Great Britain’s Rebecca Edwards and the 11-year old Don Archie (by Dimaggio) took the triple to win the young riders classes on the first week of competition at the 2015 Barcelona Dressage Tour CDI on 19 - 22 March 2015. While Edwards reigned thrice she always had Spanish Cristina Torrent Moll on her heels.
Edwards brought a familiar face down South to compete. Bred by Suzanne Lavandera, the British Hanoverian Don Archie (by Dimaggio) has been Carl Hester's horse in the past nd was last competed at national small tour level by Charlotte Dujardin, followed by New Zealand Grand Prix rider Vanessa Way at international small tour in the summer of 2014. Now owned by Edwards, Don Archie has proven himself to be a perfect Young Riders' mount.
The pair won the team, individual and kur tests with 68.991%, 69.167% and 73.875% and always edged out Spanish rival Cristina Torrent Moll and her 14-year old mare De Vic on 68.070%, 69.079%, and 71.333%.
“At the CDI both my horses felt really good and confident,” says Rebecca who also competed on her 14-year old Lusitano bred Ufano. “However they did not like the cold, wet weather!”
Previously owned by Carl Hester, Don Archie was acquired by Hester as a 4-year old. Carl felt that Rebecca and Don Archie would suit each other and Carl kindly agreed to sell him to Rebecca in October 2014.
Making the three day trip from the UK to Barcelona, Rebecca says the driving was shared between her mum and her groom Julie, and all in all their small horse truck travelled 1000 miles.
“The horses arrived well and Don Archie is typically a very friendly horse who loves attention," Edwards explained. "He has not competed much but he learns quickly and we are both gaining confidence together in the arena. Both horses love their work and love to please.”
With her own family training yard near Henley-on-Thames , England, Rebecca is working with Carl Hester, whom she visits for two days every month. Rebecca also has two mares in training at home, an 8-year old by Duino and a 6-year old by Florencio, plus two 4-year old colts by Desperados and Furst Fugger, which all keep her busy as she works full time as rider and manager of their home training yard Bexley Stud.
"My plan for 2015 is to be selected for the 2015 European Young Riders Championships in July with one of my horses. Both horses will also compete in the Small Tour at national and international shows this year," she added. "In training we are always working on the all important basics. You can never improve these too much. I have ridden Archie in only one other show before Barcelona and we are learning about each other still. We are still making mistakes due to misunderstandings."
Triple runner-up Cristina Torrent Moll purchased her bay Spanish bred mare De Vic (by Chagal out of Espina) in Menorca seven years ago and says that the horse has now matured into A very safe horse, which gives her a lot of confidence to ride.
“She has a big heart, I am surprised from competition to competition how much she grows and improves,” said Cristina.
Training in Menorcawith Antonio Segui, Cristina will compete at this week's CDI in Barcelona, followed by a national show in Valencia and then off to the CDI Madrid in May.
“With luck I hope to make it into the Spanish team again to participate in the European Championship to be held in Vidauban," she added.
Cristina is currently studying for a career in Business Administration, but her real dream is to fully devote herself to the world of dressage.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Celeste Ribo for Top Iberian - Astrid Appels
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