Rider reactions from Friday’s dressage

Barney Brotherton (DHI King Nelson, GBR)

‘At the start of the year I didn’t think I would be coming here as I was off for six weeks due to a broken arm so it is great to be at a championship with my friends.’

Brooke Dougall (My Locky, AUS)

‘I love Ireland and the people here. The organisers have really gone above and beyond at Millstreet. It’s hard not to be a bit disappointed with my mark, but it’s our first championship. The cross-country looks tough but it’s a championship and I just have to trust my partnership with my horse. My mother started him off, I started riding him when I was 13, I have represented my state with him and now I am representing Australia.’

Felicia Andree (Una Cardenta, SWE)

‘Dressage isn’t really my thing and I didn’t expect it to be magical, but my mare loves the cross-country and it’s a lovely course and environment.’

Cerys Macauley (Kananaskis, GBR*)

‘My horse is older and experienced [18] and it was so nice to have the chance to show him off. I think the cross-country time will be difficult, but it’s a good track and I’m looking forward to kicking on. Kananaskis has had old injuries and we didn’t think at one stage that he would event again, but he loves his job and it’s nice to feel that we have worked hard and got to a championship.’

Olivia Dutton (Jewelent, USA*)

‘It wasn’t our best test but it’s a big ask. The horse was a little bit tense in the arena but he is incredible and tries his best and I’m excited about tomorrow. My father [Olympic gold medallist Phillip Dutton] is a great support; he knows how I’m feeling and what advice to give me. He used to ride Jewelent, but I think he is more of a girl’s ride.’

Verane Nicaud (Eau Vive de Brenne AA, FRA*)

‘I am not really happy with the score, but we tried our best. I am a bit disappointed, but the competition certainly isn’t over and my mare is an incredible jumper. I only started eventing four years ago and this is my first championship with her. We got to 4* level really quickly. I am studying [at business school] and want to keep developing my eventing alongside work, so it’s great to have this championship.’

Tom Nestor (Cooley Diamond Dancer, IRL*)

‘I am delighted. This is my second 4* and we are going in the right direction. It is my fourth championship with him and to have it in Ireland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The cross-country has some strong fences and time will be a factor; it won’t be a dressage competition.’

Linus Weiss (Astrello, GER*)

‘I am very pleased as my horse can be spooky. He has a lot of energy! The cross-country is the best part of him, but I had fun [in the dressage arena], it was a good feeling. I have had the horse since he was four – he was my mother’s hack. Three years ago we had a bad training fall and he was injured but last year we came back and so I am just so happy to be competing with him. He is the best horse in the world. I am really enjoying everything here at Millstreet – everything looks so good and we have been treated so nicely. It’s absolutely wonderful.’

La’moza Velisha (Call Me Cooley, AUS)

‘It was a lot of preparation to get here from Australia and a lot of people have helped me get here. It was a long flight of 30 hours and then a week and a half at Jesse Campbell’s, for which I can’t thank him enough, and then onto the ferry with Sammi Birch, our chef d’equipe. We’re in the off season at home – he hasn’t competed for 6 weeks – and so he can be quite spicy in the dressage. He’s a funny horse: the more work he does, the naughtier he is. He is an older horse and has done the miles. I can’t think of a better horse to take me around my first worlds.’

Matilde Piovani (Born West, ITA)

‘It is quite a surprise because it is windy here – my horse is used to 40 degrees; this is fresh for an Italian! My horse and I have been together for 10 years and have done everything together. It means the world to be here with him.’

Katarzyna Brandys (Born West, POL)

‘It is amazing to be here – I am so happy. I am the only one here for my country and it is such an honour to represent Poland. My horse was difficult at first, but he has so much power. The cross-country is totally different to what we have in Poland but I can’t wait to ride it.’

Charlotte Penny (Carousel, NZL)

‘I have just moved to the UK to train with Clarke Johnstone, so this championship is great timing. It is one of the most stunning venues I have ever seen, they have gone to so much trouble. I have never seen a more beautiful cross-country course and the work on the ground is great for horse welfare. This is going to give us a great taste of the championships that we will hopefully be doing in the future.’

Jasmine Underwood (Indian Girl G, GBR*)

‘My horse is quite a professional and knows her job. We have been together for five years and our partnership was quite rocky to start with – my dad even wanted to sell her, but she is one in a million. It feels very welcoming here, a lovely venue and a super atmosphere.’

Cassie Sanger (Fernhill Zoro, USA*)

‘I am really happy with my horse. At 18, it is pretty special to have him here. I have known him since I was 12 and he has taken me around the world. I feel good about the cross-country; we are an established pair. I don’t usually like to go fast, but I am happy to do it on him.’

Godfrey Gibbons (Ballyvillane OBOS, IRL*)

‘I have only been riding this horse for six or seven months and it has been nice to be consistent [in our dressage] and pull this one off. He has been so, so good and is always trying. This is a great starting point for the team but we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves. It is a proper championship course.’

Nicholas Goldbeck (Chintano 7, GER*)

‘I am very happy – it was a personal best. We have been together for 10 years – I bought him as a four-year-old and he is my best friend.’

Caption:

American team combination Olivia Dutton and the Irish-bred Jewellent perform their dressage phase at the FEI World Eventing Championship U25, presented by Connollys RED MILLS, in Ireland.

[Picture is free to use but please credit Pam Cunningham/Irish Horse Board]