A showjumper posted a 78% personal best on a promising Donnerhall mare.
Danielle Dickson posted a day-high score in the novice at Topthorn, riding Lucy Hannington’s seven-year-old Oldenburg mare Uniquely Bee.
“Bee is the first horse I’ve competed in BD. I usually do showjumping and have jumped internationally, but I love both disciplines and Bee has so much potential to become a top horse that I jumped at the opportunity to ride and compete her,” explained Danielle, who was chasing final points for regionals
and only needed to exceed 70% to complete her qualification.
“The test felt the best we’d ever done, and I think my smile as I came down the centre line must have said it all,” said the rider, who trains with Paul Hayler.
Maria Griffin had a successful outing at Keysoe, posting the highest score of the show — 74.7% in the novice freestyle on her own and Adrian Baker’s Cerruti — and collecting another plus-70% win at elementary on Carolyn Taylor’s Curban B.
“Cerruti is a little pocket rocket with a big engine, lots of talent and a huge amount of enthusiasm. Particular highlights were his leg-yields — he’s incredibly athletic — as well as his elasticity, and fluency of transitions,” said Gloucestershire-based Maria of the Christ seven-year-old.
“Curban, by Sandreo, is a big horse with lots of power, and I’ve been riding him for about eight months. We’ve only done a couple of shows and he’s now ready to go out and see the world,” continued the international rider, who trains with Damian Hallam and Carl Hester.
“Both horses have been produced slowly, so they can grow in confidence, and are now ready to have some fun. We took both to the two-day show to educate them about staying away and riding in different arenas in a busy atmosphere. They learnt so much.”