabell Werth added another individual medal to her tally, scoring 79.027% with Madeleine Winter-Schulze's Wendy de Fontaine for bronze.  

With three British riders in touching distance of the podium inside the top nine, there’s plenty to be proud of and still much to be excited about ahead of Sunday’s Freestyle to Music final.  

Results  

1. Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 82.371% (BEL) 
2. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle, 81.687% (DEN) 
3. Isabell Werth and Wendy de Fontaine, 79.027% (GER) 
4. Katharina Hemmer and Denoix PCH, 78.678% (GER) 
5. Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, 77.796% (GBR) 
6. Carl Hester and Fame, 76.383% (GBR) 
7. Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD, 75.942% (GER)  
8. Dinja van Liere and Hermes, 75.486% (NED) 
9. Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 75.289% (GBR) 
10. Isabel Freese and Total Hope OLD, 74.316% (NOR) 

FULL RESULTS