The CDI1* Intermediate I at the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage attracted a competitive international field of 24 combinations, with eight nations represented.
Representing Great Britain, Matt Frost partnered the KWPN mare Lenika to an impressive victory, delivering an expressive and accurate test that earned a winning score of 72.206%. Their consistency, harmony and quality throughout the test impressed the ground jury, making them the only combination in the class to surpass the 72% mark.
Second place went to Michelle Sabga-Aboud of Trinidad and Tobago aboard Ruxton Uphoria, whose polished performance was rewarded with 70.294%. Britain's Sara Jane Lanning completed the podium with the British Hanoverian mare Hawtins Lirica, scoring 68.921% to finish third.
The CDI1* Intermediate I once again demonstrated the international standard of competition at the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage, providing an excellent platform for combinations progressing through the FEI Small Tour levels.
Top Three Results
- Matt Frost - Lenika - 72.206%
- Michelle Sabga-Aboud - Ruxton Uphoria - 70.294%
- Sara Jane Lanning - Hawtins Lirica - 68.921%
Future Stars Shine on Day Five of the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage
The future of British dressage took centre stage on day five of the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage, as young riders, developing horses and talented ponies produced a series of standout performances across a full programme of FEI and British Dressage competition.
Hartpury Alumnus Claims 7-Year-Old Semi-Final
The KBIS British Dressage 7-Year-Old Young Horse Semi-Final provided another highlight of the day, attracting a quality field of 16 combinations competing for qualification to the championship final.
Hartpury alumnus and former Hartpury Academy rider Rob Barker secured victory aboard Kilans Bartholomew with an outstanding score of 79.417%. The Oldenburg gelding impressed with expressive paces, submission and clear Grand Prix potential.
Dannie Morgan and the British Hanoverian mare Freya VI claimed second on 78.350% after leading for much of the class, while Sadie Smith and River Rise Onassis completed the top three with 77.634%.
All three combinations comfortably exceeded the required qualification score to book their places in the championship final.
Young Pony Champions Crowned
The next generation of dressage ponies were celebrated as three national titles were awarded in the KBIS British Dressage Young Pony Championships.
In the 4-Year-Old Championship, Chloe Dawes guided the British-bred mare Figranta to the title with an impressive collective mark of 78.20%. By Fürstenball, the striking black mare impressed the judges with her expressive paces and rideability while also collecting the Best British-Bred Pony and Sports Pony Stud Book Society (SPSS) Registered rosettes. Ruth Hole and Golden Future RB finished second on 72.00%.
The 5-Year-Old Championship belonged to Leah Beckett and Hania's Xavi, whose expressive display earned 80.20% to secure the title. Shelly Reeve-Smith claimed second aboard MM Sweet Gucci on 77.60%, with the British-bred mare also receiving the Best British-Bred Pony and SPSS Registered rosettes. Reeve-Smith also finished third with MM Sweet Uno Star on 74.80%.
Ruby Hughes claimed the 6-Year-Old Championship aboard Daria LGD with a polished performance that scored 79.60%, while the mare also received the SPSS Registered Pony rosette. Hannah Esberger-Hancock and Doolittle finished second on 71.80%, with Claudia Davis and Denver de Doré taking third on 70.80%.
The Best British-Bred Pony rosette in the six-year-old championship was presented to Binley Silvern Mujiza, ridden by Victoria Ayling, recognising the continued quality of British pony breeding.
Lucy Sheldrake, Stud Book Manager for the Sports Pony Stud Book Society, said: "As Stud Book Manager for the Sports Pony Stud Book Society, it's encouraging to see British-bred ponies succeed, particularly with the British-bred four-year-old taking the championship today. We know there are British-bred ponies with the same quality bloodlines as those being imported, so we're continuing to support breeders and help build connections to ensure they're given every opportunity to showcase what they can produce.
"Events like the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage are incredibly important for us. They allow us to support our breeders, celebrate the achievements of SPSS-registered ponies and see first-hand the progression of young ponies as they develop through the age classes. It's always rewarding to return each year and watch these exciting young horses and ponies fulfil their potential."
Britain's Rising Talent Impresses in International Youth Classes
Britain's next generation of international riders showcased their talent across the FEI Pony Riders, Children on Horses, Junior and Young Rider Team competitions, with close contests throughout the day demonstrating the quality coming through the ranks.
The FEI Junior Team Competition was won by Lily Cawley and Quimbaya 6, whose polished and consistent test earned a winning score of 68.687%. Crystal Robinson Long partnered the KWPN gelding Nabucco to second place on 66.666%, while Niamh Lenane and Promesse De Massa secured third with 65.404%.
Victory in the FEI Pony Riders Team Competition went to India Adams and Reitland's Don Totilas, who scored 68.143%. Mimi Kempster and Che Bello finished a close second on 67.476%, with Amelia Dovey and Pencwarre Butty Bach taking third on 67.428%.
The FEI Children on Horses Team Competition saw Isadora Lawrence and Piccasso claim top honours after an assured performance that received 69.700%. Josie Hallett and St Nazaire C finished second with 65.875%, while Sophie Mansell and Millfield Lancelot rounded out the top three on 64.350%.
The FEI Young Riders Team Competition proved to be one of the closest contests of the day, with fewer than six-tenths of a percentage point separating the leading combinations. India Hamilton-Burnet and Kissingdale N&A took victory on 66.765%, narrowly ahead of Madison Eagle and Royalty on 66.520%, while Mia Smith and Dutch Discovery completed the podium with 66.176%.
Collectively, the four international youth classes demonstrated the quality, consistency and promise of Britain's emerging dressage riders as they continue their progression towards senior championship competition.
Kate Cowell Tops Competitive Intermediate I
The D&H FEI Intermediate I attracted a competitive field of 12 combinations, with Kate Cowell and Hidalgo II producing the only test to exceed the 70% mark.
An accurate and expressive performance earned the pair a winning score of 70.539%, ahead of Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE in second on 68.873%. Lily Kelly and Newton Tiger completed the top three with 68.627%.
The class once again underlined the strength of combinations progressing through the international ranks towards Grand Prix.
