News
Wellington CPEDI: Fresh talent, proud returns and home glory
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:08
Unbeatable performances from Laura Scott and Alice Begg lit up the para competition at the Wellington International Festival of Dressage alongside new faces and returning talent, as combinations made their mark across CPEDI3*, 2* and 1* levels (9–10 June 2025).
CPEDI3*
Grade IV rider Laura Scott remained unbeaten with her own eight-year-old gelding Cei Summer Days (Summertime Blues x LDB Hotline), completing a clean sweep. The pair impressed across all three Grand Prix tests, delivering over 69% in each and peaking with a superb 74.225% to win the Freestyle.
“My superstar Sunny. Chucked him in the deep end doing a CPEDI3* at Wellington and he exceeded all my expectations,” Laura posted, adding, “Sunny’s first ever freestyle and to do it at a 3* is more than I could ever have wished for. I feel incredibly lucky to be riding such a special horse and have the best people helping me along the way.”
Another standout was Alice Begg from Greater London, who enjoyed a hat-trick of Grade V victories with her Ferdeaux-sired mare Nalique. The duo posted 69.915% to win the Grand Prix A, followed by 69.035% in the B test, and capped the week with a harmonious freestyle that earned 72.567%.
Having only been a partnership for three months, Suzanna Hext and Jenny Paling’s Inferno (Davino x Jazz) made a strong impression in Grade II, delivering emotional and sporting milestones. The pair topped the Grand Prix A on 72.586%, were third in the Grand Prix B (70.833%), and narrowly missed out on the Freestyle podium (71.111%).
“I’ve not stopped smiling and feel so incredibly lucky to be out and competing again after what’s been a very tough period post-Paris with ongoing post-concussion syndrome,” Suzanna posted on social media.
Now five months pregnant and with her wedding fast approaching, Suzanna is hanging up her breeches for a while but promised: “Swim training will continue for as long as physically possible to try and keep fit and keep my mind happy.”
In Grade I, Ireland’s Clodagh Walsh and Chantal produced three strong tests, scoring 70.070%, 72.014% and 73.478% to set the standard in a small but quality field.
Ireland continued to celebrate success in Grade III with their triumphant trio of riders: Katie Reilly (Keystone Dawn Chorus), Kate Kerr-Horan (Lykkebo’s Don Akino) and Jessica McKenna (D.C.I Cerruti). Despite being a new partnership, just starting to find their groove, 17-year-old Katie Reilly stood out with her double in the Grand Prix A and B tests, scoring 70.778% and 73.222%, whilst Kate Kerr-Horan claimed the Freestyle victory with 71.611%. Meanwhile, Britain’s Vicky Earnshaw and Charlotte Arling’s Midline Rioja (Woodlander Rockstar) concluded their week with second place and 68.633% for their Freestyle performance.
CPEDI2*
Vicky Earnshaw climbed to the top of the podium in the Grade III Intermediate B with her own Prince Pepe, taking the win on 69.355% ahead of Gloucestershire’s Roseanne Knox and With Love JM (Wolkenderry x Sandro Bedo). However, Roseanne turned the tables in the Intermediate A and Freestyle, scoring over 70% in both to take two stellar wins.
Grade V rider Flossie England and her San Amour-sired gelding Sankro built momentum as the competition progressed, delivering two consistent tests and concluding with 69.775% in the Freestyle.
In Grade I, 19-year-old Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella (One Sundance Kid x Caerberllan Duscot) continued to show promise and improvement, with their Intermediate B and Freestyle rewarded with 68.500% and 68.111%.
Also celebrating progress was Grade II rider Jason Inchley and his own Rubin Ryella, whose top result came in the Intermediate A with 68.597%. Posting on social media, Jason said, “Happy to have improved a lot on our last international. Ella is a complete superstar.” He thanked the venue and stewards before adding that it was “nice to be back with the para family again,” perfectly summing up the supportive atmosphere and camaraderie amongst competitors.
CPEDI1*
Grade IV rider Ellie Hamilton made a return to the competition arena with her own Twynmelyn Aderyn Du following the gelding’s eye surgery. Their week included a promising 65.250% in the Novice A and 67.333% in the Novice B.
“It was his first competition in 12 months, and he made me so proud. He did two lovely tests on days one and two, and we were really grateful that Sophie Wells warmed us up and helped calm a few nerves! On day three, he found the music really exciting, which led to a few expensive mistakes, but I couldn’t be prouder of how he coped, especially since he can now only see out of one eye. He might not be a world-beater, but boy, does he try hard for me, and that means more than anything,” Ellie said, clearly proud of her dancing partner.
The CPEDI1* competition also saw Lacey Ohara (Grade II) with Blue Diamond and Isabella Benfield (Grade III) with Cookies And Cream gain invaluable international experience across all three tests.
