-- Text © British Dressage
A strong home line up enjoyed success in Buckinghamshire at Addington Equestrian’s CPEDI (2 - 5 May 2025), with multiple victories, exciting debut performances and personal bests celebrated.
CPEDI 3*
Nottinghamshire’s Sophie Wells recorded a hat-trick of Grade V wins with the nine-year-old mare LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (by St Schufro x Gribaldi). The duo posted the highest score of the show for their Freestyle performance, rounding off a week of consistency and confidence with 78.125% rewarded by judges Anne Prain (FRA), John Robinson (GBR) and Mary Robins (NZL).
“It’s felt like a long time since Paris, but so good to have made some progress over the winter and it follow through to the arena,” Sophie shared via Facebook, praising the Lady Joseph Trust’s mare for her calm performances, “It’s a big thing and means the world to see her more chilled and happy.”
Alongside her wins in the saddle, Sophie also celebrated the success of riders she trains, including Gabriella Blake who was also in excellent form aboard Strong Beau. Gabby claimed victory in the Grade I Grand Prix A on 74.097% and secured two runner-up spots behind Paris medallist Mari Durward-Akhurst. Following a top performance at the Winter Championships in March, Mari and Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg (by Gribaldi x Diamant) were yet again a standout combination, achieving two wins with superb scores of over 77%.
“Athene was utterly amazing… a win with 77% and a 10! It’s not every day that happens,” said Mari on social media as she reflected on her first win and phenomenal high score.
Jemima Green and Georgia Wilson dominated the Grade II competition. Jemima and her seven-year-old German-bred gelding Fantabulous claimed a double victory, winning the Grand Prix B test and the Freestyle competition with a superb score of 75.312%. Whilst Georgia and her nine-year-old mare Faside Got The Love took the top spot in the Grade II Grand Prix A, earning 71.322%.
In Grade IV, Nicola Naylor and the exciting eight-year-old mare Moulin Rouge VIII impressed on their international debut together, taking three wins with scores over 70%. “Moulin Rouge’s (aka Satine’s) debut on the international stage and what an entrance she made, winning the hat-trick,” said Nicola, posting on Instagram. “We have been partners for such a short time, but there is a magic click and she is an exceptional young horse.”
Whilst it was success for Ireland in the Grade III classes, as Jessica McKenna and D.C.I Cerruti delivered a winning hat-trick. British Grade III rider Vicky Earnshaw earned her highest 3* placing of the week in the Freestyle, taking second place with Charlotte Arling’s Midline Rioja.
CPEDI 2*
The 2* competition saw further success for Vicky Earnshaw, this time with her second ride, her own Prince Pepe. The Grade III combination set the bar high with a beautiful Intermediate Freestyle, which earned a new personal best score of 70.267%.
Grade I rider Elan Williams celebrated two milestones. Ceris Williams’ Verdi-sired gelding Temple Ogue made an outstanding international debut in the 2*, taking home a trio of wins, whilst Elan’s faithful partner BKS Brandini stepped up to 3* for the first time, earning third place with a brilliant score of 71.489% in the Grade I Grand Prix Freestyle. “I’m very proud of my boys. Otto did a great job taking me up to 3* for the first time,” Elan wrote on Facebook, “Verdi was incredible for me and did what was asked. I cannot wait to develop our partnership.”
The young rider is currently juggling horses, schoolwork and upcoming GCSEs: “I have a couple more weeks of training and qualifiers, then it’s GCSE exam season, so the shows slow down until I’m all free at the end of June – then I’m back!”
Sara Louise Bates impressed in the Grade IV Intermediate classes, winning both the Freestyle and Intermediate B tests with Patty Allen’s Solo Hit 2 (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall). The Warwickshire-based rider also secured two podium placings in the Grade IV Grand Prix classes aboard Tango VII. Meanwhile, Fiona Maynard took home a win in the Grade IV Intermediate A, alongside five podium finishes across the 2* and 3* sections, showing impressive consistency with her two rides, Philippa Moss’s Don Felix and her own Denver IX.
CPEDI1*
The 1* section offered a platform for combinations to gain valuable international experience. Grade III rider Isabella Benfield competed with two rides but led the way with a top score of 69.688% in the Grade III Novice B aboard Lamborghini III at their first international competition together – a significant step in a journey that only began in August last year.
In addition, Grade II rider Lacey Ohara made her international debut under the guidance of Sophie Wells. “It’s been a good few years teaching Lacey from the beginning and it’s challenged me to be a better coach, but it’s fulfilling to see progress,” Sophie wrote on Facebook, “Seeing her smile her way around the show was very special.”