A fantastic win for Laura and her talented horse, Mistral Horjis (Alf), in the Grand Prix Freestyle at Olympia, Wednesday 14 December, means that she carries the full 20 points forward into the next leg of the Reem Acra FEI Dressage World Cup.

Last year, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Albion's sponsored rider, thrilled dressage fans atOlympia Horse Show, London, where she won the Grand Prix with 82.94% and broke the British record in the process.

Her huge success in 2010 meant that all eyes were on Laura and Alf this year, where the competition was tougher than ever before!

After a sensational Dressage Masterclass, sponsored by Albion Saddlemakers, with her young horse, Polar Bear, or Teddy as he is more informally called (who is a colossal 17.3hh!), Laura continued to dominate the evening at Olympia on Wednesday.

Laura and Alf stole the show, taking the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W title and smashed her previous record. Laura is the first British rider to ever win this title!

British competitors reigned supreme, being placed in 1st, 2dn, 3rd and 4th positions, before a sold-out crowd with an electric atmosphere, but Laura's incredible score of 83.96% made her and Alf the clear winners.

The combination's Freestyle was spectacular to watch: the familar 'Shadows' music is perfectly suited to the powerful chestnut, showing off his exceptional piaffe steps and passage-piaffe-passage transitions, which scored (an almost unimaginable!) 9.5 from two judges. It's wonderful to see Alf going so well and continuing to better himself.

With such a foot-perfect routine, Laura proved why she is currently ranked World Number Two!

Our congratulations go to Laura and Alf and the Bechtolsheimer Team.

Dressage superstar and Albion's sponsored rider, Laura Bechtolsheimer, will be competing in the Reem Acra FEI Dressage World Cup Qualifier at Olympia (13-19 December), as well as sharing her wealth of knowledge with dressage enthusiasts with an evening masterclass, sponsored by Albion.

Last year, Laura and her powerful chestnut ride, Mistral Horjis (Alf), were the first British winners of the World Cup Qualifier at Olympia, despite tough competition, including Edward Gal. With an astounding score of 82.94%, the duo surpassed their personal best and smashed the British Grand Prix Record.

Following an impressive dressage year, with huge success at the European and National Championships, 2011, Laura is returning to Olympia next week to fight for the title once again. We wish laura all the best at the show and will post regular updates of her progress throughout.

Laura's Dressage Masterclass, sponsored by Albion Saddlemakers, will take place Wednesday 14 December at the prestigious show and is set to be a dressage "must-see"!

After many dressage demonstrations and masterclasses, the most recent taking place at Your Horse Live 2011, Laura has proved to be not only an incredibly talented rider, but also an empathetic and effective trainer. A firm believer in getting the basics right, Laura's Masterclass will help any budding dressage star, from Prelim to Grand Prix.

Click the link to watch live action from Olympia.

Albion Saddlemakers would like to invite you to a very special event this November...

In between demonstrations in the main arena, International Dressage Superstar, Laura Bechtolsheimer, will be signing autographs at the Albion Sporting stand (Albion's exciting NEW division, specialising in luxury leather accessories!), Stand No. 302, Your Horse Live 2011, Saturday 12 November.

If you want to come along, simply click on one of the following links, to either Private Message Albion on Facebook, or to fill out the Contact Page on the Albion website. Please title your message Laura B: Your Horse Live and include your mobile number so that Albion can text you on the day with relevant updates and the specific time Laura will be at the stand.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to interact with one of the top dressage riders in the world!

The Albion Team look forward to seeing you there!

A historic victory for Team GBR as the quartet win the first British gold medal at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam, 17-21 August 2011.

The team's final score of 238.678 set a new European record, a full 12 points ahead of the Germans who won silver and the Netherlands bronze.

Albion's sponsored riders Laura Bechtolsheimer, Emile Faurie and Hans Peter Minderhoud gave spectacular performances throughout the competition.

Emile and Elmegardens Marquis set the tone on day one of the team Grand Prix with an impressive score of 70.426%. The combination went on to finish in 21st place in the Grand Prix Special.

