Dyson Cleans Up

Bishop Burton College Winter Regionals, East Yorks 11-14 February .

- Helen Scott

LARA DYSON booked four tickets to Hartpury with her and the Milners’ Jazzed Up, landing the show’s top score of nearly 80% in the process.

The pair bagged three titles — elementary gold, medium gold and medium gold freestyle — and were qualifying runners-up in the elementary freestyle to Gary Foggon with Gypsy Fortune, who had been second to Lara twice.

Their pièce de résistance was the medium freestyle to new Tom Hunt music based on the Pirates of the Caribbean film soundtrack. The Jazz seven year-old demonstrated his maturity, allowing Lara to show off his power to the max, although he has only been at the level for a few months. He earned 78.22%, a nine for music and interpretation and comment “Good job!” from judge at C Jo Graham, putting he and Lara nearly 10% ahead of his nearest rival.

“He’s grown up and trusts me now, so I felt I had time to ride every movement and enjoy it,” said Lara, who credits training with Rhett Bird for improving her riding. “I’ve got to be very careful how much I ask for so I don’t lose his balance, but he’s been brilliant here.”

Gary Foggon took the elementary freestyle title with his seven-year-old Grafenstolz mare Gypsy Fortune — so called because Gary was offered a piece of lucky heather by a lady in Somerford’s box park the day she was born. They picked up nines for harmony and music.

“Eventing is not going to be her forte, so we’re going down the dressage route,” said Gary, who trains with Stephen Clarke.