The British quartet reigned supreme in the Nations Cup at Compiègne CDIO5* in France on 18 – 21 May 2017). British team Olympian Spencer Wilton and Super Nova spearheaded their campaign to victory by winning the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with personal best scores.
The team competition got underway on Saturday 20 May 2017 with the CDIO5* Grand Prix which belonged to Berkshire-based Spencer Wilton (44) with his Rio silver medal partner, Super Nova II. In the final quarter of the start list, Spencer and ‘Neville’, Jen Goodman’s De Niro x Weltmeyer 14-year-old, took the class with 75.32% ahead of Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg with the 15-year-old stallion, Damsey (by Dressage Royal x Ritual).
Hayley Watson-Greaves and her long term partner Rubins Nite placed eighth with 71.52%, and the relatively new combination of Gareth Hughes and Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo earned 70.40% for 13th. Daniel Watson and Amadeus, Nicola Naylor’s Olivi x Sandro Hit gelding, also did a great job. They pair were awarded a creditable 68.06% for 22nd.
In pole position overnight, the team pulled out all the stops on Sunday to maintain the advantage. Spencer and Neville just get better and better. Again, they performed with great conviction, this time winning the Grand Prix Special by a 5% margin with a new Personal Best of 78.35%. And Gareth Hughes and ‘Darcy’ finished seventh in line with a solid 70.07%.
On to Sunday afternoon’s freestyle, the conclusion of the team competition. Dan and Amadeus posted a solid 71.17% for 13th, and last to go, Hayley and ‘Squeaks’, were justly awarded 75.32% for an expressive performance to their Chris Lever composition. Hayley finished an impressive third behind winner Helen Langehanenberg and Patrik Kittel. And so, UK's four riders did themselves proud, taking their place at the top of the podium ahead of runners-up, the Netherlands, and Sweden in third.
Text by British Dressage - Photos © Astrid Appels
Eurodressage's Astrid Appels was on the scene taking photos of all riders (we shot almost everyone). If you are interested in digital files or prints for personal use, social media, contact us.
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