Myerscough Premier League: Swanmore Dantina claims breakthrough Grand Prix victory

Myerscough Premier League in Lancashire (11–16 March) saw an exciting week of competition where Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina earned their first Premier League victory at Grand Prix level whilst also collecting the first of the direct qualification tickets to the LeMieux National Championships.

The 2024 Stuebben Intermediate II National Champions Sadie Smith and her own Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino x Charatan W) were on top form at Myerscough, securing a first Premier League Grand Prix win of the 10-year-old mare’s career so far. Having produced “Dia” from a three-year-old, Sadie guided her to a superb performance at this level, which earned them the highest FEI score of the show - an outstanding 72.10% from judges Andrea Smith (C), Susan Carson (E) and Jane Critchley (M). Last year’s Myerscough Premier League Grand Prix winner Becky Moody delivered a strong challenge aboard Jo Cooper’s Desperado NOP-sired stallion James Bond II, scoring 70.69% to claim second, whilst Sarah Millis and Impressive VDC (by Charmeur) completed the podium on 69.13%. 

"I’m completely over the moon," said Sadie, reacting to their Grand Prix success on social media., "My best girl Swanmore Dantina was an absolute star at only our second attempt at the level and has now qualified for the LeMieux National Dressage Championships!" 

Myerscough Premier League launches the start of the season for direct qualification to the LeMieux National Championships, watch this space for exciting news about tickets coming soon.  

Matt Frost and his new ride, the 13-year-old Belissimo M-sired gelding Atterupgaards Berlucchi owned by Angela Ellis-Dunn, are another exciting combination to watch after they danced their way to victory in their first Grand Prix Freestyle together. Their debut performance indicated a promising future for this partnership, earning a score of 68.87%, which edged Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet into second place on 68.21%, whilst Bobby Hayler and Iconic II completed the podium with a score of 67.67%. 

Adding to his tally of top placings, Matt also won Friday’s Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges class aboard the 10-year-old Kerouac (Sezuan x Sorento) with another strong score of 69.02%. The Gloucestershire-based rider then claimed the runner-up position in the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I on 69.51%, placing him just a fraction behind Lucinda Elliott and Sian Kuropatwa’s Ice LH (Chippendale x Lord Leatherdale), who secured the top spot with a score of 69.61%. Meanwhile, Kate Cowell came third in Friday’s Intermediate I adding to her success in the Small Tour classes the day before. Mirroring her dual win at the venue’s Premier League last year, the Worcestershire-based rider once again took home a double win, claiming Thursday’s Prix St Georges class with her Dutch-bred gelding Joolz as well as the Inter I aboard her Fursten-Look-sired gelding Final Reign 106 with two excellent scores of over 70%. 

In the youth divisions, Abigail Gray and Empire B (Sting x 00 Seven) were the combination to beat, securing back-to-back wins in the Junior Individual and Team tests with top scores of 71.13% and 71.06%. Abigail, the reigning Pony European  Champion, has recently stepped up to Juniors with Empire B as her new ride. The talented gelding, who previously competed at international Grand Prix level with Fenella Quinn, is proving to be a promising partner as Abigail transitions into the Junior ranks. 

Another dual win came courtesy of Ruby Hughes and Classic Goldstrike (by Tango) in the Young Riders classes as they took top honours in the Individual and Team tests with scores of 69.36% and 70.54%. Mimi Kempster and Che Bello secured the Pony Individual test win with 69.37%, whilst Molly Powell and Mr Diego claimed the Pony Team test victory with a score of 69.43%. 

The Young Horse classes provided a glimpse of future stars in the making with some exceptional scores posted throughout the week. Amy Woodhead clinched the KBIS qualifier for six-year-olds with DBM Secre-C on an impressive 82.60% ahead of Tom Goode and Veto on 80.80%. Anna Burns and Becky Moody’s Chapeau TN-sired gelding Playboy V topped the five-year-old rankings with 82.00%, whilst Greg Sims and Kilan’s Double07 (Desperado x Desperado), bred by Kilan Dressage, dazzled in the four-year-old division with an outstanding 82.60%. 

"Kilan’s Double07 behaved impeccably at his first show," said Greg, reflecting on his young star’s winning debut. "Such an exciting start to his career; we are all looking forward to seeing what journey he takes us on." 

Congratulations to all the competitors, especially those collecting tickets for the LeMieux National Championships. Thanks also go to the team at Myerscough College, judges, writers, stewards and volunteers for making it such a fantastic Premier League event. 

