Brits impress at CHIO Rotterdam

A bright British team achieved fourth place out of seven nations in the CDIO4* FEI Nations Cup™ at CHIO Rotterdam in the Netherlands (22 – 25 June 2023), with Lewis Carrier making a promising senior team debut, and Andrew Gould and Indigro displaying top form in the Grand Prix Special.

Under the supervision of Chef d’Equipe Caroline Griffith, the British team featuring Andrew Gould and Indigro (pictured above), Anna Ross with Habouche, Louise Bell with Into the Blue, and senior team debutant Lewis Carrier with Diego V achieved fourth place at the celebrated Dutch CDIO, which was the fourth out of six legs of the 2023 FEI Nations Cup™ series.

Best of the Brits on the first day's CDIO4* Grand Prix was senior team rookie Lewis Carrier with 15-year-old Diego V (by Spielberg), who he co-owns with his parents Andrew and Helen Carrier. Lewis (26) and Diego (pictured below) who've grown up together through Young Riders and U25s, achieved a new PB of 71.196% to take eighth spot, followed closely by Andrew Gould with Tatiana Skillman’s Indigro (Negro x Jazz) on their heels in ninth (71.087%).

“Our first Senior Nations Cup test completed and what a time to pull out a PB in the Grand Prix!” said Lewis on social media. “Diego felt the best he ever has to score 71%+ and finish 8th amongst some of the world’s best riders. Diego is such a pleasure to ride and the way he embraces the bigger atmospheres and shines is very special.

“It’s always an honour to represent your country, but this show is a particular milestone moment for us,” he added. “This is our first year solely at senior level and I am proud of Diego and the work we are producing on the big stages.”

Anna Ross also did a sterling job with her own and Marcelo Tosi’s talented, enthusiastic grey mare Habouche (Ampere x Ustinov) - pictured above, showing super work and focus to earn 69.478%.

“Super proud of ‘Hollybobs’ on her team debut at CHIO Rotterdam,” said Anna. “A lot of enthusiasm for 69.4% and a nice clear round bodes well for the future. [It was a] Great experience for her in the big stadium and she kept the lid on!”

Louise Bell and Into the Blue (Ublesco x Calvaro Z), who she co-owns with Tonya and William Wood, posted a solid 66.435%.

In this Nations Cup format, athletes receive points equivalent to their finish position in each test. Those points are then totalled for a final team score, with the lowest cumulative score taking top honours. Team riders complete two tests each: all riders contesting the Grand Prix before splitting across the Special and Freestyle.

The team stood fourth after the first stage of competition and maintained their position throughout, behind a winning French team spearheaded by Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A who helped France to record the nation’s first victory in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ of the Netherlands. Germany and Sweden claimed the remaining podium spots.

In Saturday’s Grand Prix Special, Anna and Habouche finished inside the top ten, while Andrew and Indigro landed third place on the podium with a score of 72.170%.

“I’m not going to lie, I had a little tear in the eye,” said Andrew on social media after his Grand Prix Special performance with Tatiana Skillman’s exciting 10-year-old stallion. “[I] Can’t tell you how blown away we are with Indigro. He was so with me and is just going from strength to strength.”

Louise Bell and Into the Blue (pictured above), a combination competing on their sixth Nations Cup team for Great Britain, posted a super 73.160% in the Freestyle for 12th spot on the leaderboard, while Lewis and Diego added to the team total with 73.365% for 11th place. “An incredible experience for us and one that I am extremely grateful for!” said Lewis. “Our PB in the Grand Prix wasn’t quite matched in the freestyle, with too many miscommunications, but lots of lessons learnt for how we approach the test next time and still a respectable score of 73%. As always, Diego thoroughly enjoyed the big atmosphere.”

Results – top five and British placings

Thursday 22 June
CDIO4* Grand Prix
1. Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A, 72.696% (FRA)
2. Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, 72.500% (FRA)
3. Emmelie Scholtens and Indian Rock, 72.478% (NED)
4. Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard, 72.326% (FRA)
5. Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot, 71.826% (GER)
8. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 71.196% (GBR)
9. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 71.087% (GBR)
18. Anna Ross and Habouche, 69.478% (GBR)
26. Louise Bell and Into the Blue, 66.435% (GBR)

Saturday 24 June
CDIO4* Grand Prix Special
1. Emmelie Scholtens and Indian Rock, 75.575%
2. Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, 73.468% (FRA)
3. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 72.170% (GBR)
4. Marina Mattson and Helix, 71.798% (SWE)
5. Amandine Prevost and Quaterdance, 70.957% (BEL)
10. Anna Ross and Habouche, 67.149% (GBR)

CDIO4* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A, 79.820% (FRA)
2. Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard, 78.220% (FRA)
3. Raphael Netz and Great Escape Camelot, 77.380% (GER)
4. Evelyn Eger and Westminster, 77.270% (GER)
5. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Devanto, 75.810% (SWE)
11. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 73.365% (GBR)
12. Louise Bell and Into the Blue, 73.160% (GBR)

Team results
1. France – 11
2. Germany – 38
3. Sweden – 44
4. Great Britain – 56
5. Belgium – 67
6. United States of America – 85
7. The Netherlands - 47

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photo © British Equestrian | Jon Stroud Media