Becky Moody wins HOYS Dressage Future Elite

Becky Moody has won the Mount St John Dressage Future Elite Championship at Horse of the Year Show.

Acclaimed judges

As if competing under the lights at HOYS wasn’t enough pressure, the riders had to perform in front of three acclaimed judges:FEI dressage judge general, Olympic judge and renowned trainer Stephen Clarke, international judge and trainer Peter Storr and FEI 5* judge and trainer Francis Verbeek.

Seven combinations performed an Intermediate I Freestyle to Music in front of a rapt audience. There should have been eight competing, but Michael Eilberg – who came second last year on Woodlander Farouche and won it in 2013 on Half Moon Dynasty – withdrew as neither of his qualified horses were fit to compete.

Fantastic atmosphere

Becky Moody won the class riding Carinsio with an impressive score of 77.71%. Matt Frost and AMD Don Rosso II were second (75.375%) while H&C blogger Alice Oppenheimer was third riding Tantoni Sir Soccrates (74.79%).

“There is just a fantastic atmosphere in there,” said Becky after her win. “It’s been a wonderful experience. He is quite a young horse and to get him into an arena like this is fantastic for the future.”

This is the third year the Mount St John Future Elite Championship has taken place at HOYS and the class has become a crowd favourite with large numbersgathering to watch competitors battle it out for the coveted title.

Big in Britain

“I’m really grateful to Mount St John for this, because it is important for our future top horses,” said Becky. “Dressage in Britain is getting bigger and bigger and there are so many fantastic combinations.”

Prior to the competition, judge StephenClarkehosted a masterclass, accompanied by Team GB’s European team bronze and World team silver medallist Gareth Hughes, and up-and-coming rider Elder Klatzk.