The new team at Somerford Dressage Premier League promised positive changes and they certainly didn’t disappoint! Three fantastic days provided great crowds with top action at the Cheshire venue. The 2015 CDN Somerford was supposed to be the stage for Half Moon Delphi's return to the competition ring since the 2014 World Equestrian Games but the mare was withdrawn from the show last minute.
The FEI classes were packed with stars. In Friday’s Inter II, Gareth Hughes made it a hattrick of consecutive Premier League wins with wife Rebecca’s Briolinca with 69.82 while Bobby Hayler took the Under 25 grand prix with the Rubioso N stallion Aldborough Rubenhall on 67.09%. Laura Tomlinson introduced us to a new stable star in the Prix St Georges, Capri Sonne Jr and they were convincing winners with 74.82%.
On Saturday, the crowds were treated to the unveiling of Carl Hester’s latest grand prix ride, Wanadoo, owned by Coral Ingham and as ever, he did it with style to win on 71.4%. Carl’s had the Wolkenstein II chestnut in his yard for about three months and, having been well produced by Coral, the horse was ready to debut at Somerford. The test was calm and obedient and, while there were a few communication lapses, the basics are in place with a promising passage.
Carl was clearly delighted with Wanadoo's performance (pictured) and is hopeful for the future; “Obviously there are lots of little bits and pieces to work on for the future but he’s really exciting. I was really please because he was so genuine. In an atmosphere like this you don’t know what to expect; will he be spooky, will he look at everything but not at all – he was very promising and I’m looking forward to bringing him on further,” he said after the prize giving, stuffed monkey in hand (courtesy of sponsors Knowsley Safari Park). Just second on 70.8% was Michael Eilberg with Lynne Crowden’s Woodlander Dornroschen in only her third grand prix start.
Michael put any disappointment behind him to dominate on Sunday, heading up the mammoth prix st georges with exciting talent Der Designer, owned by Elena Knyaginicheva with a personal best of 76.14%. He then took the grand prix special with his father’s Marakov, the reigning national champion, with 72.71% and finished the day with a crowd-pleasing performance with Woodlander Farouche, owned by Alison Walton and Ferdi, to take the Inter I with 76.05%.
The final FEI class, the PSG Freestyle, went to Becky Moody with Carinsio. ‘Jack’ gets better with every outing and they won nearly 6% ahead of nearest rivals, Claire Moir and Davenport Bewes, on 76.08%.
The youth classes were headed by Phoebe Peters who took both the FEI pony team and individual tests with mum Tracy’s SL Lucci with fabulous scores of 79.79% and 79.72% respectively. In the Juniors, Erin Williams was a winner with new ride Bolsan B on 69.14% in the team test while Ella Cotterill with Casablanca was the victor in the individual. The Young Rider Team test was claimed by British-based Swedish rider Victoria Appleyard with Sir Willy on 70.39% while long listed Robyn Smith boosted her selection chances with a win on Foold Uz in the individual on 70.44%.
Charlotte Dujardin certainly has an eye on the future and dominated the young horse classes, taking three of the six titles on offer. With her own Vivaldi-sired 5-year old she gained a ticket to Hickstead in the National British Young Horse qualifier and riding for the Mount St John stud, she also earned a Hickstead spot with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle, by Fidermark. A win in the Potential International Dressage Horse 4-year olds with Mount St John Top Secret also gave Charlotte a place at the LeMieux National Championships. Lucy Cartright (San Marco), Oliva Towers (Mercian Edjena) and Darren Hicks were also young horse winners.
Text by British Dressage, edited by Eurodressage
Complete scores here.
Related Links
Capri Sonne Jr Sold to Bechtolsheimer Family
Exciting 2015 Calendar Changes for British Dressage
Carl Hester and Isobel Wessels Shine at 2012 CDN Somerford