News
Combined Training Qualifiers: Building confidence, having fun and unexpected victories
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:30
With the 2025 Red Gorilla Combined Training well underway, we caught up with a few of the combinations who’ll be heading to the Championships at Weston Lawns Equestrian Centre in Warwickshire (09 - 11 May).
At Moreton Equestrian in Dorset, Mandy Keen and her aptly named 11-year-old gelding Jackpot won both the Elementary 1, 80cm and Elementary 2, 90cm classes. The combination has been a partnership since 2020 when the Hampshire-based rider bought him from Pippa Bassett as a six-year-old after he decided life as a driving horse wasn’t for him. He was backed to ride and found a new home with Mandy. Since then, her journey with Jackpot, affectionately known as James, has been one of patience and perseverance.
“I have taken my time with him due to lockdowns and a couple of accidents that had me off riding,” she shared. “James makes us laugh. I think he has ADHD, but I love riding him.”
Despite not being the biggest fan of show jumping, Mandy has remained determined to keep their training varied. This was one of the things that initially appealed to her about Combined Training as it gave them both a chance to do what they love. “I like to vary what James does, so we include jumping and hacking along with schooling. He really enjoys the jumping, but I’m not a fan, so Combined Training is the perfect competition for us.”
The pair are no strangers to Combined Training success, having won their qualifier at Aston Le Walls in 2022 and placing second and third at the Combined Training Championships at Onley Grounds Equestrian last year in the Prelim, 70cm and Novice, 80cm. This year they stepped up to Elementary and reflecting on their success at this new level, Mandy shared, “I was very pleased with his first Elementary, but he had the second part of the double down as he was too bold. Luckily, his dressage score meant that he still won. The Elementary 2 was good except for a couple of minor mistakes, but he jumped the 90cm course with enthusiasm - a little too bold at one jump, taking a stride out!”
Mandy credits her support team for keeping her and James performing at their best. “I have regular lessons with Emily Ormerod and Claire Moir,” she explained before also giving her trusted farrier Joe Rowe a shoutout. “Joe is very patient, as James is not the easiest horse to shoe and often pulls shoes off in the field, so I’m very grateful he sorts him out for me.”
Looking ahead, Mandy said, “I am heading to Addington to compete in the Medium Silver Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships. We also earned a wildcard for the Elementary Silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships. Then, I will be concentrating on the Combined Training championships!” She also commented on her goals to keep progressing up the levels, adding, “I really need to work on my sitting trot and James' flying changes to aim for Advanced Medium – I’m slightly dreading the extended trot in sitting as he is rather active and bouncy!”
Pictured above Amy Clarke and Dude IV © Jamie Sproats Photography
Over at Holmside Hall Equestrian Centre in County Durham, Amy Clarke and her much-loved 23-year-old gelding Dude IV embraced the new challenge Combined Training presented, securing second place in the Introductory 1, 60cm class. What started as a spontaneous entry turned into an unforgettable success story.
“I only entered it on a whim,” Amy admitted. “I have been wanting to compete more in jumping for experience so I thought, ‘Why not do the Combined Training?’ It was a last-minute decision, and I felt a bit sick about it in the lead-up, but I’m so glad I did!”
Amy was initially drawn to the Combined Training as an opportunity to build her confidence, as though she enjoys dressage, show jumping has always made her nervous. “Dude absolutely loves jumping and once I’m in the ring I enjoy it, but I definitely have a confidence issue leading up to it.”
Despite pre-competition nerves about the showjumping phase, she was determined to step outside her comfort zone and taking the chance paid off: “I fully expected to come last! I just wanted to have fun and give it a go. I went in with no expectations, and when I saw we had qualified, I was gobsmacked!”
Amy has owned Dude for 12 and a half years and their journey hasn’t been without challenges. Diagnosed as an idiopathic head shaker early in their partnership, Dude’s future was uncertain. “I was basically told my best option was to put him to sleep,” she recalled.
However, not willing to give up on him just yet, Amy managed to get him onto a trial with Dr. Veronica Roberts at Bristol University. The results were more than she could ever have hoped for. “Miraculously, he has been in remission for 11 years. He’s a bit of a poster boy now,” Amy smiled. “He was featured in a BBC programme and has been part of various magazine publications on the study.”
A few years later, Dude again defied the odds: “Last year, he was really ill. He had an internal infection that we couldn’t quite identify, and despite blood tests and everything from the vet, we couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. I genuinely thought I might lose him again.” Thankfully, after six months off from being ridden Dude began to recover, and with Amy’s dedication and care, he started to get back on his feet. “He put all the muscle back on over the six months he lost whilst out of work. I've worked so hard with him and now I’m just enjoying every moment.”
For Amy, competing with Dude is about enjoying every moment together. “He loves the limelight,” she laughed. “At the end of the day, my goal is just to have fun and make memories. If he’s happy and wants to do it, then why not?”
Rachel Littlewood had a busy day at Pickering Grange in Leicestershire competing four horses, but it was the talented young seven-year-old mare Volatis Dreamcatcher who took the spotlight with a win in the Introductory 1, 60cm class. She also secured a second-place finish in the Preliminary 1, 70cm class on her 10-year-old mare MSJ Sinfonia.
Rachel entered Volatis Dreamcatcher, or Leah as she’s known at home, primarily for the experience. “I’ve had Leah since she was two, but she had an injury which meant she had a slow start to life. This was only her second time ever in the white boards, and I think it was only the day before that I realised I never actually jumped around a complete course!” she explained before admitting, “I wasn’t even sure I’d enter two weeks before. I did the Intro because her canter is not really very established yet and I didn’t know how she’d react to a show environment even at home.”
Taking everything in her stride, Leah produced a lovely dressage test and a clear round in the show jumping. “I went in without any expectations to be honest! I was just really happy that she did everything when she meant to do it.” Rachel remarked, reflecting on their test. “She’s got really nice paces, so I was thinking that maybe I might affiliate at some point. She’s never really been registered with BD for competition, but after that score, I think she might have a dressage career ahead of her!”
Rachel also competed at Solihull RC, where she won the BD Preliminary 1, 70cm class on Pinox and placed second with PGE Cool Boy. Competing across multiple venues and managing a string of horses is no small task, especially while juggling her career. This was one of the reasons Rachel gave when asked about why she chose to take part in Combined Training with her horses: “For me, it's all really about the fact that I event with my horses, just as an amateur as I enjoy it, but alongside running Pickering range and working full time for an investment bank, I don't have a lot of time. So it really was about me enjoying it, and the Combined Training is a really good introduction to the eventing season.”
She also highlighted how she felt the competition was a unique opportunity for her and her horses to shine: “We play with dressage over winter, but all my horses are eventing types, so Combined Training gives them a great experience, it keeps things varied and it’s nice to compete against other combinations that aren’t purely dressage-trained.”
There’s still time to get involved!
With the 2025 Red Gorilla Combined Training Championships fast approaching, there’s still time to enter a Combined Training Qualifiers.
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