Sunday brought a cooler, more typical English summer’s day for the final instalment of the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage, but the action in the arenas remained at a high.
The morning in the International Arena was dedicated to rising stars of the sport, with the KBIS British Dressage Young Horse Semi-Finals for 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds taking centre stage. These prestigious classes offer young horses the chance to gain valuable competition experience on their journey through the levels, with top performers earning their place in the finals at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships.
Eighteen combinations came forward for the 4-Year-Old Semi-Final, with many posting scores over 70%, highlighting the quality of this year’s field. Jezz Palmer, who had a packed day with six rides, topped the leaderboard on Fürsten Fleur Caledonia Anmore, scoring a superb 80.600%. Close on his heels, Lucy Palmer piloted the striking black mare Roulette III to 79.800%, while Tom Goode and Ravenna II placed third with 79.200%.
The standard stayed high in the 5-Year-Old division. Jezz Palmer looked poised for a double victory after posting 80.800% early on with MS Broadway M. However, the final stages of the class turned into a nail-biter. Sadie Smith and River Pizzazz edged ahead with 81.400%, before Sarah Rogers and Thomas Ticino swept in to take the win with a commanding 83.400%.
In the 6-Year-Old Semi-Final, early action began in the Hartpury Arena. Over half the field again broke the 70% barrier, with Rob Barker and Kilans Bartholomew, owned by Christine Kirk, leading the way on 83.000%. Tom Goode, improving on his earlier result, rode Veto into second (81.000%), while Nicola Mahoney and Game On I secured third with 77.600%.
The NAF Superflex Grand Prix Special, the first FEI class of the day, entertained spectators in the International Arena. Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella set a strong early benchmark of 69.979%, and it looked to be the winning score—until the final rider entered. Gareth Hughes and Lufada MvL delivered a composed and expressive test to take victory with 70.681%. Richard Davison and Intero completed the podium on 68.638%.
Speaking after his win, Gareth said: “I’ve only had her since January and this is only her second Grand Prix Special. She’s a real trier and always gives her all. She’s very different to what I’m used to, but I love her. I always come to Hartpury—it’s right on my doorstep and it’s such a great venue.”
The imposing International Arena welcomed 15 combinations for the CDI1 Baileys Horse Feeds Intermediate I Freestyle to Music* in the final international class of the day. (Full results for this class to follow.)
In the Team Competition Test for Ponies, open to riders aged 12–16 on ponies not exceeding 148cm (unshod), Queenie Moule and Amden Supreme Golden Dancer emerged as clear winners on 72.524%, with Amelia Goodear and Furioso V.H. Enkershof second (68.190%).
Only two combinations competed in the Team Test for Children, with Bethany Flowers and Puzzle I taking the win on 66.275%, just ahead of Ever Sinfield and Ola Jupiter (65.225%).
The Junior Team Test welcomed an unexpected but familiar name—Vanir Kamira, the legendary eventing mare who won both Badminton and Burghley with Piggy March, now beginning a second career in dressage with Annabelle Wesley. The pair impressed with 63.536%. At the top of the leaderboard, Penny Smith and Rembrandt GSH scored 67.475% to take the win, narrowly ahead of Bella Liu and Alfranco (67.424%), with Lennon Healey and Destination third on 66.212%.
The competition concluded with the Young Riders’ Team Test in the Hartpury Arena. Flora Hayes and Woodcroft Jamais Noubliez, a striking chestnut gelding, claimed an emphatic win with 68.726%. Francesca Cawley and Dame Blanche were second (66.078%), and Marie-Ayesha Barilits-Gupta and Rob Roy took third on 64.706%.
This rounded off a spectacular week of top-tier competition, future stars, and world-class performances at the iconic NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage—a true celebration of the sport.
