Gareth Hughes and Classic Goldstrike danced to victory today in The Defender CDI4* FEI Dressage Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (RWHS), helping open the show in style.
Four-time Olympian Richard Davison was on hand to assist with the proceedings. Wearing a headset, he gave spectators a full running commentary throughout his stunning ride, showcasing invaluable insight and knowledge to dressage fans.
A total of twelve combinations from seven different nations came forward for the class. With a strong British contingent, it was perhaps to no one’s surprise that the leaderboard concluded with a first, second and third from the home nation. Hughes was the only rider to break the 70% barrier to take first, with Emile Faurie and mare Bellevue finishing in second and Lewis Carrier and KWPN, Diego V in third place.
Competition commenced with Singapore’s Caroline Chew riding Blue Hors Zatchmo, setting the early standard with a score of 68.174%. Next to step between the white boards, and first for the GB, was Emilie Faurie who has represented Great Britain at World, European and Olympic levels. At 61-years of age, Faurie brought all his experience to the famous Castle Arena aboard Bellevue – the horse he rode to third in this class last year. Despite a small mistake in the canter pirouette, the combination took the lead with 69.326%. First-timers, Finland’s Anu Sironen, could not quite match this mark, nor could fan-favourite Louise Anne Bell, or Ireland’s Carolyn Mellor.
The crowd were delighted to welcome back Wiltshire-based Lewis Carrier, who was last into the arena before the midway break. Carrier, who currently trains with Carl Hester, rode the KWPN warmblood Diego V who he has produced himself from a four-year-old. The pair’s partnership was evident throughout their test with expressive extensions and well-timed changes – their test was well rewarded with a score of 69.304% which put them into a provisional second place.
Jayden Brown – part of Australia’s FEI World Championship team – making his first appearance at the Show, was next into the arena. The Australian, who was second in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at Addington in March, could not quite challenge the top spots.
Gareth Hughes, part of the British gold medal winning team at the FEI European Championships last summer, then bought forward Classic Goldstrike, a chestnut gelding by Tango. Hughes took the reins from his talented daughter Ruby, who regularly rides the 13-year-old; last year claiming team bronze in the FEI Junior European Championships together. Hughes, who has amassed numerous national and international titles over the past 10 years, showed all of his experience to take the lead by over two percent.
With just four combinations remaining, Hughes’ score looked hard to beat, and both Italy’s Nathalie Wahlund and Britain’s Liza Marriott were unable to challenge for the lead. The penultimate rider, Nikolas Kröncke, who began representing Great Britain at the beginning of this year having previously ridden for Germany, displayed a superb demonstration of harmony with the 14-year-old stallion Flanell but again could not match Hughes’ score nor could last into arena China’s Sarah Rao. Hughes took the victory, with Faurie in second place, while Carrier completed the top trio.
Hughes stated: “Does it get any better? The Castle Arena here at Royal Windsor Horse Show is beautiful, the spectators are great and you have that amazing view of Windsor Castle.” He went on to say: “There’s no expectation with him [Classic Goldstrike], he just steps up and delivers – he’s just the sweetest horse.”
“There’s no expectation with him [Classic Goldstrike], he just steps up and delivers – he’s just the sweetest horse.”
Gareth hughes
He continued: “Classic Goldstrike is a really special horse, we’ve had him since a baby. Both my daughter and wife have competed and won with him, and so he is a real family horse. He has never competed in a Freestyle competition before, but we are very excited for tomorrow! He will be doing the same Freestyle routine as my top horse, Classic Briolinca.”
Competition continues tomorrow (Thursday, May 2nd 2024) with the Dressage arena set for the Defender CDI4* FEI Dressage – Freestyle, alongside national Showjumping, Working Hunter and the Coloured Ridden Championships.
Feature image: Gareth Hughes and Classic Goldstrike, Wednesday 1st May at Royal Windsor Horse Show. Image copyright Peter Nixon.
