Keysoe CDI: A clean sweep for Dujardin and Butler

With a summer of limited exposure to international competition, many leading Brits flocked to Keysoe CDI in Bedfordshire (9 - 11 October 2020) to present their top and up-and-coming horses. Although behind closed doors, the entire competition was live streamed by Horse & Country for connections and enthusiasts to view from the comfort of home.

Grand Prix
Charlotte Dujardin dominated the Big Tour, first up with a new Grand Prix personal best score of 83.19% with Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle (Fidermark x Donnerhall) - pictured top. The eleven year old German mare danced through the test with power and elasticity, achieving 10s for piaffe, the line of one-time changes, passage and the final halt. Freestyle looked happy to be back in the limelight and was the unanimous winner for judges Peter Holler (GER), Clive Halsall (GBR), Lars Andersson (SWE), Freddy Leyman (BEL) and Raphaël Saleh (FRA).

Going later in the class with young talent and international debutant Gio, Charlotte claimed second place too. The bright chestnut Dutch-bred Apache x Tango nine-year-old, who is fittingly known as Pumpkin, may stand just 16 hands high but what he lacks in size he makes up for with heart and ability. The pair’s clean and zesty test was awarded a score of 79.34% for second place, achieving plenty of nines plus some tens for the piaffe-passage tour.

Third place on the podium belonged to Gareth Hughes on a new personal best Grand Prix score of 77.67% with his team ride, the 14-year-old KWPN mare Classic Briolinca. Gareth and Briolinca’s last international was at the 2019 FEI European Championships where they were highest-placed Brits in both the Special and Freestyle, and they continue to grow.

A thrilling partnership for the future was evident in the form of Carl Hester and En Vogue who took fourth place with a score of 76.50% on their international debut. The tall, dark Jazz son, who is owned by Charlotte Dujardin, was a little excited in the Grand Prix which resulted in some errors creeping in, but he tried his heart out and showed so much quality and scope.

Fifth place belonged to Great Britain’s Sonnar Murray-Brown and his super-talented Trakehner gelding, Erlentanz, on a PB of 75.50%.

Grand Prix Special
Saturday’s Grand Prix Special was jam-packed with quality. Charlotte and Freestyle performed another beautiful test, which was full of the mare’s trademark expression. They took victory on another PB of 84.14% from the judging panel of Anne Prain (FRA), Lars Andersson (SWE), Raphaël Saleh (FRA), Peter Holler (GER) and Mary Robins (NZL).

Gareth and Classic Briolinca were awarded a fabulous PB of 78.97% for second place - the super-classy combination combine power, harmony and complete trust in each other which makes them a joy to watch.

Carl and En Vogue impressed to score 78.42% to complete the podium placings. The eleven-year-old gelding looked phenomenal, having grown in confidence from day one, and is an exciting prospect for British dressage.

“Tonight is an example of why it’s all about the journey and not just the result,” reflected Carl on Facebook. “En Vogue gave me a stunning ride in Grand Prix Special here at Keysoe, to score 78.4%. I have been so lucky to have some great horses in my career and I really think En Vogue will be one of them,”

Grand Prix Freestyle
Charlotte Dujardin and Gio (pictured above) were the outstanding winners of Saturday night’s Grand Prix Freestyle. The athletic little horse looked confident and showed super highlights. They were unanimous and outstanding winners on a mark of 83.36%.

Lara Butler and the evergreen Rubin Al Asad (18), owned by Ursula Bechtolsheimer and Laura Tomlinson, were second on a score of 77.45%. Gareth Hughes and the Kroll family’s KK Woodstock were third with 76.50%.

“Brilliant finish at the Keysoe CDI this weekend with Freestyle winning the Grand Prix Special with 84.1% and Pumpkin winning the Grand Prix Freestyle with 83.36%,” posted Charlotte on social media.

“[I’m] So proud of both horses and also want to say a special thank you to all of the team at Keysoe for putting on the show and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of the competitors and our grooms. It was not an easy job but we appreciate all of your efforts in creating this safe space for us to compete.”

Small Tour
Lara Butler added to her Big Tour placings with a clean sweep of the Small Tour. Weeks after the horse’s winning international debut at Hagen CDI in Germany, Lara and hot prospect Amiek C (pictured above) once again stamped their authority, claiming the Prix St Georges, Inter I and Inter I Freestyle here at Keysoe by a considerable margin.

Amiek C, known at home as Ampy, is an imposing Westphalian gelding by Ampere. Now 10 years old, Lara has owned him with Anne Hutton since he was three. He is correct and strong in all three paces and looks to have all the requisites for a bright future at Grand Prix. Formerly trained by the late Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer, Lara now works with Belgian Grand Prix rider Carl Cuypers, yard manager and home trainer at Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Eastington Stud.

A delighted Lara took to social media to say, “Wow what a show. Both boys were amazing. Ampy [Amiek C] truly out did himself for a triple win with plus 75% scores in the small tour and Rufus [Rubin Al Asad] showed that you just get better with age coming second with 77% in the GP freestyle last night feeling the best ever! They both gave me their all, very special horses!”

