Wilton, Hughes, Gould and Harrison dominate at Keysoe CDI3*

The first British international of 2020 took place earlier this month at Keysoe CDI3*/CDIU25/CDIYJP in Bedfordshire (13 – 15 March 2020) before the unfortunate but necessary halt to the competition calendar due to the unprecedented situation around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

A large British contingent featuring experienced campaigners and up-and-coming combinations alike, provided three days of elite competition and some closely-fought classes from Youth divisions through to Grand Prix.

Spencer Wilton and Super Nova (pictured above) led the charge in the Big Tour, securing impeccable back-to-back CDI victories in the process. He won the Grand Prix and Special at Lier CDI4* at the beginning of the month, a feat repeated here at Keysoe with scores of 75.65% and 76.80% respectively.

Super Nova, a 17 year old De Niro x Weltmeyer gelding owned by Spencer’s long-time backer Jen Goodman, is looking better than ever having grown further in strength and self-assurance. According to Spencer, the British-bred bay has ‘found a new lease of life and feels amazing’, and it shows. The pair presented a test which was duly rewarded with 75.65% from the judging panel of Peter Holler (GER) at E, Frederico Pinteus (POR) at H, Raphaël Saleh (FRA) at C, Clive Halsall (GBR) at M and Mary Robins (NZL) at B.

Hot on their heels was Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz who’ve also enjoyed success overseas this year with a Grand Prix victory at Le Mans CDI3* in February. The Gloucestershire-based World Class Podium Potential rider and ‘Erly’ earned a score of 74.26%, with Lara Butler aboard Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad taking the third podium spot (73.41%).

Following Grand Prix fourth with plus-72%, Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock claimed the Grand Prix Freestyle on a score of 76.35%. The 14 year old gelding, owned by the Kroll family, is a big, sensitive horse who continues to grow in confidence under the tutelage of Gareth. They had costly errors in the two-tempis but the quality of the work was undisputable.

Andrew Gould (39) and his top ride Blue Hors Dexter (pictured above) dominated the Small Tour by completing a Prix St Georges, Inter I, Inter I Freestyle hat trick, chased to the wire by Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat. Andrew and ‘Dexter’ achieved scores of 70.539%, 70.245% in the PSG an Inter I respectively and 73.775% for their freestyle programme choreographed to a Bryan Adams and Rob Dougan compilation.

Andrew, who is based in West Sussex, achieved success in Youth teams before making his way as a senior, and Jo and Terry Barnett-Knott’s Dexter, a 13 year old Don Schufro x Blue Hors Cavan gelding, is an exciting addition to his Priory Dressage stable.

This horse [Blue Hors Dexter] just keeps giving and the whole team at Priory Dressage are so proud of him.

“What a day to remember for Terry and Jo Barnett-Knott’s Blue Hors Dexter, winning the CDI PSG at Keysoe. This horse just keeps giving and the whole team at Priory Dressage are so proud of him,” said Andrew on Facebook, adding Saturday, “The weekend just gets better Dexter won the Inter I today and he is feeling in the best shape, [I] couldn’t be happier with him.”

The CDIU25 Inter II was close battle between three of the UK’s emerging Grand Prix riders – Lewis Carrier, Alexander Harrison and Lucy Jane Amy, each of them showing they’re on the right track to Senior competition. Lewis and his 12 year old Spielberg sired gelding, Diego V, took top honours. The 2018 FEI Young Rider European Championships combination posted just shy of 66%, ahead of Alex and Diamond Hill (by Don Diamond) on 64.70%, with Lucy Jane and her British-bred 11 year old Extra Time (by Goodtimes) chasing them both on 64.44%.

In Saturday’s U25 Grand Prix, Lucy Jane and ‘Hughie’, as he’s known, showed some lovely highlights but with some costly losses of rhythm, particularly in the piaffe, and a mistake in the one-tempis. Nonetheless, a score of 64.43% is something to be proud of for a CDIU25 debut. Lewis and Diego presented a stylish test, unfortunately marred by a blip in the one-tempis, for a final score of 66.71%. Alex and Diamond Hill, known as Damo, again showed great promise with 66.79%, despite some hesitance in the piaffe, to take the win.

On the final day of the CDI, Alex and Damo (pictured above), who were on the same 2018 Young Rider European team as Lewis and Diego, added the CDIU25 Grand Prix Freestyle to their haul with the winning score of 70.70%; Lewis and Diego were awarded 69.45% - both combinations presenting cleverly choreographed, bold programmes with daring double pirouettes.

“I am pleased to report to all, as it seems everyone is taking a vested interest in the matter, Keysoe is well stocked with plentiful supplies of loo roll and shows no signs of shortage at this moment in time!” quipped Alex on Facebook after his return home, referring to the recent nationwide bulk buying situation. “In other news… Damo managed to deliver the goods, winning the U25 Grand Prix and U25 Grand Prix Freestyle on 70%.”

Lucy Jane and Extra Time earned 66.72% for third place riding to a soundtrack of Queen hits, a very respectable result for combination new to the level.

