Lottie Fry and Glamourdale are the stars of Compiègne

Lottie Fry, currently number seven in the world rankings, achieved a personal best Grand Prix score of 79.43% at Glamourdale’s first 5* international at Compiègne CDIO5*/CDI3*/CDI2*/CDYJP in France (19-22 May). Gareth Hughes’ Briolinca had a successful comeback in the 3* competition and Charlotte Dujardin’s Imhotep showed that his enormous talent is blossoming.

Lottie and the Van Olsts’ breeding stallion Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) last competed at Compiègne in 2019 when they won the Small Tour classes. Since then the 11-year-old has won five international Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special classes and is in great demand as a sire.

Still only 26, Lottie is establishing herself as one of Europe’s top riders and as Head Rider at the Van Olsts’ breeding station has a seemingly unending supply of equine talent. While her Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winner Everdale wasn’t with her in Compiègne, she had Glamourdale in the CDIO5* and Dark Legend and Inclusive in the CDI3* competition.

The handsome black Glamourdale (pictured above) lives up to his name with a great presence in the ring. “This was his first ever 5* show and he’s only in his second year at Grand Prix level,” explained Lottie. It was Glamourdale’s personal best at Grand Prix and also a personal best for Lottie of all her horses at this level.

“All his work felt amazing but his canter work especially. I made a mistake in the last canter pirouette which cost us an 80% score but it’s exciting that [that score] is so close.

“He was a little tired in the Special so there were a few miscommunications – he was still amazing!” The pair also racked up a number of 10s over the two tests for their extended canter, two-tempi changes and half pass.

Olympian Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz were second to Lottie in the Grand Prix, and choosing to show in the Freestyle, were runaway victors with 85%-plus. Having recently retired her top horses Weihegold and Bella Rose it seems Isabell has yet another superstar waiting in the wings.

Unfortunately for the British Nations Cup team, Fiona Bigwood had to retire Hawtins Delicato in the Grand Prix which ruled the Brits out of contention. Daniel Watson, who joined the team at the last minute, gained valuable competition experience with Barbie Marceau’s Butterfly IV. The Swedish Team of Patrik Kittel (Touchdown), Juliet Ramel (Buriel KH) and Antonia Ramel (Curiosity) were runaway winners of this leg of the Nations Cup.

Brits successful in CDI3* competition

Brits were in the top four places in the CDI3* competition with only Swede Patrik Kittel with Blue Hors Zepter managing to squeeze into the mix.

Classic Briolinca’s return to work after a year off with injury is a boost to Britain’s hopes for a strong selection pool of talent for the World Championships later in the year. She and Gareth Hughes took first place in the CDI3* Grand Prix and third in the GP Special. This mare (pictured above) is a true class act – a powerful expressive mare but capable of technically precise work. She and Gareth have formed a harmonious partnership over the years that is always a delight to watch. Briolinca’s passage is always a highlight, scoring mainly 8s across the two tests.

“We’ve given her a long time to get back into work with loads of time off. She’s 16 now so she knows her job, I don’t need to over school her,” commented Gareth. “She was a bit apprehensive at first to be back in the ring but as the Grand Prix test went on she got more and more relaxed. She’s so secure in the work now, even with so much time off.”

“I was over the moon with her in the Special – it’s always a good test for her. There were no mistakes, just some fluency issues. She’s such a gorgeous mare!”

This was a great result for this combination which last competed at Keysoe international in October 2020 where they had two top three placings.

Charlotte Dujardin placed fourth with her up-and-coming ride, Carl Hester and Coral Ingham’s Imhotep (Everdale x Vivaldi) - pictured above, and stepped up their game even more to take second place in the Special.

Both Charlotte and Gareth were lucky to ride early in the Grand Prix before a torrential storm turned the arenas into paddling pools and thunder and lightning stopped the show for a while. Fortunately ‘Pete’ lives out in fields prone to flooding and the conditions didn’t bother him.

“We had a blip in one of the pirouettes which was my fault but it was expensive as it’s a coefficient movement. But he’s still only nine and has only done one Grand Prix before,” said Charlotte. “It wasn’t the easiest round – it was so slushy you couldn’t really get into the corners. Pete’s such a pro. He’s never been in an atmosphere like that but he was really brave and nothing fazed him.”

