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Begg and Lupton take multiple titles at Equissage Pulse Para Bronze and Silver Championships
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Fri, 06 Sep 2024 02:00
The Equissage Pulse Para Championships, held at Hartpury University & College in Gloucestershire (21-22 August 2024), saw two days of competition across a wide selection of classes. Alongside the Bronze and Silver Championships and Gold Semi Finals, the show featured the second time running of the Summer Freestyle Championships, the RDA Championships in association with British Dressage, and, for the first time, Virtus classes for riders with intellectual impairments.
Alice Begg and Margaret Lupton took multiple Championship titles over the two days. Alice Begg had a very successful show, winning the Equissage Pulse Grade 5 Silver Championship title with Nalique (Ferdaux x Serano Gold) - pictured above, on 69.940%, as well as taking all three podium places in the Grade 5 Freestyle Silver. Nalique, once again, was her winning ride, topping the leaderboard on 75.167%, with Gluckauf second (72.333%) and Top Fable third (71.667%).
Speaking about her six-year-old KWPN mare Nalique, Alice said, “She loves her work, always tries, and she takes everything in her stride – like she was born to do what she does. I love her.”
Alice trains with Nikki Barker, Alex Hardwick and List 1 Judge Kim Ratcliffe, who helped devise her freestyle floorplan. “My music for Nalique is a combination of Abba and Tina Turner hits, produced by Julie Geraghty. Nalique is sassy and it really suits her.”
Alice also won the Equissage Pulse Grade 5 Gold Semi-Final with Gluckauf to secure a qualification ticket for the LeMieux National Championships later this month.
Margaret Lupton - pictured above - took no fewer than three titles home to Dumfries and Galloway. With her 16-year-old British-bred gelding, Domino XI, Margaret won the Grade 1 Silver, Grade 1 Bronze and Grade 1 Freestyle Bronze Championship classes on scores of 67.500%, 68.070% and 67.667% respectively.
“He (Domino) enjoys it and really comes into his own at a competition,” said Margaret, who enjoyed a 15-year career in Para Driving, competing both nationally and internationally, before taking up RDA dressage in 2011, then para dressage in 2022.
Margaret travels each week to the Borders Group of Riding for the Disabled near Jedburgh, where Domino is stabled, and she trains with Clare Marshall. “She coaches me, and she rides him too, so we are a good team together. I’ve been riding Domino for seven and a half years and the last couple of years he has really come into his own.
“He’s more forward at a show, and as I have no legs to ride him forwards it makes life a lot easier,” explained Margaret, who was born with abnormalities of her lower limbs and back. “He really does enjoy it and it means I can then focus on the quality and accuracy.
“We’ve been working on the stretching out for the free walks. It’s not perfect, but much better, so I was really pleased with that, and the accuracy was good,” continued Margaret, whose next goal will be to qualify for the Para Winter Championships taking place in March.
Equissage Pulse Silver Champions
Leonie Saffy - pictured below - was the highest-scoring rider of the 2024 Silver Championships, posting 72.544% aboard her eight-year-old mare, Forests Blackdiamond (Moorhey Tomahawk x Indoctro), known at home as Tia, to win the Grade 2 title.
“We put our training into action and produced our best test to date, achieving a new silver PB. Some lovely comments from all three judges and [I was] super pleased with how our marks reflected our focus in training.”
Winners of the Grade 3 Silver last year, 17-year-old Jess Pritchard and lightweight show cob Cochrane fought off the opposition to retain their crown on a score of 70.635%, while Staffordshire rider Frankie Buxton (30) and her 12-year-old mare, Hera Buxton, posted 68.767% to comfortably win the Grade 4 Silver Championship.
Equissage Pulse Bronze Champions
The Lincolnshire-based combination of Alexandra Stewart, 18, and Beau VIII - pictured below - secured an impressive win in the Grade 3 Bronze Championship. Alexandra piloted the 13-year-old Dutch mare to a score of 71.750% to win the class ahead of Kyla Mantilla Ross, who took second and third on Logantemple Blackjack (70.583%) and Libgate Spirit (68.250%) respectively.
The Grade 5 Bronze crown was claimed by Harriet Williamson, 28, from London, and her nine-year-old KWPN gelding King D II (Fairytale x Voice) on just shy of 70%, while Lacey O’Hara successfully defended her Grade 2 Bronze title, won last year with Lyndhurst Soldier, but this year riding her 17-year-old British Riding Pony, Blue Diamond. The duo topped the leaderboard on 66.349% as well as taking the Grade 2 Freestyle Bronze on 67.833%.
The 2024 Grade 4 Bronze title was won in style by Elizabeth Johnson, from Northumberland, and her nine-year-old Vegas Boy, on a score of 65.952%.
Equissage Pulse Freestyle Champions
The second time running of the Equissage Pulse Para Freestyle Championships saw impressive performances from established and up-and-coming partnerships.
The highest-scoring win came courtesy of European Championship team and individual bronze medallists Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau. Gabby - pictured with Sally Prichard of Equissage - rode Connemara gelding ‘Beau’ to an outstanding win on 79.167% in the Grade 1 Freestyle Gold Championship. The next highest score across the Freestyle Gold classes belonged to Izzy Palmer and Last Gift, who were dual winners at Hartpury CPEDI in July, and who continued their summer of success with a win in the Grade 4 on 72.750%.
