Three final-day title tales closed out the NAF 5 Star Winter Dressage Championships and the Petplan Winter Space Pageant Championships (15–19 April) at Addington Equestrian – a younger rider’s two assessments in a day, a measured method on an enhancing partnership and a narrowly-missed first place changed into a championship sash.
Younger rider Demi Howard-Cartwright – who represented Britain at junior European Championships earlier than ageing up this season – took a close-fought Magic prix st georges (PSG) silver on Newton Astro Nascente (Apache x Don Schufro), scoring 69.75%. Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline had been shut behind on 69.36%.
It was Demi’s second take a look at of the day, after ending third within the Nupafeed superior medium silver (70.61%).
“He was wonderful,” Demi mentioned. “He was somewhat bit drained as a result of I’d carried out the superior medium not lengthy earlier than – it was somewhat bit flatter, however he was actually good. Simply one other clear spherical.”
The tactic had been deliberate. “I used the superior medium somewhat bit as a warm-up,” Demi mentioned. “I minimize my warm-up down a bit, and my intention within the PSG was to get one other clear take a look at. That’s what we acquired – so I used to be completely happy.”
Demi and 10-year-old “Astro” are a partnership rising into the extent collectively. “We’re actually studying collectively,” she mentioned. “He hadn’t carried out PSG earlier than this season.”
The Newton Stud-bred gelding’s trot work is approaching quick, Demi mentioned. “Within the superior medium, the canter work is at all times the spotlight – and since the canter’s more durable within the PSG, I feel it’ll turn into a spotlight too. However in the mean time, the trot’s barely higher.”
The pair have a grand prix future of their sights. “We’re beginning to study the strikes now,” Demi mentioned. “He’s acquired his piaffe and passage, we haven’t began those but or the twos, however we’re beginning to get there.”
Subsequent up is Hickstead CDI, adopted by Wellington CDI. “Doubtlessly then the Europeans, if we get chosen,” Demi provides.
Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline win the Superflex inter I silver on the Winter Dressage Championships. Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
“Let’s get this job carried out”
Holly Bates took the Superflex inter I silver on 70.69%, on her personal nine-year-old Hillgrounds Feinline (Feinrich x Sorento).
“He was not fairly as relaxed within the PSG,” Holly mentioned, “however on this take a look at, he was like, ‘I’ve acquired this, mum.’ He loves his adjustments. When he went down the diagonal, I might really feel him pondering, ‘Let’s get this job carried out.’”
Going into the second small tour take a look at of the day, Holly had taken a extra measured method. “I simply needed to take a breath earlier than this one, and ensure he loved it. He deserves it greater than something – he’s an exquisite horse, and he tries his coronary heart out.”
Hillgrounds Feinline seems to be set for a promising top-level profession, however Holly is taking her time. “It’s uncommon he makes a mistake in a take a look at – the PSG might’ve been a contact extra relaxed, nevertheless it was nonetheless good. He goes in and simply does his job, no matter what’s happening.”
Grand prix is on the horizon, however not an pressing goal. “Grand prix could be beautiful – however I’m having fun with the second. Something like that may be a bonus.”
Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios win the superior medium bronze on the Winter Space Pageant Championships. Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Winter Space Pageant Championships: An enormous trip rewarded
Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios (Amper x Dalibor), a 10-year-old gelding bred and owned by the Pincus household, received the superior medium bronze to spherical out the 2026 Petplan Winter Space Pageant Championships, scoring 69.17%.
The win made up for a narrowly-missed first place earlier within the week. “We got here second within the medium – it simply wasn’t our day,” Sofia mentioned. “I felt like he did a very good take a look at, however a few of it simply didn’t fairly come off. I used to be actually happy as we speak that he was in a position to join all of it and provides a very nice take a look at.”
Sheepcote Adios – who stands effectively over 18hh, by Sofia’s estimation – is a difficult trip to maintain collectively, however the really feel is well worth the effort. “He’s a very huge horse to place collectively,” Sofia mentioned. “However when he’s collectively, the sensation he provides is improbable.”
Sofia began with the Pincus household – house owners of the Sheepcote Stud – as a working pupil round two and a half years in the past, and transitioned into an apprenticeship 9 months in. “The alternatives have been improbable,” she mentioned.
Lengthy-term, the plan is to maintain constructing. “Simply carrying on up the degrees,” Sofia mentioned. “I’ve acquired a couple of actually cool horses at house I’m beginning to trip. I’m simply actually excited to get out extra and go up the degrees – simply hold coaching.”
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Charlotte Dujardin and Secret Agent win the Horselight medium gold on the Winter Dressage Championships.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Dannie Morgan and Belinski win the Nupafeed superior medium freestyle gold on the Winter Dressage Championships.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Gracie Catling and Qwinton win the Superflex inter I freestyle gold on the Winter Dressage Championships.
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Hannah Comery and Ballylahive Prince within the prizegiving after profitable the prelim bronze on the Winter Space Pageant Championships.
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Credit score: Future
H&H dressage and sport horse editor, and sports activities supervisor
Oscar joined Horse & Hound in October 2023 and is the journal’s dressage editor and sports activities supervisor, overseeing protection of equestrian sport. After learning equine science at Myerscough School, he spent 4 years working for main dressage rider Emile Faurie, competing on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelling with the yard to CDIs together with Aachen and Saumur. He holds a grasp’s diploma in Literature from York St John College (2021).
