Corrie-Deane and Dunn unstoppable in Le Mans

The British contingent that travelled to Le Mans CDI3* (19 – 22 October 2023) achieved a number of successes between them at the popular French CDI. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jess Dunn each took a double of wins in the CDIU25 and CDI1* respectively while Ellie McCarthy and her exciting prospect, Brave Heart, claimed two podium placings in the Big Tour.

Fresh from an appearance in the Dressage Future Elite Championship at the Horse of the Year Show, Jess Dunn and 10-year-old Dan Its Carston (Durable x Clearway), pictured above with judge Alban Tissot (FRA), owned by Jennifer Whittaker and bred by Ben Andrews, enjoyed a CDI to remember by delivering three international PBs and two wins.

Hot on the heels of the USA’s Thomas Walker with Ela Mana Mou 3 in the Prix St Georges, the British combination of Jess and ‘Danny’, who train with Richard Davison, built on this positive start to become runaway winners of both the Inter I and Inter I Freestyle on outstanding scores of 71.647% and 74.200% respectively.

Jess, who is based at White Hill Stud in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, also presented Jennifer Whittaker’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding Hokita (Dreamboy x Havidoff) to take third place in the PSG (69.030%) and second in the Inter I (68.853%), while Sara-Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica showed consistent results all week to finish within striking distance of the podium.

“It was quite a big shock as for both horses it was their first time travelling and competing abroad, so I’m exceedingly happy,” commented Jess. “I competed Chello (LG Alicante Valley) at Le Mans two years ago and really enjoyed the show so thought it would be a good one to take them to.

“With Danny, he’s not hugely experienced indoors, though HOYS was a turning point - it was a real baptism of fire, but he just got on with it,” explained Jess. “The first day [in Le Mans] he was a bit nervous, and we made a complete hash of our threes. For the Inter I, which I find a nicer test to ride, I tried to take a deep breath and think about each movement, and it all came together. Dane Rawlins helped me in the warm-up, and I learnt so much from the horse in that test. We really felt that our partnership came together a little more.”

Accompanied by music from The Greatest Showman and Robert Miles, the British winners’ expressive and powerful freestyle on the final day of competition was awarded 74.200% - no less than four percent ahead of German runner-up Lana Raumanns with DSP Floridita. “It’s Chello’s music from when he was at that level, so I have got good memories of riding to it and it fits Danny well,” said Jess.

“He was tired on the final day, so we kept our warm-up quite short, but as soon as I put my hand up [to signal the start of the music], he lit up and shot into the arena! I was more relaxed too, and he took confidence from that. It was one of the best feelings he’s ever given me,” continued Jess who has been selected with Dan Its Carston to compete at Kronenberg CDI in the Netherlands at the end of November.

Angus Corrie-Deane and his 10-year-old gelding Jack Johnson 2 (Johnson x Scandic), pictured above, were unbeaten in the CDIU25. Winning Saturday’s Inter II on a score just shy of 70%, ahead of fellow Brit Anna Jesty with Commodore Platinum (68.971%), Angus and the capable bay went on to claim Sunday’s Grand Prix 16-25 on a score of 68.248%, with Jesty this time taking third spot on the podium (66.068%).

Speaking on social media, Angus said; “It amazes me the progress of this horse from show to show, I honestly couldn’t ask for a better teammate within the white boards. Congratulations to all the other GB riders. Thank you to my team I am so happy for now, but so hungry for more.”

Angus, who is based on the Continent at VIX Equestrian in Riel, the Netherlands, made his CDIU25 debut with Jack Johnson 2, also known as Jacob, at Compiègne CDI in May. The combination later competed on British soil at Wellington CDI in June, making the top-three on the Grand Prix 16-25 leaderboard.

The Netherlands-based British combination of Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V (Apache x Clint Eastwood), dual winners here in 2021, delivered consistent results to finish just outside the podium in the Inter II (67.827%) and fifth in the Grand Prix 16-25 on 65.256%.

Competing the CDI3* Big Tour, Ellie McCarthy and her exciting young ride, Brave Heart (Bordeaux x Tuschinski, achieved third place in the Grand Prix on 69.609% and third in the Grand Prix Freestyle with 74.665%. At just nine years of age, the small but mighty Oldenburg gelding, who Ellie owns with her parents Spencer and Bridget McCarthy, has shown plenty of class in his handful of outings at Grand Prix, as was demonstrated here in Le Mans.

“On our way home from Le Mans after an amazing day… 74% and third place in the Freestyle today and only 0.3% away from first place. One judge had us on 79%!” said Ellie on social media. “’Massimo’ was incredible today and I had so much fun riding him. Thanks to everyone for helping us get here, it means a lot.”

Results – top three and British placings
CDI3* Grand Prix
1. Ryan Torkkeli and Sternenwanderer, 70.935% (CAN)
2. Larissa Pauluis and First-Step Valentin, 70.369% (BEL)
3. Ellen McCarthy and Brave Heart, 69.609% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Ryan Torkkeli and Sternenwanderer, 74.995% (CAN)
2. Larissa Pauluis and First-Step Valentin, 74.730% (BEL)
3. Ellen McCarthy and Brave Heart, 74.665% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1. Alizee Roussel and Bel Amour, 68.596% (FRA)
2. Stephanie Brieussel and Fellini du Soleil, 67.638% (FRA)
3. Caroline Godin and Querida de Hus, 67.128% (FRA)

CDI1* Prix St Georges
1. Thomas Walker and Ela Mana Mou 3, 71.176% (USA)
2. Jessica Dunn and Dan Its Carston, 71.088% (GBR)
3. Jessica Dunn and Hokita, 69.030% (GBR)
5. Sara-Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 68.559% (GBR)

CDI1* Intermediate I
1. Jessica Dunn and Dan Its Carston, 71.647% (GBR)
2. Jessica Dunn and Hokita, 68.853% (GBR)
3. Lana Raumanns and DSP Floridita, 68.353% (GER)
7. Sara-Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 66.382% (GBR)

CDI1* Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Jessica Dunn and Dan Its Carston, 74.200% (GBR)
2. Lana Raumanns and DSP Floridita, 69.945% (GER)
3. Claire Gosselin and Forever de Lauture, 69.210% (FRA)
4. Sara-Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 68.665% (GBR)

CDIU25 Intermediate II
1. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 69.853% (GBR)
2. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 68.971% (GBR)
3. Julia Bouthoorn and Choice Finch, 68.177% (NED)
4. Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V, 67.823% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25
1. Angus Corrie-Deane and Jack Johnson 2, 68.248% (GBR)
2. Ekaterina Dubrovina and De Vivo, 67.607% (ARM)
3. Anna Jesty and Commodore Platinum, 66.068% (GBR)
5. Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V, 65.256% (GBR)

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photo © Les Garennes