The quest for the championships has begun, with our first LeMieux Quest Semi-Finals of 2024

Spirits weren’t dampened by the weather at our first five LeMieux Quest Semi-Finals of 2024, as our Questers shone through, creating an incredible atmosphere and putting their best hoof forward!  

Shana McGovern and Holmedown Princess Kaiulani, who is otherwise known as Kai, competed at Howe Equestrian Centre. We spoke to Shana about their “amazing” experience at the Quest Semi-Final, “the whole event was so well organised and had fabulous staff and volunteers working to make sure everything ran smoothly and on schedule” Shana tells us.  

The atmosphere on the day lived up to the reputation of any Quest competition, with friendly and enthusiastic riders, Shana explains, “all the competitors were so supportive of each other and thrilled for everyone’s success.” Which is what Quest is all about. “The thing I love the most about competing in the Quest series is that it allows me to be in a competitive environment with other people who are starting their journey in dressage as well” Shana tells us, “it is a great way to start out and it is really good to be able to get different comments and perspectives on how to improve my marks in dressage as my pony and I come from a showing background.”  

On the day Shana and Kai did a lovely test in front of the judges, winning the U21 Intro class! Shana talked us through the highlights of her test, “my favourite moment was the last centre line as I was so pleased with the test Kai and I had produced. She gave me a great ride, and I was happy with my test no matter my score as Kai really gave her all!” 

Kai is a highland pony who Shana only started riding in February this year, “before riding Kai I was mostly getting lessons in my local riding school. We’ve worked long and hard with our instructor, Katie Fraser, who is continuing to help us improve with every lesson.” Despite only riding Kai for the past six months, Shana first met Kai in the summer of 2021 when Lynn Paisley gave her the opportunity to get into the showing and competitive world with horses. “Although I have known Kai for a few years, our journey didn't begin until 2024 and I feel it is a huge achievement to have qualified for the Semi-Finals and now qualified for two classes at the Championships in such a short space of time!” 

“It has been an amazing experience riding at the Quest competitions this year. All the competitions have such a wonderful environment and they’ve all been so enjoyable to take part in” Shana tells us. The duo have had an impressive start to their dressage journey, “my goal for this Quest season was to qualify for the Semi-Finals and compete there. Being able to achieve my goals is the most amazing feeling and to be able to go even further with Kai is really a dream come true. Kai is an incredible pony to work with and we certainly have a very cheerful and supporting team behind us to keep us going!”  

The wonderful British weather did not stop the fun had at Colraine Equestrian’s LeMieux Semi-Final! Competitor Lorrie Edwards shared her experience of the day, “the weather took a turn for the worse but I could finally be grateful of all our summer preparation paying off, riding in the rain at home!” Lorrie reflected on dancing between the white boards, “our tests on Saturday were a great display of months of hard work coming together, we had lovely judges feedback with lots of work ahead for the Championships.”  

Competing for the first time ever at Colraine Equestrian Lorrie explains how, “everyone was so supportive. When I got back on board to take part in the My Quest prize giving, my fellow teammates showed their support, which resulted in what seemed like the whole car park clapping. I genuinely cried at that point.”  

“What I love about Quest” Lorrie tells us, “is the team spirit, anyone can take part and enjoy it. I have made some great friends through the support we have shown each other on our journeys. It is a community and a way to feel supported.” If you are new to British Dressage, the LeMieux Quest series is the perfect starting point, where you will feel welcomed and enjoy a friendly competition atmosphere.  

Lorrie is the team captain for the Hill Livery Hopefuls and Hooligans, “they are a combination of 20 riders who all keep their horses at Terri Hill Livery in Bristol” Lorrie explains. At the Semi-Final the team was made up of Lorrie and her chestnut mare Eileen, Georgia Smith and Posh, Rosie Ashforth and Pablo and Sue McCarthy with B. The team consists of amazing horses with a whole range of experience, “Posh is 20-years-old and full of life and Pablo is just five-years-old and taking part in his first Quest season.”  

The combination finished in second place in the My Quest Preliminary and the team finished second also, meaning Lorrie and Eileen are heading to the Championships at Onley Grounds Equestrian! Speaking on their journey together Lorrie shares, “I’ve had the pleasure of riding Eileen since June 2023, when my orginal chestnut mare Prada became injured again and needed some time off.” Eileen had spent six years out of work, having two beautiful foals, Lorrie tells us, “I got her in from the field, said hello, and you could say rest was history.”  

