Premier, Game On, Della Ballerina, Magic Dream Win 2024 British Young Horse Championships

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2024 British Dressage Championships

The 4-year old Premier, the 5-year old Game On, the 6-year old della Ballerina, and the 7-year old Magic Dream became the winners of the young horse championship classes held at the 2024 British Dressage Championships at Somerford Parl on 13 - 15 September 2024.

4-YO: Premier

Jezz Palmer rode the extremely talented Dutch warmblood gelding Premier (by First Date x Governor) owned by Martin Price, to win the Young Dressage Horse Four-Year-Old final.

The young gelding impressed judge Isobel Wessels and trainer judge Spencer Wilton to achieve an incredible score of 9 for their ‘way of going’ and a 9.5 for the ‘general impression’. The only four-year-old to achieve scores of 9 or above. The partnership between rider and horse is so quintessential to how a horse performs, “I think it is great that we have a partnership like we do now, I always take my time with the young ones, doing little and often. They get to know me, and they trust me” Jezz shares.

Reflecting on his outstanding score Jezz spoke to us about how the Dutch gelding felt, “he was so chilled, he felt so good and through his body. I had Dannie Morgan helping me in the warmup, and we thought he felt and looked great, so we left him.” The only thing he may have improved on was his walk Jezz tells us, “but he still got a really good mark and on the whole, the balance felt right and everything felt great.” One of the highlights of their test being their trot, “I have actually been working on our trot, it is something you have to produce and today I felt like the trot came out really strong and he got rewarded for it. So, I am very happy.”

Having competed at the Ermelo Young World Breeding Championships with the stunning bay, Jezz shares how he pictured the atmosphere at the National Championships to be very similar, “he was so good the whole time there, so coming here I imagined he would be about the same, which it was.” The young horse enjoys the spotlight and the feel of a big event, “he loves it, he’s not a spooky horse” Jezz tells us, “so if you get him in the right place he will go and do his job, so for me it is so lovely having a horse like him.”

Jezz has been riding Premier for just over a year, after going to Holland to buy him, “to have gone and picked him to him now turning into a big winner, it’s been the icing on the cake.” Describing the 16.1hh Jezz tells us, “he is one of those that is quite cheeky and everything is in his mouth, he’s a big child.” However, he was not the easiest horse when he arrived, “when we were in Holland, he was the quietest stallion and could be led around the stables but when we brought him over to the UK he was nuts and I thought we had made a mistake!” Now the equine superstar has settled down and become such a chilled horse but he has never lost his playful streak.

The young horse classes are so important to help bring these talented horses into the competition atmosphere that allows them to grow in confidence and enjoy themselves. Jezz spoke to us about how beneficial the Young Dressage Horse classes are for the start of a horse’s career, “I have always loved doing the young horse classes, I think it is an amazing opportunity, even when you go out to qualify, taking them out and in the ring. The judges are more lenient if they have a little wobble.” Competing at the National Championships is also a great experience, “to be able to come here with the top 14 in the country is a great thing to have. I would be gutted if they ever stopped” Jezz explains.

Jezz stated he was quietly confident about competing today, “I knew he would be able to come here and hold his own but I never thought in a million years he would win by 11%.” Jezz and Premier were greeted by an emotional support team when they left the arena, “when I came out my wife was holding her fingers up telling me it was a 90” which Jezz couldn't believe, “and then his owner Martin Price, burst into tears, telling me how proud it was of him and then Molly my groom looked like she was about to cry. I am not really emotional, but I felt like I was going to cry and I hadn’t even won then, I only had my score.”

Planning on giving Premier a break after this, ready to compete during the winter, Jezz tells us that he will keep competing in the young horse classes, “we will give him a couple months off and then we will begin to focus on next year.”

The Hanoverian bred Florisemo (by Floris Prins x Lauries Crusador xx) ridden by Katie Ownes finished in second place with a 79.400 and Galaxico (by Grand Galaxy Win x Samarant) ridden by Beth Bainbridge finished in third with 79.000%.

5-YO: Game On

Hanoverian bred Game On (by Governor x Sir Donnerhall) ridden by Ashley Jenkins won the Five-Year-Old final. The gelding owned by Nicola Mahoney, impressed judge Christine Prip, trainer judge Gareth Hughes and riding judge Alexander Harrison.

