FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses

A highlight in the calendar of any dressage enthusiast, this year’s FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses didn’t disappoint with spectators treated to four days of world class competition as the stars of tomorrow did battle for the prestigious accolades.

Five talented British combinations headed to Ermelo, the Netherlands, with each putting in a promising performance for the future, gaining valuable mileage and proving their perspective against some of the most outstanding breeding stallions and sport horses in Europe.

Five year old Hawtins Lirica, bred by Judith Davis of Hawtins Stud, has enjoyed a winning streak on the national scene with skillful jockey Lucinda Elliot producing the standout mare to a Shearwater four year old title in 2018 amongst numerous other victories. In Ermelo, a touch of tension in the preliminary qualification round just kept the top marks at bay for the bright chestnut mare by Lemony’s Nicket, however an improved test the following day resulted in a superb ninth place in the small final for five year old horses. Proud breeder Judith commented, “Well that was an amazing day! Lucinda and Hawtins Lirica finished ninth out of thirty in the small final with an overall score of 8.12! Lyra was much more relaxed today so it was great that she got super scores for her paces and also really lovely comments from the judges in the commentary after the test. Thank you to the rest of Team GB for their great support! A big thank you especially to Serena Pincus for her invaluable training and support as always.”

Susan Pape brought forward the Vivaldi sired Harmony’s V-Plus to the five year old competition and achieved 20th in the Preliminary round with 8.02, followed by 14th in the small final on another encouraging mark of 7.82. The American owned V-Plus was bred at Lewitz Stud in Germany and changed hands to Leslie Malone of Harmony Sport Horses at the 2018 PSI Auction.

2019 Senior European Championships team rider Charlotte Fry continued a busy summer with an appearance in the six year old championship on board Van Olst Horses’ Inclusive. The eye-catching bay (Everdale x Uptown) impressed in the preliminary competition, scoring well with the judges panel of Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE), Christoph Hess (GER), Susan Barrup (DEN) and Isobel Wessels (GBR), with his trot the highlight earning 8.8.

Leah Beckett and Gunther Schulz’s Merlot Royal will be ones to watch for the future, they scored 69.38% and 67.99% in their two seven year old tests. “An amazing accomplishment to ride down this centre line and so proud of how Merlot rose to the challenge. Green moments in the canter work will not take away from his future, he’s such a dude! Thank you to all the support crew, incredible owners Johanna-Sophie Schulz and Gûnther Schulz, Sune Hansen and all at home” Leah said reflecting on the experience on social media.

UKCCL3 and BHSI Elizabeth Allen took time out of her busy schedule at Collective Equestrian to campaign the Uphill gelding Heraldik alongside Leah in the seven year old class. Two solid scores in the mid-sixties were the reward for a great home team effort and top quality riding.

Congratulations to the winners of each FEI World Championship and to all British riders, breeders and their support teams.

Winners and results of the British combinations

Qualification for five year old horses
1st Jessica Lynn Thomas with Secret (Sezuan x St Moritz) – SWE – 9.54
20th Susan Pape with Harmony’s V-Plus (Vivaldi x Furst Romancier) – GBR – 8.02
32nd Lucinda Elliot with Hawtins Lirica (Lemony’s Nicket x Dimaggio) – GBR – 7.40

Qualification for six year old horses
1st Frederic Wandres with Zucchero OLD (Zonik NOP x Prince Thatch XX) – GER – 9.46
18th Charlotte Fry with Inclusive (Everdale x Uptown) – GBR – 7.80

Qualification for seven year old horses
1st Severo Jurado Loez with d’Avie (Don Juan de Hus x Londonderry) – ESP – 85.04%
33rd Leah Beckett with Merlot Royal (Millennium x Rubin Royale) – GBR – 69.38%
39th Elizabeth Allen with Heraldik (Uphill x Silvano N) – GBR – 63.50%

Small final for five year old horses
1st Eva Moller with Espe (Escolar x Dimaggio) – GER – 8.72
9th Lucinda Elliot with Hawtins Lirica (Lemony’s Nicket x Dimaggio) – GBR – 8.12
14th Susan Pape with Harmony’s V-Plus (Vivaldi x Furst Romancier) – GBR – 7.82

Small final for six year old horses
1st Yvonne Osterholm with Ironman H (Bordeaux x Rousseau) – FIN – 8.96
9th Charlotte Fry with Inclusive (Everdale x Uptown) – GBR – 8.02

CH-M-D YH Final for five year old horses
1st Andreas Helgstrand with Jovian (Apache x Tango) – DEN – 9.66
2nd Jessica Lynn Thomas with Secret (Sezuan x St Moritz) – SWE – 9.64
3rd Andreas Helgstrand with Queensparks Wendy (Sezuan x Blue Hors Soprano) – DEN – 9.42

Small final for seven year old horses
1st Jeanna Hogberg with Astoria (Sir Donnerhall II OLD x Quaterback) – SWE – 79.60%
23rd Leah Beckett with Merlot Royal (Millennium x Rubin Royale) – GBR – 67.99%
26th Elizabeth Allen with Heraldik (Uphill x Silvano N) – GBR – 66.92%

CH-M-D YH Final for six year old horses
1st Frederic Wandres with Zucchero OLD (Zonik NOP x Prince Thatch XX) – GER – 9.66
2nd Andreas Helgstrand with Revolution (Rocky Lee x Rouletto) – DEN – 9.44
3rd Andreas Helgstrand with Zhaplin Langholt (Zonik NOP x Stedinger) – DEN – 9.34

CH-M-D YH Final for seven year old horses
1st Severo Jurado Lopez with d’Avie (Don Juan de Hus x Londonderry) – ESP – 85.10%
2nd Jan Moller Christensen with Hesselhoej Donkey Boy (Era Dancing Hit x Milan) – DEN – 85.02%
3rd Isabel Freese with Total Hope OLD (Totilas x Blue Horse Don Schufro) – NOR – 84.25%

Full Longines FEI WEBSH results