News

RUBIN AL ASAD RETIRED

One of the most successful British horses of recent years, Rubin Al Asad, has been retired from competition at the age of 19 following a long and illustrious career.

Owned by the late Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer, his wife Ursula and daughter Laura Tomlinson, the German-born Hanoverian, known affectionately as Rufus, was partnered by Lara Butler after she started working for the family at their Gloucestershire home.

In 2015 they made their Grand Prix debut and chalked up their fi rst international Grand Prix wins, at Wellington CDI in Florida.

The big-moving Rubin Royal x Wanderbursch II gelding went on to earn an impressive CV of national and international successes.

Their list of achievements includes FEI Nations Cup appearances and they were reserves for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2017 Europeans in

BRITISH DRESSAGE NEWS

Gothenburg and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon.

In 2018 Lara and Rufus were also crowned National Champions.

Rufus and Lara’s fi nal competitive appearance was at the LeMieux Grand Prix Championships at Hartpury last December. They went out on a high scoring just shy of 80% in the Freestyle.

BABY JOY FOR HAYLEY

Congratulations to Paul Logan and Hayley WatsonGreaves on the safe arrival of baby Elana on 28 April.

OLYMPIA RELOCATES

QUEST 2021 PLANS LAUNCHED

Plans have been announced for the 2021 Quest championships, powered by Saracen Horse Feeds.

Leaderboards and regional fi nals this year refl ect the new BD regional structure across England, with new North & West, North & East, South & West structure across England, with new North & West, North & East, South & West and South & East areas and we’ve added more Quest Regional Finals.

The 2021 Saracen Horse Feeds Quest National Championships take place at Bury The 2021 Saracen Horse Feeds Quest National Championships take place at Bury Farm in Buckinghamshire from 28 – 31 October. Details of qualifi ers can be found on the website. Olympia, The London International Horse Show’s 2021 edition will relocate to ExCeL London and take place from Thursday 16 to Monday 20 December 2021.

The Olympia London venue in West Kensington, which has been home to the iconic horse show for the last 49 years, is currently undergoing a re-development plan.

PARA MATTERS

British Dressage has launched a new series of freestyle to music tests written specifi cally for our bronze and silver para rider community, providing the foundations for international competition as well as giving riders a new aim.

The tests have been developed by the BD Para Technical Committee as a bridge to the technically demanding FEI freestyle tests.

You can now download these tests for free from the BD website free of charge.

FAREWELL TO SARAH WHITMORE

It is with great sadness that British Dressage has learned of the passing of Olympian and leading trainer Sarah Whitmore who died peacefully on Saturday 27 March at the age of 89.

From Edenbridge in Kent, Sarah played a huge role in the careers of many British riders, as well as competing at Olympic level herself, representing Great Britain at the 1976 summer Olympic Games in Montreal on Junker. She achieved 22nd place individually and eighth in the team competition alongside Jennie Loriston-Clarke with Kadett and Diana Mason with Special Edition. She also was a member of the International Dressage Trainers Club and an international judge.

Throughout her life, Sarah mentored and shaped young riders, starting with her beloved nieces Biz Womersley and Kate Brookes-Smith. She trained international riders such as Laura Fry, Clive Halsall, Paul Hayler, Vicki Thompson-Winfi eld, Julie Hugo, Rebecca Hughes and many more who worked for her at her farm, Hilders, in Edenbridge, Kent.

She was a member of the International Dressage Trainers Club and continued to teach well into her 80s.

The British Dressage Board and staff offer their sincerest condolences to Sarah’s family and friends. She will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by so many within the sport.