In his first-ever Special, Charlotte was spot on with her canter pirouettes with marks ranging from 7 to 9. The only mistake was that Pete became a bit eager in the one-tempi changes, wanting to do more than 15. “He was just being helpful!” said Charlotte. “I’ve had a fantastic ride on him today.”

The mistake probably cost her the win, with Patrik Kittel coming in just .6% ahead to take first place.

Lottie Fry and her own and Van Olst Horses’ Dark Legend (Zucchero x Tango) improved on their performance at Compiègne in 2019 with a third in the Grand Prix and fourth in the Special. “He did two really nice tests,” said Lottie. “His first test took place amid thunder and lightning! His Special test was very consistent”

Lottie’s second 3* ride, the nine-year-old Inclusive (Everdale x Uptown), owned by the Van Olsts, is in his first year of Grand Prix. Despite that, he placed fifth in the Grand Prix for Freestyle and a very close third in the Freestyle itself. “He’s still green but has so much talent. This was the first show where he really settled into the test and I think he did his best test ever. This was his second ever freestyle and we used one of Anne’s (Van Olst) music programmes from 2012.” There’s nothing wrong with recycling – particularly when it produces a 78% score!

Dylan shines in the Small Tour

Dylan Deutrom, who rides for Hicks Equestrian, had a stand-out show with his two horses, San Marco (Status Quo x Gribaldi) and Sunlit Uplands (by Don Henrico). San Marco and Dylan were at their second show abroad – they won both their Small Tour classes at Opglabbeek in Belgium in April. At Compiègne they placed third in the in the Prix St Georges (PSG), less than 1% behind the winner, and fifth in the Inter I.

“Compiègne had a bigger, hotter atmosphere than San Marco has experienced before and he got a bit excited in the three-tempi changes. Overall, he went really well in some very hot classes,” said Matt Hicks, who part-owns the 12-year-old with Will Dean and Sarah Church.

“One of the best things about Marco is the way he shows off - he just loves competing,” said Dylan. “We made a few mistakes as he was a bit keen.”

Sunlit Uplands (Jasper) is owned by Sarah Warry and Matt Hicks and in the under-25s section he was sixth in the Grand Prix and fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle. “It’s early days for him and Dylan,” commented Matt. “His freestyle was a really good test. He just needs to be a bit stronger now.”

Unfortunately Sarah was unable to watch Jasper’s performances in person as she had an accident as they were preparing to leave the yard for the show and ended up in A&E instead with a broken ankle. Get well soon Sarah!

Top achieving youth riders

Isobel Lickley and Mount St John Furstin Fugger had a superb time at their first show abroad, with a third place in the Junior Individual Test, seventh in the Team Test and culminating in second in the Freestyle.

The 11-year-old Fürst Heinrich mare (pictured above) is owned by Emma Blundell and Isobel has had the ride since August last year. All the three tests scored personal bests for the pair.

“She’s the most amazing mare and I can’t thank Emma enough for the opportunity,” said Isobel. “The first day was hard as our test was delayed two hours because of the thunderstorms which turned the arena into a beach!

“It was a busy, hot atmosphere but as soon as she got to X she relaxed and let me ride her. I had a smile on my face every time. Usually the trot is her highlight but I was really pleased with her canter work. I’ve been working on it and she’s beginning to get more expressive, particularly in the flying changes.

“Compiègne is such a great show. It was great to be abroad again and meet up with friends I haven’t seen for ages.”

Myles Graham took two horses to the show – Dresscode Cocktail for the Pony tests and Caroline Bell’s Nibeley Union Hit for the Junior classes – and had good places with both.

Myles, who has two years left in Pony competition, had his best result in the Individual test where he came second with ‘Biscuit’. The pair scored a personal best of 70.31% for this test and another for his freestyle.

“Biscuit gave me a really good ride, the best he’s ever been,” said Myles who has been riding the dun gelding by Top Carlos Cassini since 2018. “His freestyle music is up-beat jazz which really suits him and goes with his rhythm and tempo.”

