Greenhill, Wells, Baker and Murphy unbeaten at Hartpury CPEDI3*

The CPEDI3* classes at Hartpury Festival of Dressage (07 – 11 July 2021) showcased the very best of para dressage as riders across the grades made their final mission for Paralympic selection for Tokyo. Great Britain’s Nicky Greenhill, Sophie Wells and Natasha Baker remained unbeaten all week, as did Irish challenger Michael Murphy.

Sophie Wells brought two up-and-coming rides to Hartpury in the form Don Cara M (pictured above) and Jillz Geuzenhof

Don Cara M, or Don, is a 12-year-old son of Don Jovi and is owned by Rowland Kinch. Jillz Geuzenhof, or JZ, is a seven-year-old KWPN gelding by Charmeur and owned by Sophie herself. Sophie recently travelled seven-year-old Jillz Geuzenhof to Kronenberg CPEDI in the Netherlands where he achieved his qualifying score for Tokyo and gained invaluable experience along the way.

“Don and JZ were both super, Don winning the Team Test with JZ not too far behind, before it was JZ’s turn for top spot in the Individual,” said Sophie on social media. “I took Don through to the Freestyle and had the best ride, dancing to our Tom Hunt music for 78.50%. To feel him relax in the arena like he did, made me quite emotional when I finished. Those are the most rewarding moments! And to see JZ win his first international after getting him over three years ago from Rebecca Hughes. Seeing the horses grow in confidence, and in their ability, is special.”

Georgia Wilson and Sakura (pictured above), another combination who travelled to Kronenberg CPEDI in June, showed much promise. After claiming the runners-up position both the Grade II Team and Individual test, this up-and-coming combination won the Grade II Freestyle on brilliant score of 76.04%.

Sakura is a seven-year-old mare bred by the Eilberg family and bought by Georgia last September. “I’d been looking for a horse for ages, to run alongside my top ride, Midnight. She’s got a really nice walk and although she’s only seven, she acts like she’s 17. We went to Holland last month to compete, and she wasn’t fazed by anything. She’s got 70%-plus every time out so far so it was nice to maintain that at Hartpury.”

Georgia rode to music originally compiled for Midnight with whom she rode to Grade II Freestyle gold at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam. “Sakura sometimes gets a little ahead of the music, but it works well for now while we’re in the process of having her own one produced.”

Nicky Greenhill celebrated a hat-trick of wins in the Grade IV with the British-bred black mare, Betty Boo (Benetton Dream x Londonderry) - pictured above, who she co-owns with her husband, Gary. “What a week we have had at Hartpury with this most special horse, she just never lets me down.”

Natasha Baker continued the incredible run of form she’s shown this year with her 10-year-old mare, Keystone Dawn Chorus (Dimaggio x Escudo) - pictured below. The pair won the Grade III Team (76.64%), Individual (76.41%) and Freestyle (80.86%) to remain unbeaten so far in international competition.

“What a week!. [I] Couldn’t be more proud of this superstar,” said Natasha on social media. “It was so good to catch up with so many friends at Hartpury, it’s been so long I thoroughly enjoyed seeing and supporting everybody. Another amazing show, definitely a firm favourite in the calendar.”

Another high scoring combination throughout the week was Sir Lee Pearson and his talented home-bred 10-year-old, Breezer (by Bacardi) who claimed both the Grade II Team Test and Grade II Individual tests with scores above 75%.

UK-based Irish rider Michael Murphy partnered by Bronte Watson’s former Grand Prix ride, Cleverboy (14) - pictured above, certainly made an impression. He followed Grade I Team and Individual victories on 76%-plus scores by acing his freestyle on Friday to win with highest score of the show - 82.22%.

Top-three results

CPEDI3* Grade I
Team Test
1. Michael Murphy and Cleverboy, 76.750% (IRL)
2. Sophie Christiansen and Innuendo III, 75.821% (GBR)
3. Sophie Christiansen and Die Furstin, 73.286% (GBR)

Individual Test
1. Michael Murphy and Cleverboy, 76.286% (IRL)
2. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 73.821% (GBR)
3. Sophie Christiansen and Die Furstin, 73.500% (GBR)

Freestyle
1. Michael Murphy and Cleverboy, 82.222% (IRL)
2. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 69.378% (GBR)
3. Diane Green and Miss Ramexico, 66.378% (GBR)

CPEDI3* Grade II
Team Test
1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 75.182% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 72.303% (GBR)
3. Jemima Green and Elrite, 68.879% (GBR)

Individual Test
1. Lee Pearson and Breezer, 75.647% (GBR)
2. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 71.412% (GBR)
3. Jemima Green and Elrite, 67.794% (GBR)

Freestyle
1. Georgia Wilson and Sakura, 76.045% (GBR)
2. Jemima Green and Elrite, 69.911% (GBR)
3. Natasha Adkinson and Sweet Caledonia, 68.000% (GBR)

CPEDI3* Grade III
Team Test
1. Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 76.647% (GBR)
2. Erin Orford and LJT Diamond Crusador, 71.853% (GBR)
3. Roberta Sheffield and Fairuza, 70.500% (CAN)

Individual Test
1. Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 76.412% (GBR)
2. Roberta Sheffield and Fairuza, 71.677% (CAN)
3. Erin Orford and LJT Diamond Crusador, 70.735% (GBR)

Freestyle
1. Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, 80.867% (GBR)
2. Roberta Sheffield and Fairuza, 72.600% (CAN)
3. Fleur Schrader and Jockey Club Caraat, 72.445% (HKG)

CPEDI3* Grade IV
Team Test
1. Nicky Greenhill and Betty Boo, 70.750% (GBR)
2. Matilda Carnegie and Bocelli 6, 69.325% (AUS)
3. Laura Gulliver and Woodcroft Garuda K, 67.250% (GBR)

Individual Test
1. Nicky Greenhill and Betty Boo, 71.463% (GBR)
2. Matilda Carnegie and Bocelli 6, 70.951% (AUS)
3. Nicola Naylor and Del Piero, 68.927% (GBR)

Freestyle
1. Nicky Greenhill and Betty Boo, 73.592% (GBR)
2. Matilda Carnegie and Bocelli 6, 73.042% (AUS)
3. Nicola Naylor and Del Piero, 70.467% (GBR)

CPEDI3* Grade V
Team Test
1. Sophie Wells and Don Cara M, 73.442% (GBR)
2. Sophie Wells and Jillz Geuzenhof, 71.279% (GBR)
3. Charlotte Cundall and FJ Veyron, 69.977% (GBR)

Individual Test
1. Sophie Wells and Jillz Geuzenhof, 73.762% (GBR)
2. Sophie Wells and Don Cara M, 73.214%
3. Charlotte Cundall and LJT Simply Red, 70.976% (GBR)

Freestyle
1. Sophie Wells and Don Cara M, 78.508% (GBR)
2. Charlotte Cundall and LJT Simply Red, 73.025% (GBR)
3. Tamsin Addison and Fahrenheit, 69.533% (IRL)

FULL RESULTS

Photo © Kevin Sparrow