Senior and Youth riders wow at Wellington CDI

Ellie McCarthy claimed a personal best and her first senior international win, whilst Britain’s youth riders showed strong results at Wellington CDI (4 - 6 October 2024). 

Senior

This year’s Lemieux National Dressage Champions Lewis Carrier and the 16-year-old Diego V (Spielberg X Syrida A) are once again celebrating success after their superbly ridden tests earned them their first Grand Prix international win in the Big Tour at Wellington. Lewis won the class with 71.283%, before going on to earn a very close second in the Freestyle with 74.160%.

“He was Mr Chill in the whiteboards this weekend which isn’t always the case. It’s a fine balance with Diego between a lot of go and over-exuberant mistakes, or less energy but potentially less expression, but we have really started to meet in the middle over the last few shows and it’s something we’ll keep working away at! A well-deserved holiday full of hacking through the fields for now though” said Lewis, posting on Facebook.

After taking a break of several months from competing due to a broken wrist early in the season, Ellie McCarthy and Brave Heart (Bordeaux x Tuschinski), pictured above, made a triumphant return to the arena. The pair achieved a personal best score in the CDI3* Grand Prix, placing second with 70.891%, and after an outstanding performance in the Grand Prix Freestyle, the duo secured their first international senior win with a score of 74.530%, the highest score of the competition. 

As Ellie and her team, including two of her aspiring young clients and their parents, stood watching the scores, barely breathing, she described the moment as “very nerve-wracking, but the feeling when I knew that I won was amazing. I was really happy with how it went. He's relatively inexperienced for 10 years old but we came out really fresh and he gave me 100% which was such a nice feeling.”

The small but mighty 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, who Ellie co-owns with her parents Spencer and Bridget McCarthy, was perfectly suited to the Kung Fu Panda music, produced by Equidance. “I just like the soundtrack. It's quite an upbeat track that suits his big and cheeky character. Every judge has commented on how good the music is and how well the music suits him,” explains Ellie.

Richard White and his 12-year-old Heroi Do Seixo (Rubi  X Jalisco) gelding earned the top spot in the Grand Prix Special with a score of 68.851%. 63-year-old Richard has campaigned at some of Europe’s top shows this year, and the arena time was rewarded with his first international win in fifteen months.

The small tour competition saw Jodie Pharaon and her 15-year-old Gelding Best of Art (Welfin x Belissimo M) win Sunday’s Intermediate I Freestyle on 73.325% and US rider and multi-time Olympian, Ashley Holzer brought Liberty L (Glocks Toto JR X Charmeur) forward to secure Intermediate I and  Prix St Georges wins. 

Youth team talent shines

Madi May Haerr and Machno Excalibur (Rossgold Sunstar X Llansantffraed Seracen), pictured above, achieved dual wins at Pony FEI level with two excellent Team and Individual tests, scoring 69.905% and an amazing 70.495%. This exciting pair only started competing together in January and posting on Instagram Madi said, “He is such an awesome pony and gave me the best feeling in the test. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped Scally and me achieve so much this year.”

At Junior level, two team stalwarts teamed up for success; Myles Graham and 15-year-old Lady Gaga (Quaterback X Solos Landwind) were dual winners, producing two superb tests which were rewarded with scores over 70%. Myles also completed the top three in the Individual contest on Nibeley Black Pearl (Nibeley Union Jack  X O'cindy ) on 68.627%.

Before Myles was given the ride, Lady Gaga - known as Millie at home- successfully represented Great Britain at several  Junior and Young Rider European Championships with her owner Jessica McConkey. Posting on Facebook Jessica said, “Very proud to have seen Millie and Myles Graham do so well at their first CDI together but even more happy to see Millie so happy with her new team and rider”

Concluding their time in the FEI Young Rider category on a high, 2024 team medallists Hermione Tottman and Exquisite (Lord Loxley X Wabiola L) were dual winners with their two tests being rewarded with consistent scores of 68.676% and 68.921%.

Speaking about what’s next, Hermione posted “Now we set our sights to the future - at senior small tour level in the short term, with dreams of Grand Prix in the long term. As always, it continues to simply be a pleasure to compete together with my best friend Squidge, who has grown so much this year and allowed me to grow with him. Our time in the Young Rider category has been truly special, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single member of the team who has supported us.”

Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS (Blue Hors Zack X Cascade Aimbry) won the U25 Intermediate II with 66.226%, followed by Ruth Hole and Easy VZ (Maestro X Zarola) in second with 65.686%, who then came back on  Sunday to win the U25 Grand Prix with a score of 68.120%.

Congratulations to all the competitors and thanks go to the team at Wellington Riding for hosting a fantastic competition.

Results (Top three)

CDI3* Grand Prix supported by LeMieux

1. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 71.283% (GBR)
2. Ellie Mccarthy and Brave Heart, 70.891% (GBR)
3. Nathalie Wahlund and Gorklintgards Scorpion, 69.174% (ITA)

CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle supported by Wellington Riding

1. Ellie Mccarthy and Brave Heart, 74.530% (GBR)
2. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 74.160% (GBR)
3. Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana, 73.470% (USA)

CDI3* Grand Prix Special supported by Wellington

1. Richard White and Heroi Do Seixo, 68.851% (GBR)
2. Nathalie Wahlund and Gorklintgards Scorpion, 68.724% (ITA)
3. Sarah Millis and Impressive Vdc, 66.915% (GBR)

CDI1* Prix St Georges supported by H&C

1. Ashley Holzer and Liberty L, 72.255% (USA)
2. Ashley Holzer and Derek, 69.755% (USA)
3. David Harvey and Diamond Blue, 69.510% (GBR)

CDI1* Intermediate I supported by Nirvana Spa

1. Ashley Holzer and Liberty L, 73.725% (USA)
2. Jacqueline Wing Ying Siu and Jockey Club Huittharien, 70.735% (HKG)
3. Nikki Barker and Dan Icarus, 70.343% (GBR)

CDI1* Intermediate I freestyle supported by Charlotte Bury Photography

1. Jodie Pharaon and Best Of Art 73.325% (GBR)
2. David Harvey and Diamond Blue, 72.525% (GBR)
3. Sara Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica, 72.509% (GBR)

Youth

Saturday

CDIP Pony Team supported by Berkshire Equine

1. Madi May Haerr and Machno Excalibur, 69.905% (GBR)
2. Sophia Longworth and Don de Luxe, 67.714% (GBR)
3. Lily Cawley and Cognac IX, 67.476% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Team supported by Equine Exceed

1. Myles Graham and Lady Gaga, 70.454 (GBR)
2. Jessie Clarke and Doornroos II, 69.040 (GBR)
3. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 67.374 (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Team supported by Woodhouse

1. Hermione Tottman and Exquisite, (GBR)
2. Morgan Ray Haerr and Behroez, 68.578% (GBR)
3. India Hamilton-Burnet and Kissingdale N&Am, 67.647% (GBR)

CDIU25 Intermediate II supported by Gusbourne

1. Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion BS, 66.226% (GBR)
2. Ruth Hole and Easy VZ, 65.686% (GBR)
3. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 64.166% (GBR)

Sunday

CDIP Pony Individual supported by Andrews Bowen Ltd

1. Madi May Haerr and Machno Excalibur, 70.495% (GBR)
2. Ella Fraser and Brouwershavens's Viceroy, 69.009% (GBR)
3. Mimi Kempster and Che Bello, 68.333% (GBR)

CDIJ Junior Individual supported by Highfield Park

1. Myles Graham and Lady Gaga, 70.294% (GBR)
2. Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 69.069% (GBR)
3. Myles Graham and Nibeley Black Pearl, 68.627% (GBR)

CDIY Young Rider Individual supported by Pretty Green Landscapes

1. Hermione Tottman and Exquisite, 68.921% (GBR)
2. Morgan Ray Haerr and Behroez, 67.500% (GBR)
3. Chloe Hill and Bon Jovi, 66.569% (GBR)

CDIU25 Grand Prix 16 – 25 supported by Saracen Horse Feeds

1. Ruth Hole and Easy VZ, 68.120% (GBR)
2. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 64.444% (GBR)

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photos © Charlotte Bury Photography