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.

“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.”

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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Dannie Morgan became the third rider to win three titles at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championship (15–19 April), taking the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle gold with Kristina Rausing’s Belinski on 72.33% – joining Sadie Smith and Gracie Catling on three titles apiece at the close of the week.

The three-way tie is a rarity. “The last couple of times, it’s been Sadie and me at the top. But now you’ve got Gracie up there too – and she’s only 22,” Dannie said.

Dannie’s winning freestyle was set to a compilation of Imagine Dragons tracks — Believer for the trot, Whatever It Takes and Thunder – put together by Tony Hobden at Equidance. “It’s quite fun and modern, which I’ve not really had before. I really enjoyed that.”

The floor plan itself was a last-minute rework. “I was trying to work out a pattern last night that might show off the changes in a better way,” Dannie said. “I hadn’t run through it before – I just thought I’d have a go. I’ve done quite a lot of freestyles now, so I’m able to adapt quite easily.”

Belinski, previously ridden by Henry Boswell before the latter’s move abroad, is a newer ride for Dannie.

“It’s taken a while to get to know him,” he said. “He definitely has a lot of highlights, but he’s quite a sensitive soul. We’re still quite green with things like our changes – but he’s so talented.

Dannie had a generous word for his joint title-holders too, particularly for Gracie, who was also second in this class with Gaynor Morris’ Friesian mare Fraithwens Wytske Fan Ter Lune. “Gracie’s mare is such a superstar, and so is she – she’s a super talent for the future.”

Winter Dressage Championships: “I thought we were going to get pipped”

Bethany Edginton and Nelson HD won the Spillers medium freestyle silver, scoring 73.06% – the week’s first title for Bethany, having been runner-up twice earlier, including with her Irish cob Lakeview Buddy in the elementary freestyle.

Going in early, Bethany had a long wait to see if the score would hold. “I thought we were going to get pipped – we were in the lead for ages,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘The last one’s going to come in, and we’re going to have another second.’ But when we got to the last two, I thought, ‘At least we’re going to be in the presentation’.”

Her winning freestyle was set to music from Pirates of the Caribbean, chosen for Nelson’s personality.

“It’s dramatic enough for him without being overpowering – just the right amount of dramatic,” Bethany said. “Equidance did my music, and it was spot on. I managed to hit it everywhere. I love his music – it really suits him.”

Bethany warmed up with Jezz Palmer of Anmore Dressage. “It’s so good to have someone there to actually be saying, ‘No, come on, you can do it,’” she said. “It was a massive help.

“He’s a little bit tricky sometimes – he thinks he knows best, and the majority of the time, he probably does,” She laughed. “It’s a bit like the blind leading the blind some days. But when he’s on it, he’s unstoppable”

Bethany’s two rides this week – Nelson, a traditional dressage type, and Lakeview Buddy, her hogged Irish cob – are, she said, “chalk and cheese”. They need to be trained completely differently. “It’s showing that what I’m doing is right with both of them. It’s paying off – it’s working.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Another long wait rewarded

Jessica Allen and her Welsh cob Hendrewen Desserts Lady won the prelim silver in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championship classes, scoring 71.03% – after another long wait to see if the score would hold.

“That was brutal,” Jessica said. “I couldn’t look. I was having lots of messages from friends and family who clearly were scrolling through the results, but I had to just leave it and wait until the last moment, and then check.”

The wait was well worth it. “I think that was probably the best we’ve ever ridden that test,” Jessica said of her 12-year-old mare.

“She tried exceptionally hard. She was with me the whole week – today she just took the opportunity to shine.” The pair also finished sixth in the novice class on Friday; there were more than 30 combinations in each of the classes she contested.

Hendrewen Desserts Lady, a Welsh section D, was bought as a pandemic project. “I had a break from horses while I was consolidating my career,” Jessica said. “I got married, and then Covid hit. Working hours went up, but I still thought it’d be a good idea for my evenings and weekends to be spent with a horse again!”

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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%).

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 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%).

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.

