LeMieux Nationals: day three

A beautifully sunny day three of the LeMieux National Dressage Championships certainly didn't disappoint spectators, with two Olympic medallists and two first time winners amongst the days champions.

TopSpec Medium Gold Champion

Winner: Bryony Goodwin and Dion II, 72.621%

Bryony Goodwin does the double at Nationals and wins the TopSpec Medium Gold with Dion II. The duo received an amazing 72.621% from the five judges in the Kudos Arena, putting them top of the leaderboard in another highly contested class.

Bryony and Dion II won their first National title in 2023, in the HorseQuest Elementary. Now stepping up to Medium the combination have done it again! Having now owned him for over three years, Bryony has had great success with the talented gelding, winning Young Horse Titles and this time last year had only competed at Medium level with him a couple of time, it is a testament to their partnership that they won in the buzzing atmosphere today.

Michael Elberg and De La Hoyde finished in second place with a score of 71.514% and Sarah Ingham riding Mowgli S were in third, receiving 70.730%.

KBIS Young Dressage Horse Seven-Year-Old Champion

Winner: Becky Moody and Magic Dream, 78.450%

The stunning seven-year-old mare Magic Dream (Governer x Swarovski), ridden by Becky Moody is the won the Young Horse seven-year-old final, during our first class in the LeMieux arena. The chestnut KWPN received 78.450% from judges Richard Baldwin, Spencer Wilton and Nick Burton.

Becky and the talented Magic Dream have had success throughout the Young Horse Classes having worked through each age category, the bay mare is no stranger to the championship atmosphere. Previously having finished third in the six-year-old final and in 2022 they placed second in the five-year-old final, with another third place in 2021 in the four-year-old final.

Becky spoke to us about how Magic Dream felt today between the white boards, “she was super cool today, she has had a busy show.” Having already competed in the Prix St Georges, despite being “a little bit green at that level” Becky shares “it was only her second one and she was really good considering.”

“It was lovely today to do the seven-year-old class and just drop back down to that level because she felt confident and at ease with that kind of work, which is a really nice feeling” Becky explained.

The bay mare has shown her talent from a young age, Becky states she is, “super excited for the her, I think she is a special horse. She has had a second in the Prix St Georges Freestyle and a third in the Prix St Georges.” The future is looking “really bright” for the 16.2hh KWPN.

Becky gushes over the exciting career ahead for Magic Dream, “for seven-years-old she is amazing, she is really showing quite a bit of talent, natural talent for the Piaf work and things like that.” Hoping to follow in James Bond’s footsteps, who also won the seven-year-old final three years ago, “hopefully in three years she will also be at Grand Prix.”

Describing Magic Dream as a “sweetheart” Becky explains, “she is a really lovely horse, she is good to hack, she does sometimes have a little buzzy moment, if someone with a hot bottom gets on her, she can be quite speedy! But she is a really lovely person, loves a good cuddle, she’s awesome.”

Returning to the National Championships for the first time following Becky’s Olympic debut and incredible performance in Paris with the wonder Jagerbomb, Becky shares what if feels like to be greeted with huge support and admiration, “it’s been just like a massive hug, which has been lovely. There are so many people who are passionate about this sport, and we just need to keep building on that.”

Samarkand ridden by Kate Cowell finished in second place with a score of 74.750% and Dannie Morgan with Vive la Reinne VH were our third-place competitors, receiving a score of 74.267%.

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Silver Championship

Winner: Sara Squires and Laetitius C, 69.882%

After placing third with 68.471% in Friday’s PSG Sara Sqires and Laetitius C (Londontime x Rosella) improved on their score and took first place in the Intermediate I with 69.882%. Telling us what this meant to her Sara said, “I think I just can't quite believe it. This is my first national title here.”

