Lickley and Dahl triumph in Youth divisions at Le Mans CDI

The British contingent that crossed The Channel to contest the Youth divisions at Le Mans CDI in France enjoyed success with both Izzy Lickley and Mette Dahl raising the flag for Great Britain (13 – 16 February 2020).

In the Pony divisions, Izzy Lickley (15) started her 2020 campaign in emphatic fashion with her 2019 FEI Pony European Championships partner Mister Snowman (pictured) by posting a personal best score of 72.34% to win the Pony Individual Test. German challengers, Shona Brenner with Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE and Antonia Roth with Daily Pleasure WE, put up a good fight to fill the podium, but it wasn’t enough to topple Izzy from top spot.

Cool-headed Izzy came back from a lively ride the previous day. Happy to be back out competing after his winter training, Mister Snowman was exuberant and somewhat spooky on day one. This was costly and kept their Team Test score in check, yet the quality was unmistakable and they still scored 69% for sixth.

Saturday however was another story and the British combination delivered a focused, expressive performance showing great balance through all the transitions. Izzy took to Facebook to say; “Amazing day. After yesterday with too much energy we managed to calm things down and the reward was a win in the Individual. A personal best 72.34% and in amazing company. Just love my snow pony.”

Amazing day. After yesterday with too much energy we managed to calm things down and the reward was a win in the Individual. A personal best 72.34% and in amazing company. Just love my snow pony.

A super Greatest Showman themed freestyle, with a well-executed technically demanding floorplan from the pair, was awarded with 74.95%. This matched the PB they attained at Exloo CDI last year, gave them a podium position on Sunday behind Benner and Roth, and concluded their fantastic Le Mans CDI. “The most amazing experience ever,” said Izzy on Monday. “Just love my pony. Thank you Le Mans Boulerie Jump - Pôle Européen du Cheval. Snowman safely home and enjoying some time out before we prepare for Keysoe in a few weeks.”

Izzy, who has a represented Great Britain at FEI Pony European Championships on three different ponies – Gigolo (2016), Valido’s Sunshine (2018) and Mister Snowman in 2019 when she was placed tenth in the Freestyle, will certainly be one to watch for this year.

On her international debut, West Sussex-based Mette Dahl (13) dominated the Children on Horses classes with a double victory in both the Team and Individual Test. Her winning partner is none other than Selten HW (pictured above), her father Anders’ former top ride with whom he represented Denmark at the Rio Olympic Games. Now retired from Grand Prix level competition, the Sandro Hit-sired 16 year old has struck up a great bond with his young rider and clearly still loves to compete.

Mette gave the 17hh gelding, who is owned by her mum Fiona Bigwood, a super ride and posted scores of 72.20% and 72.94% respectively.

Britain’s representatives in the Young Rider divisions achieved some promising results. Clare Hole (18) was the highest placed Brit in a closely-fought Young Rider Team Test, posting 68.48% for fifth place with her own and Lynne Jackson’s Pro-Set-sired 17 year old, Pro-Motion. The class was won by Germany’s Emely Van Loon and FBW Despereaux on 70.049%, with Franz Otto (GER) and Camille Audo (FRA) completing the podium.

Clare’s elder sister, Ruth (20), made the top ten with Rachel Murray’s 11 year old Maestro x Rhodium gelding, Easy VZ. They scored 67.84% on the horse’s first overseas CDI, much to the delight of his rider. “He tried his absolute heart out with just a few mistakes from the both of us, but OMG he’s just awesome. We scored 67.8% for a top 10 finish at his first international abroad.”

In Saturday’s Young Rider Individual, Ruth ad Easy VZ achieved 66.765% for ninth whilst Clare and the 17 year old Gribaldi-sired Winnetou GEP were awarded 67.25% for eighth, both riders securing a place in Sunday’s Freestyle where they ninth and fourteenth repectively.

Results

CDIP – Pony Team Test
1. Shona Benner and Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE, 74.048% (GER)
2. Antonia Roth and Daily Pleasure WE, 72.048% (GER)
3. Jill Kempes and Next Black Magic, 70.286% (NED)
6. Isobel Lickley and Mister Snowman, 69.000% (GBR)
16. Mette Dahl and George Clooney BS, 66.476% (GBR)
20. Betsy Smetham and Amber, 65.095% (GBR)

CDIP – Pony Individual Test
1. Isobel Lickley and Mister Snowman, 72.342% (GBR)
2. Shona Benner and Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE, 72.158% (GER)
3. Antonia Roth and Daily Pleasure WE, 72.158% (GER)
14. Betsy Smetham and Amber, 67.162% (GBR)
15. Mette Dahl and George Clooney BS, 66.486% (GBR)

CDIP – Pony Freestyle
1. Shona Benner and Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE, 76.375% (GER)
2. Antonia Roth and Daily Pleasure WE, 75.000% (GER)
3. Isobel Lickley and Mister Snowman, 74.958% (GBR)
15. Betsy Smetham and Amber, 68.667% (GBR)
17. Mette Dahl and George Clooney BS, 67.209% (GBR)

CDIY – Young Rider Team Test
1. Emely Van Loon and FBW Despereaux, 70.049% (GER)
2. Franz Otto Damm and DSP Lifestyle, 69.363% (GER)
3. Camille Audo and Behroez, 69.216% (FRA)
5. Clare Hole and Pro-Motion, 68.480% (GBR)
10. Ruth Hole and Easy VZ, 67.843% (GBR)
11. Clare Hole and Winnetou GEP, 67.402% (GBR)
18. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 62.255% (GBR)

CDI-Y – Young Rider Individual Test
1. Capucine Noel and Soleil Noir Vom Rosenhof, 70.245% (FRA)
2. Amber De Groot and Homemade, 70.098% (NED)
3. Franz Otto Damm and DSP Lifestyle, 70.00% (GER)
8. Clare Hole and Winnetou GEP, 67.255% (GBR)
9. Ruth Hole and Easy VZ, 66.765% (GBR)
11. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 66.520% (GBR)
15. Clare Hole and Pro-Motion, 64.510% (GBR)

CDIY – Young Rider Freestyle
1. Franz Otto Damm and DSP Lifestyle, 75.209% (GER)
2. Capucine Noel and Soleil Noir Vom Rosenhof, 72.959% (FRA)
3. Tabea Schroer and Florenciano 6, 72.000% (GER)
8. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 68.917% (GBR)
9. Ruth Hole and Easy VZ, 68.625% (GBR)
14. Clare Hole and Winnetou GEP, 65.500% (GBR)

CDICh-A – Children on Horses Team Test
1. Mette Dahl and Selten HW, 72.203% (GBR)
2. Thanais Capelle Morosi and Escortgirl Maupertuis, 70.616% (FRA)
3. Eloise Thomas and Kind of Magic Fast, 70.542% (FRA)

CDICh-A – Children on Horses Individual Test
1. Mette Dahl and Selten HW, 72.944% (GBR)
2. Thanais Capelle Morosi and Escortgirl Maupertuis, 68.500% (FRA)
3. Eloise Thomas and Kind of Magic Fast, 66.267% (FRA)

Full results

Photo © Les Garennes