The five day competition gets under way this evening (NZ time) and includes FEI CDI3*, FEI CPENDI3* and the national premier league competitions. It has attracted some of the world’s best, including Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Michael and Maria Eilberg.
Way will compete aboard Don Archie (owned by Carl Hester) in the CDI3* (small tour), which is running from Friday through to Sunday, against 30 other combinations. “He’s a super talented horse but due to the commitments of the other horses in the barn hasn’t competed in a couple of years,” said Way, who has again been based and training with Hester.
“I am really looking forward to this competition. I have been enjoying the challenge of riding a different horse in an international competition, but the opportunity to have the best trainer in the world helping me. I am hoping to keep his focus so we can perform to the international level he is capable of, and reach my highest percentage.”
Green will be aboard Da Vinci, who she brought with her from New Zealand. “He is just coming back from injury after four months off, but was getting some good scores before that break,” said Green. “He has just had a couple of local starts since and improving all the time.”
She also has her new four-year-old stallion F1 wait-listed for the Pavo Cup qualifier but is not confident they’ll make the starting line-up. The horse won his last start with 88%.
“We found Frankie (F1) in Germany at the home of his breeder Clemens von Merveldt. We had no intention of buying a stallion but his super nature and stunning movement won us over.”
The stallion is 16.2hh by Floriscount out of a Roadster mare and Green is hopeful of campaigning him in the young horse classes this season.
For more information, head to www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage