Anders Dahl wins Grand Prix double at Keysoe High Profile Show

Anders Dahl dominated the Grand Prix classes at last week’s Keysoe High Profile Show in Bedfordshire (5 – 8 December 2019).

Riding his wife Fiona Bigwood’s Fidelio Van Het Blomenhof (Fidertanz x Jazz) - pictured above, the West Sussex-based Dane was the runaway Grand Prix victor with a score of 75.40%. The 10 year old gelding, who partnered Anders at the 2019 European Championships, was acquired by Fiona in 2017 as a rising Grand Prix prospect and is certainly starting to fulfil his potential. They delivered a high quality and expressive test despite it being such early days in their partnership.

Second place belonged to Anna Ross with her own and Beverley Brown’s 11 year old Delgado (by Uphill) on 70.73% whilst Rebecca Hughes completed the top three partnered by Lorraine Sattin’s Rubini Royale (by Rubin-Royal).

I can’t wait to ride down the centre line at Olympia.

“Fabulous day today!” said Anders on Fiona Bigwood and Anders Dahl Facebook. “I took Fidelio out to Keysoe High Profile Show for his last competition before Olympia in 10 days. 75.40% and a win in the Grand Prix! I love him, he is so sweet. I can’t wait to ride down the centre line at Olympia.”

Dahl and Fidelio also claimed the Grand Prix Freestyle with a cracking score average of 77.42% from the judging panel of Debbie Lush (C), Kim Ratcliffe (B) and Carole Thornton (H) – an excellent preparation for Olympia. London based Slovenian competitor, Mojca Usnik, was runner up with her nine year old grey gelding Libertino whose dam sire is the legendary showjumping stallion, Cornet Obolensky, whilst Daniel Watson and Amadeus VI, his 2016 Aachen CHIO partner, took third.

In the Small Tour classes, Beth Bainbridge and exciting prospect Habouche (Ampere x Sydney) - pictured above, owned by Anna Ross and Marcelo Tosi, made their High Profile Show debut a winning one with a 71.32% victory in the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges. Beth, who works as a rider for Anna Ross’s Elite Dressage in the rolling Devonshire countryside near Crediton, piloted the seven year old mare to a 71.32% victory in Thursday’s competitive class.

She is just the best horse and I am so proud of her.

“She’s so clever,” said Beth on Facebook. “Habouche was awesome to win the Prix St Georges on the first day with over 71%. She is just the best horse and I am so proud of her. Thank you so much to every one for making this possible. I am a lucky girl to have so much support from Anna and all the people involved in Elite Dressage.”

Daniel Sherriff and FX Bayford Hall Fergus (pictured below) made an impression at the show with a decisive 72.28% win in Saturday’s Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges. The tall Uphill-sired nine year old is a hot prospect for Dan who notably enjoyed Big Tour success with Bayford Hall Dallaglio both home and abroad.

Isobel Lickley and Mister Snowman wrapped up a highly successful 2019 with a 71.41% victory in Saturday’s Pony Team Test. The accomplished pair, who were so influential in Great Britain’s fourth place at the FEI European Pony European Championships this year, will now have a Christmas break from competition in preparation for their 2020 campaign.

Second place went to Martha Jobling-Purser and Valido’s Starlight on 69.96% who also achieved a top three place in a closely-fought Pony Individual Test, behind the winner Mette Dahl and George Clooney BS (69.43%) and Ronni-Mae Morgan and DST Carluccio (68.66%).

British Dressage thanks all the class sponsors, and Simon Bates and the team at Keysoe for putting on a fantastic event. Congratulations to all the winners listed below.

Thursday
Class 1: TopSpec Medium Q overall
Emma Woolley and MSJ Furstin Rosa, 68.11%
Class 2: Equine Construction Advanced Medium Q overall
Zoe Sopp and Borella, 68.95%
Class 3: Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Q overall
Beth Bainbridge and Habouche, 71.32%
Class 4: Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Q overall
Rebecca Edwards and Fantasia I, 68.95%
Class 5: Intermediate A
Sally Bell and State Secret, 63.80%
Class 6: Intermediate II
Lucy Amy and Extra Time, 68.46%
Class 7: Grand Prix
Anders Dahl and Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof, 75.40%

Friday
Class 8: TopSpec Medium Q overall
Jezz Palmer and Hormela, 71.21%
Class 9: Equine Construction Advanced Medium Q overall
Antonia Brown and SJL Jackson, 70.31%
Class 10: Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Q overall
Sara-Jane Lanning and Mi Amigo, 69.02%
Class 11: Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Q overall
Sara-Jane Lanning and Mi Amigo, 69.87%
Class 12: Intermediate B
Richard Hayward and Ricochet II, 67.82%
Class 13: Intermediate I Freestyle
Louisa Spencer and Armstrong II, 69.30%
Class 14: Grand Prix Freestyle
Anders Dahl and Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof, 77.42%

Saturday
Class 21: Medium 61 overall
Roberta Collyer and Fiasco II, 72.59%
Class 22: TopSpec Medium Q overall
Roberta Collyer and Fiasco II, 68.09%
Class 23: Children on Horses Team Test
Mette Dahl and Selten HW, 71.79%
Class 24: Pony Team Test
Isobel Lickley and Mister Snowman, 71.41%
Class 25: Equine Construction Advanced Medium Q overall
Holly Kerslake and Extasia, 69.32%
Class 26: Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Daniel Sherriff and FX Bayford Hall Fergus, 72.28%

Sunday
Class 35: Medium 69
Roberta Collyer and Fiasco II, 70.00%
Class 36: TopSpec Medium 75
Anna Bates and Jolianna, 68.38%
Class 37: Children on Horses Individual Test
Mette Dahl and Selten HW, 68.28%
Class 38: Pony Individual Test
Mette Dahl and George Clooney, 69.43%
Class 39: Equine Construction Advanced Medium 96
Holly Kerslake and Extasia, 70.31%
Class 40: Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges
Ami McLean and Premier Royal Mint, 70.22%

Full results

Photo © Tanja Davis for Kevin Sparrow