Two standout performances headlined Saturday evening’s action at the NAF Hartpury Festival of Dressage, with Sadie Smithproducing a winning performance in the NAF CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music aboard Swanmore Dantina, before Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree claimed the Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Championship.
Saturday's competition also paused to honour the memory of esteemed international dressage judge Stephen Clarke, whose immense contribution to the sport was recognised with a minute's silence before the evening's feature classes. Fellow FEI judge Michael Osinski addressed riders, officials and spectators, paying tribute to Clarke's dedication, professionalism and lasting influence on dressage around the world. The respectful tribute reflected the deep admiration and gratitude felt across the international dressage community for one of the sport's most respected figures.
Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina Delight Crowd in CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle
Saturday evening concluded with a spectacular NAF CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, where ten international combinations entertained a packed Hartpury crowd with technically demanding, artistically choreographed performances.
Taking victory for Great Britain were Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, whose expressive freestyle earned an outstanding 76.940%. Their harmonious performance, set to a carefully matched musical programme, combined accuracy, elegance and expression to produce the highest score of the evening.
Ireland's Sorrell Klatzko partnered Turbo into second place on 73.685%, while Britain's Lewis Carrier (Hartpury College alum) and Diego V completed the podium with 71.925%.
CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle to Music Results
- Sadie Smith – Swanmore Dantina – 76.940%
- Sorrell Klatzko (IRL) – Turbo – 73.685%
- Lewis Carrier – Diego V – 71.925%
Smith, who has produced Swanmore Dantina from a three-year-old through to Grand Prix level, reflected on a memorable weekend after setting a personal best in Friday's Grand Prix before adding Saturday night's freestyle victory.
She said: "I've had Swanmore Dantina since she was three years old and she's now 11, so we've really grown together. She's the first proper Grand Prix horse I've produced myself, which makes what we're achieving together even more special. She's such a gorgeous mare with the loveliest temperament – she's always so calm and never fazed by anything.
“Yesterday we achieved our personal best in the Grand Prix, and today she felt much more relaxed in the freestyle. I was really pleased with her and she's just such an honest, straightforward horse to ride. I absolutely love riding her."
Smith also praised Hartpury's atmosphere and organisation.
"Hartpury is definitely one of the best shows in the UK. The atmosphere is fantastic with spectators lining the bank, and it's a brilliant experience for both the Grand Prix horses and the young horses. The facilities, stabling and organisation are always excellent, and everyone is so welcoming. It's a venue we always look forward to coming back to."
Morgan and Fever Tree Crowned Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Champions
Earlier in the day, seven exciting combinations contested the Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Final, showcasing the strength of the nation's emerging dressage talent.
Victory went to Dannie Morgan and the Hanoverian gelding Fever Tree, who impressed with an expressive, accurate and harmonious test to score 72.206%. The eight-year-old son of Foundation delivered consistent marks across all three judges to secure the championship in convincing fashion.
Second place was claimed by Amy Woodhead riding the Hanoverian mare MSJ Viva Dannebrog (Vitalis), whose polished and elegant performance earned 70.343%, making them one of only two combinations to surpass the 70% mark.
Completing the podium was Jessica Wade aboard the KWPN gelding Maclaren II (Indian Rock), scoring 68.774% after another confident and expressive test in a competitive final.
Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Final Results
- Dannie Morgan – Fever Tree – 72.206%
- Amy Woodhead – MSJ Viva Dannebrog – 70.343%
- Jessica Wade – Maclaren II – 68.774%
- Jody Haswell – Valentinio – 68.529%
- Jayne Turney – Vienna WD – 67.500%
- Ruby Hughes – Fire Kracka – 66.765%
- Abigail Lyle (IRL) – Sun Rose – 65.980%
Following the presentation, Morgan described Fever Tree as his "dream horse" and reflected on a particularly meaningful victory.
"He's just my dream horse. I feel incredibly lucky to have him. He's a fabulous talent with the most amazing temperament, and from the very first day I knew what he was capable of. He's exceeded my expectations all the way through, but I always believed in his potential.”
The success carried added significance, with Fever Tree having been bred at Newton Stud, home of Elite Stallions and title sponsor of the series.
"This was a class I really wanted to win with him. It's quite special because he was actually born at Newton Stud, so to win the Elite Stallions Final with him makes it even more meaningful."
Morgan was delighted with the quality of the performance.
"I was really pleased with him. He's still a young horse and he's developing all the time, but I felt I was able to show some of our best work today. His self-carriage is improving, he felt stronger, and I rode some of the best pirouettes we've done together. I honestly couldn't have asked any more from him."
Looking ahead, he highlighted the importance of the series in developing future Grand Prix horses.
"These classes are a fantastic way to measure young horses against others of the same age. They're a valuable stepping stone towards Grand Prix, and it's exciting to see how much he's progressed throughout the season. Hopefully there are plenty more big things to come."
The Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Championship continues to provide an important stepping stone for talented horses progressing from age classes into Small Tour competition, once again demonstrating the depth of quality emerging within British dressage.
