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It’s a para dressage silver and bronze for Britain at Riesenbeck

Tuesday, 05 September 2023

The para dressage competition started bright and early this morning with the Grade 2 individual class, riding the Grand Prix A test for individual medals, the test would also serve as a qualifier for Saturday’s freestyle. In the judges’ seats for the class was Anne Prain (C), Eva Andersson (E), Sarah Leitch (H), Ineke Jansen (M) and Elke Ebert (B).

Georgia Wilson and Sakura

First up in the Riesenbeck sunshine for Great Britain was our Grade 2 combination, Georgia Wilson and Sakura, who Georgia jointly owns with her parents, Geoff and Julie Wilson. British-bred ‘Suki’ looked an absolute picture thanks to the skills of groom Beth Revill, with a radiant copper glow to her coat, beautifully crafted plaits and expertly applied quarter marks. Georgia headed to the arena from the warmup box with an expression of intent, ready to put into place all the weeks of practice and preparation that had led her to this moment.

The final competitors in the class, they got off to a relaxed but upbeat start, with Suki listening to Geogia’s aids. Some great transitions up to trot and back to walk were rewarded with sevens and a few seven point fives, and the first leg yield to the left was well ridden for three eights. The trot serpentine had a lovely flow and rhythm, as did their final eight-metre circle. The final centre line was consistent,  then a near-perfect halt to complete the test yielded three more eights on the board – it was just the clear round they wanted.

After a short wait while the steward inspected Georgia and Suki, the score was revealed as 72.966%. It was enough to secure a silver medal for the Welsh rider, and Britain’s first medal of the championships. The gold medal went to the host nation, Germany, in the shape of Heidemarie Dresing riding Horse24Dooloop, while Norway’s Ann Cathrin Lübbe riding La Costa Majund took bronze.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Georgia afterwards. “It was nice and hot – we’ve basically had winter in Great Britain, so it's nice.  I’ve been trying to get more of an uphill trot, so I was happy I kept that. There were some bits that I could have improved on, but the majority of it I was happy with.  There was quite a good crowd with people on the one side, so it was a really nice arena to ride in, but I want more clapping – it helps me with the trot!”  

Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau

After a break at the end of the Grade 2 competition, the judges returned to their huts in the arena, but with a swap around in position. This time, it was Britain’s Sarah Leitch who sat at C, and then Elke Ebert (E), Eva Andersson (H), Anne Prain (M) and Ineke Jansen (B). German combination Matrina Benzinger and Nautika set a benchmark of 74.833% for everyone to beat just after the first break. It was then the turn of Rihards Snikus from Latvia, who’s dominated the Grade 1 for a few years with the charming King of the Dance, and the bright bay and his rider certainly waltzed around their test.  Despite an uncharacteristic error of course, they posted 75.250%.

The penultimate competitor was our debutante of the day, Gabriella ‘Gabby’ Blake and her own super-cute Connemara cross Irish Sports Horse, Strong Beau, whom she owns with her parents, Gavin and Estelle Blake. The grey gelding was a white as the driven snow, the work of groom Liz Geldard, further enhanced by the sunshine to give him that extra silver gleam. The bell rang aloud to start their round and Gabby was immediately in the zone, the two athletes working as one. ‘Beau’ was super-relaxed but had a real purpose to his walk, his ears contentedly bobbing. Gabby was working hard to get every mark with expert positioning and maintaining the consistency that’s so vital in the Grade 1 tests. The background music for their test was a reworked instrumental version of The Carpenters’ (They Long To Be) Close To You and it was absolutely perfect for the duo – almost as if it was chosen for them.

There was just a moment of distraction as a member of the site staff at the showground dragged a cart along adjacent to the ring, disturbing the silence, but it didn’t take Beau from his stride and Gabby quickly got back his full focus. They turned down the centreline and Gabby’s eyes were fixed on her ‘C’ market for a needle straight approach into the final halt for the onlooking judges. It was a good test and reflected the effort Gabby and her personal coach Nicky Lickley have been putting in to get those scores up, but what would the judges give?

Gabby was clearly delighted with the test, so the mark would seem to be a mere formality. As she approached her support team, the realisation of a magical start to their first championship set in and the happy tears began to flow. With the steward check complete and Beau on his way back to the stable for a cooling wash down, the huge digital scoreboard began revealing the marks.  While an aggregate score of 74.583% was aggregate score was a smidge under their personal best for the Grand Prix A,  riding under championship conditions is a completely new experience for the pair and the entire British camp was elated for Gabby and her team.