Top ten results
CDI3* - Grand Prix
1. Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II, 75.652% (GBR)
2. Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, 74.261% (GBR)
3. Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad, 73.413% (GBR)
4. Gareth Hughes and KK Dominant, 72.478% (GBR)
5. Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock, 72.196% (GBR)
6. Emile Faurie and Quentano 2, 69.130% (GBR)
7. Thomas Goode and Dior, 68.913% (GBR)
8. Emma Hindle and Romy Del Sol, 68.326% (GBR)
9. Hayley Beresford and Friedolin 36, 67.761% (AUS)
10. Ulrik Molgaard and Michigan, 67.261% (DEN)

CDI3* - Grand Prix Special
1. Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II, 75.872% (GBR)
2. Lara Butler and Rubin Al Asad, 75.128% (GBR)
3. Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, 75.021% (GBR)
4. Gareth Hughes and KK Dominant, 69.319% (GBR)
5. Emma Hindle and Romy Del Sol, 68.723% (GBR)
6. Emile Faurie and Shilo, 66.83% (GBR)
7. Keith Robertson and Boheme AF Sulstead , 66.021% (GBR)
8. Hayley Beresford and Friedolin 36, 65.617% (AUS)
9. Willow Kemp and Dagon Heart, 65.574% (GBR)
10. Alex Baker and Dutchman, 64.702% (IRL)

CDI3* - Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Gareth Hughes and KK Woodstock, 76.350% (GBR)
2. Emile Faurie and Quentano 2, 72.935% (GBR)
3. Ulrik Molgaard and Michigan, 70.300% (GBR)
4. Maria Eilberg and Royal Concert, 69.750% (GBR)
5. Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic, 69.570% (GBR)
6. Caroline Chew and Tribiani, 69.050% (SGP)
7. Rebecca Hughes and Rubini Royale, 68.160% (GBR)
8. Paul Friday and Winston Bond, 66.885% (GBR)
9. Mikaela Soratie and Dacor, 66.525% (FIN)
10. Daniel Watson and Butterfly IV, 63.825% (GBR)

CDIU25 - Intermediate II
1. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 65.912% (GBR)
2. Alexander Harrison and Diamond Hill, 64.706% (GBR)
3. Lucy Jane Amy and Extra Time, 64.441% (GBR)

CDIU25 – Grand Prix
1. Alexander Harrison and Diamond Hill, 66.795% (GBR)
2. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 66.718% (GBR)
3. Lucy Jane Amy and Extra Time, 64.436% (GBR)

CDIU25 – Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Alexander Harrison and Diamond Hill, 70.700% (GBR)
2. Lewis Carrier and Diego V, 69.450% (GBR)
3. Lucy Jane Amy and Extra Time, 66.725% (GBR)

CDI3* - Prix St Georges
1. Andrew Gould and Blue Hors Dexter, 70.539% (GBR)
2. Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 70.343% (GBR)
3. Rebecca Hughes and Ibisco-O, 69.706% (GBR)
4. Lily Hewitt and Sir Charlie Chaplin, 69.461% (GBR)
5. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 69.314% (GBR)
6. Rebecca Edwards and Fantasia, 68.284% (GBR)
7. Elder Klatzko and Little Richard, 67.451% (GBR)
8. Lucy Pye and Superstar, 67.059% (GBR)
9. Fenella Quinn and Creatzo, 66.863% (IRL)
10. Paul Friday and Romanno Rafiel, 66.716% (GBR)

CDI3* - Intermediate I
1. Andrew Gould and Blue Hors Dexter, 70.245% (GBR)
2. Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 69.804% (GBR)
3. Elder Klatzko and Little Richard, 66.961% (GBR)
4. Fenella Quinn and Creatzo, 66.422% (IRL)
5. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 66.127% (GBR)
6. Rebecca Edwards and Fantasia, 66.078% (GBR)
7. Paul Friday and Romanno Rafiel, 65.637% (GBR)
8. Anne Marie Bork Eppers and Zeilinger Firfod, 65.049% (DEN)
9. Lucy Pye and Superstar, 64.314% (GBR)
10. Holly Colgate Cooke and Dalvangs Lorenzo, 63.284% (GBR)

CDI3* - Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Andrew Gould and Blue Hors Dexter, 73.775% (GBR)
2. Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat, 72.450% (GBR)
3. Lara Edwards and Jazzed Up, 70.800% (GBR)
4. Elder Klatzko and Little Richard, 69.500% (GBR)
5. Rebecca Edwards and Fantasia, 68.775% (GBR)
6. Fenella Quinn and Creatzo, 68.675% (IRL)
7. Anne Marie Bork Eppers and Zeilinger Firfod, 68.100% (DEN)
8. Paul Friday and Romanno Rafiel, 66.425% (GBR)
9. Holly Colgate Cooke and Dalvangs Lorenzo, 66.325% (GBR)
10. Lily Hewitt and Sir Charlie Chaplin, 66.075% (GBR)

Full results

Photo © Kevin Sparrow