News
Jerez de la Frontera CDI: Jesty collects her first CDIU25 win
- Written By: British Dressage/Joanna Bowns
- Published: Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:13
Anna Jesty (23) has enjoyed a successful fortnight in Spain, gaining a win on her CDIU25 debut and several strong placings at the two-week Jerez de la Frontera CDI at the iconic Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Cádiz (19 – 21 and 23 – 26 March 2022).
During week one, with her 11-year-old gelding Flow Motion (Fürstenball x Londonderry) – pictured earlier this year - she followed third spot in the CDIU25 Inter II and second in the U25 Grand Prix with a 70.87% victory in the Freestyle for her stylish, Pink Floyd-themed programme. Claiming the class ahead of Spain’s Alfonso Jesús Ramírez Benítez and Cuba Libre (69.785%), this marked the British pairing’s first CDIU25 win.
“Our first ever Grand Prix Freestyle, our first ever time riding to this music and the first ever time riding this floorplan… a lot of ‘first time ever’ for an international!” said Anna on social media, going on to explain how some improvisation was required after getting ahead of her music.
“It all came good,” she continued, “and we finished on 70.875% (with all judges giving me high marks for my interpretation of the music) to win the class! Our first U25 CDI and our first international win.”
During the second CDI, the duo rose from fifth place in the U25 Inter II to second in the U25 Grand Prix on 68.71% behind Spain’s Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor (69.385%).
“A great end to an amazing couple of weeks,” she said. “I could not have wished for a better start to my season – Floyd has just been on fantastic form from start to finish, including in our last test today, the U25 GP, gaining a 68.718% to finish second. We don’t have a freestyle this week due to some bad weather earlier in the week resulting in the classes all being moved around.
“So pleased and now cannot wait until the next one!”
Anna Ross with Marcelo Tosi’s powerful grey mare Habouche (Ampere x Sydney) had some costly mistakes in the Grand Prix putting them 22nd on the leaderboard with 65.174%. The 10-year-old Ampere x Sydney mare, who made her Grand Prix debut just last December, couldn’t quite find her recent form here in Jerez but nonetheless showed her immense potential for the future.
“What a place to ride! The Royal school in Jerez is really something else,” said Anna on social media. “One of the fabulous things about competing in equestrian sport is getting to visit the incredible historic venues - in this case dating back to the 17th century.
“The school is still in full swing today with Andalusian horses and riders coming from all over the world to train. What an experience - a little overwhelming for right now but we’ll be back next year.”
Results: top three and British placings
Week one
CDIU25 Intermediate II
1. Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 71.802% (ESP)
2. Alfonso Jesús Ramírez Benítez and Cuba Libre, 70.037% (ESP)
3. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 69.154% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix
1. Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 71.333% (ESP)
2. Alfonso Jesús Ramírez Benítez and Cuba Libre, 67.898% (ESP)
3. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 67.282% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 70.875% (GBR)
2. Alfonso Jesús Ramírez Benítez and Cuba Libre, 69.785% (ESP)
3. Diego Martinez Del Moral and For Olimpic Games, 68.420% (ESP)
CDI3* Grand Prix
1. João Victor Marcari Oliva and Escorial Horsecampline, 72.696% (BRA)
2. Morgan Barbançon and Sir Donnerhall II OLD, 72.674% (FRA)
3. Vasco Mira Godinho and Garrett, 72.674% POR)
22. Anna Ross and Habouche, 65.174% (GBR)
Week two
CDIU25 Intermediate II
1. Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 71.706% (ESP)
2. Yoann Pinto and Hotilas, 67.794% (POR)
3. Mariana Assis Silva and Serano, 67.736% (POR)
5. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 66.706% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix
1. Alejandro Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 69.385% (ESP)
2. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 68.718% (GBR)
3. Yoann Pinto and Hotilas, 67.667% (POR)
Photo © Kevin Sparrow
Words: British Dressage/Joanna Bowns
