Gallop and Bandreo Win Medium Tour at 2018 CDI Saumur

Tue, 09/18/2018 - 05:57
2018 CDI Saumur
Sara Gallop and Bandreo win the medium tour at the 2018 CDI Saumur :: Photo © ICFE

Great Britain’s Sara Gallop secured her first overseas victory at the weekend in the Middle Tour divisions at Saumur CDI2*/CDI3* in France on 7 – 9 September 2018.

With her 12-year-old Sandreo-sired stallion, Bandreo, her campaign started well with second in Saturday’s Intermediate A, culminating in a landmark victory for the pair in Sunday’s Intermediate B.

The British partnership achieved 69.363% and 69.792% in the Inter A and B respectively, taking victory in the latter ahead of the home nation’s Guillaume Lundy Cne and Temp Ene HN (69.625%) in second.

“I’m thrilled with Bandreo,” Sara told British Dressage, after arriving back home to Summerhouse EC in Gloucestershire. “It’s been a long journey with him – it’s not been plain sailing – but this is one of the shows when you think ‘we’re finally there’. He’s given me everything and more.”

Bandreo has been in the Gallop-family stable since a three-year-old and he’s the third horse Sara has trained to Grand Prix. The stallion’s ability is matched by an equally large helping of joie de vivre, which his rider has patiently encouraged him to temper. “He’s a bit spirited shall we say, in that he has some issues with enthusiasm,” she smiled. “He’s so enthusiastic, especially in the canter, but he’s a phenomenal horse with all the ability.”

This year, the good-looking bay has shown increasing maturity, delivering good results including a Grand Prix Special win at Hickstead Premier League in June and internationally, a win in the Inter B at Hickstead CDI one month later.

“It’s been an amazing, well organised show,” said Sara, in praise of the organising team at Saumur. “And all the Brits got together which was really nice. There was a very nice team spirit.”

Text by British Dressage 

Related Link
Scores: 2018 CDI Saumur