IRELAND’s Sue Smallman and Roisin Henry have been making the most of their trip to England in recent weeks. Based with Carl Hester for training, they have also been competing at British Dressage shows from his Gloucestershire base.

On their first outing to Hunters Equestrian in the Cotswolds, Roisin Henry won a medium class with Sue’s former ride Warrington. Sue then went on to add two advanced medium victories to their tally with Ustero.

The following day at West Wilts Equestrian Centre, Sue topped another two classes. Once again riding her dark brown mare by Roman Nature, who is for sale, she won the open section of advanced medium 85 with a very impressive mark of 70.9%. The partnership then went on to ride a winning Prix St Georges in the advanced pick-your-own class.

Speaking afterwards, Sue said Ustero was “well-established at the level, and it’s nice for this to be confirmed by several different judges.”

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire-based Irish rider Alice Hurley featured in the placings on her first visit to SICAB, the International Iberian horse fair in Seville.

Riding her business partner Karen Bourdon’s black stallion Deseado CCV, she finished third in the first round of the seven year old world championships on a mark 66.626%. Hurley slipped to fourth in the second round, but her mark of 65.441% was good enough to finish third overall and take the bronze medal.

Commenting on her success, she said: “Desmond gave me a great ride in both tests and I’m delighted with our results. I’m looking forward to moving him up to Prix St Georges next year!”