Premier action continues at Keysoe

The second Premier League competition of the season is now underway at The College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe, Bedfordshire, running until Sunday 29 April.

Keysoe Premier League typically attracts high class entries, and this year is no exception. With classes from Advanced Medium to Grand Prix, and for the next generation - FEI Pony tests and the Shearwater and Hickstead Young Horse qualifiers, the three-day competition promises plenty of high class dressage.

All eyes will be on Carl Hester as he and Hawtins Delicato make their Grand Prix debut together this afternoon. Other runners and riders include Steph Croxford with the delightful Mr Hyde, Isobel Wessels with Chagall, Alice Oppenheimer with Joanne Graham’s Grand Prix newcomer Headmore Wimoweh and Louise Bell with the showing-turned-dressage star Into The Blue (pictured).

Tomorrow’s Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I looks to be an exciting affair. Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic who impressed at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships will be ones to watch, as will Amy Woodhead and Branduardi and Paralympic, World and European Gold Medallist Sophie Wells with C Fatal Attraction – a combination which is on fire. Sophie, who’s highly successful in able-bodied as well as para competition, won a hat-trick at Deauville CPEDI in France earlier this month with two personal best scores in the Grade V classes.

Taking centre stage tomorrow, from 3pm onwards, are the Freestyle classes. First up is the Advanced Medium Freestyle, followed by the Prix St Georges Freestyle at 4.52pm, the Inter I Freestyle starting at 6.44pm and the Grand Prix Freestyle at 7.40pm.

Sunday morning starting at 9am there’s a well-subscribed Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges class. The start list is full of quality combinations including Rebecca Bell and the mare Nibeley Union Hit with whom she last year enjoyed much success internationally within the Junior ranks, Nikki Barker and the gorgeous stallion Durable, and Vicky Thompson-Winfield with Salome Di Fontabeti who return after their impressive Inter I third place at Keysoe CDI in March.

Competition continues Sunday with the Saracen Horse Feeds Inter II, and an opportunity to witness the stars of tomorrow in both the FEI Pony Individual test and the Shearwater Young Horse and Shearwater Young Pony qualifiers.

Keysoe boasts a high quality cafeteria and entrance to the show is free at all times.