Results - Top Three 

Tuesday 11 March 

TopSpec Medium  

1. Jessica Dunn and WHS Funtime Frankie, 71.25% 

2. Paul Friday and Devolution, 69.03% 

3. Jessica Dunn and Lord Lenny, 67.16% 

Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium 

1. Paul Friday and Devolution, 70.49% 

2. Jessica Dunn and Lord Lenny, 68.47% 

3. Ryan Todd and MSJ Drumroll, 66.04% 

British Dressage Young Pony 5YO  

1. Laura Taylor and Penddolfawr Hefina, 63.60%  

British Dressage International Young Horse 5YO 

1. Ruth Edge and Fidermeyer, 77.40% 

British Dressage International Young Horse 6YO 

1. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 75.20% 

Wednesday 12 March 

KBIS Young Horse 4YO 

1. Gregory Sims and Kilan’s Double07, 82.60% 

2. Kirstie Clarke and Rebel Van Lange Weeren KCD, 78.00% 

3. Martin Schleicher and MS Fabio, 77.60% 

KBIS Young Horse 5YO 

1. Anna Burns and Playboy V, 82.00% 

2. Katie Owens and Florisemo, 81.20% 

3. Amy Woodhead and MSJ Odelia, 79.40% 

KBIS Young Horse 6YO 

1. Amy Woodhead and DBM Secre-C, 82.60% 

2. Thomas Oliver Goode and Veto, 80.80% 

3. Hayley Colwell and Magnetic, 78.60% 

Thursday 13 March 

Bret Willson Dressage International Advanced Medium  

1. Amy Woodhead and K II, 70.05% 

2. Paul Friday and Devolution, 69.54% 

3. Thomas Oliver Goode and Total Impact II, 67.92% 

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges  

1. Kate Cowell and Joolz, 70.79% 

2. Amy Woodhead and Furstin Fugger, 69.85% 

3. Nathalie Kayal and Woodcroft St Emilion, 69.51% 

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I  

1. Kate Cowell and Final Reign 106, 70.44% 

2. Amy Woodhead and Furstin Fugger, 69.12% 

3. Nathalie Kayal and Woodcroft St Emilion, 68.73% 

Friday 14 March 

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges  

1. Matthew Frost and Kerouac, 69.02% 

2. Sarah Rao and Geniaal, 68.67% 

3. Isobel Knight and Finero, 67.94% 

Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I  

1. Lucinda Elliott and Ice LH, 69.61% 

2. Matthew Frost and Kerouac, 69.51% 

3. Kate Cowell and Joolz, 69.37% 

Pony Individual Test  

1. Mimi Kempster and Che Bello, 69.37% 

2. Rose Punchard and Spot Awole, 68.87% 

3. Ever Sinfield Day and Machno Excalibur, 67.72% 

Junior Individual Test  

1. Abigail Gray and Empire B, 71.13% 

2. Madi Haerr and Floran, 67.70% 

3. Ruby Hughes and Fire Kracka, 67.55% 

Young Riders Individual Test  

1. Ruby Hughes and Classic Goldstrike, 69.36% 

2. Isobel Lickley and Katniss, 68.58% 

3. India Hamilton-Burnet and Kissingdale, 64.85% 

Saturday, 15 March 

Pony Team Test  

1. Molly Powell and Mr Diego, 69.43% 

2. Rose Punchard and Spot Awole, 68.90% 

3. Ever Sinfield Day and Machno Excalibur, 67.19% 

Junior Team Test  

1. Abigail Gray and Empire B, 71.06% 

2. Ruby Hughes and Fire Kracka, 70.35% 

3. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 70.00% 

Young Riders Team Test  

1. Ruby Hughes and Classic Goldstrike, 70.54% 

2. Isobel Lickley and Katniss, 69.80% 

3. Sofia Games and Boccelli 6, 69.41% 

Stubben Intermediate II  

1. Sarah Emma Higgins and Samuel IV, 68.28% 

2. Susan Dunlop and Dancer RV, 67.40% 

3. Amy Woodhead and VV Lioness, 67.06% 

Grand Prix Freestyle  

1. Matthew Frost and Atterupgaards Berlucchi, 68.87% 

2. Darren Hicks and Tramontana Tiger Feet, 68.21% 

3. Roberta Hayler and Iconic II, 67.67% 

Sunday 16 March 

Grand Prix U25  

1. Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS, 65.30% 

LeMieux Grand Prix  

1. Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 72.10% 

2. Becky Moody and James Bond II, 70.69% 

3. Sarah Millis and Impressive VDC, 69.13% 

FULL RESULTS