This win was one that meant more to Sara than most following a scare six weeks or so back that meant she almost lost  Laetitius C. Reflecting this moment Sara describes how, “This is even more special, because about a month ago, I nearly lost him to colic. He woke us up. The stables look onto our house, so they've got a window, and because it was warm, we had the window open, and he was bashing the stable door. And I thought, well, he either wants food or there's something wrong. I'm very lucky that we got out there and other half's an equine vet because 15-20 minutes later, and we'd have lost him.”

Sharing how she felt coming out of that arena after her test considering how close they were to losing him Sara said, “I was quite emotional to be honest, because I just thought it’s not so long ago that I didn't honestly think he was going to survive.”

The close call reminded Sara how easily things out of your control can happen. She describes how, “Every morning I was getting up thinking ‘is he alright’ checking his head was over the window, but equally you have to treat them like a horse, don’t you and just try as much as possible to keep them?”

"He came out and felt like he was really working with me. We had one little blip mistake, but didn't cost us the test. I felt my piaffe were really good today and was really, pleased about that. ” says Sara, explaining why this particularly stood out for her being something the was new to both of them: “We've learned together. I’ve not sat on an experienced horse before to learn so it's taken me a bit of a while. It's not that he can't do them, it's the feel and that's something you just got to learn.” says sara, adding that “It's just training and time and strength and, I don't rush him, you know, I've given him time to establish a bit at this level. He's just getting stronger and better at this level, which is great for me, because it's, you know, I've just produced him all the way.”

Reflecting back on their journey, Sara described how Laetitius C “came to me as a very sharp, four-year-old out of Germany, and I produced him all the way. For a few years, he got back burner a bit. I had 11 event horses so, and then covid hit, and I thought, I'm going to enjoy him now. And so, from then, we've just built this partnership more and more.”

“We’ve done a lot of hacking, and he's a normal horse. He goes in the field every day, I just like him to have a fairly normal life.” Says Sara, explaining how she got the best out of his ‘sharpness’. Once again emphasising her belief in how allowing a horse to be a horse is so important, she adds “I think mentally, it's good for them to hack and do some other stuff. What I felt training at this level is because I didn't know the work, I felt I needed to constantly be trying to do it to get better. But that's obviously putting more pressure on the horse, isn't it? And I didn’t want to do that.” adding “I think because I do vary his work, it's kept him a sound happy horse and he feels really good.”

Chloe Hill and Bon Jovi came in second with 68.177% and Rhiannon Hinton and Quaikin Horatio took third place with 67.765%.

LeMieux Grand Prix Gold Championship

Winner: Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 71.869%

Lewis Carrier rode Diego V to victory in the LeMieux Grand Prix Gold Championship with a score of 71.869%. The duo has been a partnership for twelve years, “we’ve been together a long long time so we know each other inside out, it really helps. I think partnerships are ones you can have for such a long time.” Lewis commented.

Lewis first competed Diego V as a six-year-old in the Elementary at the Natinonals, “you see the riders back then winning the Grand Prix and you think yeah, I want to do that! So, it’s amazing to actually achieve it” Lewis reflects back on his career so far.

Speaking on the test today in the LeMieux Arena, “he was fresh, but he kept it together, the freshness really made his extended trots really good. He just loves the bigger atmosphere here at the Nationals, he just really loves it.”

“Sometimes he boils over but today he kept it together and put in a really good test and I was just relieved that it was good enough to win, it’s quite surreal.”

At home Diego V is described as “pretty chilled out, he does love going to a show though, I think he could live at a show! To be honest, he’s the most relaxed and happiest at a show.” 

The duo has Wellington CDI next month and keeping fingers crossed for London International again this year, “it was an amazing show last year and he did fantastically there so would really like to go there again this year” Lewis tells us.

Gareth Hughes riding Classic Goldstrike claim second place with a score of 71.239% with third place going to Laura Tomlinson riding Soegaards Bon Royal scoring 70.630%.

Bettalife Novice Silver Championship

Lauren Aston and Free Flo, 74.296%

It was a first time National Championship win for Lauren and her own Free Flo, as they beat 33 other competitors to win the Bettalife Novice Silver Championship, with an impressive score of 74.296%.

