Great Britain finished second to Germany in the Hickstead Nations Cup dressage CDIO, 27 July.
Emile Faurie was the best of the British team, finishing seventh aboard Dream Of Heidelberg II, whom he describes as the best grand prix horse he has ever ridden. Marie Eilberg (Two Sox), Wayne Channon (Lorenzo) and Stephanie Croxford (Mr President), made up the team that finished 2% behind Germany and just ahead of The Netherlands.
Ulla Salzgebers stable rider Frank Freund led a young German team to victory. All four team members Frank, Anna-Katharina Luttgen, and brother and sister Benjamin and Jessica Werndl are under 25 years old.
Frank rode Australian Kelly Laynes Amoucheur. This was my first Nations Cup and my first overseas competition, so I was very nervous, said Frank, who was second individually to Hollands Alex Van Silfhout. Amoucheur is a very experienced horse, but he can be spooky and I was worried after yesterdays windy weather that he might worry. He loved it in the arena though, we both did.
I wont change anything in the way I ride for tomorrows grand prix special, the horse knows what he is doing and is teaching me a lot.
Stephanie Peters (NED) won todays intermediaire I riding Rossi, just ahead of Gareth Hughes and Korenbloem Sandman, who took yesterdays prix st georges.
Richard Barrett won his first international grand prix, the CDI3*, on Alcatraz.
Meanwhile, Melissa Beer (Celestial King) and Zoe Sleigh (Orvieto) have been dominating the junior and young rider competitions respectively.
For pictures and a full report of all the classes at Hicksteads international dressage, dont miss Horse&Hound (2 August)
