Greenwood wins Aintree High Profile Show Grand Prix

Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s High Profile Show (18 – 22 October 2023) provided five days of top class dressage, concluding with a win for Dan Greenwood and Chevalier-O in the Grand Prix. Riders who travelled to the venue, located at the iconic home of the Randox Grand National, enjoyed fantastic facilities and efficient organisation courtesy of the Aintree team.

Dan Greenwood (49), who travelled from his base in the Cotswolds to compete at Aintree for the first time, piloted Juliet Leighton’s Chevalier-O (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), pictured above, to win the 14-strong Grand Prix on a score of 69.20%, in front of Daniel Watson and Aster Berlin (68.48%) and third-placed Lisa Marriott with Valucio (68.33%).

Dan and the 16-year-old gelding bred by Van Olst Horses, also enjoyed a good run in Saturday’s hotly contested Grand Prix Freestyle, finishing second on 74.17% behind the British-based German combination of Nikolas Kroencke and Flanell (76.25%).

“Aintree was a great show for myself, Chevalier-O (Larry) and his owner Juliet Leighton,” commented Dan who was quick to praise the Aintree team and venue. “We trucked up in Storm Babet wondering what on earth we were doing; however, on arrival, even in torrential rain, the friendly helpful staff and first-class facilities made the journey seem irrelevant. The racecourse and the stands are so awe-inspiring, and the competition arena is worthy of an international which I really hope they can secure.

“Larry has been feeling better than ever at home, so we decided to enter as he's not the bravest in an indoor competition and this seemed a good opportunity to try things out with our warm-up etc.,” continued Dan. “That all went out of the window for the music as he was so tense all I could do was canter round out of the saddle for the first 15 mins! However, he settled in the arena and gave me a clear round with just a little tension, but he stayed in a good frame and balance so I was pleased as that was the aim. I'm finally learning to enjoy riding to music!

“The Grand Prix the next day felt very secure and I had some good transitions within the piaffe/passage and the best right pirouette we've ever pulled off in a test for a 7.5!” added Dan about his winning performance with Chevalier-O who previously suffered from uveitis, resulting in the removal of his left eye two years ago. “He's our one-eyed wonder horse whose confidence in the arena I just hope I can keep improving to show everyone just what he's capable of.”

Sarah Higgins was on great form to set foot inside the winners' enclosure on three separate occasions during the week. With the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Samuel IV, owned by Sarah Rao, the Cheshire-based rider took her place at the top of the leaderboard in both Thursday’s Magic Prix St Georges Gold (70.83%) and Sunday’s Prix St Georges Freestyle (76.38%).

“Samuel is a very cool horse,” commented Sarah about the powerful bay, pictured above, with whom she achieved a podium place in the PSG at Le Mans CDI in April. “He hadn’t competed for a while before Aintree as we’ve been spending the time getting to grips with the Grand Prix work. He did his first Inter II last week and got +70% which I was very happy with,” she added.

“We were undecided as to whether to take him to Aintree, but then thought he’d benefit from going. He sometimes lacks confidence, and he has a tendency to overtry, but he’s ten and not far off Grand Prix. I’m mega excited about him.”

Sarah also took Saturday’s Superflex Intermediate I Freestyle Gold riding Bella Liu’s recent acquisition, Jolene (Chippendale x Ferro). Accompanied by a Disney compilation produced for Sarah Rao by Julie Geraghty, this brand-new partnership earned 73.67% for the win, ahead of runners-up Rebecca Edwards and Laerke Stensvang (72.88%), whilst Charlotte Lutener with AB Barroco (72.38%) completed the top three.

“I’d only ridden Jolly (Jolene) for two weeks before I competed her, but Ruth [Edge] has done such a good job producing her that it’s made my job pretty easy,” commented Sarah about the nine-year-old mare who was formerly owned and produced by Ruth Edge, bred by Claire Hester, and will ultimately be for Bella to ride.

Friday’s Magic Prix St Georges Gold was claimed by Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, who were awarded 71.57% - the highest score across the non-freestyle small tour classes. Double winners in the Young Rider classes at Kronenberg CDI in the Netherlands earlier this year, Lilah and the Dancier x Rubinstein 12-year-old were first reserves for this year’s Young Rider European Championships, and delivered an elegant and expressive test here for the win.