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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The final classes of day four at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships and the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championship (15–19 April) at Addington Equestrian delivered two more memorable stories – a 19-year-old former eventer winning the prelim bronze in his first British Dressage (BD) season and an Aberdeen-based chartered accountant collecting a second title.

Hannah Comery won the massive, 46-strong prelim bronze Area Festival championship, which ran all day, scoring 72.06% with Ballylahive Prince.

Going early in the class, Hannah then faced a long wait. “We were on at 9am – we literally sat all day watching the scores come in,” she said. “There have been a few close ones – I was thinking ‘Oh gosh’. It’s a bit surreal.”

The test itself had a nervy start. “He was a bit upset about the commentary from the loudspeakers, so when we were going around the outside, he was a bit hot. But as soon as we went in, he just got on with it.”

Ballylahive Prince may be new to affiliated dressage – but far from new to his rider. “I’ve had him 11 years, so we know each other inside out,” Hannah said. “Which is why I wasn’t bothered when he was messing around in the prize-giving afterwards – he used to do that on the day eventing.

“He’s 19 now, would you believe,” Hannah added, with a touch of emotion in her voice. “So I was a bit thinking ‘I don’t know if I want to keep running him.’ But he was always really good at the dressage in the eventing, so we thought we’d try this. For me, he’s one in a million.”

Winter Dressage Championships: From Aberdeen to Addington

Aberdeen-based Carmen Gammie, on her own Lets Make An Opera M, won her second title of the Winter Dressage Championships, scoring 71.33% to win the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle silver, having won the prix st georges (PSG) silver in the Winter Area Festival Championship classes earlier in the week.

“The good bits were really good,” Carmen said. “We had a bit of a mishap going into canter – a bit of a communication breakdown between the two of us. But once we got into the canter, it was really good.”

Wednesday’s (15 April) PSG silver was only their fifth outing at the level. “We want to consolidate the PSG work a bit – feel a bit more confident doing that, because it’s sort of a wing and a prayer at the moment,” Carmen said. “Maybe then we’ll try an inter I by the end of the year.”

For all the championship success, Carmen is clear-eyed about where dressage fits into her life. “I’m a chartered accountant – I work for an investment bank, so it’s kind of just an extreme hobby,” she laughed.

“I just enjoy it as long as we’re having a nice time and ticking the boxes. But he’s really coming into his own in the last year and a half. It feels like we’re unlocking potential I didn’t really know we both had.”

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Gracie Catling, 22, and her own 18-year-old gelding Qwinton capped a remarkable week at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April), winning the Superflex inter I freestyle gold on 75.13% – a third national title in four days.

The pair had taken the Magic prix st georges (PSG) freestyle on 74.83% and the straight inter I on 70.83%. Only a fourth in the straight PSG – the only class of the four not ridden to a win – stood between them and a clean sweep of the championships’ top classes.

“I was second five times here last year – so it definitely makes up for that,” she said. “I was delighted last year because it was better than I was expecting. But it definitely adds a bit more fight in the belly to improve, and actually show they can win.”

An exuberant chestnut who clearly loves a prizegiving – and after three in a week, was getting the hang of them – Qwinton showed no sign of his age. “He doesn’t act 18 at all,” Gracie laughed. “At home, he’s just got so much energy – at shows, he’s got so much energy. He’s amazing for his age.”

The freestyle itself, set to music from Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, was built around the gelding’s personality. “It’s just so perfect for him – he’s so jolly to watch. It’s proper feel-good music, and it provokes an emotion, which is really important for us with our freestyles.”

Capturing personalities

The floor plan and music were designed by Gracie and her mother. “We do it together – all the music and the floorplan. It sometimes causes a few arguments, but because we know the horses so well, we can really capture their personalities.”

The test itself showed Gracie’s trademark accuracy, the pirouettes and extended trots a highlight

“He was definitely more rideable today, because he can be hot to ride,” Gracie added. “Normally, he comes out ready and raring to go on the last day, which he did. It was mistake-free, which is always the most important thing with him – he likes to throw in something somewhere.”

Reflecting on the week as a whole, Gracie said the scale of the result was still sinking in. “I was hoping he’d perform to the best that he could, and he did. This year, he’s paid back all the hard work.”

