The British contingent scooped up five wins across the senior and young rider classes at the 2011 CDI Compiegne, France, on 3-5 June 2011, but it was Gareth Hughes who drew the crowds out with his rising Grand Prix star horse Sandman (by Jazz). Great Britain has just added yet another international 70% ++ scoring combination to their ever growing list of GP super stars.
Hughes continued his grand prix success from last week’s national premier league show at Somerford Park by clinching a double big tour win in France. He and the elastic-moving Classic Sandman (pictured) lead the grand prix on 71.14% and the grand prix special on 71.27%. The 12 year old Jazz gelding has only been back out competing since July 2010 following injury, and is yet to be beaten in 2011
“This was Sandman’s first international abroad, his first grand prix special and only the fourth show at this level,” Gareth told British Dressage. “He’s just got better and better - he’s building in confidence and strength all the time and is relishing the grand prix work – he’s actually got easier to ride as he’s gone up through the levels."
“He tried his heart out,” said Gareth about their performances. “We had some great highlights in the canter work and just one mistake in the grand prix special. He did really well and I couldn’t have asked for more."
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind with this year and I’m taking it one step at a time. We’re competing at Fritzens CDI in Austria in two weeks and will then make a plan for the next step. It’s exciting because being relatively green at the level, there’s so much more to come from him."
Amy Stovold and Macbrian, her 14-year-old Bjorsells Briar-sired gelding, were comfortable runners-up. With some of her best international grand prix scores yet – 69.59% in the grand prix and 70.02% for the special - Amy made it a British one-two in both.
The small tour was a ground-breaking moment for former Young Rider team-mates, Kate Attlee and Andrew Gould, as they both enjoyed their first senior international victories. Worcestershire-based Kate and Ann Willets’ Corbiere II, a 10-year-old German-bred gelding, headed the intermediate I leader board. With a strong 69.47%, the duo edged ahead of Germany’s Nicole Glaser Kappeler and Waitongo who scored 68.63% to finish second.
Adding to the British senior tally, Andrew Gould and Natasha Mitchell’s nine-year-old Sandro Hit gelding, Mitchell’s Santorini Hit, raised the flag in the intermediate I freestyle. Riding to a compilation of Bryan Adams and Rob Dougan tracks, they scored 70.62% to head the class. “This horse is getting better and better with every show, he has so much quality” explained Andrew “I am hoping to compete him at Hartpury and Hickstead CDIs as he is on fire at the moment!”
The younger generation produced some high-class performances across the under-21 classes. Para-equestrian dressage star Sophie Wells, competing against her able-bodied counterparts, secured a fifth win at the show for the Brits. With Jacqueline Walker’s 14-year-old gelding Pinocchio she took the Young Rider freestyle with 70.16%. Denmark’s Simone Ahlers Pedersen and British young rider Melissa Beer both scored 70.083%, right behind Sophie, and split by artistic marks, they were place second and third respectively.
Text © British Dressage
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI Compiegne
Gareth Hughes Reigns Supreme at 2011 CDN Myerscough College