Shearwater Young Horses shine at Hartpury

A competitive line up of future stars made the journey to the Hartpury Festival of Dressage last week to do battle for the prestigious direct qualifier tickets to one of the summer’s highlights, the Shearwater Young Dressage Horse Finals taking place once again at the LeMieux National Championships in September.

2017 winning four year old champion jockey Greg Sims produced a smooth ride on board his own and Stena Hoerner’s Furstenball gelding Waverley Fellini to top the first class of the day in the Hartpury arena. The four year old bred by Sara Longworth of Waverley Stud scored a whopping 8.86. Speaking on Facebook about Fellini Greg commented, “So excited for the Nationals with this unbelievably talented horse.” With seven horses earning top marks over the magic 8.0 barrier, the remaining two qualification tickets were hotly contested. Second spot belonged to Jamie Reynolds, Cherry Elvin and Cat Wood’s Kensington II (Sezuan x Fabriano), the tall KWPN scored 8.30 with Ashley Jenkins doing a stellar job in the saddle. In form rider Jess Dunn picked up her Championship ticket on board Charlotte Lutener’s MSJ Furstin Florida, another Furstenball offspring bred by Emma Blundell at Mount St John Stud.

The light-footed Lemony’s Nicket mare Hawtins Lirica continued her outstanding record with yet another Shearwater victory as she claimed the five year old semi-final title in fine fashion. Owned by breeder Judith Davis and ridden by stable jockey Lucinda Elliot, ‘Lyra’ excelled to score 8.64, with the general impression and potential mark an impressive 9. Samantha Gualtieri placed second with Femme Fatale 2, a powerful daughter from Paul Schockemohle’s popular Grand Prix stallion Foundation, whilst Sadie Smith claimed the final ticket in this age group with Charlotte Dujardin’s All at Once mare, Alive and Kicking.

In the six year old category Mount St John showed strength in numbers as MSJ Dante VX and MSJ For Rome each claimed their qualification ticket. Michael Eilberg expertly piloted class winner MSJ Dante VX to a superb score of 8.16, the Dante Weltino gelding was a dual winner throughout the week as he also picked up the first place accolades in the Hickstead Young Horse National Qualifier a day prior to his Shearwater win. A second place tie saw Zoe Sleigh with MSJ For Rome (For Romance x Donnerhall) and Olivia Oakeley with Rock Diva (Rock Forever) each earn their Nationals spot with 8.0.

Congratulations to all winners and qualified combinations and their associated breeders, riders and connections. The second Shearwater Young Horse Semi Final takes place at Port Royal Equestrian next week, 17 – 18 July 2019. Thanks go to BD Official Insurance Partner Shearwater Insurance for their valued support of this exciting championship series.

Results

Four year old
1st Greg Sims with Waverley Fellini, 8.86
2nd Ashley Jenkinson with Kensington II, 8.30
3rd Jessica Dunn with MSJ Furstin Florida, 8.24
4th Dylan Deutrom with King Boy, 8.10
5th Bryony Goodwin with Hawtins Floresta, 8.08

Five year old
1st Lucinda Elliot with Hawtins Lirica, 8.64
2nd Samantha Gualiteri with Femme Fatale 2, 8.14
3rd Sadie Smith with Alive and Kicking, 7.94
4th Ashley Jenkins with Jenny Wren, 7.90
5th Charlie Hutton with Active Scalini, 7.86

Six year old
1st Michael Eilberg with MSJ Dante VX, 8.16
2nd Olivia Oakeley with Rock Diva, 8.00
2nd Zoe Sleigh with For Rome, 8.00
4th Judy Harvey with SP Bento, 7.98
5th Hannah Biggs with Freeman, 7.989