International Dressage rider and trainer Carolyn Mellor from Comber Co Down, has once again had great success at the DHI Challenge at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire.

Carolyn travelled over with her own 5 year old stallion VSH Zugaro and Mrs T Thompsons 4 year old gelding VSH Florenciano to compete in this very prestigious competition sponsored by Dressage Horse International. This year’s prize fund was increased from £10,000 to £13,000 .

Last year VSH Zugaro won the Challenge, so had a huge task ahead of him, as it had never been won twice by the same horse. After the morning classes had finished, VSH Florenciano had taken the lead convincingly.

 “ I was delighted with how both horses had performed with them both being in the top five after the morning competition, however I knew the placings would be hard to hold onto as the afternoons Freestyle would be awarded double points. Both my horses were a little under powered after a fraught and long journey over with delays due to the bad weather but we had it all to play for.”

With a very exciting climax to this wonderful competition Carolyn found herself in 1^st and  2^nd place with only one competitor left to go.

 “It was nail biting stuff right to the end, but Ruth Edge just piped us at the post by ½ a mark”.

Her lovely gelding has been competing successfully at Medium level and his experience showed. Judges Carl Hester and Judy Harvey were very complimentary of both Florenciano and Zugaro praising their paces, athleticism, trainability and temperament.

Next years challenge is reported to have another increase in prize fund of over £20,000.

“ VSH Florenciano can return next year to hopefully go one better and hold onto 1^st place. We also have two other horses eligible to compete for this fantastic prize fund next year, with either ourselves or if sold before that with their new owners.”

Carolyn would like to take this opportunity to thank Stenaline, Trevor Steele feed merchant, and farrier Martin Payne for their kind sponsorship towards the trip.