The Grade 3 Freestyle Gold was won by Katie Reilly, who competes internationally under the Irish flag, and her 15-year-old British-bred gelding, Lymepark Riggeletto (Surprise II x Lanciano), scoring 68.500%. Katie also sealed a qualification ticket for the LeMieux National Championships later this month by winning the Equissage Pulse Para Gold Semi-Final on 68.333% with 11-year-old gelding Impulz W (Wynton x Rubinstein).
The Grade 1 Freestyle Silver was claimed by Francesca Bratt-Martin and Sandhill Sam (64.167%), the Grade 2 Freestyle Silver went to Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella (66.667%), while the Grade 3 Silver was won by Vicky Nurcombe and Wallstreet Hill on 65.667%.
The winning round in the Grade 5 Freestyle Bronze was that of Mark Colvin and Knocknacree Bertie - pictured above, who posted 63.667% to land the win, ahead of Sarah Oram who completed the podium with Mylano and Captain Jack Sparrow, scoring 63.000% with both horses.
Riding for the Disabled
For the second year, RDA Grade 6 and 7 riders enjoyed the opportunity to compete alongside the para dressage classes in a Championships run in association with British Dressage.
Christie Brookin and Tynebank Danny Boy - pictured above - won the Grade 7 walk and trot test on an impressive 73.929%. Frankie Townsend, 11, won the Grade 6 walk, trot and canter test aboard her seven-year-old Welsh-bred Swynol Super Troy on a super score of 72.059%, while the highest score of 74.028% was earned by winners of the Grade 6 walk and trot class, Sarah Hannaford and Izzy’s Star.
Louise Wright impressed to take the win in the Grade 6 walk test riding Fronerthig Wildheart (65.588%), Alfie Armstrong won the Grade 7 walk, trot and canter test with a super score of 70.833%, and Ella Tabb took the Grade 7 walk test with 69.706%.
Virtus victories
The inaugural Virtus classes, for riders with an intellectual impairment, boasted a competitive field across the levels. Lincolnshire rider Danielle Curzon enjoyed an outstanding win in the Virtus Performance II 3 FEI PE Grade 3, for riders with autism, riding Victoria Moss’s Dimaggio-sired Dizzy Rascal to a winning score of 74.250%.
Jessica Limb, 24, from Derbyshire, was another high achiever, posting 70.625% in the Virtus Development II 3 FEI PE Grade 2 with her 14-year-old Connemara gelding, Hexden Dancing Stranger (Dark Stranger x Cloonisle Cashel).
Megan Wilcox, who hails from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, rode her 20-year-old Welsh gelding Sgwd Yr Eira Crackerjack to win the Virtus Performance II 2 FEI PE Grade 3 on a score of 64.690%.
Mia Prowse and Ballyerk Breeze rode to 64.688% in the Virtus Development II 1 FEI PE Grade 2, while Daisy Britnell and Dakota Snow Chief were awarded 68.500% to take the top step of the podium in the Virtus Performance II 1 FEI PE Grade 4, ahead of runner-up Chris Bradley with MBF Harley Rebel (68.250%) and Stella Jelly and Trigger Park who completed the top three.
British Dressage congratulates all the winners and competitors, and thanks the organising team at Hartpury, and judges, scorers, stewards and volunteers, for a fantastic two days of competition.
Results
Top three
Equissage Pulse Bronze & Silver Championships
Grade 1 Silver
1. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, 67.500%
2. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 67.396%
3. Francesca Bratt-Martin and Sandhill Sam, 62.604%
Grade 2 Silver
1. Leonie Saffy and Forrests Blackdiamond, 72.544%
2. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 70.000%
3. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 66.491%
Grade 3 Silver
1. Jess Pritchard and Cochrane, 70.635%
2. Roseanne Knox and With Love JM, 70.238%
3. Vicky Nurcombe and Wallstreet Hit, 67.937%
Grade 4 Silver
1. Frankie Buxton and Hera Buxton, 68.767%
2. Keeley Squires and Landis High Society, 65.067%
3. Poppy Scriven and Lockinge Wilson, 60.200%
Grade 5 Silver
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 69.940%
2. Liz McBurney and Bangalore C, 67.857%
3. Donna West and Hio Lookswell, 67.024%
Grade 1 Bronze
1. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, 68.070%
2. Alicia Robbins and Fransham Fella, 65.877%
