The National Dressage Championship 1998

Magical Evening of Grand Prix Dressage

by Sue Wingate

You could have heard the proverbial pin drop as Carl Hester waited for his music to begin... It was nearly the end of an enthralling competition for the Grand Prix Kur which had held the crowd spellbound throughout the evening. This was one of those rare occasions when everything comes wonderfully together and you really appreciate that you are able to experience it at first hand. To watch dressage at this level is always a thrill but in the Kur the added ingredient of the riders' chosen music combined with their freestyle test lends a greater sense of anticipation to the event since it also encompasses the unexpected.		The Royal Agricultural College grounds at Stoneleigh, Warwicks provide an attractive setting for the Championships.
The National Dressage Championships were held at the Royal Agricultural Showground between 18th-20th September - an excellent venue which provides a very attractive and spacious setting, one appropriate to the nature of the event. There were 3 arenas in front of the stands, all in use at different times with an excellent large warm-up area behind, backed by tall trees. It was all beautifully laid out and this was accentuated on Saturday evening when the general air of bustle and activity of the daytime was transformed into one of hushed anticpation as daylight faded and the floodlights came on and all eyes focused on the central arena... By this simple change of lighting, what had been a place of competitive endeavor in the daytime was transformed into a stage. The balmy evening, with not a breath of wind to disturb the stillness, added to the quietness as the first performer' entered and awaited the judges' signal to begin..
Pammy Hutton with ROMY - performed well in the Grand Prix Kur	I suppose it is the music that contributes so much to these occasions especially if it is well chosen. When the first chords struck up for Suzanne Davies riding Keystone Favoriet and signalled her dramatic entrance, the whole audience seemed to become mesmerised. It must be more of a  disadvantage to go first in a competition of this nature than in one that is totally structured, since it is the performance by which all others are measured! Suzanne must have been aware of this handicap, nevertheless she succeeded in setting a good standard with a test which looked lively, and had real rhythm, using the music well.
However, her score of 61.77% was immediately overtaken by the second to go, Mette Lubker - Assaine on Ilon, fresh from her Grand Prix success in Saumur in France the previous week. The movements were well ridden and accurate and the use of the music good, although her horse's persistently swishing tail didn't really aid the overall impression. Diane Hogg on her unmistakable Irish bred roan gelding, Barollo, put in a pleasing performance and then just before the break, in came Pammy Hutton with Romy - he is a free moving, elegant horse, with quite extravagant movement, especially in his changes. The judges liked the test and gave the combination a score of 67.8%. The competition was just getting better and better... Pammy didn't hold her lead for very long.  Two horses later in came Kirsty Mepham on her big, flashy chestnut, Dikkiloo, a powerful horse with natural elevation, and his score ? - 68.26%... but once again this lead was to prove temporary.