In the national test for five-year-olds the previous day, the combination scored 90.000, securing them a place in today’s final. When reflecting on his experience during the test, Ashely tells us, “his canter work was really good” despite thinking that he could have done more in the walk, “he is no stranger to the atmosphere, having won the four-year-old final last year at the National Championships, he knew what it was all about.”

Ashley has ridden Game On I, otherwise known as ‘G’ to his friends at home, for two years now. “He has got a great brain with enough energy, always engaged and enough sensitivity, without ever going overboard” Ashley describes. Some of the Hanoverian's highlights are, “his temperament is amazing, his paces are amazing, he is a really lovely type of horse, not too big and also not too small.”

Game On’s owner Nicola, spoke to us about how it felt watching on today, “it is so stressful, but I am so proud of both Ashley and the horse, they both did such an amazing job. You are just willing him to do his best as you know he can do; you don’t want them to make any silly mistakes due to the pressure.” The amazing liver chestnut is a homebred, Nicola having also bred his dam, Stella, making the journey to this point even more special.

“He is just a total professional” Nicola states, “it is almost like he understands that everyone is here to see him, he goes out there and is proud to show off, that is what’s so beautiful about him.” Nicola plans on riding the gelding herself in the future, “hopefully he will just carry on and be an amazing sport horse, whether that is for me I don’t know.”

Nicola praises Ashely for this contribution in producing such an amazing young horse, “he really takes his time and makes sure they are having a nice time.” Riding judge Spencer Wilton was impressed by the young horse, “all the basics are there” he commented, “he is really supple through the back and has great ground cover in the cater” complimented how the horse has been produced relevant to his age.

Known for being a cheeky chap at home, the 16.1hh “loves being the centre of attention” Nicola tells us, he is a yard favourite. Ashley believes that the equine talent has the potential to reach Grand Prix level, he is defiantly one to watch for the future as he continues his career.

The five-year-old reserve champion was the Oldenburg mare mare, MSJ Duchess (by Fon Frederic x Fidermark x Royal Angelo), ridden by Amy Woodhead and owned by Emma Blundell. Third place went to Dutchman Gijs van Vooren aboard the British Hanoverian bred Hawtins Brunelli (by Baron x French Kiss).

6-YO: Della Ballerina

The Hanoverian bred Della Ballerina (by Destacado x Weltmeyer) ridden and owned by Alicia Lee, was crowed the 2024 British Six-Year-Old Champion. Alicia told us how ‘Bella’ felt “so confident and proud” in front of the grandstands. “She didn’t once feel nervous or sky” Alicia reflects.

During their six-year-old national test yesterday, in which the pair placed fourth with 76.600%, Alicia explains that some of her highlights were, “the fluency meant the whole test felt easy. She was really lovely to ride and her extensions I was really happy with and how she came back from those extensions.” The test was full of magic moments, “the half passes felt really easy and supple and she was just a really good girl.”

In today's final the stunning chestnut was ridden by rider judge Alexander Harrison, who when speaking to the crowd watching about his first impressions of the mare shared, “she is a lovely willing mare, really easy to ride and very free and established for this age.” Harrison boosted the mare from fourth place to first, while the winner of the test - Michael Eilberg on New Secret - dropped to fourth place overall.

Alicia has owned Bella from a foal and produced her right from the beginning, which she describes as “so rewarding to see your baby as a foal, to then when she was broken in as a three-year-old and all the way through the stages to where she is now.” The duo has a strong partnership, “she has just developed so much over the last few years, and it is so fun being on this journey with the same horse when you are producing them yourself.”

The young horse classes provide an educational opportunity for horses at the beginning of their career to experience a competition environment. Alicia spoke to us about how the young horses classes have been beneficial, “she has gained a lot of confidence doing it, I think the format works nicely especially at nationals. She got to do her test yesterday in a nice atmosphere to give her an introduction, and today to go in the bigger arena with the other horses also gave her confidence.” Despite some horses not being suited to it Alicia explains, “some aren't ready for it but horses like her, it is really good for her to experience all of this for when she competes at the higher levels.”

