Sponsored Riders
Sponsored Rider - Carl Hester MBE
Carl Hester needs no introduction. He is the UK's premier dressage rider and trainer and a fantastic ambassador for our sport. His relationship with Charlotte Dujardin is testament to his commitment and dedication to the world of Dressage. His championship wins are too numerous to mention and it is hard to imagine a British Team without him!
After winning team Gold at the European Championships in 2011, Carl went on to lead the team to Olympic Gold at London 2012 riding the black stallion Uthopia. In 2013 Carl was a member of the team that won Bronze at the European Championships in Denmark and then in 2014 Carl rode the inexperienced Nip Tuck to Team Silver in Normandy for the World Equestrian Games. In 2015 Carl partnered Nip Tuck to Team Silver at the European Championships in Aachen
December 2014 saw Carl voted "Best Rider of the Year 2014" by the equestrian yearbook L'Année Hippique.
Carl is dedicated to his sport and understands that style and presentation are key components to success. At Classic Dressage we feel that we share the same values as Carl and look forward to a long relationship with the King of Dressage!
Sponsored Rider - Gareth Hughes
Over the past 10 years Gareth has amassed more than 30 National and International Titles including International wins at Small Tour and Grand Prix, both in the UK and abroad. He represented Great Britain at the Nations Cup in Rotterdam in 2012, was short listed for the 2011 European Championships and long listed for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The greatest accolade was to come as Gareth was part of the Bronze Medal winning team at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Herning 2013, and then In Normany in 2014 when Equestrian Team GBR won Team Silver at the World Equestrian Games.
Gareth has produced many horses through the levels to Grand Prix including: Classic Sandman, Nurejev, Ramazzotti, Duvie and DV Stenkjers Nadonna and has been training with Carl Hester for the last 10 years. He is in great demand as a trainer, teaching from grass roots through to Grand Prix. He is a trainer for the World Class Excel Squad and to the Australian Event Team. He is also a member of the World Class Performance Squad.
Gareth's most successful horse has been Classic Briolinca on whom he won Team Silver at WEG 2023 and Team Gold at the European Championships 2024
Sponsored Rider - Rebecca Hughes
Rebecca Hughes set up Classic Dressage nearly 25 years ago with Julia Hornig. She is Resident Trainer and combines this with her competition commitments.
She has had many successes from Young Horse classes up to Grand Prix and is in great demand as a trainer of both horses and people. She is trained by Carl Hester and of course her husband Gareth Hughes.
Rebecca was ranked top 10 British Small Tour for many years on Felicity Scott's Shining Light, winning the PSG Freestyle Championships in 2008. Her current Grand Prix ride is the lovely Rubini Royale, owned by Lorraine Sattin. She has also produced many young horses to success for herself, husband Gareth and many clients.
Finding and producing young horses up the levels has made Rebecca a huge asset to the whole team – take a look at Gareth on the home produced Classic Briolinca - and Rebecca on her up and coming stars Classic Flamboyant and Classic Goldstrike!