A third small tour national title before her 23rd birthday marks Gracie out as one of the most exciting young riders in British dressage. “To win the biggest classes – it’s hard to put into words, really, because he’s older, and I’m young. It was a surprise – I wasn’t expecting it.”

Now a graduate, Gracie is riding full-time. “I finished uni last year, so I’ve got my degree, and I’m doing the horses full-time now,” she said. “Mum said it’s like a gap year – but I think it’ll go on a bit longer than that.”

Longer-term, the plan is to build from here. She’s looking at a spell in the Netherlands further down the line. “I’ll make the most of him this year,” Gracie said of Qwinton. “Maybe go abroad to the Netherlands at some point to work – but not yet.”

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Sadie Smith completed a clean sweep of all the classes she’s competed in at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April), winning the Black Country Saddles advanced medium gold with Times Oddjob (Vitalis x Damon Hill), scoring 71.34%.

Sadie had taken both the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold and the Prestige novice gold with Times Rococo.

“We started off a little bit wobbly in this one,” Sadie said. “When I first halted, the tension shot through him a bit – he was looking at the [judge’s] tables. The first half of the trot was a bit wobbly, so I had to give him a get-together of, ‘Come on, you’re all right.’ And then it was much better.”

The seven-year-old’s canter work was the highlight. “I was really pleased with the canter,” Sadie said. “The changes are still a bit green, but he did some lovely changes. They’re all on the aid, all in the right place.”

Sadie added that the mediums, by contrast, remain a work in progress. “The medium trots are still a bit like Road Runner, to be honest,” Sadie laughed. “He’s getting the lift in the working trot now, but the mediums still need a bit more.”

Oddjob has form at these championships: last year he won both the elementary and elementary freestyle here, and this advanced medium gold makes it three national titles.

Consistent and correct

“He’s not a big, flashy horse, but he just does a really nice, consistent, correct test,” Sadie said. “The trot’s starting to get more expression, and the canter’s got more balance. He’s always well behaved and gets on with his job. He’s a sweet horse.”

The win was made more meaningful by the presence of owner and breeder Peter Belshaw in the crowd. “It’s nice because Peter came and watched me today, and that’s the first time he’s actually watched me win anything with him.”

Looking ahead, Sadie is taking the usual measured approach. “Just to keep training, really. He does some tempi changes now – he’s very clever – so I’ll keep going towards prix st georges. I’m always the same: I go at the rate they’re ready for. If they’re ready to move up a level, I will, and if not, I just wait. But the aim is to keep training towards grand prix and see where he goes.”

Sadie withdrew from her final class of the week – the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle gold – as she has an international commitment in Hagen, Germany, next week.

“Otherwise, I would’ve been getting home, packing the lorry and leaving again at 3am. It gives me a day off tomorrow to try and organise my life – because I just live in the lorry at the moment.”

Sadie filled first and third in the advanced medium gold; her second ride – Laetitia van der Wyck’s seven-year-old mare Fürsten Vera (Fürstenball x Dancier) – scored 70.69%. Jessica Wade and Nicario L split the pair in second on 71.3%.

“She’s quite green – first championships for her, we haven’t had her very long,” Sadie said. “She’s a completely different horse – she’s got a really flashy, short canter, so it’s quite interesting with the two of them. They’re very different, but I’m really pleased with both of them.”

Winter Dressage Championships: Three horses, three podium finishes

Isabel White crowned a successful day by winning the 37-strong Prestige novice silver with her own seven-year-old gelding Quatango, scoring 71.94%. She was also third on Deoso I (70.59%), having earlier finished third in the HorseHage prelim silver on Sir Quattrohall with 71.07%.

All three are Isabel’s own horses, produced and backed by her, and Quatango and Deoso I have grown up together. “We bred Quatango, and bought Desoso as a foal to be his companion,” Isabel said. “They’ve grown up together.”

The winning ride was Quatango’s first real outing on a big stage. “This was his first big show. He’s done a little bit of everything – some young event horse classes, some dressage. He’s sort of seen the world, but this would be his first big experience.”

