Dujardin Back in the Fray with Double Win at 2025 CDI Wellington Heckfield

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2025 CDI Wellington Heckfield

-- Text by British Dressage, edited by Eurodressage

The 2025 CDI Wellington Heckfield provided spectators a display of riding across senior and youth classes, with action from Children to Grand Prix closing the international season of 2025 in Great Britain. Dujardin's double victory in her international comeback since her suspension was lifted was the talk of the town.

Back in the Fray

Charlotte Dujardin returned to international competition at Wellington riding Ellie McCarthy's 11-year-old Braveheart (by Bordeaux x Tuschinski). A small field of nine only British based riders participated in the Grand Prix, which was judged by Nick Burton (GBR), Carlos Lopes (POR), Francis Verbeek (NED), Kjell Mhyre (NOR) and Mats Erikkson (SWE),

Charlotte and Braveheart received a winning 73.739% in the Grand Prix with marks ranging from 71.413% to 74.783%. Five riders moved forward to the Grand Prix Special, which was judged by Eriksson, Smeets, Lopes, Schulz, Verbeek. Dujardin won again on score of 72.830% in the Grand Prix Special, this time with scores ranging from 71.702% to 74.255%.

Durjardin refused to speak to the press in Wellington. She is off to a flying start as this weekend she will be showing Alive and Kicking at the CDI Le Mans in France.

Back in the Wake

In both big tour classes, Gareth Hughes placed second with Swedish Monica Lindstedt's Lusitano mare Lufada MVL (by Franquelim MVL x Quixote), whilst Lewis Carrier hot-footed it from HOYS to Wellington to place third in the Grand Prix with his 2024 National Champion ride Diego (by Spielberg x Welt Hit II).

After placing fourth in the Grand Prix, Jess Dunn went on to achieve a fantastic Grand Prix Freestyle win with Jennifer Whittaker's 12-year old British bred Dan It's Carston (by Durable x Clearway). Dan Its Carston has earned some great mileage at Big Tour this season, and evidence the progress with a winning score of 72.905%. Based at White Hill Stud, Jess has taken 'Danny' through the levels from Advanced Medium in 2022, to earning international wins at the top level of the sport.

Small Tour

The small tour turned out to be the big feature division at Wellington Heckfield with no less than 29 riders entered for the Prix St Georges.

Michael Eilberg and Nicky Hannam's 10-year old MSJ Encore (by Escolar) were unsurpassable in the Small Tour classes, taking home a trio of wins from their long weekend at Wellington. The pair began their campaign with 72.323% in the Prix St Georges test, before going on to produce a 72.794% Intermediate I performance and finally, a cracking score of 76.384% to conclude their week in the Intermediate I Freestyle.

Speaking on social media, Michael commented that he 'couldn't be prouder of him' in reference to 'Eric', who's secured no less than five international class wins this season.

Youth Sport

In the Youth divisions, European Championship team combination Oriana McNamara and 9-year old KWPN bred Lafite (by Bordeaux x Vivaldi) showed two lovely tests at Children on Horses level as sole competitor in the division. The 14-year-old rider delivered a high score of 71.403% in the Individual test, with a notable general impression mark of 7.8.

Fresh from securing the title at the British Championships, Queenie Moule rode to two test winning performances in the pony classes with nine riders entered. With Louise Moule's 9-year old palomino Amden Supreme Golden Dancer (by Dating AT), Queenie earned 67.809% in the Team test, and 70.541% in the Individual test.

At Junior level, it was fellow National Champion and European Championship team medallist Isla Sully to show her experience and class. On board Cassandra Sully's Lusitano Vagabond de Massa (by Rieto x Xaquiro), Isla delivered two 70% winning scores to show her consistency in the arena. There were 10 juniors competing.

Young Rider Morgan Haerr cuts an elegant silhouette with her tall gelding Behroez (by United x Gribaldi), and also earned herself a brace of Wellington CDI victories in the Young Riders division, which counted three participants. The pair's top score across the weekend came from a well-presented Individual test which earned 66.667%.