Becky Moody took the 1-2 in the Prix St Georges Freestyle at the 2015 British Winter Indoor Dressage Championships at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire on 15 – 19 April 2015. She topped off that performance on Friday with a double whammy, winning the Intermediaire I Freestyle Championships on Sunday.
In front of a sell-out crowd, Becky Moody and Carinsio made the Hartpury Arena their own, winning the Intermediate I Freestyle by a plus-4% margin. The judges were unanimous in their decision, resulting in a massive average score of 79.25%.
At the interval stage, the judges panel consisting of Britain’s Peter Storr (E), France’s Alban Tissot (C) and Sweden’s Magnus Ringmark (M) had awarded an average of 70.29% to Richard Barrett and Walid IV, Mark Philpott’s 14-year-old Warkant-sired gelding, putting them firmly into the lead. Richard and Warkant put in a crowd-pleasing routine, showing expressive trot work to a Roy Orbison soundtrack.
The first horse after the break was Furst Sinclair, a towering Furst Heinrich son owned by Alison Ramseier and ridden by World Games team silver-medallist Michael Eilberg. Michael cranked up the competition with a powerful, clean programme to dramatic music, earning 74.54% to take the lead
Pippa Hutton and her long-term ride Duela, a sporty Dimaggio-sired mare, now 13-years-old, pulled out all the stops with a bold, daring floorplan to an Adele/Rhianna soundtrack. They grabbed the attention of the crowd, setting off in extended canter to a pirouette then nailed their demanding choreography, finishing with a series of one-handed two-tempis down the centre line to score 73.75%. Paul Hayler, who provided a commentary between each horse, praised Pippa’s riding and stated that her performance was a real challenge to Michael.
Michael’s sister Maria posed a threat with the striking grey Royal Concert, owned by Penny Pollard and Hermione Black but she couldn’t quite catch Michael. She rode an expressive routine to a soundtrack of Sting and Roxette, with great trot extensions. Paul felt it was a super choice of music, with sweeping half-passes and great ground cover. The exciting pair earned 73.96%.
Matt Frost with AMD Don Rosso II and Olivia Oakeley with Donna Summer both put up a good fight with captivating performances however costly errors kept them off the front runners. They both scored 72.29%.
Last to go were Friday’s winners Becky Moody and Carinsio. Their commanding performance showed all the qualities for an exciting future. Her routine to a Thomas Farnon compilation of music from Sherlock and Last Tango in Halifax raised the roof. Powerful and emotive with the horse showing a huge range of gears, they were rewarded with 79.25% for an emphatic win.
“I was chuffed to bits with him,” said Becky. “It’s his first inter I freestyle but he finds the work so easy, he’s such a natural athlete. He’s doing a bit of everything for grand prix now and is obviously very talented. I’m really excited about him.”
Moody Wins the PSG Freestyle
At the halfway stage in the Prix St Georges Freestyle Championship, the judging panel – consisting of France’s Alban Tissot (E), Sweden’s Magnus Ringmark (C) and Brit, Nick Burton (M) – had Becky in the lead with her first ride, Dee Parker’s 11-year-old Nourejev-sired mare, Tirsa on an impressive 72.54% but with several quality combinations still to ride, it was all to play for. After the break, Hertfordshire-based rider, Tahley Reeve-Smith and her own 12-year-old Sandro Hit-sired gelding, Special danced to an orchestral Beatles medley to score a solid 67.88% and place eighth. Providing commentary between tests, Paul Hayler commended her music and horse’s soft way of going, stating that she should be pleased with that performance.
Taking inspiration from a recent box office success, Maria Griffin’s complicated floor plan was supported by music from Fifty Shades of Grey. Featuring complex movements including tempi changes up and down the centre line with Adrian Baker’s 13-year-old German-bred gelding, DJ, the judges awarded the pair a score of 71.75% for third place. After the test, Paul commented that it was a high-quality performance with super music; although there was one little mistake, he predicted that it would be another high-mark test.
Straight after Laura Tomlinson’s Master Class, where she displayed her warm up routine with the seven-year-old Lord Leatherdale x Jazz mare, Dolcevende O – aka Dotty, Becky and her second ride of the evening, Julie Lockey’s eight-year-old Painted Black-sired gelding, Carinsio stormed in to powerful orchestral music. Another complex floor plan, Paul Hayler stated that he loved the music, the test was faultless and Becky should be smiling – clearly the judges agreed, as they gave the dynamic duo a huge score of 77.29 to win the class and push herself with Tirsa into second place.
“It’s pretty cool to win,” said a relaxed Becky. “I was really pleased with both horses. I know Carinsio is a great horse, but he’s only eight and it’s still new for him to be in a big atmosphere like this, so it could have gone pretty differently. He took a little while to settle but the second lot of half passes were great – they’re his forte – and the pirouettes were good for him too, as he can still be a little green with those”
Showing great scope for the future, Becky and Carinsio – aka Jack – were crowned Advanced Medium National Champions in September last year and are currently top of the Mount St John Future Elite leaderboard.
“We’re dead excited about his future,” she gushed. “I’d love to qualify for the Mount St John Future Elite championship at HOYS, it’s a fantastic atmosphere and a great opportunity to expose your horse to something like that – especially if you’re looking to take them out internationally.”
Text British Dressage
Related Links
Junior Rider Charlotte Fry Wins PSG Kur at 2014 British Indoor Championships
Clark and Urionetta Win Prix St Georges at 2014 British Indoor Championships
Friday and Sleigh Take Small Tour Titles at 2013 British Winter Dressage Championships
Wessels and Eilberg Win Small Tour Classes at 2012 British Winter Dressage Championships
