Highlights of 2008
The Hartpury Festival Of Dressage Is Upon Us
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Hartpury Festival of Dressage – Fifth and Final Day!
Carl Hester (pictured above) continued the exceptional form he has displayed all week with Movistar, winning the FEI CDI Intermediate I Freestyle with 73.67%; his Latin American music choice suiting the character and movement of the refined KWPN stallion perfectly; this final test at the Festival for Carl, taking his tally of wins over the five days to six out of six! Nicky Crisp (pictured below) took second place on her own Dutch-bred 11-year-old mare, Pasoa (70.92%) followed by a clearly delighted Matt Frost and his 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Flyaway Wish (69.50%).
The final class of the Festival, the Hartpury College FEI Grand Prix Special, was won by Richard Barrett on Alcatraz (pictured above). Richard won the Dengie FEI CDI Grand Prix with 66.83% in the Big Tour competition earlier in the week and, despite the wind and rain that suddenly besieged Hartpury during his test, provided spectators with another stunning performance on his 16-year-old warmblood gelding, scoring 68.720%. Nicola Jourdain(pictured below), who won the title in 2007 on St Swithens, had to settle for 2nd place this year riding Sancerre; her second competition horse, owned by Paula Ring.
The Festival has been a fantastic event for Hartpury this year; not only has the College been able to welcome many of the top riders in British Dressage and Para Equestrian Sport onto campus, it has also seen Hartpury graduates Sarah Jane Elmslie, Stef Eardley and Martin Schleicher successfully compete across all levels of competition, impressing the judges with their confident performances. It was also fantastic to see Mary Sharman and Wohler Van Het Gerenshof compete in the Small Tour; the very talented Hanoverian gelding being an offspring and a ‘mirror-image’ of Hartpury owned Stallion, Ragazzo, who stands at Home Farm.
...and, most importantly, it hardly rained!
Photographs by Kevin Sparrow and Hartpury College
Hartpury Festival of Dressage – Day 4
Today’s Festival programme couldn’t fail to impress; a full day of Premier League and FEI CDI competition as well as a ‘sell-out’ Gala Evening featuring a FEI CDI Grand Prix Music Freestyle and a Masterclass with Carl Hester, Christoph Hess and Stephen Clarke.
Carl Hester (pictured above) continued his invincible form in the Small Tour with the eight-year-old 16.1hh Dutch-bred stallion Movistar by Jazz, owned by Sarah Tyler-Evans; the combination comfortably winning the FEI CDI Intermediate I, sponsored by Devoucoux Saddles, with 71.583%. Michael Eilberg and Marakov were placed second and Mary Sharman (pictured below) and Wohler Van Het Gerenshof finished an impressive third. Mary and DHI Wohler were selected onto The BEF World Class Dressage Equine Pathway Programme in 2006 and continue to impress the judges as they rise up the levels; the stunning Hanoverian gelding displaying the same cadence and temperament as his Grand Prix educated sire, Ragazzo, who stands at Hartpury’s Home Farm Stud and is now owned by the College.
Senior selector, judge and trainer, Judy Harvey (pictured below), enjoyed success at Premier League, winning the Stellar Wealth FEI Prix St Georges 2000 on her ten-year-old Westfalian gelding, Lou Wega. Michael Eilberg and Torino won the Advanced Medium; a ride he shares with his equally talented sister. Maria Eilberg and her Grand Prix horse Two Sox are the travelling reserve for the British dressage team at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The highlight of the day was the FEI CDI Grand Prix Freestyle that took place in Hartpury’s new arena complex. Last year’s Hartpury College FEI Grand Prix Special Champions, Nicola Jourdain and Saint Swithens (pictured above), taking the coveted title on 68.65%, just beating Sarah Jane Elmslie (pictured below) and her gorgeous TB gelding Masterplan (by 0.100%). Sarah’s story echoes that of Steph Croxford, the Hartpury graduate and amateur rider was definitely the crowd’s favourite of the night as she rode a beautifully correct and entertaining test on a horse that captivates the heart just as Mr President does!
A Masterclass from the most successful and admired rider in British Dressage today, Carl Hester, supported by International judges, Stephen Clarke and Christoph Hess, rounded off a superb day of competition for riders and spectators alike.
For further information about the Festival, that is taking place here at Hartpury College until Sunday (20th July); featuring up to the minute results, go to www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage.