There was just one final competitor to go and, as she progressed through her test, it was looking like a medal might be on the cards for the Brits. The score came through and it was indeed a debut bronze for Gabby – and the tears began to flow all over again!

On overwhelmed Gabby did her best to give her take on the performance; “I’m just in shock – it’s the best test I've ever ridden and he went absolutely beautifully. He loved it! I’m so shocked, and that's all I can say. Yes, I would have liked to have got a medal, but I just wanted to come and have a confident ride. I was very nervous this morning and I nearly broke, but I didn’t and kept my cool.”

Tomorrow’s action turns to the Grades 4 and 5, which means we have two riders in action, both Grade 5:

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa – 11:57 BST / 12:57 local time
Charlotte Cundall and FJ Veyron – 14:06 BST / 15:06 local time

Dressage foursome is clear to compete

The dressage quartet successfully negotiated their first horse inspection and have a green light to complete. Sensibly, the organisers allowed several of the competing stallions to go early this morning while the area for inspection was quiet, which included Van Olst Horse’s Glamourdale. Rider Lottie Fry gave him an early stretch under saddle and then, with the slick manoeuvre worthy of a Formula 1 team, she was off, ‘Glammy’ brushed, bridles arranged, and the coal black stallion was handed over to Niek Haarlink who would present him to the ground jury. He was passed without problem and, shortly after, the inspection proper got underway.

First up for the Brits in the main group was Charlotte Dujardin with Coral Ingham and Carl Hester’s Imhotep, or Pete, who had been beautifully turned out by groom Francesca Gorni and looked to enjoy his moment on the runway. Next up was her mentor, Carl Hester, who is back in the team after missing the World Championships last year. He brought forward Penny, Fiona and Mette Bigwood and Anders Dahl’s Fame, who shone like a conker thanks to groom Lucy Scuadamore. The ‘ring master’ Pedro Cebulka declared them accepted and also commeting on Carl’s smart boots, so thanks must go to team suppliers Fairfax & Favor for those! Last up was Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca. The mare, who Gareth owns with his wife Rebecca and daughter Ruby alongside friend and supporter Julia Horning, was looking very spritely, even letting out a little buck as she moved on to the trot up strip. Long-time groom Steph Sharples adores her ‘Princess’ and had worked her magic to ensure she looked tip-top. Again, there was no delay in declaring them fit to go.

In the evening’s setting sun, the horses and riders got their first look at Riesenbeck’s main arena. Normally an expansive green space, modelled on the likes of Aachen or Hickstead, the organising committee has made it more of an intimate affair for the dressage competition, with a temporary surfaced arena expertly laid on top and grandstands erected to give the spectators a bird’s eye view. All the horses were on their best behaviour and took it all in.

Performance Manager Caroline Griffith had secured a good draw earlier in the day, with Britain set to go 12th of the 15 teams running. Crucially, main rivals Germany and Denmark have earlier draws in the order, so it will be interesting to see how the competition pans out. Her declared team order is Gareth as pathfinder andCarl second to go on Wednesday, then Charlotte in the third rotation on Thursday and Lottie in the anchor role.

After the arena familiarisation, Caroline said: “We’re feeling really positive. We’ve arrived here, horses and humans, and settled in well – they’re looking fabulous. We’ve got a really good draw, which is great, and we’re ready for the competition.

“The facilities here at Riesenbeck are amazing – they’ve really impressed us and the stables are great for the horses. Even though it’s quite warm out here, they’re big, cool and airy, which is fabulous because it means the horses can rest really well. The grooms have been looking after them brilliantly, and it’s good to see them happy and comfortable.”

Times for Wednesday are:

Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca – 11:33 BST / 12:33 local time
Carl Hester and Fame – 15:24 BST / 16:24 local time

All the dressage action will be available to stream live with English commentary on FEI.TV via a subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV. The para dressage tests can be watched via the FEI You Tube channel.

Running orders and results are available from Longines Equestrian Timing.

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The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.

British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, Fairfax & Favor, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek, Horseware, Lotus Romeo, Marksway Horsehage and Point Two. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams.

Photos: Copyright British Equestrian / Jon Stroud