Summer Regional Championships: Keysoe

A high quality entry came forward for the Eastern region’s leg of the 2019 Regional Championship series. Over three days this week (6 – 8 August 2019), Keysoe Equestrian in Bedfordshire played host to the penultimate opportunity to seize a qualification spot for the LeMieux National Championships in September.

Both the Silver and Gold divisions presented double winners – Jessica Ely with Formidable I and Alex Hardwick aboard Glasgow MH. First up, Jessica partnered former show hunter Formidable I (pictured above) to two plus-73% victories - the Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver and one of two Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver sections. The scopey nine year old Dutch bred (Vivaldi x Inspekteur) has been competed by Jessica in dressage since September last year. Taking well to his newfound career, the towering gelding’s scores have soared into the 70s at both levels this season, his experience in the show ring and development under Jessica’s care clearly serving him well for the dressage arena.

“I am over the moon,” said Jessica, who produces horses for showing in parallel with her dressage career and is based with her sister Rebecca at their West Yorkshire base. “I really couldn’t be happier with him.”’

Formidable, known at home as Vinnie, is a former show horse, bought by Jessica in January 2018. “I campaigned him for showing last year, though I did buy him with dressage in mind because of his breeding. We won at Cheshire Show, qualifying for HOYS, then after HOYS focused on his new career. He’s a lovely horse, and the experiences he’s had being a show horse have really helped. After competing at HOYS he can cope with any situation!”

Qualifying for the Nationals is the icing on the cake for the 26 year old who won the 2018 Reserve Champion Intermediate Show Riding Type at HOYS with another ride. “It’s been a very good couple of years, and I’m looking forward to doing more dressage. Vinnie is a lovely horse. He has a really good temperament and is very easy to do and deal with.”

One little horse to make a winning impression at the 2018 LeMieux National Championships was the delectable Glasgow MH ridden by Alex Hardwick. Happily, Alex and ‘Buddy’ (pictured below) will make a welcome return to Stoneleigh having won both the Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold and the TopSpec Medium Gold with two dynamic and accomplished performances. Owned by Sally Hardwick, the compact Uphill x Casanova gelding, who stands just 16hh, earned scores of 75.05% and 71.58%.

“The pocket rocket does it again. Glasgow (Buddy) totally rocked it to win the Medium 75 Gold with 71.59%, being Regional Champion for the fourth time! Massive thank you to mumma [Sally Hardwick] for her help and guidance on this mega star,” said Alex on Facebook. Later adding, “Boy wonder does it again. Glasgow smashes out 75% to be crowned champion and [win] another regional title. Do you think he knows just how special he is?!”

Alex also headed a highly competitive Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold with her Dutch bred six year old mare, Izaloe (Jazz x Rhodium).

British Dressage thanks Simon Bates and his team at Keysoe as well as the National class sponsors for their generous support. Congratulations to all competitors and good luck to those heading to the LeMieux National Championships at Stoneleigh Park.

Regional champions

Backinaction Preliminary Silver A
Daniel Baylis with Qiblah Me, 70.29%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Silver
Jessica Ely with Formidable I, 73.95%

Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold
Alex Hardwick with Joie De Vivre Prins, 74.32%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver A
Trisha Polson with Crime Suspect, 72.55%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Silver B
Jessica Ely with Formidable I, 73.39%

Childéric Saddles Elementary Gold
Alex Hardwick with Glasgow MH, 75.05%

TopSpec Medium Silver
Robert Barker with River Rise Isabella, 69.50%

TopSpec Medium Gold
Alex Hardwick with Glasgow MH, 71.58%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Silver
Rebecca Bates with Ekko Christianslunds Gevalia, 72.63%

Equine Construction Advanced Medium Gold
Harriette Williams with Creto, 71.89%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Tom Goode with Saint Julian, 72.59%

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Gold
Sarah Williams with Bohigas W, 70.13%

Click for Keysoe Regional results

Photos © Kevin Sparrow