Cavago Associated Championships: GB PREs on parade

Competitors shone across the classes in the GB PRE and Part bred GBPRE Associated categories as we welcomed them for the first day of the Cavago Associated championships at Onley Grounds Equestrian.

The first day of the Cavago Associated Championships featured GB PRE and part-bred GB PRE horses, with the breed showcased by some standout horses as they took to the centre line.

Tasha Wakely was one of our stand-out winners aboard Caroline Phillips’ 11-year-old gelding Onis De La Espada (Capitan XLIV x Kema HM) (pictured above), claiming two overall champion titles in the GB PRE Medium (68.750%) and Advanced Medium (69.423%).

Despite feeling that Onis De La Espada, or Oni as he’s known at home, was a little on edge going into their tests, the pair delivered two impressive, winning tests: “I held his hand through the test and luckily it was just enough to get the wins!” said Tasha.

This was the second time Tasha has done the Associated Championships,  having previously taken part in the competition with her mum’s GB PRE around four years ago.  

“I think it's just a great show because you're competing against your own when normally you're up against horses that move so differently,” said Tasha, before explaining why she is drawn to the breed, “I love the PRE’s willingness to work and eagerness to please and they’re much lighter in the contact. I'm classically trained, so I like to work very much off my seat, and they respond super well to that.”

“Oni is amazing,” said Tasha, “I've nicknamed him ‘the little showman’, because when he gets in the white boards, he's like, ‘yep, I know what I'm here for”.

Reflecting on their journey, Tasha shared that in their first few years together they had success in Masters du Cheval Ibérique (MCI) Europeans and Nationals, working up through the levels from Golega (Elementary) through to Lisboa (Advanced Medium). She also had success in British Dressage competing at their first LeMieux National Championships this year. “Now I’m starting to work with my trainer, Lisa Hopkins, towards Prix St Georges so hopefully we’ll get there by the end of next year,” she added.

The  Bedford-based rider has been careful not to rush Oni explaining, “He can be tricky at times…we often have to remind him that his body needs to catch up with his brain. I’ve taken time to build his trust  and make sure the basics are good and correct — I think even when it’s not our best test day, that still shines through and shows in the judge's comments.”

Reflecting on how crucial the support she’s received from Oni’s owner has been, Tasha concluded, “I wouldn't be achieving any of this without Caroline Phillips, who is such a fabulous, supportive owner and has trusted me with Oni for the last three years as we've been on this huge journey.”

After only competing together for a year, 14-year-old Ava Godley and her 13-year-old gelding Godello (pictured above) are a combination to watch after they claimed the Part-Bred GB PRE Novice Bronze and overall title with 64.896%.

“We’ve already had so much fun this year,” explained Ava, “we’ve focused on the Prelim and Novice levels, allowing us to experience different dressage adventures while we’re still learning about each other.”

Ava was inspired to start her British Dressage journey after she heard about the amazing opportunities out there for young British Dressage riders [GU6] explaining, “It inspired me work hard on my partnership with Godello.”

The pair have been to many competitions this year, however, the Cavago Championships were a particular goal Ava wanted to achieve as she explained, “I really wanted to compete in a class that was specific for my Godello’s breed, and I loved it! The atmosphere was so friendly and welcoming.”

Reflecting on her test Ava said, “As I came down the centre line, I felt so proud of how far we have come this year. We were a bit tense in the warm up as we took in the atmosphere, but Godello held it together and was such a good boy!”

For Ava, Godello has been the perfect partner to help her fulfil her dressage dreams: “I’ve always been interested in dressage and absolutely love watching it, so it’s been a dream of mine to perform in dressage shows with Godello. He’s just such a gentleman and always wants to please. He makes me feel so safe and he really looks after me.”

Stephanie Clark and Querencioso XV (pictured above) were almost on the road home before she realised she had not only won the GB PRE Elementary Bronze category but also the GB PRE Elementary overall champion title with a score of 65.000% and so had to race to make the prize giving.

“I didn’t think we had done well enough to place! I’d unplaited, packed the lorry and was about to load to leave when we checked the scores and saw we had actually won the Bronze category and were overall champion (…so no nice pictures for us!).” said Stephanie.

 “Our Medium test was first and safe to say didn’t go to plan — definitely more relaxation and less spooking required,” said Stephanie, However, the pair managed to put this behind them and reset for their Elementary test,  “He was like a different horse — more confident, more relaxed and showing what he’s capable of.”

Reflecting on her test she added, “I was so pleased, whilst it wasn’t perfect and we had a few little mistakes, he tried really hard, and we enjoyed ourselves. What a way to end our season.

Stephanie and Querencioso are now looking forward to a winter of training and hacking ready for 2025!

Congratulations to all of this year's winners and competitors and thank you to everyone who made this event one to remember.  

GB PRE Associated Champions

GB PRE Prelim
Joanna Dunn and Limeno Arenas (S)*, 68.535%

GB PRE Novice
Laura Spencer-Jones and Komatsu RN111 (S)*, 67.813%
India Popadich and Razzmatazz PPD (B), 66.875%

GB PRE Elementary
Anneleise Brown and Secreto (S), 64.927%
Stephanie Clarke and Querencioso (B)* 65.000%

GB PRE Medium
Kirsten Mayne and Habano GR (G), 67.821%
Tasha Wakely and Onis De La Espada (S)*, 69.423%
Suzanne Jackson and Bodegeuro (B), 66.346%

GB PRE Advanced Medium
Charlotte Dicker and Amaranto D Centurion (G), 67.82%
Tasha Wakely and Onis De La Espada (S)*, 69.423%
Lesley Taylor and Good Bay (B), 65.000%

GB PRE Part Bred Associated Champions

Part Bred GB PRE Preliminary
Julia Owen and Aventurero Luca (B)*, 65.518%

Part Bred GB PRE Novice
Ava Godley and Godello (B)*, 64.896%

Part Bred GB PRE Elementary
Melissa Chapman and Pepperwood Valienta (G)*, 68.236%
Alison Zuend and II Danubio (S), 67.059%
Jacqueline Vaughan and Balinmore Reuben (B), 63.309%

Part Bred GB PRE Medium
Melissa Chapman and Pepperwood Valienta (G)*, 70.736%
Caroline Jones and La Hucha (S), 66.986%
Alison Zuend and II Danubio (B), 66.765%

Part Bred GB PRE Advanced Medium
Gwen Davies and Campeon (B)*, 70.064%

View Full Results