Gray, Dovey, Graham, Haerr Win 2024 British Youth Riders Championships

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2024 British Dressage Championships

Pony rider Abigail Gray, children rider Ella-Grace Dovey, junior rider Myles Graham, and young rider Morgan Haerr won the British Youth Riders Championships held at the National Championships in Somerford Park on 12 - 15 September 2024.

The titles in the British Under 21 Championships are based one just one class unlike in other countries where the youth riders have to perform in three tests to determine the winners.

Pony Riders: Abigail Gray

In the Pony Championship, it was a spectacular win for Abigail Gray and George Clooney B.S with a score of 73.857%, judged by Islay Auty (E), Pam Bushell (C) and Jenny Ward (M).

When asked about her test Abigail told us, “George felt really relaxed, it was a great test, and our highlight was probably the simple changes as one of the judges gave us a 9.”

Abigail describes her win today as “really incredible, it really is a dream come true and I’m really grateful for George for trying his hardest. He loves hacking and competing, he’s such a showman. He’s a really big foodie, his favourite treat is bananas.”

This is Abigail's last year with George, as she reaches the top of the age bracket. She plans to enjoy the rest of her time with him and hopes to compete in Juniors next year.

Second place went to Daisy Bullman and the 8-year old pony Godrics Dionysus (by Danger) with third going to Lily Cawley and former British team pony Cognac IX (by FS Chambertin x Waldemar).

A total of 6 riders competed in the Pony Nationals. British pony team rider Darcey Blaze Marcus opted out, Sophia Games rode at junior level.

Children: Ella-Grace Dovey

European Children Champion Ella-Grace Dovey and the 11-year-old gelding Sheepcote Jackson rose to victory in the Children Championship with a top score of 76.925%.

Speaking on her test today, “he was a really good boy, we had a few mistakes but the highlights of the test for me were the medium trots, the best one’s we’ve done so far. The medium canters were also on point. Just obviously the few mistakes brought it down but the mistakes on my back not him.”

Ella-Grace has had a busy year, recently returning from the Europeans adding, “I was aiming for a medal, but I wasn’t expecting gold!”

At home Sheepcote Jackson is described as “the sweetest horse that always wants more attention. He’s really funny because he doesn’t like you spending time with any other horse.”

The duo has only been a partnership for four months and they now aim to contest the Aachen Young Stars Children on Horses classes over Christmas to complete their time in this age category, but in the meantime, they plan to work on changes to go out at Juniors next year.

Olivia Luscombe and the 15-year old Rosewater Chamonix (by FS Champion de Luxe) claim second place with Rocky Leahy and the 18-year old Damocles LL (by Chinnor Democrat) finishing in third.

Four riders competed in the British Children Championships.

Junior Riders: Myles Graham

Junior team stalwart Myles Graham and the 17-year-old mare Nibeley Union Hit (by Nibeley Union Jack x Sandro Hit) secured the win in the Junior Championship with a fantastic score of 71.364%.

Talking of his test today, Myles said, “It was a harmonious, beautiful picture and that’s what the judge was looking for. Every stride was a joy with that mare.” The combination have been together for three years and have had great success so far including attending three European Championships with three medals, Myles describes her as “just an outstanding mare.”

Myles describes his National title as “a dream come true; the atmosphere is absolutely amazing. All the buzz, all the joy. Everyone’s worked so hard to get here, it’s just the centre of British Dressage.”

When asked about Caroline Bell's top class mare, Myles told us, “she loves her tummy! Her favourite snack is bananas and polos. After every test she’ll come out and look for the Polos. She’s a character!”

Speaking of his hopes for the future he concluded, “we’re going to aim for Young Riders and Juniors next year and see how it goes, but overall, she’s going to have a nice quiet winter and a well-deserved break.”

Pony rider Sofia Games made the definitive move onto horses at the end of her last year on ponies and with Boccelli (by Belissimo M x Riccione) she finished in second place with a score of 69.798%, followed by Isabella Caldwell and the British Hanoverian gelding Don Geniro (by Don Kennedy) in third.

Just four riders competed in the Junior Championships. British Junior Team riders Mette Dahl, Ruby Hughes and Isla Sully were not entered.

Young Riders: Morgan Haerr

Scoring 69.363%, Morgan Haerr and her own 18-year old KWPN bred Behroez (by United x Gribadi) were crowned winners in the Young Riders Championship.

Morgan was overjoyed with Behroez and told us, “he gave me a really good feel in the arena which was really good. He was a bit spooky as I went around the white boards, so I was a bit worried at first but as soon as we entered the boards, he put on his showman mode, he was really good so I’m really super pleased.”

“I’ve had him for just over a year now and I feel like we’re finally starting to click, which I think today our test showed that so I’m very pleased with him.” Morgan continued. She took over the ride and ownership of Behroez from British based French youth team rider Camille Audo.

At 18.3hh, Morgan admitted it’s not always been easy with her tall gelding, “there’s definitely been some ups and downs because he’s such a big horse. Learning to ride such a big horse, especially those 8 metre circles but I feel like we’re finally starting to get them.”

Behroez is described as the “biggest sweetheart, such a big gentle giant. The girl that works for us is only around 5ft and everyone can handle him, everyone can lead him in. He’s a really, really good boy.”

Speaking on future plans, Morgan tells us she’s hoping to compete at more CDI’s and tells us, “I’d like to fly the Great Britain flag a bit more at the Young Rider level and then hopefully the Europeans on him.”

Daisy Hills and the 14-year old Danish bred Midtgaards Gijon (by Gribaldi x Michellino) were second with a score of 64.118%.

Only two riders competed in the Championship. The entire team that showed at the European Young Riders Championships was absent (Durman-Mills, Gould, Lickley, Tottman).