GLOUCESTERSHIRE dressage stars Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin will compete this week in the World Dressage Masters competition in Palm Beach, Miami (January 26-29).

Hester will ride 13-year-old Hanoverian Wie Atlantico, who competed at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky two years ago ridden by his owner, Fiona Bigwood. Hester was offered the ride after Bigwood became pregnant with her third child.

Dujardin, like Hester from Newent, is to ride her usual mount, the 10-year-old Valegro, which is owned by Hester.

Last year Dujardin and Valegro burst on to the Grand Prix circuit with a powerful performance at the European Dressage Championships where she won a team gold, accompanied by Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Emile Faurie.

The World Dressage Masters (WDM) is an exclusive series of dressage events held around the world, from America to Sweden.

THE WESSEX GOLD Riding Club has secured British Riding Club affiliation after being founded only in August last year.

The riding club covers areas of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire and offers riders the chance to train with top coaches at discounted prices, regardless of ability.

It was launched because local riders felt there wasn’t a suitable club that met the demands of a wide variety of people, from competition to pleasure riders, and even non-riding people who enjoy the social aspects of equestrianism.

The club has already held highly popular clinics in dressage, show jumping, cross country, and has even branched into side-saddle. It has also organised trips to Olympia and social events such as quiz nights and drinks evenings.

After securing the support of some of the area’s top trainers, such as Pammy Hutton, Jonathan Bowman and Neil Spratt, the club has offered riders the chance to ride at some of the South West’s top venues, such as Talland School of Equitation and Knapp Farm.

Chairperson, Jo Howse, said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this new and exciting riding club, and proud of the committee’s hard work in achieving our affiliation in such a short time.”

For more information about joining the Wessex Gold Riding Club please visit www.wessexgoldrc.co.uk.