News
Hartpury CDI: Spring success for British seniors
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:20
Home nation riders produced the goods in the 1* and 3* classes at Hartpury’s Spring Festival of Dressage, with Dannie Morgan, Gareth Hughes and Fiona Bigwood earning national anthem moments for Great Britain (31 March – 3 April 2026).
Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree (pictured above) continued their rise through the levels, with the talented gelding making his international Small Tour debut at Hartpury having stepped up to the level in January. The pair opened their account wit 72.304% in the Prix St Georges, judged by Eugenio Rovida (ITA – H), Marietta Almasy (FRA – C) and Sandy Phillips (GBR – B); before following this up with an equally as strong performance in the Intermediate I earning 73.775%. Both score sheets earned plenty of top marks, including a handful of nines for extended trot, shoulder in and trot half pass.
Speaking on social media after his Intermediate I victory, Dannie commented: “Another really special day at Hartpury International. He’s still new at this level, so I’m just really proud of how he is such a pro in the arena. He really is making dreams come true, and I feel very lucky to have him. It’s also been so nice having great friends here this week — it makes the good days even more enjoyable when you can share them with people who understand how much goes into it. Big thanks to Matt Frost for getting here early to help me warm up today.”
The contest for the top spot in the 1* competition was close all week, and on the final day of competition Gareth Hughes turned the tables and upgraded two second place finishes into an Intermediate I Freestyle win. On board Flamboyant Dressage Stud’s Morricone III (Millennium x Rubin Royal OLD), Gareth produced a 76.525% performance this time assessed by Maria Colliander (FIN – H), Nick Burton (GBR – C) and Christine Prip (DEN – B). Gareth and ‘Morris’ are a new combination formed just last year; the breeding stallion hails from an exceptional family, as full brother to both Morricone I and Morricone II. 
A successful week continued for Gareth in the 3* Grand Prix classes where he debuted Georgina Wilkson’s Rousseau-sired gelding Mowgli-Olympia MC (pictured above) at the level internationally. In the Grand Prix, the pair placed second with 69.196% before going on to claim a win in the Grand Prix Special with a superb 72.851%.
Pipping Gareth to the post in the Grand Prix was Fiona Bigwood with her own Donna Bella (Don Juan de Hus x I.P.S. Gribaldi); the duo presented a lovely test to earn 72.217% in front of Clive Halsall (GBR – E), Nick Burton (GBR – H), Maria Colliander (FIN – H), Marietta Almasy (FRA – M) and Christine Prip (DEN – B).
Whilst in the Grand Prix Special it was Singapore’s Caroline Chew and Blue Hors Zatchmo to take the sole win of the senior classes for an overseas nation, notching up 71.580% for a super solid performance.
Results - top ten
1* Prix St Georges
1. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 72.304% (GBR)
2. Gareth Hughes and Morricone III, 72.206% (GBR)
3. Shruti Vora and Magnanimous, 69.412% (IND)
4. Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE, 69.265% (GBR)
5. Tyler Yvette Bradshaw and Gijsbert, 68.775% (GBR)
=6. Nynn Puttisombat and Rock That Tango, 68.480% (GBR)
=6. Claire Abel and Sezuki, 68.480% (GBR)
8. Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia, 67.843% (NZL)
9. Jade Clark and Jemimah HH, 67.647% (GBR)
10. Sara Jane Lanning and Choice, 67.500% (GBR)
1* Intermediate I
1. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 73.775% (GBR)
2. Gareth Hughes and Morricone III, 73.529% (GBR)
3. Nynn Puttisombat and Rock That Tango, 70.980% (THA)
4. Shruti Vora and Magnanimous, 68.431% (IND)
5. Claire Abel and Sezuki, 67.990% (GBR)
6. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 67.794% (GBR)
7. Gracie Catling and Qwinton, 67.549% (GBR)
8. Jade Clark and Jemimah HH, 67.402% (GBR)
=9. Sara Jane Lanning and Choice, 67.108% (GBR)
=9. Fiona Gair and Kingdom, 67.108% (GBR)
1* Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Gareth Hughes and Morricone III, 76.525% (GBR)
2. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 75.734% (GBR)
3. Gracie Catling and Qwinton, 73.750% (GBR)
4. Claire Abel and Sezuki, 71.859% (GBR)
5. Anna Wilson and Escojunio Ballante, 71.192% (POL)
6. Jade Clark and Jemimah HH, 70.675% (GBR)
7. Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia, 70.534% (NZL)
8. Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE, 70.509% (GBR)
9. Shruti Vora and Magnanimous, 70.325% (IND)
10. Yue Wu and Jacky Kennedy DVB, 69.917% (CHN)
3* Grand Prix
1. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 72.217% (GBR)
2. Gareth Hughes and Mowgli-Olympia MC, 69.196% (GBR)
3. Henriette Andersen and Zackery, 68.826% (GBR)
4. Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, 68.565% (IRL)
5. Caroline Chew and Blue Hors Zatchmo, 66.152% (SGP)
6. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 65.935% (GBR)
7. Kevin Acres and Ganesh, 65.870% (IRL)
8. Richard Davison and Intero, 65.304% (GBR)
9. Carolyn Mellor and Gouverneur M, 65.152% (IRL)
10. Thomas Bobis and Moliere de Massa, 65.065% (FRA)
3* Grand Prix Special
1. Gareth Hughes and Mowgli-Olympia MC, 72.851% (GBR)
2. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella, 71.426% (GBR)
3. Henriette Andersen and Zackery, 67.809% (GBR)
4. Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, 66.106% (IRL)
5. Richard Davison and Intero, 65.787% (GBR)
6. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 64.447% (GBR)
7. Kevin Acres and Ganesh, 64.298% (IRL)
8. Lyndal Yelavich and Classic Goldstrike, 64.000% (AUS)
9. Sarah Rao and Grey Lamberto, 63.872% (CHN)
10. Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet, 63.234% (GBR)
3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Caroline Chew and Blue Hors Zatchmo, 71.580% (SGP)
2. Sorrell Klatzko and Turbo, 71.190% (IRL)
3. Kimberley Siddorn and Dutch Class, 69.255% (GBR)
4. Thomas Bobis and Moliere de Massa, 68.820% (FRA)
5. Carolyn Mellor and Gouverneur M, 67.780% (IRL)
6. Daniel Watson and Aster Berlin, 66.20% (GBR)
Photo: Jasmine Punter
