Wiltshire rider Kate Raynor and her 15-year-old gelding Annandale Idris, pulled off two slick clear rounds to finish on their dressage score of 26.5 to land the BE100 title in the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championship at Badminton Horse Trials set in the iconic Gloucestershire grounds of Badminton House.
“I’m thrilled to have won and didn’t come here with any preconceptions,” said Kate who sat in the lead overnight. “I put pressure on myself to do a good job and not let him down, but thankfully it went our way and he was amazing.”
Kate has owned the gelding by Ewyn Dorian for five years having bought him as a ‘quick-turnaround project’.
“He was initially quite a challenge, and I ended up keeping him,” added Kate who has plans to move up to novice. “Luckily, the harder he works the better he gets, so in that way he is an ideal event horse. If he was 16.2hh he would be the real deal, but then I probably wouldn’t be riding him. We’re really grateful for Voltaire Design for their sponsorship and to Badminton for putting the grassroots on alongside the five-star fences – it’s really special to be here.”
Jane Rogers took the runner up spot with Corrieview Merlin Magic who finished on their dressage of 28.3, and third place was awarded to Katie Woods and Solitaire King who also produced a double clear to stay on their dressage score of 29.9.
The BE90 title was awarded to Amy Dixon who was making a winning return to the grassroots championships having won the BE90 at the inaugural event in 2010 with her late mare Maid In Holland.
This year, the Cumbrian rider was triumphant in the BE90 with 12-year-old Metall gelding Goodluck II having finished on her 29.1 dressage.
“I knew we were capable of a double clear – that was my main aim – but I didn’t ever think I’d win,” she said. “It’s just unreal.”
Amy, who runs a family café in the Lake District, bought 15.2hh Dutch Warmblood ‘Ronnie’ as a four-year-old and produced him up to BE90 level, but in 2018, she suffered a burst disc in her back, seeing her out of action for over a year.
“I needed major surgery which took 12 months to recover from, and then we had two busy years with the café, so I didn’t really start eventing again properly until last year,” said Amy. “I’m just delighted that we’ve made it back to eventing.”
Katie Brickman was awarded the runner spot after pulling off a double clear to finish on 30.2, while third place went to Holly Jessett and Lombard Lad who were just 0.2 of a point behind.
For full results, visit here
For information on title sponsor Voltaire Design UK and the extensive research and development behind their saddles design visit https://voltairedesign.com/uk/
Image:
Top: Kate Raynor and Annandale Idris
Bottom : Amy Dixon and Goodluck II
(image copyright – Adam Fanthorpe)
