News
Fry leads British placings at Lier CDI
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:00
British riders travelling to Lier CDI in Belgium (25 February – 1 March) delivered strong performances amongst top class international company. Lottie Fry led the charge with multiple podium finishes, whilst several horses made promising international debuts.
Lottie Fry had a successful show, delivering impressive performances across various classes and coming away as the highest-placing Brit after securing four podium finishes. At the helm of the high placings was Van Olst Horses’ 16-year-old Nespresso; the stallion paid homage to his late sire Negro in his successful show results, after the news of the iconic horse’s passing earlier this week. In the Grand Prix Lottie rode to a score of 70.609%, before going on to take second in the Grand Prix Special on 69.149%, placing behind Spain’s Alejandro Asencio Mendez and Gavião dos Cedros who claimed the top spot with 70.851%.
In the Small Tour classes, Lottie presented the Van Olst’s rising star Everest (Especial x Negro), as the seven-year-old stallion made his international debut. The pair claimed two promising positions on the podium, taking second in the Prix St Georges with a score of 70.529%, followed by another runner-up placing in the Intermediate I on 68.059%, as the Netherlands’ Denise Nekeman and Kansas STH claimed the win with 69.235%.
Having recently joined the team at Van Olst Horses in the Netherlands last November, Lara Butler returned to the international arena with two exciting rides. With former World Young Horse Championship candidate Graaf Leatherdale T (Lord Leatherdale x Kennedy), Lara earned two Small Tour top ten spots, placing sixth in the Prix St Georges and fourth in the Intermediate I, just shy of the podium with a score of 67.353%. Lara also presented the Johnson-sired stallion Justin in the Big Tour classes, earning a top ten placing in the Grand Prix Special.
Richard Jackson’s Fürstenrausch PS (Fürstenball x Festrauch) also made his first appearance at an international CDI. The 10-year-old gelding, ridden by Oxfordshire’s Tom Goode, continued to demonstrate strong form at Grand Prix level, claiming fourth place in the Grand Prix Freestyle on 72.160% - narrowly missing a podium position to Rowena Weggelaar of the Netherlands, who scored 72.340%.
“So proud of Freddie (Fürstenrausch PS) for coming fourth in the freestyle last night at his first CDI abroad in Lier. At only 10 years old, trained by us from a young horse, he held his own in very good company,” shared Emile Faurie on social media, with whom Tom is based at Heath Farm.
In the Under 25 classes, Lilah Gibbs enjoyed a successful week with Dude II (Dancier x Rubinstein), taking home three podium finishes. She kicked off her campaign in the U25 Intermediate II, scoring 69.167% to take third place, before securing another third place finish in the U25 Grand Prix with a score of 69.188%. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, she produced a fantastic performance for an impressive score of 72.175%, earning her third, third place rosette of the week.
Harrison Ashton, also competing in the U25 classes, made his international CDI debut with Henri Rouste's 10-year-old mare Million Dreams. The pair showed promise in the Intermediate II before stepping up in the U25 Grand Prix, securing fourth place in a highly competitive field with 68.646% behind fellow British rider Lilah. Harrison took to social media to express his excitement and joy in his new ride’s performances: “Wow, what a debut for young Millie! She showed amazing moments and what she’s capable of with more experience… she made me so proud.”
Sofia Games delivered promising form in both the Junior and Young Rider divisions aboard Honey d’Or and Leslie Forlee’s Belissimo M-sired Boccelli 6. The young rider concluded her week with three top ten finishes, including a fifth placing for her beautifully ridden Young Riders Freestyle performance which earned a score of 73.417%. Whilst in the Pony division, Darcey-Blaze Marcus and Heidi Marcus’ Tackmann’s Dark Deluxe contested the Team and Individual tests, gaining valuable mileage against some of Europe’s top combinations.