Myles has been riding Nibeley Union Hit for less than 12 months and achieved placings from 7th to 11th. The British-bred 14-year-old by Nibeley Union Jack was previously campaigned in Young Riders by Rebecca Bell.

“We’re still a relatively new partnership and this was our third CDI together. She loves to flick her toes in her extended trot and show off her extended canter.”

Sofia Games and Next Black Magic and Demi Howard-Cartwright and Fin C WE performed well in the strong competition. Sofia’s best placing was sixth in the Team Test and Demi took 11th in both Individual and Freestyle tests.

Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter were Britain’s sole representative in the Young Rider classes and Compiègne was their first foreign international show. After the show she posted on social media: “We had a wonderful week and Dexter couldn’t have tried any harder for me. However, conditions on the first day resembled a monsoon, resulting in Compiègne postponing all of the other classes. I warmed up in biblical rain, thunder and lightning and sadly the surface in the test arena proved too deep for Dexter. Thankfully he was back to his usual self in the Freestyle, dancing to Julie Geraghty’s brilliant Aladdin compilation.”

The organisers have made a substantial investment in the infrastructure which has improved facilities for riders and spectators at this popular show.

Results – top three and British placings
CDI3*Grand Prix for Special
1. Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, 76.15% (GBR)
2. Patrik Kittel and Blue Hors Zepter, 75.78% (SWE)
3. Charlotte Fry and Dark Legend, 73.54% (GBR)
4. Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep, 72.80% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1. Patrik Kittel and Blue Hors Zepter, 76.61% (SWE)
2. Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep, 76.06% (GBR)
3. Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, 74.93% (GBR)
4. Charlotte Fry and Dark Legend, 74.38% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix for Freestyle
1. Patrik Kittel and Forever Young HRH, 74.54% (SWE)
2. Jeanna Hogberg and Astoria, 73.00% (SWE)
3. Karen Nijvelt and Elysias, 71.69% (NED)
5. Charlotte Fry and Inclusive, 70.50% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Patrik Kittel and Forever Young HRH, 79.96% (SWE)
2. Jeanna Hogberg and Astoria, 78.75% (SWE)
3. Charlotte Fry and Inclusive, 78.60% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix - Consolation
1. Abigail Lyle and Giraldo, 69.34% (IRL)
2. Gilles Ngovan and Zigzag, 69.16% (SUI)
3. Caroline Ulrici and Hernesto HN, 68.69% (BEL)

CDIO5* Grand Prix
1. Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 79.43% (GBR)
2. Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, 76.87% (GER)
3. Patrik Kittel and Touchdown, 76.04% (SWE)
30. Daniel Watson and Butterfly IV, 63.52% (GBR)
Fiona Bigwood and Hawtins Delicato - RET (GBR)

CDIO5* Grand Prix Special
1. Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 76.63% (GBR)
2. Juliette Ramel and Buriel K.H., 75.27% (SWE)
3. Antonia Ramel and Curiosity, 72.04% (SWE)

CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, 85.87% (GER)
2. Patrik Kittel and Touchdown, 82.02% (SWE)
3. Emma Kanerva and Greek Air, 76.82% (FIN)
14. Daniel Watson and Butterfly IV, 67.85% (GBR)

FEI Nations Cup™ standings
• 1. Sweden - 16
• 2. Spain - 48
• 3. Belgium - 51
• 4. Portugal - 77
• 5. Switzerland - 78
• 6. France - 83
• Great Britain - ELI
• The Netherlands - ELI
• U.S.A. – ELI

CDI2* Prix St Georges
1. Lyndal Oatley and Dante's Herzchen, 71.44% (AUS)
2. Seth Boschman and Flora De Mariposa RS2 OLD, 71.32% (NED)
3. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 70.88% (GBR)
19. Sarah Higgins and Samuel, 65.50% (GBR)

