Lewis Carrier sitting eighth overnight after day one of U25 Grand Prix

While our Senior riders are having a rest day today, the next generation took centre stage this morning for day one of the U25 Grand Prix at the Longines FEI Dressage European Championships in Hagen.

Lewis Carrier and Diego V (by Spielberg) performed a beautiful test displaying their trademark harmony and elegance to earn a score of 69.05% putting them into eighth place overnight. A small mistake in the two-time changes was costly but Diego and his 24-year-old rider looked very much at home in the beautiful Hof Kasselmann arena.

“I had him a little bit hotter today which was good,” said Lewis, speaking about his test. “I was happy with the energy but I just needed to contain it a little bit more. It was a shame about the mistake in the twos – other than that I was pleased with how he was in the ring.

“His changes are normally really solid but we were a bit keen to get across the diagonal! Rider error, not horse! Generally, I felt he was more forward today and through the competition he does get into it more and feels more confident. I was pleased with the feeling and he generally was saying ‘let’s go’ – but sometimes just a little bit too much!”

Ellie McCarthy and GB Londero Von Worrenberg, a beautiful Londontime-sired 12-year-old owned by her father, Spencer McCarthy, didn’t have an easy time in the arena today and scored 57.692%. They started off well with super trot work until the piaffe and passage tour, when tension crept in and they didn’t get to show what they’re capable of.

The canter work however was very impressive, with expressive lines of changes, super pirouettes and quality. This may not have been their day but there’s going to be so much to come from this combination in future.

“It’s not been quite the championship I’d hoped for,” said Ellie afterwards. “I can’t blame it all on him but he was very nervous when we went in. There was a cover on the camera that wasn’t there the last few days and I just felt him get very tense.

“I couldn’t get my leg on him and every time I tried he just cantered,” she continued. “We made mistakes that we’ve never made before so I’m just a bit confused. I knew I could pick up in the canter work but then the final centreline wasn’t good. His passage work is usually where I pick up my best marks.

“He’s never been to a show like this before and we’ve only really done a few shows together so it’s a learning curve I guess, but still disappointing.”

The U25 Grand Prix continues tomorrow morning with Alexander Harrison and Diamond Hill going at 09:57 (08:57 BST) and Lucy and Amy and Rudy at 11:20 (10:20 BST). The top 18 competitors across the two days go through to the Freestyle on Sunday.

RESULTS

Photo © Kevin Sparrow
Words: British Dressage/Joanna Bowns