3. Francesca Bratt-Martin and Sandhill Sam, 62.719%
Grade 2 Bronze
1. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 66.349%
2. Naomi Smith and Foxys Little My, 63.254%
3. Naomi Smith and Quakin Who Dunit, 60.952%
Grade 3 Bronze
1. Alexandra Stewart and Beau VIII, 71.750%
2. Kyla Mantilla Ross and Logantemple Blackjack, 70.583%
3. Kyla Mantilla Ross and Libgate Spirit, 68.250%
Grade 4 Bronze
1. Elizabeth Johnson and Vegas Boy, 65.952%
2. Poppy Scriven and Lockinge Wilson, 62.540%
Grade 5 Bronze
1. Harriet Williamson and King D II, 69.872%
2. Helen Geddes and Her Ladyship, 68.462%
3. Sarah Oram and Tamrik Captain Jack Sparrow, 68.269%
Equissage Pulse Summer Freestyle Championships
Grade 1 Gold
1. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 79.167%
2. Elan Williams and Brandini, 69.833%
3. Elan Williams and WSH Something Borrowed, 67.000%
Grade 3 Gold
1. Katie Reilly and Lymepark Riggeletto, 68.500%
2. Isabella Benfield and Cookies and Cream II, 62.500%
Grade 4 Gold
1. Izzy Palmer and Last Gift, 72.750%
2. Sara Bates and Solo Hit 2, 69.875%
3. Sara Bates and Tango VII, 68.375%
Grade 1 Silver
1. Francesca Bratt-Martin and Sandhill Sam, 64.167%
Grade 2 Silver
1. Jason Inchley and Rubin Ryella, 66.667%
Grade 3 Silver
1. Vicky Nurcombe and Wallstreet Hill, 65.667%
Grade 5 Silver
1. Alice Begg and Nalique, 75.167%
2. Alice Begg and Gluckauf, 72.333%
3. Alice Begg and Top Fable, 71.667%
Grade 1 Bronze
1. Margaret Lupton and Domino XI, 67.667%
2. Alisha Robbins and Fransham Fella, 64.333%
Grade 2 Bronze
1. Lacey O’Hara and Blue Diamond, 67.833%
Grade 5 Bronze
1. Mark Colvin and Knocknacree Bertie, 63.667%
2. Sarah Oram and Mylano, 63.000%
3. Sarah Oram and Tamrik Captain Jack Sparrow, 63.000%
Equissage Pulse Para Gold Semi Finals
Grade 1
1. Susanna Wade and Premier Royal Mint, 72.986%
2. Elan Williams and Brandini, 69.306%
3. Tegan Vincent-Cooke and Stolen Kiss, 67.847%
Grade 2
1. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 70.833%
2. Julie Payne and Divinity, 66.056%
3. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 64.444%
Grade 3
1. Katie Reilly and Impulz W, 68.333%
2. Roseanne Knox and With Love JM, 64.556%
3. Katie Reilly and Lymepark Riggeletto, 63.278%
Grade 4
1. Fiona Maynard and Denver IX, 70.991%
2. Katie Radzik and Showkia, 69.189%
3. Izzy Palmer and Last Gift, 67.748%
Grade 5
1. Alice Begg and Gluckauf, 67.544%
2. Liz McBurney and Bangalore C, 65.702%
RDA Championships in association with BD
Grade 7 – walk only
1. Ella Tabb and (horse unregistered), 69.706%
2. Sicily Tabb and (horse unregistered), 69.118%
3. Laura Smith and (horse unregistered), 66.618%
Grade 7 – walk and trot
1. Christie Brookin and Tynebank Danny Boy, 73.929%
2. Lauren White and (horse unregistered), 72.143%
3. Matthew Walker and (horse unregistered), 70.833%
Grade 7 – walk, trot and canter
1. Alfie Armstrong Green and (horse unregistered), 70.833%
2. Summer Turnbull and Saxon, 69.405%
3. Daisy Britnell and Dakota Snow Chief, 69.286%
Grade 6 – walk
1. Louise Wright and Fronerthig Wildheart, 65.588%
2. Joel Rawlinson and (horse unregistered), 65.000%
3. Ellen Benn and Milford Sound, 62.500%
Grade 6 – walk and trot
1. Sarah Hannaford and Izzy’s Star, 74.028%
2. Blossom Burton and Fronerthig Wildheart, 66.528%
3. Emily Halsey and Milford Sound, 65.972%
Grade 6 – walk, trot and canter
1. Frankie Townsend and Swynol Super Troy, 72.059%
2. Lucinda Mitchell and A Splash of Colour IV, 70.147%
3. Georgina Chapman and Villa Candy, 66.471%
Virtus classes in association with British Dressage
Virtus Development II 1 FEI PE Grade 2
1. Mia Prowse and Ballyerk Breeze, 64.688%
Virtus Development II 3 FEI PE Grade 2
1. Jessica Limb and Hexden Dancing Stranger, 70.625%
Virtus Performance II 1 FEI PE Grade 4
1. Daisy Britnell and Dakota Snow Chief, 68.500%
2. Chris Bradley and MBF Harley Rebel, 68.250%
3. Stella Jelly and Trigger Park, 59.000%
Virtus Performance II 2 FEI PE Grade 3
1. Megan Wilcox and Sgwd Yr Eira Crackerjack, 64.690%
2. Millie Boult and Trigger Park, 64.063%
Virtus Performance II 3 FEI PE Grade 3
1. Danielle Curzon and Dizzy Rascal, 74.250%
2. Nia Harmes and Manila, 66.000%
3. Jessica Limb and Hexden Dancing Stranger, 59.250%
Photo © Kevin Sparrow Photography
