THE 2023 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships well and truly belonged to Dannie Morgan and his partner Davy Harvey, who between them racked up seven titles from novice to inter I.
It was Dannie who stamped his name on four of this year’s winter accolades, beginning his blistering run with victory in both the Prestige novice and Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle riding his own hugely exciting five-year-old Fever Tree, a Foundation x Dayano son whom he says is “the best horse I’ve ever sat on”.
“He was bred by a friend of mine, and he is my dream horse – I love everything about him,” said Dannie, who scored 78.7% with “Gordon” in the freestyle and a whopping 80.49% in the straight class.
“From the day he was born I thought, ‘Oh my god, I need that horse’, and then I backed him at three and just had to have him, so I bought him. I still have to pinch myself – it’s not every day you find a horse like this and I feel very lucky. He’s the best horse I’ve ever sat on, and I think he has the potential to be a top horse.”
Dannie also doubled up at elementary, winning both the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle and the Equi-Trek straight class riding Kristina Rausing’s six-year-old Vive La Reinne VH (Delilah).
“Delilah is a beautiful mare. I’ve had her since she was rising three – I backed her myself and I’ve done everything with her,” he said.
Denne historien er fra April 27, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 27, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