The beautiful mare loves adventures on the beach, fun rides and she has given Lorrie the confidence to give jumping another go. “We stepped up to Prelim in January and with the help of our yard owner/coach, Terri Hill, we qualified for the Semi-Finals and are going to the Championships. I still can’t believe it as 2024 has been a really tough year for me personally”  

“Quest this year has been a bit different, with a lot more venues on offer more regularly, it has meant that we can support more venues and in turn they have supported us when we have needed to get out and about as part of our preparation” Lorrie explains. “With having more choice I personally think that it has set us up for success, giving us lots of experience under our belt.”  

Melanie Dutton competed with team Rosevidiots, a group of riders put together by their riding instructor Verity Perry from Rosevidney livery in Penzance “to support and encourage each other on our journey into dressage starting with Quest” Melanie tells us. 

The superstar team at the Semi-Final was made up of, Melanie riding Mischa, Britney riding Storm, Natalie riding Cookie and Lucy riding Scout. “This team of riders have worked the hardest this year to qualify the team for the Semi-Final" Melanie explains.  

Melanie has owned Mischa since she was 18-months-old, “she was gifted to me by a kind friend, Melanie Walters, after I tragically lost my competing horse” she shares. “She started her education at nearly four-years-old, we took things slowly, hacking and having weekly lessons with Verity Perry.” The combination have now been competing as part of this team for two years, and have reached the Semi-Finals each time, “which I have really enjoyed” Melanie tells us.  

Unfortunately Mischa sustained an injury and was out of work for more than 12 months, Melanie shares, “it was a very long road to recovery and uncertain whether she would come sound again. Her determination and strong will pulled her through and we were able to start competing again.” Through adversity the duo were able to join their current team, showing that you should never give up, “we have enjoyed every minute of this season, gaining confidence and qualifying for the Semi-Final after finishing third on the Prelim leaderboard.”  

On the day of the Semi-Final “there was a real buzz” Melanie describes, “our team never imagined winning, we just go out and try our best whatever the result. Winning was amazing and we are all so proud of each other for how hard we have worked.” Praising the series for the opportunities it is able to give Melanie explains, “Quest is a lovely steppingstone to British Dressage and such a confidence giver. Everyone is friendly and so encouraging.”  

Lottie has owned the lovely Callowfeenish Spud, known as “Diddy” to his friends for 18 months, “we got off to a slow start competition-wise, as we found him just before my GCSEs started” Lottie explains.  

The 12-year-old Connemara and Lottie also event and do working hunter classes and after competing in the Quest Winter League and “loved it” they decided to join British Dressage. “I decided to do the summer Quest series this year” Lottie tell us, “stepping up to Novice as well as the Prelim classes.” The pair's dressage journey has also led them to join BD Youth, “I was lucky enough to represent England at Youth Home Nations in August.”  

Reflecting on her Quest journey so far, Lottie explains, “we have really enjoyed Quest for how friendly it all is and how encouraging it is. It has given me the confidence to try a harder test and having a focus and goal helps keep the training on target.” It is an incredible achievement to qualify for a Semi-Final in your first year competing, Lottie describes what it means, “I was thrilled to have qualified for the Semi-Finals and even more thrilled to have placed on the day and now going to the Championships”  

Looking back on an amazing day Lottie shares, “my favourite part of the day was showing Diddy off, catching up with old and new friends and of course, stable plaques!”  

This year is Daisy and Millie XIV’s first year competing together and beautiful Millie’s first season competing, “she is 22-years-old and I have had her for about a year and a half now” Daisy explains. “I really wanted to let her feel the competition vibe before it was too late.”  

Millie seems to have taken to dressage really well Daisy tells us, “she’s taken everything in her stride and surprised us all with her new found love for dressage!” Daisy shares that there is still work that they can do to grow their partnership further as a combination but “I think we are getting to know each other really well now.”  

Daisy competes with a team called “Lakes Legends” who have been taking part in the Quest series for a couple years “but for a few, if not all the junior members, this is our first year competing in Quest.” The team did an amazing job at their Semi-Final at Codham Park, and despite not qualifying for the Championships Daisy tells us, “we have made lots of progress and loads of new memories competing together, it has been so fun!”  