Isabel’s day job is eventing – dressage is a winter pursuit. “I’ve got a few event horses, and I joined British Dressage in the winter on their trial membership. Then I qualified for the regionals, so I thought I’d better join properly. And here we are.”

She is, by her own account, getting a taste for the discipline. “It’s very different – just as stressful, but in a different way. Really enjoyable, and everyone’s been really friendly. I’m tempted to come back and do more of it now.”

Looking at her three horses lined up at the championships, Isabel said the day had taken some adjustment. “I still see them as babies, but actually they’re big boys now.” All three, she said, will continue across both disciplines. “I think they’ll probably do a bit of both – but we’ll definitely be doing a bit more dressage now.”

Desoso, for his part, has a nickname. “He’s called Donkey – because when we bought him, he had such big ears and was the colour of a donkey. He’s definitely grown into them – he’s actually very handsome now.”

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Former five-star eventer Emily Baldwin claimed her first championship title since turning her full attention to dressage, winning the HorseHage prelim silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April), riding her own Intello (In My Mind x Danone) to a score of 73.6%.

The result was, by Emily’s own account, serendipity. Emily had originally planned to contest the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, a separate qualifying pathway to the Winter Dressage Championships.

“I entered an Area Festival first, because I knew the winters were indoors here and I thought it’d be too much for him,” she said of her five-year-old.

“It wasn’t until the times came out that I realised my entry hadn’t gone through for some reason on the system, and I wasn’t allowed to compete. So that’s why I diverted to the regionals at Wellington — and here we are.”

The Wellington qualifier had itself been a challenge. Emily and Intello finished fourth – enough to earn them a wild card to the championships here at Addington. “He was so green there – I couldn’t get around the edge of the arena for ages,” she explained.

“They were really kind to me. Once I finally got on, it was his best test – he was just not breathing at all through it.”

Between then and Addington, Emily had worked hard on exposure. “I’ve hired some indoor schools and put flowers out and everything to try to give him a bit more,” she said.

Even so, the day before the test offered little reassurance. “Yesterday, he was completely feral. I rode him in the afternoon when I got here, and the steward actually asked me if I was okay. So I really wasn’t sure what was going to happen today.”

Nor did the morning of the test immediately settle the nerves. “We did the arena walk, and he was quite lit up. I really didn’t know what was going to happen – but he came in here for the warm-up and was really relaxed. And from then on it was so good. I couldn’t believe how good he was.”

New chapter

The win marks a new chapter in a career Emily has only recently committed to in earnest, having stepped back from eventing.

“I rode at top level for quite a long time, eventing – and I had some amazing horses,” she said. “Where I live down in the southeast, it’s really hard now to event.

“So many events have gone, we have to travel a long way to go anywhere. It just felt like the right time. I teach a lot, I coach a lot – and I just wanted a new challenge. I love competing, that’s kind of what motivates me, and I really enjoy training the horses.”

She credits two long-standing contacts from her eventing days with supporting the transition. “I’m really grateful to Maryanne Horn and Andrew Gould. Both of whom I’ve known for years — they helped me through my eventing career, and now into this.”

As for Intello, bought last year specifically as a dressage prospect, Emily is keeping expectations measured. “He’s just got a lovely brain, which is really important. It doesn’t matter how far he goes – but if he keeps going in and trying like that, I couldn’t ask for more.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The closing classes of day three at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships and the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championship (15–19 April) produced three silver titles at Addington Equestrian – a second of the week for one rider, a wild card turned champion and another national crown for a six-year-old already well on his way to legend status.

Alice Begg picked up her second title at the Winter Area Festival Championships, winning the advanced medium silver with her own 11-year-old mare Kolita, scoring 69.39%.

Earlier in the week, she also won a tight medium silver on her other ride, eight-year-old mare Noraly.

“I’ll be honest, I’m pretty speechless,” Alice said. “We’ve never won one before, so two in the same week is unbelievable – and with two different horses.”

