British Grand Prix team member Fiona Bigwood is back to business after a baby break that sidelined her for more than nine months. With her British team horse Mr G de Lully and her second Grand Prix horse Nector van het Carelshof she will be competing in the World Cup qualifiers
this winter in order to obtain a berth in the 2007 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, USA, April 18-21, 2007.
Bigwood and her partner Anders Dahl, a member of the Danish WEG team, became the proud parents of baby girl Mette Clare Dahl on July 22, 2006. Motherhood has changed Bigwood’s perspective on life. “I love being a mother. It has changed me a lot because horses meant everything to me before, but now she is the most important thing in my life. She is just amazing,” Bigwood said.
Nonetheless, Fiona has not given up her ambitions and drive to be a top level dressage rider. “It was quite easy to get back in the saddle. Anders kept the horses fit and going really well. Riding Mr G again is like getting back on an old friend. He is like he was a year ago; very relaxed but with much energy. Riding his piaffe and passage still makes me smile everyday. He has so much talent for this.” she said. “It is getting my own fitness back that proves to be more difficult,” she added jokingly.
Fiona decided not to wait too long to re-enter the show ring -- “The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to get back in the routine” and she returned to the international scene with much style. She made her come back at the CDI-W Kaposvar in Hungary in the beginning of October and was 5 th and 8 th with Nector in the World Cup Qualifier 6 th and 2 nd with Mr G de Lully in the Grand Prix Special tour. Bigwood and her two mounts went up in the ranking one week later at the World Cup Qualifier in Aarhus , Denmark . In the Special tour, Fiona scored 68.6 % and 69.8 with Mr G, placing second twice. Aboard Nector, she scored 67.1% in the Grand Prix and a fantastic 72.30% in the Kur to Music.
Not only is it great for Bigwood to be back in business, but her come back with the world class Belgian warmblood gelding Nector van het Carelshof (by Randel Z) is exhilarating. The now 16-year old bay gelding who was very successful under Ingrid Klimke is back in sport and in great condition. “It was not easy getting the ride back off Anders after he has ridden Nector for a year. He is such a lovely horse who is always light and great to ride. He has so much natural ability and is so young at heart. He loves shows, and often has too much energy because he’s always wanting to do it. ” Bigwood explained. Fiona hopes to ride Nector at the 2007 World Cup Finals and had special music made for them. “I had this music done two years ago and never got to ride it. This has been my goal with him, to ride this kur. The music is light and fun which fits him perfectly.”
Though the 2007 World Cup Finals are Fiona’s short time goal, like every other international dressage rider, she is working towards the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. With Mr G de Lully and Nector van het Carelshof as her Grand Prix partners, she can realistically aim for this dream. Bigwood has also secured her future by owning several world class quality young horses, including the breeding stallions Lowelas (Hockey x Inster Graditz) and the 30-day stallion test winner and Bundeschampionate finalist Dramatic (Don Frederico x Weltmeyer) which stand up for stud at Ferienhof Stucker in Weeze, Germany.
Photos copyrighted: Wiegaarden / Ridehesten - No reproduction allowed
Related Links
Fiona Bigwood and Anders Dahl become proud parents of a baby girl
Mr G de Lully to be Competed by Anders Dahl
Trakehner Stallion Lowelas Sold to Fiona Bigwood
Mr G de Lully Sold to Fiona Bigwood
Nector van het Carelshof Sold to Fiona Bigwood