Sofia Games (15), a member of the British team at the past two FEI Pony European Championships, enjoyed a successful show winning the Pony Team Test behind the ears of her 2023 team ride, Steendieks Cadillac. She also won the Junior Team Test aboard Boccelli 6, pictured above, earning a super score of 73.28% - the second highest across all the U21 classes.

Sixteen-year-old Boccelli 6 (Belissimo M x Riccione), formerly produced and competed by Sofia’s trainer Katie Bailey, has been partnered by his new rider since September this year. Aintree was just their third competition outing together.

“Wow! Not only did Caddy win the Pony Team Test, but Chelli also won the Junior Team Test on a huge score of 73.2%!" said Sofia on social media. "At this stage we are aiming to gain experience in the ring together, but this was an absolute dream come true. This was only our third show together and already he is showing how much he has to give!”

The highest score in the Youth classes came courtesy of Ella-Grace Dovey (13), winner of the Children on Horses Team Test with Hannah Dovey’s Florencio I-sired gelding, Flaviano, on a new PB of 73.45%. Ella-Grace is also trained by Katie Bailey, who secured a win in the Inter II Gold with Hillgrounds Wolkenhall (71.47%) as well as an Advanced Medum double riding Verity Jenner’s eight-year-old Escomond.

The new partnership of Izzy Lickley and Nymphenburg’s First Ampere (Ampere x Weltrhum), a 12-year-old stallion owned by Robert Lickley, made an impression winning the Young Rider Team Test with 72.01%. Izzy also took second spot on the leaderboard with Robert Lickley’s eight-year-old mare, Katniss (Galaxie x Charmeur), on a score just shy of 70%.

Congratulations to all the winning riders and owners, and to everyone who took part. Thanks go to organiser Carly Sage and the entire team at Aintree International Equestrian Centre for hosting a successful BD High Profile Show.

Results – top three placings
Wednesday
Medium 61 Gold
1. Kirstie Clarke and Powered by Fürst Impression, 70.06%
2. Ryan Todd and Dietz, 66.95%
3. Chloe Vell and Mia Cara v/d Debbehoeve, 64.89%

Medium 61 Silver
1. Fleur Pocock and Brouwershaven’s Jasper, 67.82%
2. Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 66.78%
3. Samara Swan and Fantastico OMHG, 66.44%

HorseLight Medium 73 Gold
1. Kirstie Clarke and Powered by Fürst Impression, 69.66%
2. Rebecca McNair and Lolalinja US, 67.89%
3. Toby Blake and Qarant, 65.29%

HorseLight Medium 73 Silver
1. Fleur Pocock and Brouwershaven’s Jasper, 66.96%
2. Laura Whyte and Lagoa Verina, 65.83%
3. Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 65.59%

Advanced Medium 85 Gold
1. Tracy Tomlinson and Delta Nu, 67.94%
2. Alex Inghoe Connolly and Seagry DonnaDiva, 67.89%
3. Beth Bainbridge and BKS Fürst Encore, 67.40%

Advanced Medium 85 Silver
1. Alicia Laughton and Armada Bathsheba, 68.82%
2. Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 67.35%
3. Carrie Byrom and Indigo X, 66.13%

Equitex Advanced Medium 92 Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Escomond, 71.40%
2. Darren Hicks and Kinnear, 68.65%
3. Beth Bainbridge and BKS Fürst Encore, 67.66%

Equitex Advanced Medium 92 Silver
1. Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 67.16%
2. Lily Kelly and Newton Tiger, 66.35%
3. Charlotte Donovan and Just It’s Mie, 66.26%

Thursday
HorseLight Medium Gold
1. Kirstie Clarke and Powered by Fürst Impression, 71.08%

HorseLight Medium Silver
1. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 66.89%
2. Bracken Samantha Parkhouse and Bathleyhills Vue Parfaite, 65.41%
3. Carrie Byrom and Conquistador CDS, 64.37%

