Grote-Brogel CDI: British youth riders on form

Good results were achieved by the young Brits who travelled to Grote-Brogel CDI in Belgium last week (9 – 12 July 2020). Hosted by the Breugelhoeve equestrian centre, the Grote-Brogel CDI was the fourth CDI since the resumption of the international competition calendar and the first attended by British riders.

Alicia Lee and Bonita 466 (Benetton Dream x Prince Thatch) – pictured in 2019 - have come out of lockdown in fantastic shape. Grote-Brogel was the 11-year-old mare’s CDI debut but she revealed the makings of an exciting international prospect for the Herefordshire rider. Seventh place in the Young Rider Team Test was followed by second in the Individual with 71.76% behind Germany’s Luna Laabs and Wild Willy Granly (73.33%). On the final day, the British pair once again took a place in the top three with a super 73.65% for third in the Freestyle, headed by the home nation’s Suraya Hendrikx and Dear Friend 2 on 75.70%.

“We are now safely back home after an incredible week in Belgium at CDI Grote-Brogel. I couldn’t have asked for more from Bonita this week, she was an absolute superstar!” said Alicia on Facebook. “This has been our first international and you’d have thought she’d been doing it for years... 69.6% in the team test with some green mistakes, 71.7% in the individual and finishing off with our first ever freestyle pulling off 73.6% to finish third even when Bons started to feel a little tired!

“It’s been great to be back out competing and feeling more normal after these last months and amazing to come out with a bang after all of the training. Thank you so much to everyone involved and supporting mine and Bonita’s journey.”

I couldn’t have asked for more from Bonita this week, she was an absolute superstar!

Emily Bradshaw was delighted with her ride in the Young Rider Team Test aboard Susan Bradshaw’s Enjoy Amaris V (Apache x Clint Eastwood) for a personal best score of 70.44%.

Competing in the Pony division as well as making her first appearance as a Junior, Annabella Pidgley earned top placings with her two rides. Aboard the chestnut Belafonte, who was bought earlier this year from Ellen McCarthy, Annabella made a dream international Junior debut. A solid 68.83% for fourth in the Team test, 70.49% and second in the Individual followed by 73.40% for Freestyle third concluded her show in a very positive fashion.

Belafonte (Belissimo M x Wendekreis) is a 16-year-old stallion formerly campaigned in U25s by Ellen and now enjoying his next chapter as a Junior ride for Annabella (15) under the guidance of her trainer, the Danish star Cathrine Dufour.

With long-time ride Cognac IX, her partner at the 2019 FEI Pony European Championships, Annabella was again towards the top of the leaderboard in all three tests. Fourth in the Team test (70.47%) was followed by a podium place in both the Individual and Freestyle with 72.20% and 74.45% respectively, Germany’s Nina Sue Neumann and SF Dark Royal claiming a hat-trick of wins.

Ellen McCarthy and Sir Lancelot M made a welcome return to competition after a two-year hiatus. The gorgeous grey stallion, now 16, was a little ring rusty and a couple of costly mistakes in the U25s Grand Prix forced them to settle for equal eighth on 65.76%. The pair however showed super quality and highlights in the U25 Grand Prix Freestyle, despite some tension, for 68.87% and seventh.

Results
CDI2* - Prix St Georges
1. Inge Heylen and Kalagan ‘H’, 71.373% (BEL)
15. Ellen McCarthy and Beaulissimo, 58.039% (GBR)

CDI2* - Intermediate I
1. Inge Heylen and Kalagan ‘H’, 72.157% (BEL)
15. Ellen McCarthy and Beaulissimo, 61.569% (GBR)

CDIU25 – Under 25 Grand Prix
1. Aleksandra Maksakova and Bojengels, 71.538% (RUS)
8. Ellen McCarthy and Sir Lancelot M, 65.769% (GBR)

CDIU25 – Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Aleksandra Maksakova and Bojengels, 74.750% (RUS)
7. Ellen McCarthy and Sir Lancelot M, 68.875% (GBR)

CDIY – Young Rider Team Test
1. Luna Laabs and Wild Willy Granly, 73.333% (GER)
4. Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V, 70.441% (GBR)
7. Alicia Lee and Bonita 466, 69.657% (GBR)

CDIY – Young Rider Individual Test
1. Luna Laabs and Wild Willy Granly, 74.068% (GER)
2. Alicia Lee and Bonita 466, 71.765% (GBR)
11. Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V, 66.961% (GBR)

CDIY – Young Rider Freestyle
1. Suraya Hendrikx and Dear Friend 2, 75.701% (BEL)
3. Alicia Lee and Bonita 466, 73.658% (GBR)
7. Emily Bradshaw and Enjoy Amaris V, 70.158% (GBR)

CDIJ – Junior Team Test
1. Marie Bauer and Eye Catcher, 70.859% (GER)
4. Annabella Pidgley and Belafonte, 68.838% (GBR)

CDIJ – Junior Individual Test
1. Katelijne Maes and Ibou van de Kapelhoef, 70.931% (BEL)
2. Annabella Pidgley and Belafonte, 70.490% (GBR)

CDIJ – Junior Freestyle
1. Marie Bauer and Eye Catcher, 76.225% (GER)
3. Annabella Pidgley and Belafonte, 73.408% (GBR)

CDIP – Pony Team Test
1. Nina Sue Neumann and SF Dark Royal, 74.381% (GER)
4. Annabella Pidgley and Cognac IX, 70.476% (GBR)

CDIP – Pony Individual Test
1. Nina Sue Neumann and SF Dark Royal, 73.194% (GER)
3. Annabella Pidgley and Cognac IX, 72.208% (GBR)

CDIP – Pony Freestyle
1. Nina Sue Neumann and SF Dark Royal, 76.250% (GER)
3. Annabella Pidgley and Cognac IX, 74.458% (GBR)

Full results

Photo © Kevin Sparrow