Carl Hester and Peter Storr dominated last weekend’s dressage championships at Solihull
The Horse & Hound Winter Championships came of age at Solihull last week as five daysof classes, with two gala evenings featuring our elite riders, kept an enthusiastic audience enthralled at British Dressage’s largest national show to date.
Carl Hester stamped his mark with three wins, while his pupils took a further three titles and a reserve place. Spectators were also treated to a re-run of the pas de deux, which earned Carl and Vicki Thompson a European gold medal in 1995.
Oldencraig Grand Prix Kr
The first grand prix kr of the year, with a prize-fund topping £3,000, provided a popular win for national champions Peter Storr and Gambrinus, although the first three places were very close.
A strong challenge came from 2001 Woof Wear Big Tour rankings winner, Emile Faurie and his Olympic partner Reuters Rascher Hopes, who had to be content with second place with Dr Bechtolsheimer and Winniza in third.
Nirvana Spa Young Horse Prix St Georges
In the prix st georges, Carl Hester took top honours on Donner Rhapsody. Carl’s head rider Spencer Wilton finished second, riding Carl and Roly Luard’s stunning Oldenburg gelding Escapado.
Carl went on to be part of the winning partnership in the Naf Medium Elite class, while Peter claimed the bottle of champagne for the elite rider who made the biggest difference to their horse’s score.