“She is mostly a dream” at home Alicia tells us, “she is so easy, everyday she is the same, she loves to work, but she can be a bit sassy.” Living up to the reputation of chestnut mares, “she is funny with it, she is never unkind or mean, she is just a real character, the biggest on the yard. She thinks she is the best and knows she is the best” Alicia explains.

The super talented horse has an exciting future ahead, “I would love her to go to Grand Prix” Alicia tells us, “she feels like a mini Grand Prix horse to ride, she gives a feeling that the skys the limit for her. I just want to keep enjoying her, training her, giving her confidence and letting her become the best she can be.” After the championships, Alicia plans on giving Bella a few weeks holiday then plans on carrying on working through the winter, “she is already quite confident with her changes, so I would love to do some Advanced Mediums and maybe towards the next year a PSG. I just want to have fun and let her become herself.”

The reserve six-year-old-champion was the Paul Schockemohle bred Oldenburg gelding Valentinio (by Feinrich x Vivaldi) ridden and owned by Jody Haswell. Third place went to Calum Whitworth aboard the KWPN bred Neverland MFS (by Dream Boy x Sir Sinclair).

7-YO: Magic Dream

After winning the Advanced Medium title, Becky Moody and the KWPN bred Magic Dream (by Governor x Swarovski) continued their winning streak in the 7-year old test. They posted the high score in the class, 78.450%, for another victory.

Becky spoke very proudly of the seven year old mare’s performance in the arena commenting, “she was just a little legend. Bless her. She has had a really busy show, but she is a bit of a Duracell bunny. She always has energy. It's one of the really good things about her.”

“Weirdly, she was actually a little bit more spooky today than she's been any other day. Maybe just objecting to the rain, or possibly just the fact that everything was a bit shiny and reflective and different. "

Looking ahead to the future, Becky is excited at what is in store, “there's still so much more to come from her. I think that's she's definitely a horse that just needs to get a little stronger through her core, and be able to sort of control the energy that she has. So that's why she's really exciting, because she is doing really well, but I know there's so much more in there.”

“She'll have a little bit of a holiday now, but we don't really ever completely let them down. She'll just go hacking for a little while, and then she will just work on consolidating the Small Tour work for next year, maybe try and qualify her for the Prix St. Georges and Inter I for the winters.”

Our goal is always sort of to be working towards Grand Prix in the future. So keeping on just developing that training at home, so that hopefully in a couple of years, she'll be ready to step up to that definitely.”

After a busy championships and year, Becky has plans for a holiday in the sunshine over the coming weeks for a well deserved rest.

Second place went to Kate Cowell aboard the British Hanoverian bred Samarkand (by San Amour x Don Frederico) with 74.750%. Third place went to Dannie Morgan aboard Kristina Rausing's Swedish warmblood mare Vive la Reinne VH (by Revolution x De Niro) on 74.267%.

Results - 2024 British Young Horse Championships

4-year olds
Judges: Isobel Wessels, Spencer Wilton

1 Jezz Palmer - Premier (KWPN by First Date x Governor) - 90.000
2 Katie Owens - Florisemo (HANN, by Floris Prins x Lauries Crusaor xx) - 79.400
3 Beth Bainbridge - Galaxico (HANN, by Grand Galaxy Win x Samarant) - 79.000
4 Jezz Palmer - Platinum SNW (KWPN, by Le Formidable x Vivaldi) - 78.800
5 Sadie Smith - River Rise Pizzazz (AES, by Valverde x Lord Leatherdale) - 77.600
5 Sarah Higgins - MSJ Evolution (HANN by Escamillo x Donnerhall) - 77.600
7 Jessica Mcconkey - St Giles Gatsby (OLD, by Glamourdale x Millennium) - 77.200
8 Sadie Smith - TLH First of May (BE/SIES, by UCS Flawless x Donnersohn) - 76.800
9 Anna Burns - Duende Roo (AES, by Dankeschoen x Sir Donnerhall II) - 76.600
10 Bea Snudden - Burnham Popeye VZH (KWPN, by Secret x Negro) - 76.400
11 Dan Greenwood - Hawtins Fantasia (BHHS, by For Romance x Wolkentanz) - 76.200
12 Kerry Mackin - Primeros Ultimate Dream (AES, by Dream Boy x Don Primero) - 74.600
13 Craig Messenger - Kheops De Massa (CDF, by Everdale x Tabaco de Massa) - 67.800
14 Sarah Higgins - MSJ Total Freestyler (HANN, by Totilas x Johnson) - 67.400

