Dunn delivers at Somerford High Profile

A strong line-up of competitors descended on Somerford High Profile (Friday 23 May 2025), where Jess Dunn claimed wins in both the Grand Prix and Medium classes, whilst Sarah Higgins also enjoyed a double victory and posted the highest score of the show.

Jess Dunn (pictured above) enjoyed arena time and training reward to claim victory in the High Profile Grand Prix, riding Jennifer Whittaker’s Durable-sired 12-year-old gelding Dan It’s Carston to a score of 67.57%. “It was great,” Jess said reflecting on the win and her journey with Dan It’s Carston,  “he’s very new to the level and I don’t have that much experience at the level either… he’s such a mega horse and I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to train him. We’re getting there brick by brick: it takes a long time to get to Grand Prix and then you spend forever trying to make it better.”

Earlier in the day, Jess had shown excellent form in the TopSpec Medium Gold classes, winning the Medium 5 on Funtime Frankie with a commanding 73.67% and following up with third in the Medium 6 on 70.56%. Charlotte Lutener and Nacho SR joined her on the Medium 6 podium, taking the top spot with 72.64%, ahead of Melissa Chapman and Mind Over Matter on 70.69%.

After recovering from injury, Michael Eilberg made a confident return to the arena with the 12-year-old MSJ Dante VX (Dante Weltino x Quattro B), securing the win in the Stübben Intermediate II Gold with a strong score of 71.86%. Reflecting on their returning performance, Michael said, “It was a really nice test, just went for a nice ride to get things started and he’s established going round an Inter and well within his comfort zone.”

Taking home a double victory, Cheshire’s own Sarah Higgins was one of the standout performers of the day. She began with an outstanding win in the Elementary Gold, riding Melissa Hargreaves’ Daily Diamond son Lagerfeld W to 79.70% – the highest score of the show. She then returned to take the top honours in the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold aboard Kenzo US, a 10-year-old Bordeaux-sired stallion owned by Shanghai Equestrian Team, scoring 70.49%.

The Elementary Silver also saw a high-scoring win as Anita Jones and Lisa Lloyd’s Esceifiog Perl Ddu topped the class on 77.42%. The pair only began their British Dressage journey in June last year and the North Wales-based rider was thrilled with the eight-year-old Welsh Section D mare’s performance. “She tries so hard; we’ve been working on suppleness, collection and self carriage, and she gave me it all today,” said Anita, reflecting on their winning test.

In the Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium classes, Fiona Brennan and Leroy topped the Gold section with 70.32%, whilst the Silver section was a nail-bitingly close contest, with just 0.37% separating the top three. Jennifer Harkness led the way on 66.85%, ahead of Lauren Williamson and Richard Long on 66.67% and 66.48%.

Congratulations to all taking part on fantastic day of sport, thanks go to the team at Somerford Park for hosting an enjoyable fixture.

Results - top three

Elementary Gold
1.    Sarah Higgins and Lagerfeld, 79.70%
2.    Mat Burnett and Za Za Zoom, 76.52%
3.    Tracy Tomlinson and De La Vie, 76.52%
Elementary Silver
1.    Anita Jones and Esceifiog Perl Ddu, 77.42%
2.    Emily Bailey and OFS Dragons Fire, 74.55%
3.    Robyn Morris and Macleod JL, 73.79%
TopSpec Medium 5 Gold
1.    Jessica Dunn and Funtime Frankie, 73.67%
2.    Jessie Kirby and EQP DaFinest, 69.17%
3.    Paul Hayler and Roccoco CJS, 69.00%
TopSpec Medium 5 Silver
1.    Isabelle Maughan and Mercury, 69.83%
2.    Kathryn Duggan and Heros, 68.50%
3.    Lucinda Bellis and Briarwoods Firefly, 68.17%
TopSpec Medium 6 Gold
1.    Charlotte Lutener and Nacho SR, 72.64%
2.    Melissa Chapman and Mind Over Matter, 70.69%
3.    Jessica Dunn and Funtime Frankie, 70.56%
TopSpec Medium 6 Silver
1.    Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 67.64%
2.    Lucinda Bellis and Briarwood Firefly, 67.36%
3.    Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Fantasia, 66.67%
Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium Gold
1.    Fiona Brennan and Leroy, 70.32%
2.    Davy Harvey and Benefit, 69.68%
3.    Ben James and Camarilla Calimero, 68.24%
Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium Silver
1.    Jennifer Harkness and Inouk, 66.85%
2.    Lauren Williamson and Highwell Indigo, 66.67%
3.    Richard Long and Tyler, 66.48%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold
1.    Sarah Higgins and Kenzo US, 70.49%
2.    Sarah Rao and Kokkedals Herzog, 70.00%
3.    Davy Harvey and Hercules III, 68.53%
Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Silver
1.    Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 68.33%
2.    Jessie Kirby and As Well de la Roche CMF, 66.86%
3.    Olivia Commins and Scuderarri, 66.18%
Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
1.    Anne-Marie Cowan and Kracka GH, 67.89%
2.    Sarah Stewart and Djoe Dimaggio, 67.79%
3.    Vikki Pengilly and Indianna, 66.13%
Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Silver
1.    Nicole Turner and J’Eton Hit LDS, 66.08%
2.    Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 65.98%
3.    Anna Bates and Gitina, 65.98%
Stübben Intermediate II Gold
1.    Michael Eilberg and MSJ Dante VX, 71.86%
2.    Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, 67.30%
3.    Kate Smith and Last Love, 64.75%
Stübben Intermediate II Silver
1.    Melissa Chapman and Jubilant al Sno TCE, 63.48%
2.    Rhiannon Hinton and Quaikin Horatio, 61.23%
LeMieux Grand Prix Gold
1.    Jessica Dunn and Dan It’s Carston, 67.57%
2.    Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet, 65.11%
3.    Steph Croxford and Mr Jurist, 65.07%

FULL RESULTS 

Photo © DigiShots | Jess Dunn and pictured at Lier CDI in Belgium (27 February - 03 March 2024)