The first international of the year 2018 on British soil took place last week 16 – 18 March 2018 at Keysoe CDI3*/CDIYJP in Bedfordshire. The popular CDI typically attracts a host of talented Brits in the early stages of their annual campaigns, and this year was no exception.
Gareth Hughes dominated in the Big Tour classes with Briolinca (by Trento B x Royal Dance), a mare who has recently returned to the arena following a break from competition due to injury. British team rider Gareth (46) and 12-year-old Briolinca, who is owned by Gareth’s wife Rebecca, won the Grand Prix with 71.935%, ahead of rising Grand Prix star Sonnar Murray-Brown with his exciting prospect Erlentanz (68.891%).
Gareth was clearly very happy with his ride on the awesome bay; “She was super-hot and excited to be out with some little tense moments but [this was] balanced out by her wonderful highlights. It’s been a long journey back after the disappointment of a couple years of health setbacks, so we are all now very excited about this season ahead!” he said via Facebook.
Saturday night the Grand Prix Freestyle took centre stage. Gareth and Briolinca rode to their Tom Hunt compiled freestyle, the funky soundtrack matching the expressive horse completely. They were awarded a percentage score of 75.590 to take the lead from the debut combination of British Olympian Fiona Bigwood (41) with new ride Kjaerholm’s Abutsiaq (by Michellino x Limelight), a recently acquired 14-year-old.
In the Small Tour divisions Nathalie Kayal and Homerun had the time of their lives, taking the Prix St Georges, the Inter I and the Inter I Freestyle, the latter by a whopping four percent margin with plus-76% and the highest score of the show.
Nathalie took to Facebook to say; “Well he is my champion for sure. [I] could not have asked more of Homerun today I thought he might be tired but instead he came down that centre line, and for the first time he felt relaxed in the ring! In fact more than just relaxed, it was if he winked at me and said "after two national anthems played for me I think I've got this, just sit there and look pretty mum" wow what a ride he gave me to score 76+% today in the Inter I freestyle at Keysoe international. I'm beyond privileged to have this horse in my life!”
Maddy Whelan (15) contested both the Pony and Junior divisions. Remarkably for someone so young, she achieved a one-two in both the Junior classes – the Junior Team and Junior Individual. In the Junior Team, she took the honours with Sandy Phillips’ Diamond Hit-sired stallion, Diamond Design scoring 70.909%, ahead of her other ride, Peta Claridge’s Monsieur Pomerol.
In the Junior Individual, the tables were turned and it was Monsieur Pomerol with whom Maddy’s already achieved good international results, who had had the edge. The 17-year-old by Riccione was awarded 70.441%.
Sixteen-year-old Holly Cristofoli who was fifth in the Junior Team and fourth in the Individual raised her game to take the advantage in the Junior Freestyle. Partnered by Watch Me V, her 15-year-old son of Flemmingh she posted the winning score of 72.833% - a very impressive achievement for an international debut.
The British domination continued in the Childéric Saddles Pony divisions. Olivia Wrennall and her 10-year-old mare Donna Schuflo (by Don Schufro x Florett As), who’s known as Flo, claimed Friday’s Pony Team Test with 72.095%. Sophie Taylor and the 2017 British Young Pony six-year-old Champion, George Clooney BS were the stars of the Individual Test heading the leaderboard with 70.856%; whilst Team and Individual runners-up Isobel Lickley with the British team gold medal mare Valido’s Sunshine hit their stride to win the Freestyle with an outstanding 75.167%.
Text by British Dressage, edited by Eurodressage
Photos © Kevin Sparrow
Related Links
Scores 2018 CDI Keysoe