5-year olds

1) Ashley Jenkins, – Game On (HANN, by Governor x Sir Donnerhall) - 90.000
2) Amy Woodhead, – MSJ Duchess (OLD, by Don Frederic x Fidermark) - 86.000
3) Gijs Van Vooren, – Hawtins Brunelli (BHHS, by Baron x French Kiss) - 83.000
4) Charlotte Dicker, – Catherston Zahara (SHB-GB, by Zack) - 80.400
5) Jayne Turney, – Vienna WD (BHHS by Vitalis) - 79.80
6) Amy Woodhead, – DBM Secre-C (AES, by Secret x Krack C) - 79.600
7) Clara Withers, – Frazier (BHHS, by Foundation x Dimaggio) - 76.600
8) Amy Schiessl, – Ouyuan (KWPN by Desperado x Johnson) - 76.400
9) Greg Sims, – Call me da Sergio (OLD, by Da Cista x Christ) - 76.400
10) Greg Sims, – First Dance T (OLD, by Dark Glamour x For Romance) - 76.200
11) Ellie McCarthy, – On Time V/D Braembeier (KWPN, by For Romance x Netto) - 74.300

5-year olds - FINAL RANKING after guest judge rider

1) Ashley Jenkins, – Game On 1
2) Amy Woodhead, – MSJ Duchess
3) Gijs Van Vooren, – Hawtins Brunelli
3) Charlotte Dicker, – Catherston Zahara

6-year olds - Finals Test

1) Michael Eilberg, – New Secret (KWPN, by Secret x Ferro) - 81.200
2) Jody Haswell, – Valentinio (OLD, by Feinrich x Vivaldi) - 79.600
3) Calum Whitworth, – Neverland MFS (KWPN, by Dream Boy x Sir Sinclair).79.200
4) Alicia Lee, – Della Ballerina (HANN, by Destacado x Weltmeyer) - 76.600
5) Beth Bainbridge, – WHD Elton (by Emilio x Diamond Hit) - 76.600
6) Grace Durkan, – Navarro (KWPN, by Hometown.x Johnson) - 75.600
7) Kirstie Clarke, – Nono Secret A.S. (KWPN, by Secret x Sorento) - 73.800
8) Jessica Dunn, – Nureno (KWPN, by Farrell x Johnson) - 73.000
9) Thomas Bobis, – Woodcroft Nashville (KWPN, by Daily Diamond x Tango) - 70.000
10) Luis Principe, – Keyland Vincenzo (AES, by Vitalis x Donnerhall) - 68.400
11) Luis Principe, – World Performance Totolotto (OLD, by Totilas) - 65.800

6-year olds - FINAL RANKING after guest judge rider

1) Alicia Lee, – Della Ballerina
2) Jody Haswell, – Valentinio
3) Calum Whitworth, – Neverland MFS
3) Michael Eilberg, – New Secret

7-year olds

1) Becky Moody, – Magic Dream (KWPN, by Governor x Swarovski) - 78.450
2) Kate Cowell, – Samarkand (BHHS, by San Amour x Don Frederico) - 74.750
3) Dannie Morgan, – Vive la Reinne VH (SWB, by Revolution x De Niro) - 74.267
4) Robert Barker, – Rioverdi (WBS, by Revolution x Gribaldi) - 72.184
5) Tom Goode, – Frankie PS (OLD, by ) - 72.134
6) Holly Bates, – Hillgrounds Feinline (WBS, by Feinrich x Sorento) - 71.867
7) Daniel Bremner, – Monet (KWPN, by Guardian S x Bretton Woods) - 70.850
8) Jayne Turney, – Penhaligon Freigeist (OLD, by Freischutz x Furst Romancier) - 70.167
9) Thomas Bobis, – Micquina TF (KWPN, by Trafalgar x Voice) - 69.767
10) Charlotte Dicker, – Catherston Tarantella (SHB-GB, by Timolin x Dornenkonig) - 67.467
11) Charlotte Dicker, – Catherston Tuxedo (SHB-GB, by Timolin x ?) - 61.784