REINFORCING the ever-increasing popularity and strength of Irish dressage at the same time as Judy Reynolds’ ground-breaking result in Omaha last weekend, almost 150 riders presented over 400 tests at the Dressage Ireland Winter Finals.

Only a fortnight after her successful trip to Keysoe CDI in the UK, Kate Dwyer was rewarded with the title of National Winter Champion for her score of 69.150% in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Riding Snowdon Faberge, with whom she is aiming for the European Championships in Gothenburg later this season, Dwyer made it a big tour double by earlier claiming the Inter II.

Speaking after her win, the Meath-based rider said: “I had a memorable weekend. Fabio is such a trainable horse, always eager to please, and I feel he’s becoming stronger and more confident every time I take him out.”

At small tour, Heike Holstein was indomitable with her home-bred eight-year-old mare Sambucca. Already the holders of many national titles, they added the Winter Prix St Georges championship to their tally on a score of 73.289%, almost 5% clear of their nearest rivals, last year’s victors Courtney Stuart and Fanfarron 8.

“I’m thrilled with her, she’s growing up!” said Holstein afterwards. “I had a lovely comment from Mark Ruddock (British List I judge) - he talked about how much power Sambucca has and said ‘lucky you!’ We are working on the big tour movements at the moment, which she is finding quite easy, so I’ll be spending this year trying to get to Grand Prix.”

Holstein’s winning margin was altogether more narrow in Sunday’s Inter I however, as Belinda Brereton finished only fractions of a mark behind her on Captain Negro C. This result rounded off a successful weekend for the Kildare-based rider and her two chesnut geldings, as ‘Crunchie’s’ six-year-old stablemate Galaxy Moone also topped the novice category three championship on an impressive average of 74.630%.

Brereton said of her horses: “I’m so pleased with both boys. Galaxy is such a cool customer - I can put pressure on him and he accepts it, he is always a pleasure to ride. With Crunchie I had the handbrake on a little bit in the Prix St George, but I learned my lesson and he went beautifully forwards in the Inter I. I have big plans for the summer with both of them.”

Kevin Acres was another competitor to enjoy success with multiple rides. He became the only rider at this show to win two championships with two different horses. Riding his trainer Sandra Blake Farrell’s Biala Perla and the 22-year-old Saint Emilion to the top of the medium category three and advanced medium championships respectively. In doing so, Acres won four of the six classes he contested and scored over 70% three times.

A full-time working pupil based with his trainer, Acres is capitalising on the opportunities of riding so many different horses. “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have the chance to compete Sandra’s horses, I’m learning so much and it’s great experience in preparing to compete at the higher levels.”

Acres’ hard work is evidently paying off, as visiting judge Mark Ruddock said of his riding: “He did a great job. He rides very well and gives his horses a lovely time in the ring.”

PONY RIDERS TO THE FORE

Under the new three-tiered rider classification system, the medium championship was divided into categories two and three for the first time, and the former section was dominated by pony riders.

The partnership of Tara Hayes and Bantiss Holy Joe, who represented Ireland at the European Championships last year, edged ahead of current High Performance squad members Vicky Campbell and Be My Snowflake. It was a closely fought championship, with Hayes finishing just over half a mark ahead of Campbell on an average of 68.904%.

This was only the beginning of a stellar weekend for Campbell however, as she went on to win the FEI Pony Championship, in doing so earning a personal best score of 69.428% in the team test. The Northern rider has already enjoyed great results this season, including winning a class at Addington High Profile Show in the UK in January, and she is aiming for this year’s Europeans.

Pony squad manager Anne Marie Dunphy was once again juggling her twin roles of trainer and rider, and as well as overseeing her pony riders she found the time to win the Advanced Championship with Jo Breheny’s Her Highness Willow.

Another young rider, this time 13-year-old Ellen Lonergan, came away with a senior title when she won the category one preliminary championship after a massive score of 74.500% in Sunday’s test elevated her to the top of the leaderboard. This mark was also enough to see her take home the Botanica hamper for the highest scoring category one rider at the show.