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Hickstead Premier League: Model comeback for En Vogue 

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  • Published: Mon, 22 May 2023 15:47 GMT

In addition to his international success with Fame, Carl Hester enjoyed a winning return to the arena on board Tokyo 2020 partner En Vogue at Hickstead Premier League (12 – 14 May). Three days of top class action saw close contest for direct qualification tickets to the LeMieux National Championships at the premier West Sussex venue.  

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With a much-anticipated competition comeback on the cards for Tokyo 2020 and 2021 FEI European Championship team medallist En Vogue (Jazz x Contango), the 14 year old gelding didn’t disappoint on his return to the arena with Carl Hester claiming the top spot in the LeMieux Grand Prix. Out of a 30-strong class, the combination were rewarded 75.10% by Fiona Wilson (H), Richard Baldwin (C) and Debbie Wardle (B) to place ahead of Gloucestershire-based Kathleen Kroencke (GER) on board ICE Horseboxes Grand Prix Special winner Uniteds Maerchen.  

As the semi-finals for the KBIS Young Dressage Horse Championships fast approach, the stars of the future were out in force at Hickstead on the hunt for the top spots, and precious qualification tickets to progress onto the next round. The top score across the fixture would go to Trina Stewart’s four year old Joviano (Jovian x Fürstenlook), recording an impressive 87.60 with Kerry Mackin at the reins; for his individual marks, the stallion achieved two nines for canter and general impression.  
Beth Bainbridge secured a qualification ticket for Lauren Taylor’s Emilo-sired grey WHD Elton (85.60), the standout youngster in a competitive five year old category, whilst locally based Sarah Millis took home first prize in the six year old qualifier with Juliette Lindsay’s impressive Imperial Magic Dream (77.40).  

Two riders achieved double victories at the popular Premier League fixture hosted in the sunny South Downs, with riders enjoying all that dressage at Hickstead has to offer. Fresh from the show of his life at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, Davy Harvey produced an Advanced Medium double with Judy Peploe’s Diamond Blue; the duo also enjoyed 70% for their first trip around the FEI Prix St Georges test at a Premier League. There was also success for Somerset rider Alexander Harrison, who made waves with the diminutive powerhouse Kickback, securing direct qualification tickets for both the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges (72.20%) and Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I (71.42%) classes.  

Fresh from her Hickstead CDI success in the FEI Junior category with new ride Caporal de Massa, young talent Mette Dahl scored in the U25 Grand Prix test riding her mother Fiona Bigwood’s Sir Donato. The combination notched up 69.14% with the judges – Dane Rawlins, Miguel Goncalves and Kirsty Mepham – unanimous in their placing decision. 2022 European Championship team bronze medallist Sophie Wallace made a winning return to the arena with an exciting new Junior partner in Ursula Bechtolsheimer and Laura Tomlinson’s homebred gelding First Light; a polished performance left the duo six percent clear of the field with 72.27%. Experienced youth team rider Jessica Mcconkey showed the class that produced a top five finish at the 2022 FEI European Championships to win the Young Rider Team test with Lady Gaga (73.23%), whilst also achieving a direct qualification ticket for the LeMieux Nationals with Wilson Stensvang soaring to 74.16% in Sunday’s Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I. 2022 National Academy rider Ella Glennon produced the sole score over the 70% barrier in the Pony Team test, with Amden Supreme Golden Dancer (Dating AT) earning 71.09%; the pair made their international debut together at Addington CDI in March this year.  

