West Lothian rider Jo Barry completed a hat-trick of wins at the British Dressage Winter Championships at Hartpury, Glos last week with three wins with Vivaldi V.

Co-owned with Lady Mary Hope, the eight-year-old Dutch-bred gelding scored 77.57% to first win the Equissage elementary open freestyle test,

“He felt great today” said a delighted Jo, “He’s hot but nicely hot, the more people who watch the happier he is. He returned to competition only last May following 18 months off due to injury and he’s come back even more full of life and loving the job more. I train with both Carl Hester and Stephen Clarke who have been working on us creating more energy in Vivaldi’s work – working him with grand prix in mind.”

Two days later they won the Bucas medium music freestyle, and despite being first to go, the talented partnership posted a score of 73.70% to lead the field from start to finish in convincing style.

“It was a long wait to the end of the class,” said Jo “and such a great feeling to hold on to our position.

“I felt it went even better, he was more relaxed about being in the arena, was nicer in the hand and being a more difficult test, he had to concentrate which helped.

“I feel it’s a big responsibility to have a horse like him – it does put a bit of pressure on. At home though, to us, he’s just ‘Freddie’. I dote on him and we’re great friends – we work together.”

The following day they rounded off the winter championship in style, producing another assured performance in the Albion medium open winter championship and win with 72.07%.

“I can’t quite believe it” said a delighted Jo. “This week has been an absolute dream and to take a third one is amazing! We were a bit wobbly warming up today and then Carl (Hester) appeared and just his presence seemed to help. He’s been a huge support.”

Jo was quick to praise the gelding she part owns with Lady Hope. “Vivaldi has been wonderful and given his all each time out; he just rises to the occasion. He has a super temperament and his consistency is such a strong point. Everything just felt right today,” she added.

In the Baileys Horse Feeds novice open music freestyle championship, Jo was runner up with Rameau II scoring 75.19%.

Eventer Ruth Edge from Cumbria rode her two specialist dressage horses, Sharone Whitfield’s Charlesfield Dante and her own Dutch-bred gelding Zero into equal first place in the SEIB elementary open championship as both had identical scores.

“I think the horses had been talking to each other,” said Ruth. “I can’t believe how we did it! Both horses are fairly different in character. Dante is very much a showman. This is only his fourth show and he’s loving it whereas Zero is more nervous and a bit shy – he made a couple of mistakes through tension but made up for it elsewhere.

“I didn’t know which would do better – they’re only six-year-olds and I’m thrilled with both of them. They both rose to the occasion,” added Ruth.

From Aberdeenshire, Jennifer Johnston with Donnergott scored 65.79% for second place in the Petplan Equine prix St Georges area festival championship and her other ride, Donnergrollen, scored 69.81% for eighth place in the In the Baileys Horse Feeds novice open music freestyle championship.

Young rider Carmen Gammie, also from Aberdeenshire, with her Welsh pony Champagne Bubbles were second in the Petplan Equine elementary open area festival championshipwith 67.5% and fifth in the Blue Chip Novice Open Winter Championship.

Carmen has been invited to ride for Great Britain at the forthcoming CDI international at Addington with Champagne Bubbles along with Robyn Smith from East Kilbride, who won the best amateur rider with Siepke’s Celtic in the medium open winter championships.