Carl Hester and the Dutch warmblood stallion Uthopia set a new British national Grand Prix record at the Premier League (CDN) competition in Addington, Great Britain, on 2 May 2012. After withdrawing from the 2012 CDN Hagen because Uthopia pulled a shoe last week, Hester made him come back to the show ring a few days later to produce a whopping score of 83.29%.
Hester and Uthopia have been taking it easy over the winter with only one start at the 2011 CDI-W London in December 2011. The new record they set broke Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris' previous one set at the 2010 CDI-W London.
Owned by Hester in partnership with Sasha Stewart, Uthopia has big shoes to fill with stall mate Valegro setting a new Grand Prix Special World Record on Saturday 28 April. The pair appeared a bit ring rusty in the Grand Prix at Addington as Uthopia attempted to break in both extended trots. Nevertheless the horse looked fresh and fit and was flying through the movements.
Hester and Fiona Bigwood's Hanoverian gelding Wie Atlantico (by Wie Weltmeyer) finished second with almost 10% less, on 73.54%. Carl has taken over the ride on the chestnut gelding as Bigwood is about to give birth to her third child.
Gareth Hughes and Jane Brewin’s Danish warmblood mare Nadonna (by Donnerschlag x Fruhling) posted a score of 70.28% to slot in third.
Photos © Risto Aaltonen (Image Gallery below)
Results - Grand Prix - 2012 CDN Addington
Judges: Prain, Wessels, Pidgley
- 1. Carl Hester - Uthopia - 83.298
- 2. Carl Hester - Wie Atlantico - 73.546
- 3. Gareht Hughes - Nadonna - 70.284
- 4. Michael Eilberg - Marakov - 69.574
- 5. Daniel Sheriff - Dallaglio - 68.723
- 6. Peter Storr - Belmondino - 66.305
- 7. Vicky Thompson Winfield - Tristel - 67.305
- 8. Ulrik Molgaard - Michigan - 67.128
- 9. Rhett Bird - Cascade - 66.560
- 10. Mette Lubker Assouline - Forrest Gump - 66.383
- 11. Lisa Hopkins - Walkman - 65.638
- 12. Rhett Bird - Donzello - 65.177
- 13. Beverley Brightman - De Delux - 65.071
- 14. Gillian MacDonald - Schwarzkopf - 64.539
- 15. John Fullick - Soverign Marque - 63.936
- 16. Ruth Hurst - Latin Lover - 61.525
- 17. Roland Tong - Pompidou - 61.312
- 18. Louise Davison - What's Cooking Delia - 61.206
- 19. Andrew Gould - DW Belissimo - 61.170
- 20. Debby Lush - Holme Grove Merlin - 61.064
- 21. Becky Moody - Wallenstein - 58.972
- 22. Georgina Stuart - Ehrendour - 57.730
- 23. Lisa McAlpine - Pzazz - 56.170
Complete scores from Addington: 1 May - 2 May - 3 May
Related Links
Carl Hester Withdraws Uthopia from 2012 CDI Hagen
World Record Score for Dujardin and Valegro in 2012 CDI Hagen Grand Prix Special