Three final-day title stories closed out the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships and the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships (15–19 April) at Addington Equestrian – a young rider’s two tests in a day, a measured approach on an improving partnership and a narrowly-missed first place turned into a championship sash.
Young rider Demi Howard-Cartwright – who represented Britain at junior European Championships before aging up this season – took a close-fought Magic prix st georges (PSG) silver on Newton Astro Nascente (Apache x Don Schufro), scoring 69.75%. Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline were close behind on 69.36%.
It was Demi’s second test of the day, after finishing third in the Nupafeed advanced medium silver (70.61%).
“He was amazing,” Demi said. “He was a little bit tired because I’d done the advanced medium not long before – it was a little bit flatter, but he was really good. Just another clean round.”
The tactic had been deliberate. “I used the advanced medium a little bit as a warm-up,” Demi said. “I cut my warm-up down a bit, and my aim in the PSG was to get another clean test. That’s what we got – so I was happy.”
Demi and 10-year-old “Astro” are a partnership growing into the level together. “We’re literally learning together,” she said. “He hadn’t done PSG before this season.”
The Newton Stud-bred gelding’s trot work is coming on fast, Demi said. “In the advanced medium, the canter work is always the highlight – and because the canter’s harder in the PSG, I think it’ll become a highlight too. But at the moment, the trot’s slightly better.”
The pair have a grand prix future in their sights. “We’re starting to learn the moves now,” Demi said. “He’s got his piaffe and passage, we haven’t started the ones yet or the twos, but we’re starting to get there.”
Next up is Hickstead CDI, followed by Wellington CDI. “Potentially then the Europeans, if we get selected,” Demi adds.
Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline win the Superflex inter I silver at the Winter Dressage Championships. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
“Let’s get this job done”
Holly Bates took the Superflex inter I silver on 70.69%, on her own nine-year-old Hillgrounds Feinline (Feinrich x Sorento).
“He was not quite as relaxed in the PSG,” Holly said, “but in this test, he was like, ‘I’ve got this, mum.’ He loves his changes. When he went down the diagonal, I could feel him thinking, ‘Let’s get this job done.’”
Going into the second small tour test of the day, Holly had taken a more measured approach. “I just wanted to take a breath before this one, and make sure he enjoyed it. He deserves it more than anything – he’s a wonderful horse, and he tries his heart out.”
Hillgrounds Feinline looks set for a promising top-level career, but Holly is taking her time. “It’s rare he makes a mistake in a test – the PSG could’ve been a touch more relaxed, but it was still good. He goes in and just does his job, regardless of what’s going on.”
Grand prix is on the horizon, but not an urgent target. “Grand prix would be lovely – but I’m enjoying the moment. Anything like that would be a bonus.”
Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios win the advanced medium bronze at the Winter Area Festival Championships. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
Winter Area Festival Championships: A big ride rewarded
Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios (Amper x Dalibor), a 10-year-old gelding bred and owned by the Pincus family, won the advanced medium bronze to round out the 2026 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, scoring 69.17%.
The win made up for a narrowly-missed first place earlier in the week. “We came second in the medium – it just wasn’t our day,” Sofia said. “I felt like he did a really good test, but some of it just didn’t quite come off. I was really pleased today that he was able to connect it all and give a really nice test.”
Sheepcote Adios – who stands well over 18hh, by Sofia’s estimation – is a challenging ride to keep together, but the feel is worth the effort. “He’s a really big horse to put together,” Sofia said. “But when he is together, the feeling he gives is fantastic.”
Sofia started with the Pincus family – owners of the Sheepcote Stud – as a working pupil around two and a half years ago, and transitioned into an apprenticeship nine months in. “The opportunities have been fantastic,” she said.
Long-term, the plan is to keep building. “Just carrying on up the levels,” Sofia said. “I’ve got a few really cool horses at home I’m starting to ride. I’m just really excited to get out more and go up the levels – just keep training.”
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