Second to Lara in the PSG was Amy Woodhead and international first-timer, MSJ Top Secret. Owned by Emma Blundell, the nine-year-old, dark bay Totilas daughter was awarded 72.17% ahead of Rebecca Hughes and Goldstrike in third (71.32%).

Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, her faithful, black son of Jazz, moved up the ranks from PSG tenth to the runners-up position behind Lara in the Intermediate I. Lara co-owns the 11-year-old gelding with Laura Milner and he is proving a consistently successful competitor at the level, adding these to top-three placings at Le Mans and Keysoe CDIs earlier this year.

Andrew Gould and Genie, a good-looking Zhivago-sired bay stallion, followed a pleasing plus-70% fourth in the Prix St Georges with a super second place in the Inter I Freestyle on 73.50%. Placed with Andrew for training since the end of last year, the long-term aim is international Grand Prix.

British Dressage would like to thank Simon Bates, the team at Keysoe and everyone involved for making the CDI a success. We’d also like to thank competitors and their connections for their positivity in adhering to the Government guidelines. H&C + subscribers can watch all the action on demand at any time.

Top ten results:
CDI3* Grand Prix
1. Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle, 83.196% (GBR)
2. Charlotte Dujardin and Gio, 79.348% (GBR)
3. Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, 77.674% (GBR)
4. Carl Hester and En Vogue, 76.500% (GBR)
5. Sonnar Murray Brown and Erlentanz, 75.500% (GBR)
6. Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad, 72.804% (GBR)
7. Emile Faurie and Dono Di Maggio, 72.587% (GBR)
8. Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock, 71.978% (GBR)
9. Heike Holstein and Sambuca, 69.000% (IRL)
10. Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic, 68.870% (GBR)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special
1. Charlotte Dujardin and Mount St John Freestyle, 84.149% (GBR)
2. Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca, 78.979% (GBR)
3. Carl Hester and En Vogue, 78.425% (GBR)
4. Sonnar Murray Brown and Erlentanz, 74.681% (GBR)
5. Emile Faurie and Doni Di Maggio, 73.958% (GBR)
6. Louise Bell and Into The Blue, 68.617% (GBR)
7. Marc Boblet and Grand Voice JRMF, 67.085% (FRA)
8. Daniel Greenwood and Chevalier O, 65.766% (GBR)
9. Keith Robertson and Boheme af Sulsted, 65.681% (GBR)
10. Alex Baker and Dutchman, 63.872% (IRL)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Charlotte Dujardin and Gio, 83.360% (GBR)
2. Lara Butler and Rubi Al Asad, 77.455% (GBR)
3. Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock, 76.500% (GBR)
4. Heike Holstein and Sambuca, 72.395% (IRL)
5. Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic, 71.895% (GBR)
6. Theodora Livanos and Robinvale, 71.260% (GRE)
7. Mojca Usnik and Libertino, 71.260% (SLO)
8. Mikaela Soratie and Dacor, 67.120% (FIN)
9. Elizabeth Diegutis and Saskia Hit, 66.880% (GBR)
10. Elder Klatzko and Little Richard, 65.560% (GBR)

CDI3* Prix St Georges
1. Lara Butler and Amiek C, 75.235% (GBR)
2. Amy Woodhead and MSJ Top Secret, 72.177% (GBR)
3. Rebecca Hughes and Goldstrike, 71.323% (GBR)
4. Andrew Gould and Genie, 70.588% (GBR)
5. Andrew Gould and Blue Hors Dexter, 70.441% (GBR)
6. Eilidh Grant and Doornroos II, 70.382% (GBR)
7. Sarah Higgins and Waldessarini, 69.529% (GBR)
8. Fiona Brennan and De Angelis, 68.941% (GBR)
9. Emily Harris and Freya FST, 68.794% (GBR)
10. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 68.500% (GBR)

CDI3* Intermediate I
1. Lara Butler and Amiek C, 76.706% (GBR)
2. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 72.235% (GBR)
3. Sarah Higgins and Waldessarini, 70.794% (GBR)
4. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 70.323% (GBR)
5. Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 69.941% (GBR)
6. Emily Harris and Freya FST, 69.412% (GBR)
7. Fiona Brennan and De Angelis, 67.882% (GBR)
8. Stephanie Taylor and Donna Summer, 67.765% (GBR)
9. Amy Woodhead and MSJ Top Secret, 67.500% (GBR)
10. Sarah Higgins and Elixer, 67.088% (GBR)

CDI3* Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Lara Butler and Amiek C, 76.425% (GBR)
2. Andrew Gould and Genie, 73.500% (GBR)
3. Sarah Higgins and Waldessarini, 71.550% (GBR)
4. Rebecca Hughes and Goldstrike, 71.100% (GBR)
5. Dylan Deutrom and San Marco, 70.725% (GBR)
6. Emily Harris and Freya FST, 70.525% (GBR)
7. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 70.050% (GBR)
8. Claire Abel and Rowan Magic, 69.145% (GBR)
9. Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 68.750% (GBR)
10. Stephanie Taylor and Donna Summer, 68.725% (GBR)

Full results

Photo © Kevin Sparrow