Author: Robyn Morse
The Lemieux National Dressage Championships are a highlight in the British Dressage calendar with all members aspiring to ride at Stoneleigh Park at some point in their careers. With Tryon’s World Equestrian Games still fresh in the mind this year’s top horse and rider combinations battled the autumn weather to claim their titles.
The final day of the Championships saw the crowning of the Shearwater Young Horse Classes – the country’s top four, five and six year olds compete against each other in a bid to be named champion in their age group. Hawtins Stud reigned supreme in the four year old class claiming both the Champion and Reserve Champion titles. Winner of the class, Hawtins Lirica (Lemony’s Nicket x Dimaggio x Brentano II), garnered much praise from the guest rider Eva Moller and the ground panel of Ulf Moller and Maria Colliander. They, along with radio commentator Isobel Wessels, agreed that she was a very expressive mare with clear and well balanced paces. Reserve Champion, Hawtins Fianello (Floriscount x Cardinar x Werther), impressed with his powerful canter and active hind leg. Both horses are bred and owned by Judith Davis of Hawtins Stud in Gloucestershire.
A stallion son of Dutch WEG horse Glock’s Zonik claimed the five year old title. Izonik (Zonik x Jazz x Roemer) displayed power and presence in the arena under Kerry Mackin with the ground panel particularly commenting on his walk. Eva had ridden the horse as a four year old and noted that, “…he was much stronger this time – I really enjoyed riding him.” Sara Lucas’ 2016 Brightwells purchase Iwan (Charmeur x Sir Oldenburg x Tango) took Reserve Champion. Presented in the arena by Nikki Barker the judges commented on his nice forward attitude and his willingness to work.
Former four and five year old champion, Hawtins San Floriana (San Amour x Florestan x Weltmeyer) claimed the six year old crown for her breeder Judith Davis. Ridden and owned by Britain’s dressage royalty, Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, the San Amour mare exuded stage presence and demonstrated three clear and impressive paces. The Reserve Champion title was awarded to Sara Gallop’s BKS Fantasia (Furstenball x Rubin Royal x Davignon). Under Sara herself this very feminine mare, bred by Blackington Stud in Oxfordshire, exhibited elegance and energy in her work with the judges noting her active hind leg and light-footed movement.
This year saw a new National Champion crowned in the shape of Lara Butler and Dr and Mrs Bechtolsheimer’s Rubin Al Asad. The Rubin Royal gelding, out of a Wanderbursch II x Lemon Tree mare, put in a powerful performance to a Dire Straits soundtrack and impressed with expressive trot-work and a punchy passage to a score of 77.075%. This is the first time Lara has been crowned National Champion following several years of taking reserve spot, the pair are now aiming for team selection at next year’s Europeans.
Second place on a score of 75.15% went to last year’s Champions Hayley Watson-Greaves and WG Rubins Nite. The seasoned duo delivered a solid test to a score of relaxing and heavenly music with the geldings extended trot proving a highlight. WG Rubins Nite is another by the stallion Rubin Royal out of a mare by Limbo x World Cup II.
A familiar soundtrack filled the arena as Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz began their test. Borrowing their freestyle from Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, set to the music of How To Train Your Dragon, the Trakehner gelding (by Latimer x Benz x Falke) stunned the crowds with his expressive performance to take third place with a score of 73.925%. Despite being their first year at Grand Prix, the 11 year old Erlentanz and his rider show much promise together and can definitely by described as ones to watch for the future.
