From five second places to three top titles: the breakout week of a 22-year-old at the Winter Dressage Championships
Gracie Catling, 22, and her own 18-year-old gelding Qwinton capped a remarkable week at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April), winning the Superflex inter I freestyle gold on 75.13% – a third national title in four days.
The pair had taken the Magic prix st georges (PSG) freestyle on 74.83% and the straight inter I on 70.83%. Only a fourth in the straight PSG – the only class of the four not ridden to a win – stood between them and a clean sweep of the championships’ top classes.
“I was second five times here last year – so it definitely makes up for that,” she said. “I was delighted last year because it was better than I was expecting. But it definitely adds a bit more fight in the belly to improve, and actually show they can win.”
An exuberant chestnut who clearly loves a prizegiving – and after three in a week, was getting the hang of them – Qwinton showed no sign of his age. “He doesn’t act 18 at all,” Gracie laughed. “At home, he’s just got so much energy – at shows, he’s got so much energy. He’s amazing for his age.”
The freestyle itself, set to music from Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, was built around the gelding’s personality. “It’s just so perfect for him – he’s so jolly to watch. It’s proper feel-good music, and it provokes an emotion, which is really important for us with our freestyles.”
Capturing personalities
The floor plan and music were designed by Gracie and her mother. “We do it together – all the music and the floorplan. It sometimes causes a few arguments, but because we know the horses so well, we can really capture their personalities.”
The test itself showed Gracie’s trademark accuracy, the pirouettes and extended trots a highlight
“He was definitely more rideable today, because he can be hot to ride,” Gracie added. “Normally, he comes out ready and raring to go on the last day, which he did. It was mistake-free, which is always the most important thing with him – he likes to throw in something somewhere.”
Reflecting on the week as a whole, Gracie said the scale of the result was still sinking in. “I was hoping he’d perform to the best that he could, and he did. This year, he’s paid back all the hard work.”
A third small tour national title before her 23rd birthday marks Gracie out as one of the most exciting young riders in British dressage. “To win the biggest classes – it’s hard to put into words, really, because he’s older, and I’m young. It was a surprise – I wasn’t expecting it.”
Now a graduate, Gracie is riding full-time. “I finished uni last year, so I’ve got my degree, and I’m doing the horses full-time now,” she said. “Mum said it’s like a gap year – but I think it’ll go on a bit longer than that.”
Longer-term, the plan is to build from here. She’s looking at a spell in the Netherlands further down the line. “I’ll make the most of him this year,” Gracie said of Qwinton. “Maybe go abroad to the Netherlands at some point to work – but not yet.”
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