New Youth Combinations Step Forward at CDI Exloo and Alter do Chão

Emerging British youth combinations stepped confidently onto the international stage last week, gaining valuable experience and delivering encouraging performances at CDI Exloo, Netherlands (29 April – 3 May) and CDI Alter do Chão, Portugal (1 – 3 May). For our three riders, these fixtures marked key early-season outings and important milestones in newly formed partnerships.

Stella McComb and Dos Alamos at Wellington CDI 2025

CDI Alter do Chão

At CDI Alter do Chão, Gibraltar-based rider Stella McComb continued her strong start to the international season, travelling to Portugal for her third CDI of the year with her experienced partner Dos Alamos and young prospect Scarlett Secret Soleil.

Aboard the 17-year-old Dos Alamos (Dressage Royal x Dream of Glory), Stella delivered two winning performances in the Children on Horses classes. The established partnership showed their experience and consistency to take top honours in both the Team and Individual Tests, scoring 73.475% and 74.584% respectively in front of judges Carlos Lopes (C) and Juan Carlos Campos Escribano (E).

Alongside her experienced campaigner, Stella also introduced seven-year-old Scarlett Secret Soleil (Secret x Sezuan) to international competition. In the young mare’s first CDI appearance, the combination produced two confident and competitive tests, finishing second in both the Team and Individual classes on scores of 70.800% and 69.477%. The performances marked a promising international debut for the developing partnership.

CDI Exloo

In an educational trip to CDI Exloo, Amelia and Ella-Grace Dovey made their first overseas appearance of the season with Derano B and Creto, gaining valuable mileage against a strong field of established Dutch and European combinations.

Aboard her new ride, former Children on Horses European Champion Ella-Grace Dovey contested the Junior classes with Harriet Williams’ 16-year-old mare Creto (Conteur x Falkenstern II). Having only formed their partnership in February, the combination continues to develop promisingly, producing a consistent set of tests in just their second international outing together.

In the Junior Team Test, Ella-Grace rode to twelfth place with a score of 67.172% in front of judges Claudia Elsner Matos (C), Janine van Twist (H) and Paula Nysten (B). The pair followed this with a composed Individual Test performance, finishing seventeenth on 65.049%, demonstrating increasing confidence and harmony as the partnership progresses.

Meanwhile, younger sister Amelia Dovey was contesting only her second-ever international, and her first CDI abroad, riding Hannah Dovey’s Derano B (Dornik B x Golden Dancer). Following a highly successful Winter Championships campaign with her other ponies, 12-year-old Amelia has made an encouraging start to her international career.

In the Pony Team Test, Amelia posted a score of 65.143% to finish nineteenth in a competitive class judged by Patricia Wolters (C), Olivier Smeets (H) and Susanne Baarup (B). The pair returned to deliver another steady performance in the Individual Test, scoring 64.459% for twenty-third place, further building valuable experience at this level.

Overall, the week provided a valuable stepping stone for Britain’s up-and-coming youth riders, with new combinations gaining confidence, achieving consistent results, and laying strong foundations for the season ahead.

CDI Alder do Chão Results – Top Three and British Riders

Friday 1 May

Children on Horses Team Test

1. Stella McComb and Dos Alamos, 73.475% (GBR)

2. Stella McComb and Scarlett Secret Soleil, 70.800% (GBR)

Saturday 2 May

Children on Horses Individual Test

1. Stella McComb and Dos Alamos, 74.584% (GBR)

2. Stella McComb and Scarlett Secret Soleil, 69.477% (GBR)

CDI Exloo Results – Top Three and British Riders

Friday 1 May

Junior Team Test

1. Esmae Niessen and Florado M, 70.404% (NED)
2. Mirthe Willig and Just Biantoes, 70.202% (NED)
3. Annabell de Bock and Ostilio, 69.949% (NED)

12. Ella-Grace Dovey and Creto, 67.172% (GBR)

Pony Team Test

1. Bo Leijten and Durello, 72.048% (NED)
2. Bo Leijten and Perfect Lightfeet, 71.333% (NED)
3. Esmae Niessen and Ganymed W, 70.952% (NED)

19. Amelia Dovey and Derano B, 65.143% (GBR)

Saturday 2 May

Junior Individual Test

1. Féline Verreet and Liviah Diar, 69.755% (BEL)
2. Mirthe Willig and Just Biantoes, 69.510% (NED)
3. Annabell de Bock and Ostilio, 69.363% (NED)

17. Ella-Grace Dovey and Creto, 65.049% (GBR)

Pony Individual Test

1. Bo Leijten and Perfect Lightfeet, 71.667% (NED)
2. Fabiënne Raijmakers and Wrong Is Right, 71.216% (NED)

3. Esmae Niessen and Ganymed W, 70.631% (NED)

23. Amelia Dovey and Derano B, 64.459% (GBR)