Another busy day beckoned at the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage on Sunday with all three arenas being used with a variety of classes from the KBIS Dressage Young Pony Finals for 4, 5 and 6-year-olds all the way up to the CDI3* Grand Prix Special.
It was an early start for competitors in the Stubben FEI Intermediate II. The very much in form Davey Harvey of Great Britain took his fourth win of the week - this time riding Hawtins Rossana with 70.147%. Also having a successful week is Jess Bennett with JB Dukaat this time taking second place with 69.412%. It’s been a busy week for Michael Eilberg and he closed his festival account with a third place, riding Figlio and earning a score of 68.726%.
The final class for the CDI3* which took place in the International Arena was the FEI CDI3* NAF Superflex Grand Prix Special. The riders had to manage with some very difficult weather, the rain coming down thick and fast for some of the unluckier competitors. This didn’t stop Britain’s Carl Hester continuing his successful week taking his third win overall and the second win on board Lady Anne Harvey’s En Vogue (76.872%). The class had a very international feel with Katherine Bateson Chandler of the United States and Haute Couture taking second with 71.128%. Australia’s Jayden Brown and Willingapark Sky Diamond came third with 69.595%.
The Hartpury arena started with the KBIS Dressage Young Pony Final 4-year-olds. Only two competitors came forward with the class, which was won by the Cheshire-based Robert Gilsenan and Sam Diarado’s Destiny with 74.600%. Sarah Walker and Cwmtawe Dafadol took second with 67.600%.
Following on was the KBIS Dressage Young Pony Final 5-year-olds. Daisy Bullman continued her run of wins with her own Godrics Chemin de Vie with 83.000%. With an equally impressive score of 82.000% to take second place was Clare Yetton and Charlotte Rollinsons Sloots Sir Victorie. Anna Burns riding Peter Burns Godrics Conquistador with 79.400% took third.
Last but not least saw the 6 year olds enter the arena. The first combination was Hannah Esberger Hancock and Breakheart Bridget Jones who managed to hang on to the lead with 77.000%. The final combination to go was Bridget Tate and Asterhof’s It’s Gino. They secured second place with 76.000%. Third place went to Elli Darling and Renzo Renaissance DP with 73.000%.
Following on was the FEI Pony Individual. Five came forward to contest the class with Daisy Bullman taking her third win of this week. This time on Godrics Dionysus with 69.324%. The Godrics Stud are having a good week having bred the first and second ponies in this class, Tara Faulds and Godrics Decoy taking second with 68.243%. Third place went to Meg Morgan and Pencwarre Butty Bach with 66.847%.
Abigail Hallett and St Naizaire were the only competitors in the FEI Children on Horses Individual scoring 69.324%.
There was a better turnout for the FEI Junior Individual with eight combinations competing. India Hamilton-Burnet and Kissingdale improved their result from yesterday by taking the win with 68.285%. Shona Davies and Bocelli were second with 68.235%. Crystal Robinson Long and High-Quality finished in third place with 67.010%.
Only two young riders took part in the FEI Young Rider Individual with Jessie Kirby and Windy de La Roche CMF taking the win with 67.304%. Isobel Knight and Alivia with 66.716% came second.
The final class of the day and curtain closer in the Hartpury Arena was the FEI Intermediate I sponsored by Saracen Horse Feeds. A large class presented to the judges and even with four withdrawals, 18 combinations took their chance. Kate Cowell entered the arena just before the tea break, riding her own Royal Doruto-sired Rayban. The pair impressed the judges consisting of Richard Baldwin, Penelope Lang and Debbie Wardle, earning a score of 73.186%. Despite stellar efforts from Mark Forrest and Flavio B (72.647%) and Caitlin Burgess and Chocotof (72.402%), they’d eventually settle for second and third place respectively.
The CDI1* Intermediate I Freestyle to Music competition was officially the final class of the festival, and competitors danced through the rain. Becky Moody and James Bond continued their winning ways with a fabulous score of 77.710% to take the win. Rowan Bryson and Izonik continued their quest to improve their performance as the week went on and took a well deserved second with 74.810%. Coming a close third, Olivia Oakley and Rock Diva with 74.325%.
This was the conclusion of 6 fantastic days of dressage at the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage and Hartpury look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.
