News
Hat-tricks and high scores steal the show at Hickstead CPEDI
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Mon, 18 May 2026 12:00
Leading the way at our second domestic international fixture of the season, our para riders impressed judges across three days (12-15 May), with seven British riders securing a hat-trick of wins on home soil at Hickstead.
Jemima Green and Fantabulous | Spidge Photography
In a week that marked a milestone of great success, not only did these riders impress with their clean sweep of wins, but Jemima Green, Erin Orford, Elan Williams and Sophie Wells did so with an impressive collection of scores all in excess of 70%.
It was in the 3* competition that we saw our riders accomplishing the most success, posting some fantastically consistent results. Jemima Green took a comfortable collection of wins in the Grade II Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle classes riding her own eight-year-old gelding Fantabulous. Jemima scored 73.391%, 74.167% and 77.123% to win by just under six percent, seven and a half percent, and a truly incredible margin of ten percent in the A, B and Freestyle respectively. When asked to reflect on the week, Jemima simply said “we are all over the moon with the results this week.”
“Fanta gave me three great rides but topping it off with the most confident freestyle we have ever given was the best feeling. I’m finally starting to enjoy freestyle, and I think now that I’m beginning to embrace it, Fanta is now feeling more relaxed with it too. It definitely helps when you love the music! The entire show was run really well, and it was great to be back at Hickstead”.
Erin Orford was the sole British rider competing in the Grade III Grand Prix test series and dominated the competition over the three days. Riding Carl Hester, Anne Barrott and Rowena Luard’s LJT Nutbush, Erin danced her way to 74.156%, 70.611% and 74.156% in the Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle tests; securing the wins by just under three, two and six percent respectively ahead of American rider Rebecca Hart riding Liberation. “I couldn’t be happier with how our performances came together” Erin commented, “we improved day by day, and it’s left me feeling excited and motivated for what’s still to come. Gus [LJT Nutbush] is such an extraordinary horse and gives the most amazing feeling every time I ride him. It’s an absolute privilege to partner him, and I truly feel our partnership has gone from strength to strength. I’m so grateful to his owners and my wonderful team, whose support and hard work make moments like this possible. It was also fantastic to be back at Hickstead — the arenas and stables were beautiful and there was a lovely atmosphere. Those touches create such a special experience and make competing there even more memorable.”
For the Grade I riders, it was Elan Williams aboard Alice Begg’s eight-year-old mare Nalique (Ferdeaux x Serano Gold) who took first place in the Grand Prix A, B and Freestyle competitions. In the combination’s second international fixture together, they scored 71.389%, 70.625% and 72.734% respectively, securing the lead by a comfortable two percent in the freestyle test, having been neck and neck with Mari Durward-Akhurst and her own, Nick and Sue Durward-Akhurst’s ten-year-old gelding Watermill Cruise. Mari finished second across all three days, finishing on the same score as Elan in the Grand Prix A but just missing out on the win by collective marks, 70.278% in the Grand Prix B, and 70.545% in the Freestyle. Elan took to Instagram to share “I honestly couldn’t be prouder of Nellie [Nalique]. She gave me everything in the arena. Considering this is our second international and have only been a partnership since December, I couldn’t be happier”.
Paralympian Sophie Wells contested two horses in the Grade V Grand Prix A and B, Emma Blundell’s MSJ Gold Standard and Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Egebjerggards Samoa. On the Tuesday in Grand Prix A, it was LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (St Schufro x Gribaldi) that took the win with 72.735%, closely followed by MSJ Gold Standard (Governer x Fürstenball) who scored 70.171%. The following day in the B test, it was MSJ Gold Standard who topped the class with 72.456%, and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa followed closely in second with 70.877%. In the Freestyle, Sophie only competed with LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, and the pair impressed judges to score an impressive 74.459% to finish in first place, just over ten percent in front of Flossie England who took second place with 63.809%.
Grade IV rider’s Heather Bennett riding her own Hawtins Figaro (Fürstenball x Cardinar), and Sara Louise Bates riding Solo Hit 2 and Socrates went head-to-head throughout the week. It was Heather who came out on top in the A and B tests, scoring 66.528% and 66.397% respectively in the combination’s second ever international contention. Aboard Megan Bates’ Socrates, Sara finished second in the Grand Prix A with 66.389% and third in the Grand Prix B with 63.288%. Riding Patty Allen’s Solo Hit 2, Sara finished third and second, scoring 64.498% and 64.234% in the A and B respectively. In the Freestyle, however, it was Sara riding Solo Hit 2 that took the win with 70.675%, followed by Heather on 68.659%.
