Dressage

After the Intermediare we had the pleasure of seeing the BYRDS Pony Quadrille to Music. This was extremely enjoyable and fun! Although well presented and ridden, some of the ponies looked quite fresh' or excited by the occasion and the result was a lively and entertaining demonstration. I understand this quadrille is in demand at shows these days (including the Horse of Year Show) and is well worth watching. In the evening Carl Hester resumed his winning ways on Legal Democrat in the Grand Prix Kur (see previous article).
On Sunday Lizzie Lorriston-Clarke achieved the Championship success that she so richly deserved in the Morgan Equine Intermediaire I Kur. Another rider to achieve a consistent high level of performance, Lizzie is always a pleasure to watch and as usual she rode a very elegant test on Catherstone Humbug to win in a clear cut victory from Peter Storr on Gambrinus.
Emile Faurie selected for the World Equestrian Games team (See here with Woodman)	In the afternoon the finale of the Championships was the Grand Prix and as was by now completely inevitable with another stunning performance on Legal Democrat, Carl clinched the title and capped a wonderful few days. Reserve was Emile Faurie on El Lute and Lizzie Lorriston-Clarke was third on Catherstone Dazzler. We should be most encouraged by the consistency of our leading riders. It is one thing to win an occasional competition, but to win or be consistently highly placed at the highest level is quite another and bodes well for the future of the sport in this country.
On Saturday evening we were presented with the team selected to represent Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Rome: Emile Faurie with Mrs Madha's Legini; Richard Davison with Hiscox Askari, Sandy Phillips with Fun and Ferdi Eilberg with his wife's Arun Tor. Reserves are Fiona Bigwood and Kirsty Mepham.. they were driven into and around the floodlit arena in an open topped Saab and were cheered on their way... However in the light of the performances at these Championships by one man - Carl Hester - one could not help but regret that he would not be joining the team in Rome. Legal Democrat's owner had not felt him to be fit enough to participate in the qualifying International competitions in Rotterdam and Saumur - hence his exclusion. To be fair to all, the selectors obviously have to stick by the rules that they set down for all competitors but it is impossible to feel that the British team is quite complete without the outstanding performer at the 1998 National Championships - Carl Hester - a rider at the very top of his form...		Ferdi Eiberg and Arun Tor - a combination selected for the W.E. Games in Rome

Carl Hesters One Man Show cont...

Emile Faurie selected for the World Equestrian Games team (See here with Woodman)