Photographs by Kevin Sparrow and Hartpury College
Hartpury Festival of Dressage Champions – Day 3
A stunning display was provided by the biggest names in British Dressage during this first day of CDI FEI Big Tour and Small Tour competition.
The Woof Wear CDI FEI Prix St George winner was determined on collective marks; Carl Hester and Movistar just having the edge over Rebecca Hughes and Shining Light. Both combinations were outstanding; Carls ride, the stunning dark bay KWPN stallion by Jazz, owned by Sarah Tyler-Evans and Rebecca’s ride, an Oldenburg gelding, owned by Felicity Scott, demonstrating beautiful movement, balance and charisma throughout their tests.
The Dengie CDI FEI Grand Prix later in the day was also a very closely fought contest; Richard Barratt topping the class on Alcatraz on 66.833%. On 66.750%, photographer Judy Harvey finished a very close second on her big German warmblood, Fitzceraldo. Another excellent performance came from Hartpury College Equine graduate Sarah Jane Elmslie (pictured below) on her 16.1hh 7/8th TB gelding, Masterplan. The combination used to have lessons with Carl Hester whilst Sarah Jane was a student at Hartpury; Eventing being her passion back then. However, six years on, they have enjoyed unprecedented dressage success, winning Grand Prix’s at Wellington and Hickstead during their first year of competing at this level. Sarah Jane is trained by Nereide Goodman and sponsored by Wellington Equestrian.
The CPDEIO3*, kindly sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, had their final day of competition today; competitors being able to demonstrate their depth of talent during the Freestyle test at each grade; Laurentia Tan from Singapore knocked Croatian Slavan Hudina from the top spot to win the Grade 1a competition; Lucy Barclay, who has wowed spectators throughout the Festival with her stunning side-saddle performances, once again took the top position at Grade 1b; Alex McNamara couldn’t fail to impress judges on Cappelano, finishing on 73% at Grade II Level; Emma Kent (pictured below) won at Grade III Level on Gentle II and Denise Shawns rode a fabulous test on Leander to take Grade IV.
For further information about the Festival, that is taking place here at Hartpury College until Sunday (20th July); featuring up to the minute results, go to www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage.
Photographs by Kevin Sparrow and Hartpury College
Hartpury Festival of Dressage Champions – Day 2
The rain couldn’t dampen competitor’s spirits during day two of the 2008 Hartpury Festival of Dressage, which runs until Sunday.
Carl Hester had another successful day of competition, winning both the Bates FEI Intermediare I on his new Grand Prix project, Damino and the FEI Grand Prix on the stunning 17hh chestnut Hannoverian stallion, Bernstein. Carl hadn’t planned to compete Damino (pictured above), however his Jersey owner, Ellen Bennett, decided to pop over and visit on route to Italy! Despite the last minute entry and lack of competition preparation, Damino behaved impeccably, scoring 67.13% on his very first outing.
Carl began training Pan Am Games Bronze Medallist, Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and Bernstein at the start of the year. Unfortunately, due to an injury, Yvonne is currently unable to compete, but is keen that Bernstein progresses without her and gave the ride to Carl (pictured above riding Bernstein). The partnership is clearly working well, Carl scoring 69.31% in the Grand Prix, followed by Gareth Hughes on Nurejev (65.14%) and Angela Weiss on No Limit 5 (63.19%).
The CPDEIO3*, kindly sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, had another full day; many of the winners in day one securing places at the top of the leader board on the second and final day of the Team Test competition. Great Britain (pictured above), finished top of the leader board; nominated team members Sophie Wells (Grade VI), Natasha Baker (Grade II), Jo Pitt (Grade II) and Emma Sheardown (Grade 1A) accumulating a combined total score of 405.428. Ireland’s Kathryn Wheelock (Grade III) Geraldine Savage (Grade 1A) and Breda Bernie (Grade 1b) closely followed on a final score of 396.379.
For many, the highlight of day two was the Team GBR Freestyle Challenge; the event saw the six Team members who are representing Great Britain in at the Para Equestrian Games in Hong Kong, compete against each other in a freestyle to music competition. Lee Pearson took first place on his new ride, Gentleman. The triple paralympic gold medallist bought the seven year old Hanoverian gelding from Germany through Christian Heinrich. Speaking to the BBC last month (30th June 2008) about his new purchase, Lee commented:
“Gentleman still needs a lot more experience and, before I go to Hong Kong, I really want to get him out and about to educate him without tiring or frightening him.”