In the 2*, Isabella Benfield was another rider to complete a trifecta of wins. Riding her own 10-year-old gelding Lamborghini (Gunner KS x Andretti), Isabella posted an international personal best score in the Grade III Intermediate A with 69.206%. Isbella then went on to score 65.683% in the Intermediate B, and 67.078% in the Freestyle. Alexandra Stewart finished second behind Isabella, riding her own 15-year-old mare Beau, scoring 62.357%, 64.667% and 61.667% respectively. Grade I rider Alisha Robbins also competed, winning all of her classes with 61.979%, 61.833% and 64.845% in the Intermediate A, B and Freestyle classes.
1* rider Lacey Ohara completed her three classes for Grade II Novice A, B and Freestyle classes to take another triple-podium. Riding her own 19-year-old gelding (Comberton Cadet x Crystal Clear), Lacey scored 64.688%, 62.292% and 65.823% in front of judges Sandra Edwards (GBR), Anne Prain (FRA) and Freddy Leyman (BEL).
Thanks go to the organisers at Hickstead for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout the competition.
Results- Top three and British riders
Tuesday 12 May
1* Grade II Novice A
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 64.688% (GBR)
2* Grade I Intermediate A
1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 61.979% (GBR)
2* Grade III Intermediate A
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 69.206% (GBR)
2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 62.357% (GBR)
3* Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 71.389% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 71.389% (GBR)
3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 67.847% (GBR)
3* Grade II Grand Prix A
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 73.391% (GBR)
2. Lok Yee Louie Lam and Jockey Club Felaini S, 67.414% (HKG)
3. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 64.310% (GBR)
4. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja 63.391%, (GBR)
5. Julie Payne and Divinity, 62.184% (GBR)
3* Grade III Grand Prix A
1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 70.167% (GBR)
2. Rebecca Hart and Liberation, 67.611% (USA)
3. Tin Chi Timothy Tsang and Jockey Club Cethegus M, 64.389% (HKG)
3* Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Heather Bennett and Hawtins Figaro, 66.528% (GBR)
2. Sara Louise Bates and Socrates, 66.389% (GBR)
3. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 64.398% (GBR)
3* Grade V Grand Prix A
1. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, 72.735% (GBR)
2. Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard, 70.171% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 65.769% (GBR)
4. Flossie England and Sankro, 60.555% (GBR)
Friday 13 May
1* Grade II Novice B
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 62.292% (GBR)
2* Grade I Intermediate B
1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 61.833% (GBR)
2* Grade III Intermediate B
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 65.683% (GBR)
2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 64.677% (GBR)
3* Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 70.625% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 70.278% (GBR)
3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 68.542% (GBR)
3* Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 74.167% (GBR)
2. Lok Yee Louie Lam and Jockey Club Felaini S, 66.667% (HKG)
3. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja 66.222%, (GBR)
4. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 64.944% (GBR)
5. Julie Payne and Divinity, 62.666% (GBR)
3* Grade III Grand Prix B
1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 70.611% (GBR)
2. Rebecca Hart and Liberation, 68.778% (USA)
3. Tin Chi Timothy Tsang and Jockey Club Cethegus M, 64.944% (HKG)
3* Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Heather Bennett and Hawtins Figaro, 66.397% (GBR)
2. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 64.234% (GBR)
3. Sara Louise Bates and Socrates, 63.288% (GBR)
3* Grade V Grand Prix B
1. Sophie Wells and MSJ Gold Standard, 72.456% (GBR)
2. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, 70.877% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 68.070% (GBR)
4. Flossie England and Sankro, 61.666% (GBR)
Thursday 14 May
1* Grade II Novice Freestyle
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 65.823% (GBR)
2* Grade I Intermediate Freestyle
1. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 64.845% (GBR)
2* Grade III Intermediate Freestyle
1. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 67.078% (GBR)
2. Alexandra Stewart and Beau, 61.667% (GBR)
3* Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Elan Williams and Nalique, 72.734% (GBR)
2. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Watermill Cruise, 70.545% (GBR)
3. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 69.556% (GBR)
3* Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 77.123% (GBR)
2. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 67.089% (GBR)
3. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja 66.811%, (GBR)
5. Julie Payne and Divinity, 66.089% (GBR)
3* Grade III Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush, 74.156% (GBR)
2. Rebecca Hart and Liberation, 68.834% (USA)
3. Fleur Schrader and Lord Sandro K, 66.923% (HKG)
3* Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 70.675% (GBR)
2. Heather Bennett and Hawtins Figaro, 68.659% (GBR)
3* Grade V Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, 74.459% (GBR)
2. Flossie England and Sankro, 63.809% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 63.100% (GBR)
