Having competed at the British Dressage Eastern Region Summer Championships at The College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe, Bedfordshire on the 4th and 5th August, Paul is celebrating coming 8th in the Advanced Regional Championships on Highlander and 6th in the Medium category on Fortuitous.
The success of Paul's client riders is further cause for celebration - Jo Hayden came 4th in the Restricted Novice Championships on My Adonis, whilst Laura South came 7th in the Medium Restrictive Championships on Sergeant Gintano.
Paul says of the event: "The weekend went very, very well. It was extremely hot, both in terms of temperature as well as the competition! There were some very talented riders out there. It's always hardest to get through the regionals as you can't afford to make any mistakes, whereas you can afford to relax a bit once you get to the nationals. But all in all it was a very good weekend."
Next up on Paul's agenda were two key regional dressage finals - the Southern Summer Regional National Championships held at Oldencraig Equestrian Centre in Surrey on Friday 10th, and the Midland Summer Regional Championships on Sunday 12th at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre.
After a tough day at the Southern Championships, Paul came third and thus qualified for the British National Dressage Championships, held at Stoneleigh later this year. He competed on California Hartley Volcano, his medium level horse owned by Stella Allen, commenting: "I am very pleased with the result and look forward to the nationals."
After finally reaching Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire on Sunday, Paul and Athanasio, again owned by Stella Allen, stepped out to compete in the medium class and achieved sixth place. Although the first five automatically qualify for the National Dressage Championships, Paul has been given a 'wild card' in light of his excellent scores, much to his delight, securing a coveted place.
Paul Hayler has had a busy time of late, hotfooting it to equestrian events across the country from Wednesday 8th to Sunday 12th August, wowing audiences with his dressage skills and picking up two regional rosettes along the way.
The highlight of his hectic schedule had to be the UBS Broadgate Circle Equestrian & Dog Agility Show held on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th in the heart of London, where Paul demonstrated a series of Grand Prix movements and gave an upbeat performance to music.
Offering spectators a unique opportunity seeing the cream of the equestrian crop ascend on the capital city, the event was a stunning mix of Spanish and Western disciplines performed by Andalusian Parade horses and Sovereign Quarter horses, and 'K9 Freestyle To Music', otherwise known as doggie dancing.
Paul's demonstration featured Olympic-standard movements - some of the toughest and most testing in dressage - including the ultimate piaffe and the canter pirouette. Riding Highlander, who has competed up to Prix St Georges level, this fine pairing wowed the crowds with their flawless routine.