NORTH-WEST
Lisa Ivens and Donnergrollen head both the medium and advanced medium qualifiers at Beaver Hall.
“The goal for this year is prix st georges [PSG], with the summer regionals on the way,” said Lisa, who trains with Maria Eilberg.
Lisa bought the Donnersohn x Pascal gelding 18 months ago, travelling from Staffordshire to Scotland to see him.
“I fell in love with him and he’s an absolute delight,” she added. “We’ve been working hard on the half-passes and today I really felt the benefit.”
Hannah Smith’s win in the prelim 14 at Foxes came with her six-year-old Varden Ruddles. The 17.2hh is by a 16.3hh
KWPN showjumper out of a 15.2hh coloured mare, and was bought as a two-year-old for his temperament. This was his second British Dressage (BD) outing.
“He’s outgrown everything,” added Hannah. “The trailer, the car to pull it and his saddle — it’s lucky that he has turned out so awesome.”
Vicky Spencer and Hunter Valley won the prelim 15 at Myerscough with 71.8%.
The pure-bred Irish draught is by Pembroke Royal Blue and was bought as a yearling. Last year the combination qualified for an Area Festival but the horse was diagnosed with osteochondrosis in both stifles.
“He was operated on at Hird and Partners, who did a brilliant job and, although it’s been a long recovery he’s back to his normal self,” said Vicky who runs her own dog-grooming business.