Alicia Lee has been forced to take a step back from Grand Prix level sport after her Under 25 Grand Prix horse Bonita sustained a minor injury this summer and had colic surgery in the autumn.
Lee, however, is making lemonade out of these lemons by staying focused on developing her dressage career as a professional with young horses.
Young Riders
Lee's number one in the barn is Bonita, a 2009 born Hanoverian mare by Benetton Dream out of Piu Bella Cosa (by Prince Thatch xx x Weltmeyer x Karon). She is bred by Carsten Kuls.
Lee has owned Bonita since 2015 and the combination made its big break through at international Young Riders level in 2020. They were one of two British young riders to make the journey to the 2020 European Young Riders Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, Hungary, where they placed 17th in the team and individual test with 69.677% and 69.500%. They qualified for the Freestyle finals, but Bonita did not pass the horse inspection before the freestyle.
Under 25
Two months after the Europeans they made her Intermediaire II debut in Britain at the regional show at Kings Equestrian, where she earned a 73.95%.
They got in their miles at U25 level in 2021 under the wings of coaches Daren Mattia and Carl Hester and last competed in the Inter II at the beginning of July at Hartpury where they were second in the national class with 70.044%.
They ended up short listed for British team selection for the 2021 European Under 25 Championships in Hagen, Germany, but did not make the final cut as she sustained a minor injury in the summer.
"It’s really unfortunate timing and a heartbreaking decision to have to make but Bonita means everything to me and is obviously my priority," Lee shared on her social media at the time. "We have had such a great season and she has exceeded all of my expectations by making the jump so effortlessly from young riders to U25s. But they are horses, not machines and sometimes injuries happen."
Ripple Effect
A ripple effect of misfortune followed. In September Alicia bruised her ankle and had to walk around in an air boot for a while, and a month ago, Bonita underwent colic surgery. Fortunately the mare is on the road to recovery.
"I am very grateful that she is ok and she is recovering from it really well," Lee told Eurodressage. "Really bad luck," she added.
In March 2021 she received the ride on Sadie Smith's 14-year old Grand Prix level competed Keystone Dynamite (by Dimaggio x Escudo) as a schoolmaster, but after two national shows in April the combination ceased to be. Jenny Colbourne, an 18-year old student of Sadie Smith, has taken over the ride on the temperamental chestnut.
As a young business professional Alicia stays active in the saddle and has been competing the 5-year old Daimus (by Dimaggio x Donnerhall) in four preliminary classes in August, winning them all. She is also training the 3-year olds Indigo (by Don Index x Prince Thatch xx) and Della Ballerina (Destacado x Weltmeyer).
Photo © Astrid Appels
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