Premier League season continues at Addington

Tomorrow marks the start of three days’ top flight dressage competition at Addington Manor Premier League in Buckinghamshire (11-13 May 2018).

Riders are travelling from far and wide to the centrally-located show centre to contest classes from Advanced Medium to Grand Prix, plus FEI Pony tests and Shearwater and Hickstead Young Horse qualifiers which typically provide a hotbed of future talent.

Friday visitors will be treated to a huge Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges class (8.3o – 15.58), the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I (8.00 – 13.12) and the Cavalor Intermediate II (13.40 – 18.04). The PSG has attracted has attracted a high class field which includes Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic who recently enjoyed good results at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, plus London 2012 team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson with young talent Fallatijn Van Kairos.

The Inter I will be equally interesting with partnerships such as Nikki Barker with Durable and Paul Friday with Romanno Rafiel, as will the Inter II which features Eilberg siblings Maria and Michael, Nathalie Kayal with Homerun, World Class Podium Potential rider Rebecca Edwards with Don Archie and Laura Tomlinson with the bright prospect Duval’s Capri Sonne Jr.

On Saturday morning it’s the turn of the pony competitors. Starting at 9.00 is the FEI Pony Team Test featuring three of the longlisted riders for this year’s FEI Pony European Championships – Annabella Pidgley, Sophie Williams and Olivia Wrennall, and running from 8.45 to 16.05 is another well-subscribed PSG. Saturday’s feature class is the LeMieux Grand Prix which includes Michael Eilberg with his European team silver partner Marakov (pictured), Laura Tomlinson with Duval’s Capri Sonne Jr, Lara Butler with Rubin Al Asad, Isobel Wessels with Chagall, Maria Eilberg with Sarotti and Steph Croxford with the wonderful Mr Hyde. There are several others who could also be in with a shout, promising a good class to watch unfold.

Day three sees another large Prix St Georges line-up with a strong youth representation in the form of Lewis Carrier, Angus Corrie-Deane and Rebecca Bell. PSG and Grand Prix Freestyles take place indoors throughout the morning followed by the Shearwater Young Horse qualifiers during the afternoon. The FEI Pony Individual takes place outside alongside a huge Equine Construction Advanced Medium class which boasts a high class field.

The showground’s landscaping provides plenty of good vantage points from where spectators can soak up the competition, and its high quality cafeteria and central location make it a fabulous choice for a great day out.

Entrance to the show is free at all times.