Gareth Hughes and Classic Sandman secured the top spots in both the grand prix and intermediate II classes at the British national dressage competition at Myerscough College, Lancashire 10-13 March. With an impressive 70.78% the pair won the grand prix a clear 6.67% ahead of their second placed contenders. In the intermediate II class Gareth scooped both first and second place on Classic Sandman and Jane Brewin’s DV Stenkjers Nadonna with 71.14% and 68.60% respectively.
After suffering an injury in 2007 Classic Sandman’s career was put on hold until Hartpury Premier League in July 2010 when the Dutch gelding made his first grand prix appearance and scored 64.11%, “He had an awful long time off and wasn’t ready at Hartpury,” Gareth explained. “We got him out to see how he was and to give us a clearer idea of where he was at that level. We’ve worked on him through the winter and have brought him out at Myerscough.”
The 17hh liver chesnut by Jazz showed exceptional talent in 2007, winning the PSG and intermediate I titles at the National Championships, and securing the PSG and intermediate I freestyle at Hickstead CDI3*, his first international show of this level.
Gareth told British Dressage, “He’s one of the best horses I’ve had so it was hard when he was off. You don’t know if they are ever going to come back, you just cross your fingers and get on with it. Injury is common in high level sports whether it is equestrian or human. He is big moving and impressive in how he moves and it doesn’t help in their development, but if he comes back from this stronger then maybe it was a blessing in disguise.”
Discussing Sandman’s performance Gareth said, “This was his first intermediate II and he wasn’t perfect, he’s still wobbly and needs more confidence and focus in the arena. But sometimes you get these horses, and for one that hasn’t been out for so long he has a wonderful character and really tried his heart out; you just hope that the judges are seeing what you are feeling!”
Gareth’s results at Myerscough College Premier League have gained him two qualifications for the intermediate II and one qualification for the grand prix class at the National Championships, Stoneleigh Park in September, “It’s a huge relief to have Sandman back; he can have a very bright future at this level. There’s something about him that attracts people, at every show for the last three years people have asked about him and now they are saying ‘It’s so good to see him back’.”
Elaine Seely and her Riverside bred gelding Robbie Williams are trained by Gareth and scored a massive 82% to take the British Young Horse Championship International 5 year old Qualifer and 78.80% to clinch the British Young Horse Championship National 5 year old Qualifer. The compact 16.1hh chestnut was imported by Gareth from Germany as a weanling and has been owned by Elaine for two years, “He’s the perfect package.” She said, “He has an incredible temperament, a really sweet disposition and is gorgeous to ride. Team Hughes had a brilliant weekend between Gareth’s inter II and grand prix, Lucy Fallen’s inter I, Rebecca (Hughes) six year old qualifier and Robbie’s wins; I think Gareth should be very proud of us all!”
13 year old Erin Williams from Derbyshire also impressed at the Lancashire show taking first and second place in the Pony Team Test on her 14.2hh’s Danny Boy B and Dynasty.
Grand Prix
Gareth Hughes and Classic Sandman, 70.78%
Grand Prix Freestyle
Luis Principe and WP Washington, 66.08%
Intermediare II
Gareth Hughes and Classic Sandman, 71.14%
Gareth Hughes and DV Stenkjers Nadonna, 68.60%
Intermediare I
Lucy Fallen and Nurejev, 68.86%
Prix St Georges (a)
Ruth Edge and Shadowfax, 66.93%
Prix St Georges (b)
Paul Hayler and Fabioso, 69.21%
Prix St Georges
Lisa Marriott and Saphira, 66.40%
Wellington Riding Direct Music Free Style Prix St George
Kate Attlee and Corbiere, 72.50%
British Young Horse Championship National Qualifier 5 year old
Elaine Seely and Robbie Williams, 78.80%
British Young Horse Championship National Qualifier 6 year old
Rebecca Hughes and Classic Annette Ballerina, 78.60%
British Young Horse Championship International Qualifer 5 year old
Elaine Seely and Robbie Williams, 82.00%
British Young Horse Championship International Qualifer 6 year old
Roland Tong and Ambience IV, 81.00%
Young Riders
Amy Woodhead and Pardon, 68.16%
Pony Team Test
Erin Williams and Dynasty, 70.83%
Erin Williams and Danny Boy B, 70.56%
Junior Team Test
Jessica Knapton and Remarkable, 71.08%
Text and Photo © British Dressage
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