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BRITISH DRESSAGE NEWS

NATIONALS HERE WE COME

The countdown to the LeMieux National Championships, to be held at Somerford Park, Cheshire from 16-19 September, is almost complete.

Top dressage competition, masterclasses, Fanzone, shopping and more - the 2021 LeMieux National Dressage Championships will have it all! A packed programme for the championships will see action in three arenas for the first time from Prelim up to Grand Prix, including the crowning of the new LeMieux National Grand Prix Champion. The Shearwater Young Horse Classes will showcase up-andcoming talent, while you’ll also be able pick up training tips and insight in our daily masterclasses.

New for 2021, we’ll also have a Fanzone, with interviews, advice and views from those

ONWARD TO PARIS

Funding of £232 million has been announced to support Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes in preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The £232 million will be used to back aspiring Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes as well as their coaches and support staff, in addition to funding from the National Lottery. This £77.4 million a year to elite sport agency UK Sport is an increase from the £54 million a year government cash UK Sport received for Tokyo 2020 – a rise of more than 44 per cent.

Athletes will be in line to benefit from UK Sport’s World Class Programme and Progression Funding, which will provide vital support towards reaching the pinnacle of their sports as preparations begin for Paris 2024 and beyond.

Team GB and Northern Ireland won 65 medals in 25 different disciplines at the Tokyo 2020 games, including team bronze for dressage with individual bronze for Charlotte Dujardin. These medals placed Great Britain and Northern Ireland fourth in the medal table.

With the challenges of disrupted training schedules, lockdowns and additional safety measures, lottery and government funding, coupled with athletes’ hard work and extreme dedication, enabled 376 Team GB athletes to be selected for Tokyo - making it the biggest Team GB at an overseas games. in the know in the dressage world throughout the four days.

Retail therapy is a famous feature of the Nationals and the Shopping Village will offer some of Britain’s best equine brands, featuring everything from leather goods and saddlery to rider wear and gifts. There’s also a food court with a range of food and drink options available to make sure you’re fully refreshed during your visit.

Tickets must be purchased in advance this year and will not be available on the gate. We’re also offering a COVID-19 money back guarantee so you can buy your tickets in confidence. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the LeMieux National Championships page on the website.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Jezz and Lucy Palmer tied the knot on 8 August at Holywell Estate in the South Downs.

SUPER NOVA RETIRES

Spencer Wilton’s international horse Super Nova II, aka Neville, has been retired at the age of 18. By De Niro, the Hanoverian gelding was originally produced by Carl Hester, but was purchased by Jen Goodman for Spencer to ride in 2020. After gaining the PSG crown at the national championships in 2013, Spencer and Neville went on to represent Great Britain internationally, winning team silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA in 2018. They then made a successful international comeback in 2020 after more than a year off. Neville will continue to be looked after by Spencer’s groom Claire Hinton in his retirement and will enjoy some hacking.

Spencer said: “Neville has been my horse-of-a-lifetime and has given his owner Jen Goodman and myself the most amazing journey with memories that will stay with us forever. It’s been a blast!”