Results

Friday 12 May

KBIS Young Dressage Horse 4yo 
1. Kerry Mackin and Joviano, 87.60% 
2. Tahley Reeve Smith and Dontino, 78.80% 
3. Luis Vilhena and Secret Secret, 78.60%

KBIS Young Dressage Pony 4yo 
1. Ella Dalton and Myspires Triple Gold, 63.60%

KBIS Young Dressage Horse 5yo 
1. Beth Bainbridge and WHD Elton, 85.60% 
=2. Robbie Mcneill and Reventador, 77.80% 
=2. Sadie Smith and Times Nika, 77.80%

KBIS Young Dressage Horse 6yo 
1. Sarah Millis and Imperial Magic Dream, 77.40% 
2. Dylan Deutrom and Incredible SC, 75.00% 
3. Beth Bainbridge and Blue Horse Viconte, 74.60%

KBIS Young Dressage Horse 7yo 
1. Sarah Rogers and Forest Hill, 79.21% 
2. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon, 79.03% 
3. Tom Goode and Top Diva, 76.38%

Stübben Intermediate II 
1. Katie Bailey and Hawtins Barolo, 74.16% 
2. Alexander Harrison and MSJ Top Secret, 70.93% 
3. Andrew Gould and Amicella, 70.88%

Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium 91 
1. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 71.02% 
2. Chris Hammond and Jersey Boy, 69.87% 
3. Chris Hammond and Exclusive Gem, 69.53% 

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges 
1. Alexander Harrison and Kickback, 72.20% 
2. Henry Boswell and Rock Emotion, 71.07% 
3. Sarah Millis and Ferrari V, 70.68%

Saturday 13 May

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges 
1. Maddy Frewin and Izonik, 70.83% 
2. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 70.68% 
3. Henry Boswell and Rock Emotion, 70.44%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I 
1. Alexander Harrison and Kickback, 71.42% 
2. Fiona Brennan and Gestion, 70.58% 
3. Andrew Gould and Active Solaris, 70.04%

ICE Horseboxes International 5yo 
1. Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 82.40% 
2. Beth Bainbridge and WHD Elton, 79.60% 
3. Duncan Gipson and Nova Zembla, 76.00%

ICE Horseboxes International 6yo 
1. Beth Bainbridge and My Pride, 79.40% 
2. Tor Fenwick and TFD Minneapolis, 74.00% 
3. Dannie Morgan and Viva La Reinne VH, 73.40%

ICE Horseboxes International Preliminary 7yo 
1. Sarah Rogers and Forest Hill, 75.47% 
2. Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon, 75.24% 
3. Beth Brainbridge and Newton Astro Nescente, 70.07%

LeMieux Grand Prix 
1. Carl Hester and En Vogue, 75.10% 
2. Kathleen Kroencke and Uniteds Maerchen, 72.68% 
3. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Dionysus, 71.37%

Sunday 14 May

Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium 98 
1. Davy Harvey and Diamond Blue, 73.94% 
2. Hayley Pile and Danilo II, 69.07% 
3. Chris Hammond and Exclusive Gem, 68.77%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges 
1. Olivia Oakeley and Full House, 71.37% 
2. Judy Harvey and SP Bento, 71.17% 
3. Fiona Brennan and Gestion, 71.12%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I 
1. Jessica McConkey and Wilson Stensvang, 74.16% 
2. Sarah Millis and Ferrari V, 70.58% 
3. Anu Sironen and Diori Weltino, 70.09%

ICE Horseboxes Grand Prix Special 
1. Kathleen Kroencke and Uniteds Maerchen, 69.85% 
2. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Dionysus, 69.25% 
3. Anders Dahl and Esquire, 68.33%

ICE Horseboxes Young Rider Team 
1. Jessica McConkey and Lady Gaga II, 73.23% 
2. Maddy Frewin and Izonik, 72.54% 
3. Lilah Gibbs and Zenith, 69.41%

ICE Horseboxes Junior Team  
1. Sophie Wallace and First Light, 72.27% 
2. Crystal Robinson-Long and High-Quality, 66.91% 
3. Lennon Healey and Destination II, 66.31%

ICE Horseboxes Pony Team 
1. Ella Glennon and Amden Supreme Golden Dancer, 71.09% 
2. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac, 68.66% 
3. Ella Glennon and Don De Luxe, 65.38%

ICE Horseboxes 16-25 GP  
1. Mette Dahl and Sir Donato, 69.14% 
2. Millie Gover and Kamil T, 66.45% 
3. Melissa Dawes and Bodyguard Moorland, 59.78% 

FULL RESULTS