Results – top three and British placings
Tuesday 25 February
CDIP Pony Team Test
1. Hannah Charlotte Isbruch and Dabia Dior, 72.619% (GER)
2. Nora Feldmann and FS Capelli de Niro, 72.000% (GER)
3. Mats Buck and Assenmachers Gentleman, 71.666% (GER)
22. Darcey Blaze Marcus and Tackmann's Dark Deluxe, 65.572% (GBR)
CDIJ Junior Team Test
1. Martha Raupach and Francis Drake, 71.212% (GER)
2. Clara Cordes Arnkjær and Brianna, 70.808% (DEN)
3. Andrea Hamann Sand and Blue Hors Victor, 69.899% (DEN)
18. Sofia Games and Honey d'Or, 65.606% (GBR)
CDIY Young Riders Team Test
1. Anna Teibel Raben and Sparaday, 72.304% (DEN)
2. Nina-Sue Neumann and Bella Rouge, 70.000% (GER)
3. Alix von Borries and Feingefüehl FRH, 69.608% (GER)
18. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 65.294% (GBR)
CDIU25 Intermediate II
1. Sophie Reef and Gideon K.H., 70.539% (NED)
2. Kris de Vries and Jillz La Grande, 70.441% (NED)
3. Lilah Gibbs and Dude, 69.167% (GBR)
13. Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 66.912% (GBR)
Wednesday 26 February
CDIP Pony Individual Test
1. Nora Feldmann and FS Capelli de Niro, 72.702% (GER)
2. Victoria Bang Zindorff and Del Classico, 72.207% (DEN)
3. Helena Theeuwes and Matteo 5, 71.487% (BEL)
23. Darcey Blaze Marcus and Tackmann's Dark Deluxe, 65.541% (GBR)
CDIJ Junior Individual Test
1. Lilly Marie Collin and McQueen, 72.598% (GER)
2. Jessica Nesselaar and Kiekeboe Odette B, 70.882% (NED)
3. Martha Raupach and Francis Drake, 70.588% (GER)
13. Sofia Games and Honey d'Or, 67.304% (GBR)
CDIY Young Rider Individual Test
1. Alix von Borries and Feingefüehl FRH, 71.225% (GER)
2. Nina-Sue Neumann and Bella Rouge, 70.490% (GER)
3. Jette de Jong and Heavenly Charming, 69.314% (BEL)
9. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 68.137% (GBR)
CDIU25 16 – 25 Grand Prix
1. Sophie Reef and Gideon K.H., 73.077% (NED)
2. Beatrice Arturi and Destiny, 71.538% (ITA)
3. Lilah Gibbs and Dude II, 69.188% (GBR)
4. Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 68.646% (GBR)
Thursday 27 February
CDIJ Junior Freestyle
1. Clara Cordes Arnkjær and Brianna, 75.642% (DEN)
2. Laura Quist and Hafsjolds Ranger, 73.925% (DEN)
3. Martha Raupach and Francis Drake, 73.542% (GER)
10. Sofia Games and Honey d'Or, 71.433% (GBR)
CDIY Young Rider Freestyle
1. Anna Teibel Raben and Sparaday, 77.867% (DEN)
2. Mira Disčoand Halesta, 75.983% (HUN)
3. Alix von Borries and Feingefühl FRH, 74.992% (GER)
5. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 73.417% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Sophie Reef and Gideon K.H., 77.392% (NED)
2. Ellen Hedbys and Sonnenkönigin, 74.142% (SWE)
3. Lilah Gibbs and Dude II, 72.175% (GBR)
Friday 28 February
CDI1* Prix St Georges
1. Laila Smits and Lestbestpr, 72.059% (NED)
2. Charlotte Fry and Everest, 70.529% (GBR)
3. Tommie Visser and Karma Beginhoeve, 70.206% (BEL)
6. Lara Butler and Graaf Leatherdale T, 69.176% (GBR)
CDI3* Grand Prix
1. Semmieke Rothenberger and Farrington, 73.848% (GER)
2. Helen Langehanenberg and Magnanimous, 70.848% (GER)
3. Charlotte Fry and Nespresso, 70.609% (GBR)
12. Thomas Goode and Fürstenrausch PS, 67.500% (GBR)
22. Lara Butler and Justin, 64.326% (GBR)
Saturday 1 March
CDI1* Intermediate I
1. Denise Nekeman and Kansas STH, 69.235% (NED)
2. Charlotte Fry and Everest, 68.059% (GBR)
3. Iryna Kharchenko and Fanto, 67.382% (UKR)
4. Lara Butler and Graaf Leatherdale T, 67.353% (GBR)
CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1. Alejandro Asencio Mendez and Gavião dos Cedros, 70.851% (ESP)
2. Charlotte Fry and Nespresso, 69.149% (GBR)
3. Lisa Müller and Gut Wettlkam’s Zonik Hit, 68.851% (GER)
10. Lara Butler and Justin, 65.468% (GBR)
CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Semmieke Rothenberger and Farrington, 79.235% (GER)
2. Anna Schölermann and Bon Scolari, 72.470% (GER)
3. Rowena Weggelaar and Don Quichot, 72.340% (NED)
4. Thomas Goode and Fürstenrausch PS, 72.160% (GBR)
Photo © DigiShots
