Clean sweep for Hester, Smith and Basoco at Hickstead CDI

Carl Hester, Sadie Smith and Spain’s Sergio Morón Basoco were unbeaten at last week’s Hickstead CDI (11 – 14 May 2023) at The ICE Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival, a show that heralded the return of international dressage to the iconic venue of The All England Jumping Course in West Sussex. 

Together with winning the Premier League Grand Prix with his Tokyo partner, En Vogue (report to follow), dressage maestro Carl Hester was in dominant form in the international Big Tour classes with new ride Fame (Bordeaux 28 x Rhodium), owned by the Bigwood family. The 13-year-old bay stallion, previously ridden by Fiona Bigwood and partnered by Carl for less than six months, is proving to be an exciting prospect for Carl who piloted him to a double win on the combination’s international debut at last month’s Tolbert CDI3* in the Netherlands. 
 
The brand new pairing won Saturday’s CDI3* Grand Prix on 76.326% and Sunday’s Grand Prix Special on 75.468%. Carl’s London 2012 teammate Laura Tomlinson claimed the runner-up spot both days with the lovely mare, DSP Rose of Bavaria (Bordeaux x Florestan I), who she co-owns with her mother Ursula Bechtolsheimer.  
 
“Fame has to be one of the most amazing horses I’ve ever ridden – but he’s extremely hot,” Carl told Hickstead after his Grand Prix win. “He has this fire in him that’s quite difficult to temper, and I’m just getting used to it. This is only the third Grand Prix test I’ve done on him. But he’s a dream to ride, he has so much energy and enthusiasm, and he never gets tired.” 
 
International dressage last took place at Hickstead in 2019, on the previous Dressage at Hickstead site. Following two years of a highly successful new-look Hickstead Premier League, 2023 was the inaugural year of international dressage on the main Hickstead showground. 
 
Carl told Hickstead; “It’s been years since I’ve ridden here, so to be back here riding again is fantastic. It’s a brilliant show, and I want to thank everybody involved in organising this for us.” 
 
The CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle went to Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, her nine-year-old Dante Weltino x Jazz gelding, who delivered a super programme to an enjoyable compilation of Tom Jones hits. A score of 75.710% was awarded to earn them the win ahead of the local combination of Andrew Gould and Indigro (Negro x Jazz), close behind on 75.215%. Completing the top three was Louise Bell and Into the Blue (73.685%). 
 
Sadie Smith and her eight-year-old mare Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino OLD x Charatan W) enjoyed a clean sweep of the CDI1* Small Tour classes. The exciting combination claimed Friday’s Prix St Georges with 73.235% and Sunday’s Intermediate I on a score of 73.794%. “I love it here at Hickstead, the atmosphere is great,” said Sadie. “Yesterday watching the Grand Prix, everybody was sitting on the banks enjoying it, and it’s how every show in England should be.” 
 
The British-based Spanish combination of Sergio Morón Basoco and Farnham L (by Fürst Rousseau), who train with Carl Hester, were on winning form in the CDIU25 classes to take the win in both the Inter II and the Grand Prix 16-25. Sergio took to social media to say; “Over the weekend, Farnham showed me, once again, that he can keep surprising me, winning his second CDIU25 Inter II with 69.7% and then following on with another win in the CDIU25 GP with 69.9%. The results were extra special as my family were there to support me.” 
 
Results – top five 
CDI3* Grand Prix 
1. Carl Hester and Fame, 76.326% (GBR) 
2. Laura Tomlinson and DSP Rose of Bavaria, 72.870% (GBR) 
3. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 71.174% (GBR) 
4. Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, 71.022% (GBR) 
5. Sarah Millis and Impressive VDC, 70.326% (GBR) 
 
CDI3* Grand Prix Special 
1. Carl Hester and Fame, 75.468% (GBR) 
2. Laura Tomlinson and DSP Rose of Bavaria, 69.979% (GBR) 
3. Lara Butler and Kristjan, 69.425% (GBR) 
4. Sarah Millis and Impressive VDC, 69.043% (GBR) 
5. Gareth Hughes and Goldstrike L.E, 68.915% (GBR) 
 
CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle 
1. Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, 75.710% (GBR) 
2. Andrew Gould and Indigro, 75.215% (GBR) 
3. Louise Bell and Into the Blue, 73.685% (GBR) 
4. Jayden Brown and Willingapark Sky Diamond, 73.300% (AUS) 
5. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Bella Ruby, 71.955% (GBR) 
 
CDI1* Prix St Georges 
1. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 73.235% (GBR) 
2. Becky Moody and Jack Diamond, 73.088% (GBR) 
3. Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 70.353% (GBR) 
4. Rebecca Edwards and Dita Von Teese, 70.265% (GBR) 
5. Jessica Dunn and Dan Its Carston, 69.882% (GBR) 
 
CDI1* Intermediate I 
1. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 73.794% (GBR) 
2. Becky Moody and Jack Diamond, 71.912% (GBR) 
3. Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 71.441% (GBR) 
4. Becky Moody and James Bond, 70.941% (GBR) 
5. Rebecca Edwards and Dita Von Teese, 69.794% (GBR) 
 
CDIU25 Intermediate II 
1. Sergio Morón Basoco and Farnham L, 69.735% (ESP) 
2. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 67.618% (GBR) 
3. Camille Audo and Behroez, 66.588% (FRA) 
4. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 65.088% (GBR) 
 
CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25 
1. Sergio Morón Basoco and Farnham L, 68.974% (ESP) 
2. Camille Audo and Behroez, 67.769% (FRA) 
3. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 64.436% (GBR) 
4. Maddy Frewin and Blue Hors Dexter, 62.231% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Kevin Sparrow Photography