Congratulations to all the competitors, their horses and support teams, and thanks go to the team at Wellington Riding, the stewards, and everyone who supported this successful show.
Results – top three
CPEDI3*
Grade I Grand Prix A
1. Clodagh Walsh and Chantal, 70.070% (IRL)
Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Clodagh Walsh and Chantal, 72.014% (IRL)
Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Clodagh Walsh and Chantal, 73.478% (IRL)
Grade II Grand Prix A
1. Suzanna Hext and Inferno, 72.586% (GBR)
2. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 70.632% (GBR)
3. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 70.517% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 72.389% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 71.778% (GBR)
3. Suzanna Hext and Inferno, 70.833% (GBR)
Grade II Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 76.200% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Faside Got The Love, 73.467% (GBR)
3. Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song, 71.500% (GBR)
Grade III Grand Prix A
1. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 70.778% (IRL)
2. Kate Kerr-Horan and Lykkebo's Don Akino, 70.111% (IRL)
3. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 68.833% (IRL)
Grade III Grand Prix B
1. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 73.222% (IRL)
2. Jessica Mckenna and D.C.I Cerruti, 69.444% (IRL)
3. Kate Kerr-Horan and Lykkebo's Don Akino, 69.278% (IRL)
Grade III Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Kate Kerr-Horan and Lykkebo's Don Akino, 71.611% (IRL)
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Midline Rioja, 68.633% (GBR)
3. Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 64.723% (IRL)
Grade IV Grand Prix A
1. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 69.537% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Denver, 68.565% (GBR)
3. Heather Bennett and Venus Gemini Dhi, 68.148% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 70.676% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Denver, 68.599% (GBR)
3. Heather Bennett and Venus Gemini Dhi, 66.531% (GBR)
Grade IV Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Laura Scott and Cei Summer Days, 74.225% (GBR)
2. Fiona Maynard and Denver, 72.392% (GBR)
3. Katie Radzik and Showkia, 69.692% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix A
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 69.915% (GBR)
2. Elizabeth Mcburney and Bangalore C, 64.957% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 63.547% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix B
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 69.035% (GBR)
2. Elizabeth Mcburney and Bangalore C, 64.605% (GBR)
3. Alice Begg and Kiolita, 62.895% (GBR)
Grade V Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 72.567% (GBR)
2. Elizabeth Mcburney and Bangalore C, 68.325% (GBR)
CPEDI2*
Grade I Intermediate A
1. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 65.209% (GBR)
Grade I Intermediate B
1. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 68.500% (GBR)
Grade I Intermediate Freestyle
1. Alisha Robbins and Framsham Fella, 68.111% (GBR)
Grade II Intermediate A
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 68.597% (GBR)
Grade II Intermediate B
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 62.500% (GBR)
Grade II Intermediate Freestyle
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 66.222% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate A
1. Roseanne Knox and With Love JM, 71.667% (GBR)
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 68.571% (GBR)
3. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 66.111% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate B
1. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 69.355% (GBR)
2. Roseanne Knox and With Love JM, 67.688% (GBR)
3. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 66.398% (GBR)
Grade III Intermediate Freestyle
1. Roseanne Knox and With Love JM, 70.112% (GBR)
2. Vicky Earnshaw and Prince Pepe, 69.878% (GBR)
3. Isabella Benfield and Lamborghini, 69.312% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate A
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 64.067% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate B
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 63.710% (GBR)
Grade IV Intermediate Freestyle
1. Sara Louise Bates and Solo Hit 2, 65.350% (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate A
1. Flossie England and Sankro, 66.548% (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate B
1. Flossie England and Sankro, 67.323% (GBR)
Grade V Intermediate Freestyle
1. Flossie England and Sankro, 69.775% (GBR)
CPEDI1*
Grade II Novice A
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 64.792% (GBR)
Grade II Novice B
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 64.792% (GBR)
Grade II Novice Freestyle
1. Lacey Ohara and Blue Diamond, 62.900% (GBR)
Grade III Novice A
1. Isabella Benfield and Cookies And Cream, 62.084% (GBR)
Grade III Novice B
1. Isabella Benfield and Cookies And Cream, 63.542% (GBR)
Grade IV Novice A
1. Ellie Hamilton and Twynmelyn Aderyn du, 65.250% (GBR)
2. Keeley Helen Squires and Landis High Society, 59.333% (GBR)
Grade IV Novice B
1. Ellie Hamilton and Twynmelyn Aderyn du, 67.333% (GBR)
Grade IV Novice Freestyle
1. Ellie Hamilton and Twynmelyn Aderyn du, 63.433% (GBR)
Photo © Charlotte Bury Photography
