Sadie Smith was crowned national champion at the 70th LeMieux National dressage Championships, winning the Kudos grand prix freestyle with a score of 77.05% riding her British-bred mare Swanmore Dantina. This victory marked her as the 29th rider to claim the title, joining esteemed company such as Carl Hester, her mentor. Sadie also secured the leading rider position of the 2025 championships with four wins, including a Centre Line prelim gold earlier in the day on Times Roccoco. Despite challenging conditions with gale-force winds and technical delays, Sadie delivered a personal best freestyle test, performed to Japanese-inspired music adapted from a floorplan by Carl Hester.
The competition saw strong performances from other top riders, with Gareth Hughes and Lufada MVL taking second place with a Madonna-themed routine, and last year’s champions Lewis Robertson-Carrier and Diego V finishing third. Sadie expressed deep emotion about her achievement, highlighting the special bond with her mare and the significance of joining the ranks of riders she has long admired. The article encourages readers to stay updated on major dressage events through Horse & Hound’s subscription service.
