Murray-Brown and Tomlinson prevail at 2020 CDI Le Mans

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2020 CDI Le Mans

Sonnar Murray-Brown made a winning return to international competition at the 2020 CDI Le Mans on 14 - 16 February 2020 following time-out with a broken leg. Laura Tomlinson stormed the Grand Prix Special with exciting prospect, Rose of Bavaria.

Erlentanz from Dujardin Back with Owner

Friday’s Grand Prix was a competitive affair with the top five all above 70% but it was Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz who were top-scoring, signalling the first international win for the Gloucestershire-based World Class Podium Potential rider. Sonnar and ‘Erly’, his 13 year old Latimer-sired gelding, produced an elegant, beautifully balanced Grand Prix to take the class on 73.65% ahead of Finland’s Henri Ruoste with Kontestro DB (72.89%) and Denmark’s Anders Dahl with Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof (71.56%) who completed the top three.

Erlentanz was competed by trainer Charlotte Dujardin in 2019 as Sonnar recovered from a broken leg. In the autumn he got back on board of this own Trakehner and first did a few national shows before crossing the Channel to compete at the CDI Le Mans.

Gareth Hughes and the low-mileage 14 year old, KK Woodstock (by Wolkentanz II out of Landiosa), owned by Claudine Kroll, were fourth on 71.37% despite a costly mistake in the one-tempis, but the overall picture was super. Laura Tomlinson and Rose of Bavaria were fifth on 70.87%. The 10 year old Bordeaux x Florestan I mare, owned by Wilfried Bechtolsheimer, had a few moments of greenness but she truly looks like a world class horse in the making.

Rose of Bavaria, One to Watch

All three Brits opted to ride in Sunday’s Grand Prix Special. Laura and Rose of Bavaria produced a beautifully composed test showing great suppleness and quiet power for a score of 74.34% and a clear lead ahead of Finland’s Henri Ruoste and Kontestro DB (71.74%).

Sonner and Erly had a mistake in the one-tempi changes, which was expensive, however 71.53% was enough to secure them a podium place. Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock presented an excellent picture, but also with an unfortunate blip in the one-time changes, as well as a mistake in the changes on the centre line. This was expensive but the overall quality was awarded 70.85% for fourth.

“I’m super thrilled with her,” Laura told British Dressage about Rose of Bavaria, who is affectionately known as Betty.

“She’s awesome; very talented and with an awesome temperament, and this was only her second ever Special. “On the first day she was quite tired and some green mistakes crept in, but we’d had a hold up at the Channel Tunnel and she was just not quite herself. For the Special, I adapted my warm up. Normally, Betty's a power rocket but in the Special she still felt a little heavier than normal, though she never let me down or gave up. She’s a fighter which is a wonderful feeling. We had a mistake in the first set of ones, and a mistake behind in the changes on the centre line, so I’m thrilled that we won on that mark with still so much more to come."

Clearly enthusiastic about their future, Laura concluded, “I’m super excited about her. I’ve never had a horse that’s that powerful and sharp - that’s got the AMG - but is also non-spooky and uncomplicated. With Storm Dennis, the indoor in Le Mans was groaning but Betty wasn’t fussed at all. Not having to worry about everything else going on is a nice feeling. I am absolutely delighted.”