Six under-21 titles were decided at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships at Addington Equestrian (15–19 April), led by a double win for Worcestershire’s Amelia Dovey.
Amelia’s second crown of the week came in the novice silver under-21 with Hannah Dovey’s New Forest pony Artists Ambassador (Bear), scoring 69.06% – her earlier title had come on the palomino Pencwarre Butty Bach (Buddy) in the elementary silver under-21 on 70%.
The two ponies, she said, could scarcely be more different.
“They’re totally different,” 12-year-old Amelia said. “Buddy is very playful, he likes running away in the field. Bear wants to be in your face and space all the time; he’s also very ‘I’m the best, look at me’.”
Both, it seems, know how to perform at this level. “In Buddy’s test, we had quite a few eights, and the medium trots are always a highlight for him. Bear’s only eight, and although he tried to exit the arena, we kept him under control, and the rest of it was great.”
It was native pony power elsewhere on the podium too in the novice silver under-21 – Neve Moran and the Connemara Clareville Golden Knight took second (68.28%), with Olivia Staples and the Welsh pony Celton Orsino third (68.11%).
Sophia Parry and Caramelle win the novice bronze under-21. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
A familiar face returned to the top of the novice bronze under-21, but with a new rider. Caramelle – winner of the same class for two consecutive years with her former rider Lydia Holmes – took her third successive title, this time with 16-year-old Sophia Parry, scoring 70.17%.
“It’s insane,” said Conwy-based Sophia. “I’ve never felt anything like it.” Having only taken the ride at the end of last summer, the pair have bonded quickly. “Even in the first week, I could just tell she was going to be amazing. She’s really sweet, and she’ll do anything for a treat.”
Abigail Harrington and her own Pauldary’s Alia took second (69.11%), with Beth Harrison and family pony Garthfach Whisky Rocks third (68.94%) – matching her sister Megan’s placing the day before.
Lilly-Ella Newcome and Lagos win the elementary bronze under-21. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
Lilly-Ella Newcombe and her own Lagos took the Petplan elementary bronze under-21 on 70.26%. The North Yorkshire-based rider, who works for Melissa Chapman, won the under-21 prelim silver in 2024, but this was a smoother week.
“We came two years ago and did really well, but we couldn’t warm up, and I had no control,” she said. “We’ve come back now, and he’s amazing. He just went in and was ‘I know what I’m doing now’.”
Next on the horizon: medium and some young rider classes. Lacey Owen-Morgan and Sulaatik’s Vingino took second on 70.16%, with 2025 Team Quest champion Megan Harrison third on Garthfach Whisky Rocks (68.18%).
Freddie Spicer and Cityview Moving On. win the prelim bronze under-21. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
Warwickshire’s Freddie Spicer crossed disciplines to claim the prelim bronze under-21, scoring 70% on Ali Butler’s Connemara Cityview Moving On.
“He’s not a dressage pony,” Freddie said. “We do a lot of eventing with him, so to come here and do this is great.”
He added a third-place finish too, on Karena Spicer’s Carrigoir Spidal (68.65%). Basil is next headed to Badminton Grassroots before being passed on to Freddie’s sister.
Lolga Regan and Llynhelyg Gambler win the prelim silver under-21. Credit: Kevin Sparrow
Lola Rega took the prelim silver under-21 on Llynhelyg Gambler (Ace), a five-year-old she bought from a close friend 10 months ago – scoring 69.68%.
“I’m just shocked,” Lola said. “He’s only five, so to come out and do this – he was with me all the time, that’s all I could ask for. The hope was a clean test, so to do this, every expectation is out the window.
“I bought him off one of my really close friends, who had him as a project pony, so he’s only really done proper dressage work for just over a year. I’m a bit gobsmacked.”
Amelia Dovey added another second-place finish on Artists Ambassador (68.02%), with Gracie Stanbrook and Fabriarna third (67.94%). Lola, a Royal Holloway law student, now heads home to revise for her exams.
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