As well as team gold, Laura B and Mistral Hojris claimed individual bronze in the Grand Prix Special, took 4th place in the Grand Prix Kur to Music on an excellent score of 83.018%, and finished 5th in the Grand Prix.

"He was very flighty in there and too bothered by the noise which pushed him over the edge. I felt like a small blonde girl on a big ginger horse, rather than the harmonious picture we usually go for!" joked Laura. "Still I don't think I can be too upset, this is still fairly indescribable."

Hans Peter and Nadine (representing the Netherlands) scored 76.589% in the Grand Prix Kur to Music to earn them 11th place.  The pair went on to finish 14th in the Grand Prix Special and 15th in the Grand Prix.

Albion thoroughly enjoyed meeting our existing Dutch customers and welcoming many new friends from around the world onto the stand in the shopping village.

Click here for full results.

Brits on Top Form...

Three cheers for the GBR Eventing team who won gold in the CIC3* and the Dressage team who finished 2nd in the Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany (13-17th July 2011).

Six of Albion's sponsored riders took part in the event, producing wonderful performances which exceeded all expectations.

In the Eventing:

William Fox-Pitt finished clear in both the cross-country and show jumping earning him an Individual 3rd.

Albion's sponsored riders dominated the Dressage leaderboard:

Hans Peter Minderhoud won the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDI riding Nadine, closely followed by Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H in 2nd place on a score of 74.975 and Anabel Balkenhol in 4th position with Rubins Royal.

Hans Peter and Vivaldi finished 4th in both the Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I.  Hans Peter continued with his success to claim 3rd place with Nadine in the Grand Prix CDI with Laura B and Andretti H hot on his heels in 4th position with a mere 0.447 difference between them.  Not far behind was Beli Balkenhol lying in 7th position with Rubins Royal.

Laura B and Mistral Hojris claimed 2nd place in the Grand Prix CDIO on an impressive score of 80.596.  The combination continued to stay on top form, finishing 4th in both the Grand Prix Special CDIO and the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO. 

Hans Peter and Tango came 11th with a score of 74.075 in the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO and 12th in both the Grand Prix CDIO and Grand Prix Special CDIO. 

Guenter Seidel and UII gained 17th position in the Grand Prix CDIO and finished 19th in the Grand Prix Special CDIO.

Emile Faurie and Elmegardens Marquis performed well, scoring 70.725 in the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO to land them in 14th.  The pair also claimed 14th position in the Grand Prix Special CDIO and were placed 27th in the Grand Prix CDIO. 

Massive congratulations to all of our sponsored riders. 

Click here to see the full list of results.

Albion's sponsored rider, and triple world silver medalist, Laura Bechtolsheimer storms ahead of Matthias Rath and Totilas riding Mistral Hojris to finish on an impressive score of 78.76% winning the grand prix at Wiesbaden CD4*.

Laura continued with her high quality performance with Andretti H and came runner-up in the grand prix kuer.

Congratulations Laura.

Image courtesy of British Dressage, issue 5.

The British Equestrian Federation has announced the British Team to compete at Aachen next week.

Two of Albion's sponsored riders Laura Bechtolsheimer and Emile Faurie will be representing Great Britain.

Laura will be riding Mistral Hojris (Danish Warmblood gelding by Michellino) and Emile will be taking Elmegardens Marquis (also by Michellino).

We wish them both the very best of luck.

Albion's sponsored rider and British Dressage star Laura Bechtolsheimer watched on as fellow GBR Team-mates competed in the grand surroundings of Greenwich Park.

"The Olympics are a great opportunity for us to give people a better idea of what the equestrian world is like", commented Laura who went on to say "We (Britain) have our strongest team ever and it's our best chance of standing on that podium".

Laura speaks fondly of her ride Mistral Hojris, also known as "Alf", who she describes as "very big and very orange" and who has "a lot of personality and always wants to perform well".  Good characteristics for an olympian contender in the build-up to London 2012.

Watch this space.

Click here for the full article.

Albion's sponsored rider Laura B produced another two fabulous scores in Wiesbaden with both horses Mistral Hojris and Andretti H.

