IRISH dressage riders were out in force over the past week at both the London International Horse Show and the four-star Amadeus Christmas Horse Show in Salzburg, Austria.

Securing a fantastic sixth place was Anna Merveldt who scored 73.520% with the 14-year-old Lusitano stallion Esporim, owned by Mario Greco, Michael Higgins and Giovanna Mazza, in the Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) class in Salzburg on Sunday, December 10th.

Germany’s Franz Trischberger and DSP James Bond won the Grand Prix Kür on a score of 78.920% ahead of Spanish rider Juan Rodriguez Caravajal and Meggle’s Boston on 77.830% for second. Charlotta Rogerson and Famora scored 76.075% to complete the podium for Switzerland in third place.

Next up was Abi Lyle, who scored 70.217% with the her own and Caroline Clarry’s 12-year-old KWPN gelding Giraldo for 10th place in FEI World Cup Grand Prix class at the London International Horse Show on Wednesday, December 13th.

Home win

European team gold and individual bronze medallist, Charlotte Dujardin clinched a home win in this class with Imhotep on a 81.761% total. Reigning world champion Charlotte Fry and Everdale scored 77.435% for second place, with Becky Moody and Jagerbomb completing the all-British podium on 75.087% for third.

Lyle and Giraldo also danced their way to 11th place in the FEI Dressage World Cup Western European League Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) class in London on Thursday.

She scored 75.355% at what was the fifth leg of the 2022/2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Western European league with the gelding, just marginally adrift of their personal best 75.555% score set at Hartpury CDI3* in July.

Speaking in the arena at the show, Abi said: “I have had the best time here. The atmosphere is unbelievable, it is amazing as you come in and trot around the arena, the crowd is great.

“I have had Giraldo since he was four and we have been on some journey since then. I have said this before, but he is me and I am him. He is a special, giving and kind horse.”

It was a double at London’s ExCeL Arena for British medallist Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep, who won the World Cup Western European League Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) on an unbeatable total of 89.465% to add to her Grand Prix victory on Wednesday afternoon.

World champion Charlotte Fry and Everdale placed second on 85.040% with Becky Moody and Jagerbomb making it another all-British podium in two days, scoring 83.675% for third.