Lauren and Free Flo impressed judges, Paul Hayler (E), Mark Ruddock (H), Sophie Dickinson (C), Sarah Rodger (M) and Sue Carson (B), as the sun shone down on the Vector Arena. Speaking of her test, Lauren said  “It went really well, she can be a little bit spooky, and she kind of backs off me in tests, so it can go one or two ways, really. But she was really with me. We had a really good warm up, and I've been working hard on the smaller bits, like transitions and halts so to get those extra few marks that make the difference. I was really, really happy with her.”

Lauren, who has a full time job in Marketing that she balances alongside competing, spoke of how it feels to have won a National title “I’m really happy with her. Like everyone else it’s a huge amount of work goes in, and for it to come off on this day in particular is, is really special. So I'm really happy.”

I absolutely didn't expect it. She's a special horse, I know what she's capable of, but you've got to do it on the day at the time. A lot has to come together at the very last minute and you have to have a degree of luck.”

This was the pair’s second outing of the week, having competed and finished seventh in the HorseQuest Elementary Silver Championship on Thursday.

Lauren describes the seven year old, bay mare as “a true sassy diva mare. She’s got a heart of gold. She’s a super cool horse, and incredible to ride.”

On talking about their preparation for the show, Lauren said “we’ve been training a little bit more in the run up to this competition, but I don't change too much. We’ve been hacking, she goes out overnight as normal and I ride probably three, four times a week. She has lots of outings and treadmill and things like that. So it's super varied.

In second place was Flight Lieutenant Mandy Meikle and Faside Sir Derry on 71.148%, with Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee coming a very close third with 71.000%.

Saracen Intermediate I Freestyle Gold Championship

Winner: Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 76.475%

Laura Tomlinson brought forward her Saracen Intermediate I Gold runner up Full Moon II for a shot at the Supreme title and successfully completed the mission, achieving 76.475% in front of Pam Bushell (E), Sue McMahon (H), Nick Burton (C), Fiona Wilson (M) and Leanne Wall (B).

“I decided that Forest Hill could have the day off after his win yesterday,” Laura said about her decision on which of her two eight-year-old superstars she would take forward to the Saracen Freestyle, “Moony still had a point to prove, yesterday there were still a few mistakes in the changes that cost him! Forest Hill had a nice easy day off and Full Moon when I picked up canter in the warm up he squealed, I thought ‘oh god here we go! He can’t still be buzzing!’. But he settled down really quickly and in the ring he was awesome and I felt like I could really ride everything to the max. He gave me everything he’s got right now, he felt awesome in the half passes in both trot and canter, and in the pirouettes he’s got such amazing ability to sit.”

The now eight-year-old gelding by Furstenball looks set for a future at the very top of the sport, and Laura is looking forward to building on today’s success over the winter with her home-bred talent: “I feel really excited about him. He needs that next challenge physically now, he’s got the strength now and he’s got the power and he’s ready to move up a gear. I think it’ll be good for him. He can be a bit much on the first day of a show but having more to think about will be really good for him.”

The Saracen Horse Feeds Supreme Champion title also seeks to reward the winning groom, and Laura’s groom Lydia joined her in the prize giving to collect a reward from the class sponsors. Speaking about her part in team Tomlinson, Laura said, “Lydia is fabulous. She’s the most enthusiastic person you could ever hope to have around your horses. Nothing is ever too much for her and she lives, breathes and sleeps horses and is a completely brilliant team mate to have. She’s always positive, always upbeat and a completely reliable wingman to have at a show.”

In the Freestyle competition, Andrew Gould with Terry and Jo Barnett Knotts’ Active Solaris placed second with 73.825%, whilst Davey Harvey enjoyed third place with Judy Peploe’s Diamond Blue – the Don Frederic-sired gelding bred in Britain by Darren Mattia.