A dream realised

A career-defining partnership delivers a personal best, resilience in wild weather and a place in history

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LeMieux National Dressage Championships, Somerford Park, Cheshire

SADIE SMITH and Swanmore Dantina (Dia) sealed the biggest victory of their partnership to date, being crowned national champion and adding their names to the roll of honour alongside legends such as her mentor Carl Hester and great horses like Uthopia and Nip Tuck.

Sadie first struck in the LeMieux grand prix, producing an elegant, expressive test that earned 71.96%. The extensions across all three paces were highlights, and further eights for the double-marked extended walk gave them a commanding lead. Dantina looked effortless, the only blemish a slight hesitation in the piaffe.