Preview: Vale View High Profile and U21 National Championships

Vale View High Profile Show and the inaugural U21 National Championships take place this week at Vale View Equestrian in Leicestershire (29 - 31 October). Eminent UK riders will be heading to the event which boasts classes up to Grand Prix, plus the country’s top youth talent go head-to head for the first-time running of their dedicated national finals. Although behind closed doors, the competition in the international arena will be live streamed by Horse & Country to watch from the convenience of home.

The competition commences on Thursday and continues through to Saturday evening. Friday opens with part one of the much-anticipated U21 National Championships, supported by the BDSC. In the international arena from 07.45, our talented youth contingent go head to head in the FEI level pick-your-own Team Test. With promising new pairings and established British team combinations, the class promises to be an unmissable showcase of Britain’s young equestrian talent.

The U21 National Championships continue on Saturday when competitors ride their respective FEI Individual Test. The combined scores from both days conclude the Championships and determine our 2020 National U21 title holders! Each winning rider will receive a perpetual trophy kindly donated by the British Dressage Supporters Club, with the overall combined highest percentage across all categories also awarded the Robert Hyslop Memorial Cup, kindly donated by Vale View.

On the senior front, the High Profile Show classes from Medium level to Grand Prix promise to be strong. They provide an opportunity for riders to show their horses’ progress and put lockdown training to the test.

In the small tour divisions, Amy Woodhead will be showing the Uthopia-sired stallion U-Genius who is interestingly out of Valegro’s full sister, Weidyfleur II. She also brings Diogo Lima Mayer’s Lusitano mare Esquadra MVL for the Inter II and Grand Prix. The Moody sisters, Becky and Hannah, feature with their up-and-coming rides, as do Tom Goode, Matt Frost and many many more.

Experienced international campaigners Emile Faurie, Anna Ross, Dane Rawlins, Nikki Barker and Kate Cowell feature in Friday night’s Grand Prix. In total, 26 have come forward for this contest that’s certain to reward viewers at home with an evening of thrilling Grand Prix competition.

The High Profile Show continues Saturday with a super-quality PSG and exciting U25 Grand Prix before concluding with freestyles from Medium to PSG.

All classes in the international arena, on all three days, will be live streamed by Horse & Country and is available via their subscription service, H&C+. It’s just £5.99 per month to subscribe and you can cancel at any time.

Those competing, please have a quick read of BD’s COVID guidance before you set off – and make sure you follow everything to the letter, it’s really important for your safety and that of everyone around you. Plus, the protocols ensure dressage can continue to operate with minimal risk – it’s vital we all play our part in this.

Please remember:

• Social distancing – 2m on the ground, three horse lengths when mounted
• We strongly recommend you wear a face covering at all times, particularly indoors, except when riding or permitted not to (eating)
• Regularly wash your hands and/or sanitise
• Each rider is allowed one helper per horse – under 18s and paras may have two
• Be mindful of pictures on social media – is everything shown as per the guidance – social distancing, numbers, masks?
• Make sure you comply fully with all Vale View’s COVID measures

Programme:
Thursday 29 October
National Arena
07:45 – 09:21 Medium 75
09:39 – 11:49 Advanced Medium 91
12:07 – 15:23 FEI Intermediate I

International Arena
08:30 – 14:12 FEI Prix St Georges
14:30 – 18:18 FEI Intermediate II

Friday 30 October
National Arena
07:45 – 09:47 Medium 76
10:05 – 12:47 Advanced Medium 92
13:05 – 17:09 FEI Intermediate I

International Arena
07:45 – 12:39 FEI PYO CoH / P / J / YR, National Championship, FEI Team Test
13:07 – 17:03 FEI Prix St Georges
17:50 – 21:30 FEI Grand Prix

Saturday 31 October
National Arena
07:45 – 09:31 Medium 75
9:49 – 11:09 Advanced Medium 96
11:30 – 16:24 FEI PYO CoH / P / J / YR, National Championship, FEI Individual Test

International Arena
07:45 – 10:19 FEI PYO CoH / P / J / YR, FEI Test Test (Non-Championship class)
10:37 – 13:35 FEI Prix St Georges
13:55 – 15:31 FEI U25 Grand Prix
15:50 – 16:04 Medium Music Freestyle
16:20 – 16:55 Advanced Medium Music Freestyle
17:12 – 18:06 Prix St Georges Music Freestyle

Photo © Kevin Sparrow