Laura and Mistral Hojris went into the Grand Prix Special with high spirits and came out with an amazing score of 80.500% just shy of victory. Two judges had Laura to win overall.....

Laura also had the Grand Prix Kur to Music with Andretti H, where they produced a brilliant test with a score of 77.925%, finishing 2nd, only 0.9% off the winning score.

Laura and both of her horses are producing great performances, we look forward to London 2012...

Click here for full results.

Albion sponsored rider Laura Bechtolsheimer was on fantastic form again in Wiesbaden with both Mistral Hojris and Andretti H.

Laura and Mistral Hojris produced a extraordinary test in the Grand Prix for Special winning with a fantastic score of 78.766%, 5% clear of 2nd place. This was a great test by Laura and Mistral Hojris.

Laura also produced a polished performance on Andretti H in the Grand Prix for Kur finishing 2nd with a score of 72.489%

We wish Laura the very best of luck for the rest of Wiesbaden.

Albion's sponsored rider Laura Bechtolsheimer and her two horses Mistral Hojris and Andretti H were on fabulous form in Hagen over the weekend with four great performances putting them at the top of the leader board in all classes....

Hagen was Mistral Hojris' first show of the year and he performed outstandingly. Laura and Mistral Hojris scored a huge 81.489% in the Grand Prix for Special nearly 5% clear of second place.

Mistral Hojris then went on to win the Grand Prix Special with another fabulous performance scoring 81.583%.

Laura and the National Champion Andretti H were also on super form in the Grand Prix for Kur with a score of 74.383% followed by an outstanding test in the Grand Prix Kur finishing on  78.715%.

What a great weekend for Laura, well done.

We look forward to seeing more fabulous performances.

Albion's sponsored rider Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H produces two fabulous scores over the Easter weekend at Addington. 

Laura and Andretti H won the Grand Prix with a great score of 72.809 and then went on to win the Grand Prix Kur to Music with a score of 78.550.

This was a great performance by Laura!

Click here for the full result.

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris was on top form again last night, producing a personal best of 82.936% in  the Dressage Grand Prix at Olympia beating her biggest rival Adelinde Cornelissen on Parzival by 4%.

Well done Laura.

Click here for full results.

Albion's sponsored riders Laura Bechtolsheimer, Emilie Faurie and Hans Peter Minderhoud are all competing in Olympia's Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage qualifier on Tuesday 14 December 2010.... It’s going to be good....  Check back for resullts.

Thursday night at Olympia is a night not to be missed.....

There will be a special parade of Britain’s World Equestrian Games medal winning riders from all disciplines. This parade includes 4 of Albion's sponsored riders, William Fox-Pitt, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Emily Llewellyn and Tom McEwen.

This medal parade takes place on Thursday evening at 20.10

World Equestrian Games 3 times Silver medal winner Laura Bechtolsheimer will be performing a dressage display with her up and coming star dressage horses at The London International Horse Show, Olympia, showing how she works with them in training. This performance will be held on the evening of Wednesday 15th December. 

Laura is delighted to be attending this year’s Olympia and is looking forward to doing the demonstration just hours ahead of the Freestyle, where Laura and Mistral Hojris head a competitive international field in the FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier at Olympia, The London International Horse Show on the 14th -20th December 2010.

Tickets available now.

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris hit the front page of today's Horse and Hound issue 21st October 2010, stating that Mistral Hojris has become the best dressage horse Britain has ever had.....

Well done Laura and Mistral Hojris.

What a Fabulous day it was yesterday for Albion Saddlemakers sponsored rider team, with three of their riders Laura Bechtolsheimer, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Anabel Balkenhol having come away with team medals at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Hans Peter Minderhoud with a score of 72.255% o secure team Gold for the Netherlands, Laura Bechtolsheimer with a score of 82.511% to secure team silver for GBR and Anabel Balkenhol with a score of 67.702% to secure team bronze for Germany.

On the 3rd of June British Dressage announced the sponsorship of the National Convention 2010.