Day two of the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage delivered another packed programme of international and Premier League competition, with Great Britain securing the CPEDI3* Team title, Nicola Naylor producing a second consecutive one-two finish and Lucy Amy completing an impressive double.
Nicola Naylor continued her outstanding form in the CPEDI3*, repeating Tuesday's achievement by claiming both first and second place in the Grade IV Para Grand Prix Test B. Riding Humberto L, Naylor topped the leaderboard with 74.459% before partnering Moulin Rouge into second on 72.189%, underlining the consistency and quality of both partnerships. Having achieved the same one-two finish on the opening day with the same horses, Naylor's back-to-back performances were among the standout stories of the international competition. Sara Louise Bates completed the podium aboard Tango with 66.811%.
Great Britain's consistently strong performances across the grades were rewarded with victory in the CPEDI3* Team competition, providing an encouraging result as combinations continue their preparations for this summer's FEI World Championships. Mari Durward-Akhurst also claimed the overall Individual title following victories in both the Grade I Para Grand Prix Tests A and B with Athene Lindebjerg, capping an outstanding two days of competition for the combination.
Naylor was not the only rider to secure a one-two finish. In the Grade V Para Grand Prix Test B, Sophie Wells occupied the top two places, guiding Msj Gold Standard to victory on 74.395% before finishing second with Ontario CL on 71.553%. Alice Begg and Noraly completed the podium with 65.684%, rounding off another excellent day for the Grade V combinations.
Grade II honours went to Jemima Green and Fantabulous, who produced one of the most impressive performances of the day with a commanding test that earned 76.067%. The combination received unanimous first-place rankings from all five judges, reflecting the accuracy, harmony and confidence shown throughout the test. Lee Pearson finished second aboard Breezer on 71.900%, while Sarah Suddaby and Hit Song claimed third with 67.700%.
In Grade I, Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg headed the class on 74.708%, ahead of Elan Williams and Naliqueon 72.917%, with Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint completing the podium on 69.583%.
The Grade III contest proved one of the closest classes of the day, with Erin Orford and LJT Nutbush producing a polished performance to win on 71.967%. Ireland's Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus finished just half a percentage point behind on 71.467%, while Hartpury University alumna Jessica McKenna partnered D.C.I. Cerruti into third on 68.800%.
Away from the international competition, Lucy Amy enjoyed a memorable day. She first won the Fairfax Saddles FEI Prix St-Georges aboard Ladine, scoring 69.706% to edge a highly competitive field of 25 combinations, with less than three-tenths of a percentage point separating the top three. Amy then returned to top the Stubben FEI Intermediate II with Rudy, producing another polished performance to score 72.402%. Kate Cowell and Hidalgo II, together with Lucy Palmer and La Vida Loca, completed the Prix St-Georges podium, while Tom Goode and Margot finished second in the Intermediate II ahead of Anders Dahl and Ellely's Focus.
Michael Eilberg added another victory to his successful week by taking the Advanced Medium 6 with the exciting six-year-old EDH Malakai. Their consistent test earned 70.047%, finishing ahead of Davey Harvey and Zinkwazi, with Tom Goode and Vetoclaiming third in another closely contested class.
The day's freestyle honours went to Hayley Watson-Greaves and Lamborghini, whose expressive Prix St Georges Freestyle to Music performance earned a winning score of 64.792%. Steph Bradley and VSH Beaulero finished second on 62.667%.
Great Britain's success in the CPEDI3* Team competition provides further confidence ahead of the FEI World Championships, while standout individual performances and emerging partnerships continue to underline the depth of talent on display at one of the UK's premier dressage events.
International CPEDI3* Winners
- Grade I: Mari Durward-Akhurst & Athene Lindebjerg – 74.708%
- Grade II: Jemima Green & Fantabulous – 76.067%
- Grade III: Erin Orford & LJT Nutbush – 71.967%
- Grade IV: Nicola Naylor & Humberto L – 74.459%
- Grade V: Sophie Wells & Msj Gold Standard – 74.395%
Premier League Winners
- Fairfax Saddles FEI Prix St-Georges: Lucy Amy & Ladine – 69.706%
- Stubben FEI Intermediate II: Lucy Amy & Rudy – 72.402%
- Advanced Medium 6: Michael Eilberg & EDH Malakai – 70.047%
- Prix St Georges Freestyle to Music: Hayley Watson-Greaves & Lamborghini – 64.792%
