Britain’s top amateur dressage rider Stephanie Croxford beat the professionals at Saumur CDI, France (20-23 September) by winning the grand prix kr.
Stephanie, a geochemist, was riding her driving-bred Gelderlander Mr President.
The pair were second to Julia Chevanne of France in the grand prix on 68.58% and improved for a 74.7% to take the kr from Denmarks Anders Dahl on Afrikka.
I couldnt believe my result, said Stephanie. I never expected to do that well. My horse was on fire though. He went into the arena on a mission.
Stephanie had a break from competing Mr President when she had her first child, Annabelle, in June. But she feels confident.
Weve had a few competitions with little mistakes where weve misunderstood each other but in Saumur we had our old partnership back, she said.
British national champion Spencer Wilton was fifth in the grand prix and second in the grand prix special on 70.88%.
Read Horse & Hound’s full report from Saumur in next week’s magazine, on sale 4 October, ’07)
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H&H editor-in-chief
Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
