A new home for the British Dressage National Championships
British Dressage (BD) is delighted to announce a new venue for its flagship event, the LeMieux National Dressage Championships. After being based at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for 20 years, the show will move to the world class venue of Somerford Park Farm in Cheshire, with the 2020 event taking place from 24 to 27 September in 2020. Title sponsors LeMieux have committed their support in a new three-year deal and will work closely with BD and Show Direct to launch a new era for everyone’s favourite annual dressage celebration.
While Stoneleigh Park has a long history and association with British Dressage, the ongoing uncertainty around the site development has meant that it was time for change. BD Chief Executive Jason Brautigam commented: “Stoneleigh has given us a great home for the Nationals for two decades, but Somerford’s excellent location and facilities provide us with the ideal opportunity to take the Championships to a whole new level over the coming years.”
“Together with our organisers Show Direct, we have so many ideas on how we would like to build the event into something really special. Collectively, we want to evolve into a showcase fixture which appeals to the wider public, not just the dressage enthusiast. The first year will be about establishing the show in its new environment and getting the essentials right, then we can implement new initiatives for a special Championship experience that dressage deserves”.
Millie King from Somerford Park commented; “We’re really excited to be working with the teams at BD and Show Direct to bring the Nationals to Cheshire. We’ve invested heavily in our facilities and infrastructure, so high calibre events like the Nationals are exactly what we hoped to attract. Our venue is easy for visitors to access from the M6 and we hope to see as many of you as possible next September – riders, owners, officials, trade stands, supporters and spectators can all expect a very warm Cheshire welcome.”
Title sponsors since 2014, LeMieux, have been an essential part of developing the Nationals in recent years and Robert & Lisa Lemieux will continue to play an integral role in developing the new show offering.
“A venue change gives us the perfect springboard to take the Nationals to new levels and make it a complete dressage experience, not just a show,” said Robert. “The LeMieux brand has a strong following in dressage and we’re exceptionally proud of that, so we’re looking forward to working with everyone to produce a Championships which reflects our values – and to provide an end of season celebration to remember!”
The expansive Somerford Park site, which will continue to host a Premier League and Regional Championships for BD, provides an ideal location for competitors and spectators alike. The main competition space will feature three international standard arenas with Andrews Bowen surfaces, which will provide additional competition opportunities. BD will be announcing further news in the New Year on additional classes, so watch this space for more exciting developments for 2020! Spectators can expect a full shopping village, which the Nationals are renowned for, as well as new innovations to add to the overall entertainment and experience at the show.
An initial three year contract has been agreed with Somerford Park and from 2021 onwards the National Championships will revert back to its usual slot in the third week of September. The focus is now on planning the show schedule, infrastructure and operational requirements for the new site, but BD’s vision for the Nationals is ambitious and we look forward to sharing further updates as plans progress in 2020.
Warwickshire’s Ben Walker claims the Winter Grand Prix at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre
Ben Walker from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire made a short but rewarding trip to win Saturday’s Winter Grand Prix at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre in Rugby, Warwickshire. Riders fought hard for the title but victory was all Ben’s on board Emma Ziff’s impressive 10 year-old bay gelding, Fygo von d'Ouwe Grint.
David Coles’ testing thirteen fence first round track saw four combinations come through from the initial field of forty-six on a clean slate. The cream of the crop rose to the top during the jump- off with only three combinations producing double clears. Last to go in the jump-off, Ben took advantage of Fygo von d'Ouwe Grint’s natural quickness and agility producing turns tighter and more efficient than any combination before them and with a nail biting race against the clock they broke the finish beam in a time of 47.30 seconds.
Less than a second slower and taking second spot was the winner of the class last year, Jamie Wingrove who is based in Southam, Warwickshire. This time piloting Kirsty Keating’s super careful 9 year-old chestnut gelding Genesis HB, Jamie’s time looked unbeatable sailing through the finish line in a time of 47.69 seconds, only to be pipped to the post by the next competitor, Ben. With both riders well supported by the local crowd the atmosphere was electric.
The final double clear and third place was claimed by Nottinghamshire’s Jack Whitaker with his relatively new ride Cally V, a 12 year-old liver chestnut mare owned by his father Michael in 50.52 seconds.
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Ben Walker & Fygo von d'Ouwe Grint in action in the Winter Grand Prix at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre
Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre – Saturday 4th January 2020 Winter Grand Prix Results 1st Ben Walker & Fygo von d'Ouwe Grint – 0/0 – 47.30 seconds 2nd Jamie Wingrove & Genesis HB – 0/0 – 47.69 seconds 3rd Jack Whitaker & Cally V – 0/0 – 50.52 seconds
February/March 2020
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