The 2014 British Dressage Championships are set to begin. Four days of exhilarating dressage action gets underway on 18 September 2014 with 22 championship titles up for grabs, ranging from preliminary to grand prix – including the thrilling Young Horse Championship.
Held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, dressage darling Carl Hester will be vying to attain his ninth National Champion title and break the all-time record –currently co-held by himself and Jennie Loriston-Clarke at eight titles apiece.
In the Grand Prix, Carl will be riding Jenny Green’s 13-year-old stallion Fine Time and Aram Gregory’s Donnerschwee gelding, Dances With Wolves. Both chestnuts have been on fiery form this year but face stiff competition from fellow WEG team mate Michael Eilberg and his father’s 14-year-old Latvian gelding Marakov; Daniel Watson and Susie Farnon’s 14-year-old Fidermark gelding Fideramber could also challenge Mr Hester’s record break as they’ve enjoyed great international success in the past year. Other ones to watch include Nikki Crisp (Pasoa), Becky Moody (Caluna) , Spencer Wilton (Numberto) and eventer Ruth Edge (Shadowfax).
It’s a battle of the Hutton family on Thursday and Friday as Pippa, Pammy and Charlie go head-to-head in the Prix St Georges and Inter I Championships. Charlie will be riding Charlotte Dunkerton’s 12-year-old Danish gelding Douglas IV in both classes and Judy Peploe’s ten year old Westphalian gelding Super Blue in the Inter I. Sister, Pippa will also chasing the two titles on her and her mother’s Dimaggio mare, Duela whilst mum Pammy aims to top the leader board with her and her son’s Don Perignon gelding Abira.
Another family pitting against one another in Prix St Georges and Inter I is the Eilbergs. Fresh from WEG, Michael Eilberg looks like a strong contender in the PSG with crowd favourite, the undefeated eight year old British-bred mare, Woodlander Farouche – owned by Ferdi Eilberg and Alison Walton. He’ll also be riding Julie Deverill’s ten year old Dimaggio mare, Half Moon Dynasty in the Inter I; crowned the Inter I Freestyle champion at the 2014 British Winter Dressage Championships earlier this year, the British-bred mare is definitely one to watch. Competing in both classes with Michael is Julie Deverill’s 11-year-old Furst Heinrich gelding, Fuerst Sinclair whilst sister, Maria will be looking to beat her brother in both classes with Penny Pollard and Hermione Black’s 11-year-old Oldenberg stallion, Royal Concert.
On Saturday and Sunday, WEG team silver medallist Gareth Hughes will be hosting the insightful and inspiring Master Class; bringing three horses along to illustrate his points, the 30-minute demo is not to be missed! The weekend also features rider, trainer and BBC commentator, Judy Harvey giving her take on what makes a great freestyle test and father-daughter duo, Paul and Bobby Hayler join forces with western riders David and Sarah Deptford as they perform a Dressage Meets Western quadrille.
Related Links
Horobin, Blackmore, Thurman-Baker Win 2014 British Youth Riders Championships
Junior Rider Charlotte Fry Wins PSG Kur at 2014 British Indoor Championships
Eilberg and Half Moon Dynasty Win Inter I Kur at 2014 British Indoor Championships