Top placings for Brits at Lier CDIO4*

Lottie Fry spearheaded a strong British representation at Lier CDI, with 3* wins for the Dutch-based rider, and 4* placings for the Nations Cup team in action at the popular Belgian fixture (15 – 18 May 2025).

Andrew Gould, Laura Tomlinson, Lewis Carrier and Lottie Fry made up the British team contesting the Nations Cup competition in Lier, delivering a total of 211.826, which saw them finish narrowly behind the Dutch in fourth place, missing out on a podium spot by just one mark. The home side Belgium topped the standings on 220.825 points, followed by Germany on 218.892 and the Netherlands on 212.131.

The British team’s score was powered by four consistent Grand Prix tests. Andrew Gould and Indigro led the charge with an impressive 71.152% to finish eighth, closely followed by Laura Tomlinson and Issey in ninth on 70.761%. Lewis Carrier and Diego V claimed 11th place with 69.913%, just ahead of Lottie Fry and Nespresso on 69.826% in 12th.

“This was a special show for so many reasons,” Andrew commented, taking to social media to reflect on the weekend, “we came here with a plan and had lots of bumps getting out, but we all pulled together as a team and produced our best-ever performances.”

Andrew and the 12-year-old KWPN gelding Indigro (Negro x Jazz) also produced an exceptional performance in the CDIO4* Grand Prix Special, securing second place with a score of 73.021% behind Germany’s Katharina Hemmer and Denoix Pch on 75.702%.

Fellow British rider Laura piloted Beatrice Marienau’s Johnson-sired gelding Issey to sixth with a solid score of 70.915%. The Gloucestershire-based rider only recently took over the ride at the start of this year from her cousin Beatrice, and continued to build on the promising results show at Addington CDI earlier in the month.

Reigning LeMieux National Champions Lewis Carrier and Diego V (Spielberg x Syrida A) represented Britain in the CDIO4* Freestyle, finishing fourth on 75.680%.. “What an absolute legend Diego is! He worked his socks off,” Lewis said, praising his dancing partner on social media. He added, “there was a great sense of team spirit this week despite all the travel issues we faced, and the horses have been super.”

The British team were forced to reroute and significantly extend their journey after strike action filed by the French Ministry of Agriculture & Food’s trade union for contract vets caused significant disruptions at Calais and the Eurotunnel Coquelles Border Control Posts.

Judy Harvey, BD International Director, praised the resilience of the riders and their support teams: “Against the odds, our intrepid team arrived in great condition and all performed brilliantly! 

Following the strikes in Calais, Laura, Andrew and Lewis’ horses all had to be rerouted to Portsmouth. The journey changed from a 45-minute tunnel crossing and three-hour drive to a six-to-seven-hour overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, followed by a 320-mile drive north to Lier. Arriving late Thursday, the World Class team, including the vet and physio, were on hand to help unload the horses and had prepared lovely deep beds in the stables for them. Lottie Fry, being based in the Netherlands, escaped the travel inconvenience but had to cope with the most horrible cold, yet still produced a great performance on the relatively inexperienced Nespresso.”

In summary, Judy said that it had been “a creditable team performance against the odds.”

In the CDI3*, Lottie and Van Olst Horses’ 16-year-old Everdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) made an emphatic return to international competition after a year away from the white boards, taking a double victory. The duo posted 73.652% to win the Grand Prix, then followed with 79.325% in the Grand Prix Freestyle to finish ahead of Dutch rider Marieke van der Putten, with her two rides Kuvasz and Zantana.

Lottie also rode Van Olst Horses’ seven-year-old KWPN stallion Nalegro (Painted Black x Negro) to fourth place with a score of 70.637% the Prix St Georges, before claiming fifth in the Intermediate I on 68.137% – a strong start for the young stallion in his first international Small Tour appearance. Fellow Van Olst rider Lara Butler scored 67.990% for 17th in the Prix St Georges with Graaf Leatherdale T (Lord Leatherdale x Kennedy), then improved to 68.039% for sixth in the Intermediate I.

Richard White and Lynda Cameron’s Lusitano 13-year-old gelding Heroi Do Seixo (Rubi x Jalisco) were also in action in Lier, producing two consistent CDI3* tests for 67.109% and 67.085% in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, placing 13th and eighth.

Results – top three and British placings

CDIO4* Grand Prix
1.    Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 78.543% (BEL)
2.    Katharina Hemmer and Denoix Pch, 74.957% (GER)
3.    Hans Peter Minderhoud and Taminiau, 72.761% (NED)
8.    Andrew Gould and Indigro, 71.152% (GBR)
9.    Laura Tomlinson and Issey, 70.761% (GBR)
11.    Lewis Carrier and Diego, 69.913% (GBR)
12.    Charlotte Fry and Nespresso, 69.826% (GBR)

CDIO4* Nations Cup
1.    Belgium - 220.825
2.     Germany - 218.892
3.     The Netherlands - 212.131
4.     Great Britain - 211.826
5.     Portugal - 206.892

CDIO4* Grand Prix Special
1.    Katharina Hemmer and Denoix Pch, 75.702% (GER)
2.    Andrew Gould and Indigro, 73.021% (GBR)
3.    Hans Peter Minderhoud and Taminiau, 72.787% (NED)
4.    Laura Tomlinson and Issey, 70.915% (GBR)

CDIO4* Grand Prix Freestyle
1.    Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, 86.155% (BEL)
2.    Svenja Kämper-Meyer and Amanyara M, 77.300% (GER)
3.    Larissa Pauluis and Flambeau, 77.085% (BEL)
4.    Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 75.680% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix 
1.    Charlotte Fry and Everdale, 73.652% (GBR)
2.    Marieke van der Putten and Zantana, 72.522% (NED)
3.    Marieke van der Putten and Kuvasz, 71.848% (NED)
13.    Richard White and Heroi Do Seixo, 67.109% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1.    Charlotte Fry and Everdale, 79.325% (GBR)
2.    Marieke van der Putten and Kuvasz, 74.080% (NED)
3.    Wim Verwimp and Jedai De Massa, 73.475% (BEL)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1.    Isabell Werth and Deneuve, 70.872% (GER)
2.    Marieke van der Putten and Zantana, 68.553% (NED)
3.    Kirsten Brouwer and Just Romance, 68.404% (NED)
8.    Richard White and Heroi Do Seixo, 67.085% (GBR)

CDI1* Prix St Georges 
1.    Thamar Zweistra and Mr Magnum, 73.481% (NED)
2.    Marieke van der Putten and About You, 71.863% (NED)
3.    Isabell Werth and Skovens Tzarina, 70.931% (GER)
4.    Charlotte Fry and Nalegro, 70.637% (GBR)
17.    Lara Butler and Graaf Leatherdale T, 67.990% (GBR)

CDI1* Intermediate I
1.    Eline Borrey De Coninck and Dollars, 69.853% (BEL)
2.    Roy First and Ecstasy F, 69.167% (POL)
3.    Suraya Hendrikx and Benicia, 69.019% (BEL)
4.    Kimberly Pap and Martinez, 68.186% (NED)
5.    Charlotte Fry and Nalegro, 68.137% (GBR)
6.    Lara Butler and Graaf Leatherdale T, 68.039% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS

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