‘He’s the biggest character – the yard favourite’: recently gelded Dales claims Royal International junior mountain and moorland title

Leyla Scott-Christian partnered the Dales Griseburn Major to victory in the UKPH Anthony Evans Insurance Young Riders Mountain and Moorland Championship at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show.

The nine-year-old, owned by Joe Watson, qualified for the championship after winning the UKPH Anthony Evans Insurance Large Breeds Championship. It marked the gelding's first appearance at Hickstead and another major accolade in a glittering career.

Joe bought Griseburn Major as a three-year-old colt and produced him patiently before launching him into the show ring.

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"I bought him as a three-year-old, we broke him in slowly and gave him a novice year," he said. "In 2022 I took him to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) where he won and went champion, and from then on he's had the most wonderful career, including two reserve supreme titles at the London International Horse Show and a best of breed title.

"This is actually his first time at Royal International and Leyla has only been riding him since the start of the year, but today they just really clicked."

Joe explained that the Dales stallion was gelded in August last year, a decision that has transformed him.

"We felt it was the right thing to do to settle him and since then he just loves life. He's the biggest character and everyone's favourite in the yard."

UKPH Anthony Evans Insurance Young Riders Mountain and Moorland reserve champion

Reserve championship honours went to Marsh Walk On By, the eight-year-old Welsh section A ridden by 14-year-old Lily Richardson and owned by her mother, Lucy Richardson.

"He's the most amazing pony," said Lily. "He's won HOYS twice and now we're looking forward to competing tomorrow in the section A/B class before heading home to prepare for HOYS."

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