At only 16-year-old Myles Graham is having an outstanding start to 2024 and added another title to his collection at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.
He and the seven-year-old mare Macalena N (Glock’s Toto Jr x Scandic) were first-to-go in the much-anticipated Prestige Novice Gold Winter Championship. It was an anxious wait as top combinations – including winners from the previous day like Robyn Walker and St Giles Flamborghini as well as Jezz Palmer and Toddington Debut – came and went but no one could touch their mistake-free 72.34%.
“She’s always been a calm cookie,” said Myles. “It was our second-ever stay-away show and she really stepped up to the mark in the arena.
“I can’t thank the owners enough – Julia Lloyd-Parks, Aimee Frankham and my mum – who were up at half past four this morning to support me.”
Myles is currently second in the FEI dressage world rankings for juniors and looks set for a medal-laden future.
“My dream as a rider is to go to the Olympics but every horse tells you what their own road is and what they can or cannot do, so I just have to listen to them – but ultimately the dream is to go right the way to the top.”
2024 Winter Dressage Championships: “It all comes down to your partnership with the horse”
Sara Squires and Laetitius C claimed the Petplan Intermediate I Bronze Area Festival Championship on 68.62%.
“I wasn’t my finest test,” said Sara, who has produced the 11-year-old gelding through the levels. “There were some really good bits but we made a few mistakes but riding at this level, it’s hard to get everything right on the day.”
The combination scored consistent eights for their trot work with the extended trot being a highlight.
Sara is also an international event rider who won the CIC3* at Braham Horse Trials in 2013 and still competes at two-star level.
“I’ve always been quite critical of myself, even through eventing, so it was nice to get a result today even though we weren’t perfect,” explained Sara.
When asked if she gets the same buzz from dressage she added: “I love the training and the discipline in dressage. I’ve had to push myself as a rider because you’ve got to work so hard to get your horse to perform this stuff.
“It all comes down to your partnership with the horse – they’ve got to trust you in the arena just as much as they would if you were jumping into the water eventing.
“But I still love the thrill of eventing, I can’t lie – I’m not ready to give it up but I do want to bring this horse up to grand prix.”
Kate Jones and her 12-year-old gelding Deja Vu won the Petplan Elementary Bronze Area Festival Championship on 70.93%.
“I wasn’t expecting too much at all – not last was the aim,” said Kate, who works full-time in agricultural finance. “He’s got two sides to him but when he’s on fire he’s great and today he seemed to enjoy it with the sun being out.
“He’s a jack of all trades, we’ve evented up to intermediate but dressage was always his strongest phase. We were out galloping on the Welsh Hills on Monday to try and get a bit of energy out of him to keep him calm for today – and it worked!”
You may also be interested in…
One of last year’s leading riders brings his tally up to 15 national titles at the 2024 Winter Dressage Championships
Meet the rider dominating on day one of the 2024 Winter Dressage Championships
Future stars you need to keep your eye on kick off the 2024 Winter Dressage Championships in style
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
