Two local riders find success at national dressage championships

Brendan Tegg and Foxcourt Solar Eclipse winners of the Petplan Equine Area Festival Advance Medium Silver class from Pontarddulais, Swansea delivered a great performance to head this extremely competitive class at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire on 21^st April 2023.

Meanwhile, Kizzie Lucas and Candito from Clynderwen, Carmarthenshire delivered a great performance to win the Elementary U21 class. 

Competitors at the Petplan Equine Area Festival Winter Championships qualified for the much sought after chance to take the top prize via 18 Area Festivals held around the country during January and February 2023. Out of 2,877 horse and rider combinations taking part over 500 qualified for the Championships at all levels from Preliminary to Inter I. 

The partnerships competing for the Petplan Equine Advance Medium Silver title had to give their all to show off their horses ‘star quality’ on the day. It was a serious accomplishment to finish on top of the leader board.

On Foxcourt Solar Eclipse’s performance, Brendan said: “I was delighted with him, the trot work was a highlight – he was super relaxed so I could also relax and enjoy riding the test, which is the first time on him. Usually, he takes a lot of managing as he can be quite spooky, but on the day that mattered he was very soft, really lovely.”

The leading lights from the Winter Area Festivals have certainly risen to the challenge of this Championship where they could be sharing the warm-up arena with international dressage stars and Olympic medal winners. Foxcourt Solar Eclipse, an eight-year-old, 17hh, bay gelding and Brendan were rewarded for all their hard work and training by the judges to achieve a winning score of 70.21%.

Brendan, of Foxcourt Stud in Carmarthen, gained his 2023 Hartpury qualification at Beacons Equestrian Winter Area Festival back in February.  “To anyone considering competing and an Area Festival, I’d say just give it a go, why not! It’s always a learning experience. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t go well, as long as you feel as though you have come away feeling like you’ve learnt something. Take that home and work on it for next time.

“I think that’s really important – to remember we’re on a horse, and that the horse doesn’t know it’s a competition. We just come and make sure the horse gets a good experience from it and that’s it. That’s why I’m so chuffed that he went in the ring and just breathed through the test. I was like, yes finally this horse is realising it’s not a scary environment, he can just go and enjoy himself.”

On Candito’s performance, Kizzie said: “I feel elated and excited by her win, he coped with the atmosphere really well, he was on my aids, he worked with me as a partnership harmoniously and that’s exactly what I wanted.”

The leading lights from the Winter Area Festivals have certainly risen to the challenge of this Championship where they could be sharing the warm-up arena with international dressage stars and Olympic medal winners. Candito a 10-year-old, bay gelding and Kizzie were rewarded for all their hard work and training by the judges to achieve a winning score of 72.11%.

On her preparation, Kizzie said: “I go to Hartpury College so I’m away from home a lot of the time, I’ve had a lot of help from the Hartpury Equine Academy to train. I went home for half term and we did the Area Festival at Beacons Equestrian, and I was second by 0.2% so that put me in the under 21s. It was a great experience and having Petplan Equine there is a great pathway into these Championships.”

One of the UK’s leading horse insurance providers Petplan Equine is now in the 24th year of sponsoring the Area Festivals. The series aims to give grassroots riders the opportunity to experience the thrill of participating in top competition style conditions in classes from Preliminary to Intermediate I level.  In that time, they have become known affectionately as the ‘Petplans’ by the many thousands of riders who have taken part.

Rosie Bee, Brand Marketing Executive at Petplan Equine said: “It has been a great pleasure for Petplan Equine to watch the Area Festivals develop over the years into the highly respected series it is today.  Every year we hear stories of outstanding dedication, perseverance and commitment shown by the competitors, most of whom work full time and have families but still manage to train, qualify and compete at the Area Festivals and for the really lucky one the Championships here at Hartpury.

“We know how much this competition means to everyone involved and we are extremely proud of our relationship with British Dressage and the commitment of the team there, the venues and the judges who contribute so much to the success of the events which lead to the Championship.  I am so happy to congratulate Brendan and Foxcourt Solar Eclipse and Kizzie and Candito on their victories today. We wish them the very best of luck for the future.”

British Dressage Chief Executive, Jason Brautigam, added: “British Dressage celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023 and Petplan Equine has been an integral partner throughout that time by sponsoring the cornerstone of our competition structure.  We are extremely grateful for their loyalty and support over the years, which has helped us grow and develop the series into the biggest and most popular dressage competition in our calendar.

“More and more BD members participate in the Area Festivals each year, and this is set to increase as our membership at grass roots level continues to flourish.  The standard is often so high now, it’s easy to forget that the Petplan Equine Area Festivals series is aimed at amateur riders.  I would like to thank everyone who has taken part throughout the winter season and congratulate all riders who have earned their qualification to the championship finals, as well as those who are crowned champions this week.”