Jenna and her pony Preistwood Springsteen, more commonly known as Bruce, competed at Highfield at Howe’s Semi-Final. Speaking about her experience on the day Jenna tells us, “my test went really well, i was surprised by how calm Bruce was and took it all in his stride!” Jenna continues to talk about how the lovely bay put his best hoof forward in front of the judges, “I thought he would be spooky with the white boards and flowerpots, as this was our first time competing at Howe, however Bruce was cool as a cucumber, which helped me feel more relaxed.”  

“My experience at the Semi-Final was fantastic” Jenna explains, “the venue was amazing, everyone was welcoming and friendly, the stewards were very helpful and all the competitors were so supportive of one another.” This made the day even more enjoyable and created a great atmosphere and a buzz of excitement about being there. 

Competing at Quest competitions throughout the year, is a great way learn and improve from event to event while gaining more experience, “what I have enjoyed the most is the journey that comes with Quest, it feels really rewarding to see my scores progressively get better after each test and the improvements in Bruce’s performance as time went on” Jenna describes. “Plus being able to compete as part of a team has made it so much fun, as it has encouraged me to work hard to do well for my team.”  

Jenna and teammates Emma, Holly and Kitty, called their Quest team “Twinkle Toes” and have been competing together for almost a year, “I already knew Emma and Holly before joining the team as our mums are very good friends and we would often meet up for rides together. The girls were already in a team before I joined Quest and we formed Twinkle Toes, we hope to continue our journeys together for the years to come, as we have had great fun together.”  

Bruce is a super talented pony who can turn his hoof to many different disciplines! Jenna spoke to us about her partnership with the gelding, “I’ve had Bruce for five years, I got him in the spring after I turned 10. Really for the past four years we’ve enjoyed showjumping and x country together, as that is what Bruce has always really enjoyed doing.” His nickname at home being “Turbo Toes” because of his love for going fast Jenna tells us. Their dressage journey together began in early 2023, “we took a spark of interest in Dressage and not long after competing unaffiliated, we joined British Dressage and formed our Quest team, which opened up more opportunities to compete for qualifiers.”  

The hard work and dedication of Jenna and her teammates paid off, “it’s bene so fun riding at the Quest competitions this year. I never thought for a minute that we would have been good enough to ride at a Semi-Final never mind coming second in My Quest and then going to win the Team Quest, which I couldn’t have done without the support of my brilliant teammates.” Encouraging others Jenna explains, “I would highly encourage anyone that’s never taken part in dressage before to become part of a Quest team, as it has been an amazing experience!”  

Lucy and Shadow of Westside travelled to Vale View Equestrian for their Semi-Final, and despite the wet weather Lucy tells us, “I liked the competition atmosphere, everyone was friendly and I like the fact we had all qualified to be there.” It is an incredible achievement for the due to be competing at the Semi-Final, having only joined British Dressage five months ago.  

Looking back on their experience on the day, Lucy had some highlights of her test, “I was really pleased with my canter work as I have worked hard in training to improve this.” Riding in front of two judges for the first time “gave me more to think about” Lucy explains, “such as accurate circles and my halt being seen by more angles.” But the duo did not let this phase them, “I was really pleased with my halt, despite the added pressure it worked really well on the day.”  

Competing in the Quest series has given Lucy and “Cooper” as he is known at home, something to work towards. “it was a great experience and always good fun, knowing I was competing in Quest at the weekend made the training in the week much more exciting.” Describing the bay gelding Lucy shares, “he is an enthusiastic little horse, that loves his work.” Owning him for the last 18 months, Lucy explains he is “always enjoyable to ride” and how he loves his hacking out and jumping too. The combination started their dressage journey last summer at unaffiliated competitions, “which led to us joining BD this year and we thought Quest was the perfect place to start.”  

Lucy tells us that the Quest competitions she has attended have always been “well organised with a relaxed atmosphere, which makes them great fun.” Reflecting on her success Lucy talks us through the emotions, “we were delighted to have qualified for the Semi-Finals and seeing the hard work paying off. We then couldn’t believe the results and are looking forward to the next stage of our My Quest journey.”  

A huge thank you to our LeMieux Quest venues, Radfords Equestrian Centre, Vale View Equestrian, Codham Park Equestrian, Highfield at Howe Equestrian and Colraine Equestrian Centre, for hosting such a welcoming competition and supporting the series! If you are heading to our next Semi-Finals this weekend, don’t forget to tag our social media accounts for the chance to be shared and featured!