All seven GBR Team riders put in 70%+ performances, once again proving they will be a force to be reckoned with at this year’s Paralympic Games.
For further information about the Festival, that is taking place here at Hartpury College until Sunday (20th July), featuring up to the minute results, go to www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage.
Photographs by Kevin Sparrow and Hartpury College
Hartpury Festival Of Dressage Champions – Day 1
What a great first day of competition it has been at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage. Local favourite, Carl Hester (pictured above), took the first win of the day on the 4 year old Dutch bred gelding, Nip Tuck, whom he owns with Jane De La Mare. Diane Smeaton had an outstanding day, winning both the Nuumed Potential International 5 Year Old class and the British Young Horse National 5 Year Old class on her stunning Hannoverian stallion, Aldham Mill Don Diego. Other Young Horse winners included Alicia Loughton riding Dante VI, Denise Hallion riding Wervelwind and Siril Helijesen on Dorina.
The Stellar Wealth FEI Prix St George proved to be the spectacle of the day; Michael Eilberg (pictured above) taking the top spot on Janeiro, scoring 70%, closely followed by Jackie Siu on Go Dutch (68.25%) and Gareth Hughes on Aspen Grove Duvie (68%). Katrina Cantrell-Bennett put in an excellent performance, winning the NAF FEI Intermediate II on her 14 year old Oldenburg breeding stallion, Woodlander Markies.
Hartpury College students, past and present, were also competing today; Equine degree graduate, Martin Schleicher (pictured above) finished a very respectable 3rd on Webs Zigeunerknabe in the Nuumed International Young Dressage Horse 4 year old class. When Martin left Hartpury College with a first class honours degree in Equine Business Management, it was clear that he was going to be a success. Now, two years on, the German International Event and Advanced Dressage rider is running a highly successful training yard out of Meadow Stud based in Gloucestershire and successfully competing up to Prix St George level.
Masters degree student and Elite Equine Academy rider, Stef Eardley (pictured above), also had a very busy day; successfully competing the beautiful Oldenburg Stallion, Coronado Son, in the Young Horse Classes and her own KWPN gelding, Fiano, in the Prix St George.
The CPDEIO3*, kindly sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, had a full day of Team Test competition. The Brits put in some excellent performances; Lucy Barclay (pictured above) wowing spectators with a stunning side-saddle performance, winning the Grade Ib Team Test on her gorgeous dun gelding, Barntown. Croatia also had a successful day, Slaven Hudina beating riders from GBR, Ireland and Singapore to win the Grade 1a Team Test on Tulasi.
For further information about the Festival, that is taking place here at Hartpury College until Sunday (20th July), featuring up to the minute results, go to www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage.
Photographs by Kevin Sparrow and Hartpury College
The Hartpury Festival Of Dressage Is Upon Us
Some 300 competitors are heading Gloucestershire's way over the next five days to compete in this years Hartpury Festival of Dressage. The event promises to be more spectacular than ever, with entries from many of the top International riders competing in the CDI***, CPEDIO3* and the National Premier League Competition.
Amongst the impressive list of CDI 3*** competitors are Team GB rider for the Beijing Olympic Games, Laura Bechtolsheimer, on her Olympic horse, Mistral Hojris; Nicola McGivern, Hannah Biggs and local favourites, Matt Frost and Carl Hester. Wohler Van Het Geronshof, who is the son of Hartpury's own beautiful Hannoverian Stallion, Ragazzo, will also be competing in The Small Tour with rider Mary Sharman; the pair have already been selected to join the BEF World Class Dressage Equine Pathway programme, his fantastic movement and stunning looks mirroring that of his famous sire.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has kindly sponsored this years FEI CPDI International Para Dressage Competition, which takes place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Thursday Evening also sees an exclusive Team GBR Freestyle Challenge, featuring the entire British Team heading to Hong Kong for the Paralympic Games.
The Festival's Gala Evening, being held in Hartpury's stunning new indoor arena complex on Saturday (19th July), is the event not to be missed, featuring the Kubota FEI CDI *** Grand Prix Music Freestyle (Big Tour), a Master Class with Carl Hester, Stephen Clarke and Christoph Hess sponsored by Saracen Horsefeeds and some delightful entertainment provided by Jive Pony.
Up to the minute results, news and a gallery of images will feature on the Hartpury website throughout the competition at www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage
