Olympic superstar Charlotte Dujardin shines on day two of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage 

Thursday 5 July

Charlotte Dujardin riding River Rise Nisa. Photo Kevin Sparrow

Local Olympic legend Charlotte Dujardin stole the show on a scorching second day of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage (Thursday 5 July). Spectators crowded round to witness the top dressage rider in the Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Qualifier. 

Charlotte produced a beautifully executed test on the promising young River Rise Nisa, bred and owned by Sarah Tyler Evans. She leapt to the top of the leader board with a score of 76.37%, leaving the rest of the competition far behind.

Runners-up in the Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Qualifier were Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Davina with 71.80% and Zoe Sleigh and Francisco 51 with 70.18%.

The LeMieux FEI Grand Prix saw a fabulous test by Gareth Hughes and Kk Woodstock who took a convincing win with 70.60%. Becky Moody came in second on Contender with 66.50% and Pammy Hutton came in third on Belmondo III with 66.40%.

The day got off to a great start with the Lovington Ice Advanced 105, won by Eilidh Grant and Eranda Retto with 67.78%. Kirsty Imm narrowly missed out on the top spot but secured a strong second place on Don-Davidoff CL with 67.36%. Thea Millward came in third on Walentino 77 with 65.97%.

Next up it was the Saracen Horse Feeds FEI Intermediate 1. Winner of class 1a was Maria Eilberg who produced a lovely test on Sarotti with 73.73%. Runners-up in this class were Kimberley Seaby on Wiona G with 70.09% and Katherine Louise Bailey on Bocelli IV with 70.04%. Winner of class 1b was Kate Lister and World Exclusive with 70.09%. Runners-up in this class were Katrina Cantrell riding Woodlander Donna Summer with 69.65% and Kate Cowell riding Sirocco with 67.59%.

It was another fantastic day of competition for the Great Britain and Ireland riders who competed in the FEI CPEDI3* Para Individual Championship Tests, Grades I to V, throughout the morning. Prizes were awarded during the afternoon to celebrate their achievements.

Mari Durward Akhurst came out victorious as she claimed the top spot in the Grade I with a fantastic ride on Sky O Hara with 71.607%. Diane Green was runner-up on Gunstones Pride with 70.250% and Michael Murphy came third place on Rohan with 68.643%.

Lee Pearson and Styletta secured their second win in two days with 72.441% in the Grade II (he was placed first in the FEI CPEDI3* International Para Team Test Grade II yesterday). A great ride by Georgia Wilson secured her another runner-up position with Midnight Z (she was placed second and third in the Para Team Test Grade II yesterday) on Midnight Z with 71.265%. Suzanna Hext who took third place riding LJT Engaards Solitaire with 70.382%.

Natasha Baker gave another fantastic performance on Mount St John Diva Dannebrog securing the top spot in the Grade III with 73.353% (continuing her winning streak from the Para Team Test Grade III yesterday). Runners-up were Erin Orford T and Dior with 71.471 and Amanda Shirtcliffe and New-Princess with 68.824

Speaking at the Prize Giving, Natasha Baker said: “I am over the moon – I love her [Mount St John Diva Dannebrog] more every day! I started riding her in January and she has so much more to give. It has been a great competition, I adore coming to Hartpury.”

Isobelle Palmer and Touchdown M rode another beautiful test and took the top spot in the Grade IV with 72.244% (following on from her win in the Para Team Test Grade IV yesterday). Nicola Greenhill had two fantastic rides on Betty Boo with 69.829% and King Edward with 72.098% and only narrowly missed out on a win. She secured the two runner-up positions (also building on her runner-up position in the Grade IV yesterday). 

Sophie Wells took the arena by storm as she produced two more fantastic tests and once again, claimed the top two spots in the Grade V (after taking first and second in the Grade V yesterday too). Miles ahead of the competition, Sophie won the test riding C Fatal Attraction with 76.357% and claimed a second rosette on Gladstone with 70.929%. Charlotte Cundall came in third on Bam Bam – 68.548%.

Hartpury was delighted to cheer on two graduates, Daniel Bremner and Stephanie Rebecca Eardley in the Lovington Ice Advanced 105 on the second day of the festival. Student Lucy Pincus followed up on a great first day with an appearance in the LeMieux FEI Grand Prix this afternoon.

Full results from the Festival of Dressage can be found on the results page. Results will be uploaded live each day, so keep an eye on the page.

Want to come and see some dressage? Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (6-8 July) cost £6 per day. You can buy your tickets on the Hartpury online shop. Under 16’s and parking is free all week.

World-renowned dressage composer Tom Hunt will give a musical demonstration at the Gala Evening on Saturday, which promises to be an exciting event. We won’t be live streaming the gala evening this year, so make sure you get your tickets. You can buy them on the Hartpury online shop. Tickets cost £16.50 and include day entry.