Equitex Advanced Medium 96 Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Escomond, 71.97%
2. Alex Ingoe Connolly and Seagry DonnaDiva, 69.21%
3. Chloe Vell and Royal Rendezvous, 68.99%

Equitex Advanced Medium 96 Silver
1. Megan Field and Bright Time, 67.41%
2. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 67.06%
3. Lily Kelly and Newton Tiger, 66.67%

Magic Prix St Georges Gold
1. Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV, 70.83%
2. Hermioné Tottman and Exquisite, 70.15%
3. Sarah Millis and King IV, 69.36%

Magic Prix St Georges Silver
1. Heidi Hutchinson and Ellison, 66.76%
2. Jenny Ainscough and Florence PFB, 65.64%
3. Sarah Ridd and Weymarsh Delilah, 63.63%

Superflex Intermediate I Gold
1. Fiona Brennan and Gestion, 68.58%
2. Emily Perry and Dondersteen, 68.14%
3. Matthew Burnett and Steigenberger, 67.30%

Superflex Intermediate I Silver
1. Claire Wyatt and Devivio, 64.31%
2. Sally Walker and Wilton Wood Blaze, 63.63%
3. Heidi Hutchinson and Ellison, 63.58%

Friday
Magic Prix St Georges Gold
1. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 71.57%
2. Sarah Millis and King IV, 69.02%
3. Kate Smith and Last Love, 68.58%

Magic Prix St Georges Silver
1. Heidi Hutchinson and Ellison, 66.23%
2. Kate Jones and Hollywood VI, 64.90%
3. Lily Kelly and Vino 34, 64.80%

Superflex Intermediate I Gold
1. Charlotte Lutener and AB Barroco, 70.54%
2. Rebecca Edwards and Laerke Stensvang, 70.10%
3. Lilah Gibbs and Zenith, 70.05%

Superflex Intermediate I Silver
1. Heidi Hutchinson and Ellison, 66.62%
2. Samantha Bloor and Elason, 65.98%
3. Sally Walker and Wilton Wood Blaze, 65.64%

Intermediate II Gold
1. Katie Bailey and Hillgrounds Wolkenhall, 71.47%
2. Mette Dahl and Sir Donato, 69.90%
3. Steph Croxford and Mr Jurist, 68.04%

Intermediate II Silver
1. Lindsay Middleton and Your Bard, 56.32%

Saturday
Advanced 102
1. Fiona Brennan and Viva Las Vegas, 66.62%
2. Lily Kelly and Vino 34, 66.47%
3. Carrie Byrom and Indigo X, 66.32%

Children on Horses Team Test
1. Ella-Grace Dovey and Flaviano, 73.45%
2. Evie Head and Gracia LH, 70.13%
3. Martha Jones and Just Rebel, 64.83%

Pony Team Test
1. Sofia Games and Steendieks Cadillac, 69.48%
2. Violet Hawkins and Cruz III, 68.71%
3. Violet Hawkins and DZL Royal Sunrise, 66.43%

Junior Team Test
1. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 73.28%
2. Morgan Ray Haerr and Floran, 68.13%
3. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 67.27%

Young Rider Team Test
1. Isobel Lickley and Nymphenburg’s First Ampere, 72.01%
2. Isobel Lickley and Katniss, 69.85%
3. Hermioné Tottman and Exquisite, 69.46%

Superflex Intermediate I Freestyle Gold
1. Sarah Higgins and Jolene, 73.67%
2. Rebecca Edwards and Laerke Stensvang, 72.88%
3. Charlotte Lutener and AB Barroco, 72.38%

Superflex Intermediate I Freestyle Silver
1. Samantha Bloor and Elason, 66.75%

Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Nikolas Kroencke and Flanell, 76.25%
2. Dan Greenwood and Chevalier-O, 74.17%
3. Anna Ross and Habouche, 73.67%

Sunday
Prix St Georges Freestyle
1. Sarah Higgins and Samuel IV, 76.38%
2. Lucinda Bellis and Windhover II, 63.62%

Grand Prix
1. Dan Greenwood and Chevalier-O, 69.20%
2. Daniel Watson and Aster Berlin, 68.48%
3. Lisa Marriott and Valucio, 68.33%

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photos © Majestic Photography