Olympia might have been cancelled and the news headlines get gloomier and more confusing by the day, but what a festive treat British Dressage organised for us at Hartpury. The LeMieux National Grand Prix Championship showcased fabulous riding and equine talent and gave dressage fans a perfect Christmas present despite the technical glitches with the livestreaming.
Category: Dressage (Page 1 of 2)
A class that always draws large crowds at the British Dressage National Championships is the Shearwater Young Horse Final, held over two days. The crowds are enticed partially by the opportunity to see one of the best young horse riders in the world (Eva Moller) try out the top 4 in each age group, and partially in the hope that they might spot a future champion from among the contenders.
The 6 year old World Championship Final also did not disappoint in terms of food for thought as a breeder. These are some of the rides that caught my eye.
As a breeder, I try and make good use of my subscription to internet channels such as Clip My Horse to watch equestrian events from around the globe, and am always making a mental note of the bloodlines of horses that catch my eye. On this occasion I have been watching the World Young Horse Championships, which for the dressage horses is held at Ermelo in Holland.
British bred talent was very much to the fore at the 2018 Hartpury Festival of Dressage. The highlight of the young horse classes on Saturday was the £1000 to the winner, Elite Stallions sponsored, Young Horse PSG.
Lemieux Grand Prix and Horse Health Grand Prix Freestyle
The highlight of the whole week from a breeding point of view has to be crowning of Hayley Watson-Greaves as the new Lemieux National Champion on her British Hanoverian WG Rubins Nite. Although just pipped to the post in the freestyle by Carl Hester and Alcazar and by Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad in the Grand Prix, Hayley’s consistency over the two days, was well rewarded.
WG Rubins Nite
Dodson & Horrell Novice Gold Championship
Day two stated as day one had ended, with a British bred victory.
Backinaction Preliminary Silver Championship
First in the arena at 7.50 on Thursday morning and the first British bred winners at the BD Nationals, were Abigail Unwin and her buckskin gelding Arleys Dun Deal. Originally bred for eventing by Arley Moss Equestrian, this wildcard entry, is a son of the perlino stallion Burnocks Unqiue out of a mare by the popular coloured stallion Goshka Ringo. Burnocks Unique hails from the blue blooded eventing sire line of 4 star eventer Welton Crackerjack.
The National young horse classes in any discipline, are always a good indication of the strength of that country’s future talent. In dressage, there are always some horses that are not competed until they are older and more established but even so, the young horse classes are still fascinating to watch and can be a source of some incredible talent (think Valegro).
The largest section of stallions forward were being showcased for dressage. There were 25 stallions entered in this section, 3 of which were pony stallions and 1 who did not come forward.
Most of the commentary in this section was provided by Lynne Crowden (Woodlander Stud) whose in depth knowledge of bloodlines means she can ad-lib where the provided commentary notes fall short, and her enthusiasm and passion added greatly to the event. I don’t think the importance of the right commentator can be stressed enough when trying to engage the audience.
It was generally agreed among the spectators that the standard of presentation is improving each year, and there were a few stallions forward that were as good a standard as you would find at the stallion shows in mainland Europe.