CDI2* Intermediate I
1. Seth Boschman and Flora de Mariposa RS2 OLD, 72.89% (NED)
2. Lyndal Oatley and Dante's Herzchen, 71.66% (AUS)
3. Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Honore, 71.47% (NED)
8. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 69.59% (GBR)
24. Sarah Higgins and Samuel, 62.40% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25
1. Benjamin Ebeling and Status Royal OLD, 70.55% (USA)
2. Paulina Holzknecht and Entertainer Win T, 70.12% (GER)
3. Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 69.40% (GRE)
6. Dylan Deutrom and Sunlit Uplands, 67.00% (GBR)

CDIU25 Freestyle
1. Paulina Holzknecht and Entertainer Win T, 74.61% (GER)
2. Benjamin Ebeling and Status Royal OLD, 74.04% (USA)
3. Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 72.55% (GRE)
5. Dylan Deutrom and Sunlit Uplands, 71.49% (GBR)

CDIP - Pony Team Test
1. Liezel Everars and FS Capelli De Niro, 74.23% (BEL)
2. Lou Eden Commenge and Oscar, 69.95% (FRA)
3. Isa Hollands and His Royal Badness DK, 69.47% (NED)
6. Sofia Games and Next Black Magic, 69.14% (GBR)
7. Myles Graham and Dresscode Cocktail, 69.04% (GBR)
18. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Fin C WE, 67.00% (GBR)

CDIP - Pony Individual Test
1. Liezel Everars and FS Capelli De Niro, 74.77% (BEL)
2. Myles Graham and Dresscode Cocktail, 70.31% (GBR)
3. Yasmin Westerink and Cognac IX, 70.27% (NED)
11. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Fin C WE, 68.51% (GBR)
16. Sofia Games and Next Black Magic, 67.16% (GBR)

CDIP - Pony Freestyle
1. Isa Hollands and His Royal Badness DK, 75.07% (NED)
2. Yasmin Westerink and Cognac IX, 74.90% (NED)
3. Liezel Everars and FS Capelli De Niro, 74.34% (BEL)
6. Myles Graham and Dresscode Cocktail, 73.18% (GBR)
10. Sofia Games and Next Black Magic, 71.28% (GBR)
11. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Fin C WE, 70.19% (GBR)

CDIJ - Junior Team Test
1. Mathilde Juglaret and Caporal de Massa, 72.52% (FRA)
2. Clara Collard and Escape, 71.26% (BEL)
3. Robynne Graf and Domino, 70.80% (SUI)
7. Isobel Lickley and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 69.89% (GBR)
11. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 67.98% (GBR)

CDIJ - Juniors Individual Test
1. Mathilde Juglaret and Caporal de Massa, 72.54% (FRA)
2. Tallulah Lynn Nater and Quando Unico FRH, 71.56% (SUI)
3. Isobel Lickley and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 71.07% (GBR)
7. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 69.80% (GBR)

CDIJ - Junior Freestyle
1. Mathilde Juglaret and Caporal de Massa, 77.13% (FRA)
2. Isobel Lickley and Mount St John Furstin Fugger, 74.42% (GBR)
3. Briana Alexandra Vintila and Inana B, 72.02% (POR)
9. Myles Graham and Nibeley Union Hit, 70.66% (GBR)

CDIY - Young Rider Team Test
1. Paul Jöbstl and Bodyguard 49, 73.28% (AUT)
2. Bente Hedeman Joosten and Hippy Evitia, 70.68% (NED)
3. Jette De Jong and Heavenly Charming, 70.49% (BEL)
16. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 66.96 (GBR)

CDIY - Young Rider Individual Test
1. Paul Jöbstl and Bodyguard 49, 74.06% (AUT)
2. Mado Pinto and Hot Bit de la Gesse, 71.76% (FRA)
3. Jette De Jong and Heavenly Charming, 70.98% (BEL)
15. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 65.68% (GBR)

CDIY - Young Rider Freestyle
1. Paul Jöbstl and Bodyguard 49, 78.10% (AUT)
2. Mado Pinto and Hot Bit de la Gesse, 75.64% (FRA)
3. Sergio Moron Basoco and Farnham L, 73.10% (ESP)
11. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 69.31% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS & VIDEOS OF SOME OF THE TESTS

Photos © DigiShots
Words: Helen Triggs