The advanced medium test was not an entirely straightforward ride. “She actually went in really tense today,” Alice said of Kolita. “She was really tense throughout the warm-up, went in, put down the first centre line super tense, but by the time we’d done half the trot work, she really relaxed and took me through the rest of the test.

“I was really happy with her at the end, especially when she wasn’t the happiest as we started. She really tried for me.”

Kolita is, she added, a markedly different ride to Noraly. “She’s literally at the opposite end of the scale. She’s very hot, very sharp. But very talented.”

With no further classes this week, Alice is heading home with two sashes. “That’s us done now. We can go home happy.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Wildcard entry rewarded after five-hour haul

Claire Tucker and her own seven-year-old chestnut mare MCS Fiorella (For Romance x His Highness), won the novice silver, scoring 70.89%.

Fourth to go in a mammoth class, Claire had a long wait to see if her score would be enough to take the title, finishing eventually half a percentage point ahead of Anastasia Meadows and MGH April in second.

It was a result that almost didn’t happen. “She got a wild card to come here, and we almost didn’t come – we came five hours from Devon this morning,” Claire said.

Fiorella – known at home as Fee – is a homebred from Claire’s MCS Stud, and had only seven competitions to her name before arriving at Addington. She also had a foal at five.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Claire said, picking out the mare’s “relaxation and suppleness, and just dealing with the whole atmosphere” as the high points of the test.

Dressage is not Fiorella’s only discipline. “I’ll jump her as well, because I like to jump all my horses,” Claire said. “I come from a showjumping and eventing background, but I breed dressage and event horses.”

The breeding operation runs alongside a full-time job as a personal trainer. “I get up early, I do all my horses myself. I only breed one or two a year – I was out watching the camera all night last night, and I’ve got another foal imminently – I just love it.”

Next on the agenda is a step up the levels. “We start working towards elementary now, and hopefully medium by the end of the year – see how she goes.”

At home in Brushford, near Winkleigh, Fiorella has an unlikely best friend. “She actually goes out with our donkey, Florence, during the day – best friends. She hacks out, she does everything. She’s absolutely brilliant.”

Winter Dressage Championships: “Mr Consistent” strikes again

In the Winter Dressage Championship classes, Amy Ward won the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle silver on MS Broadway M (Bon Courage x Royal Classic), scoring 75.19%. The six-year-old is the reigning five-year-old national champion and also took the Centre Line prelim silver title at last summer’s nationals.

“75% seems to be our championship-winning score across the board,” Amy said. “I called him Mr Consistent in the summer, and he’s just gone and nailed it again. He’s becoming a little bit of a legend – but that is adding the pressure for me to make sure I maintain our standards as we go.”

“This is our first season riding freestyle, so it’s been a learning curve from the get-go,” Amy added. “It’s a big atmosphere in there for him. He really rises to an atmosphere, and I love riding him in an indoor – there’s some feeling he lifts to.

“He got quite hot, and there were a couple of moments I wasn’t quite planning for, which got a bit tricky. But I can’t be anything other than happy with the score.”

Amy has had the ride for just over a year and is based with Jezz Palmer at Anmore Dressage, where Jezz shares the ride.

“It’s been really great because there’s development for the horse and development for me and the partnership,” Amy said. “I’m really lucky to have a horse like him. He’s teaching me a lot while we’re teaching him dressage at the same time.”

The floor plan was designed in house and set to music by Tom Hunt, the brief to go for something “epic”.

“Jezz does stress me out slightly with his planning,” Amy laughed. “We go in the arena and ride, and he films and shouts moves at me as I go, and we see what works. Jezz is the brain behind the floor plan, and Tom has put the drama to the music.”

The test opens in walk – a deliberate choice. “He has a great walk, and to enter in walk felt quite brave,” Amy said. “That’s his presence.”

For all the polish of the score, and MS Broadway’s obvious, massive potential, Amy is keeping her feet on the ground. “He’s a total powerhouse. He’s still a baby, but he’s got so much power — he’s still learning to balance it, learning to use it, as am I.

“Right now, it’s a little bit like a rollercoaster to ride, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It definitely got bigger in there than I was used to. It’s fine – we just run with it. I trust him.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A British paralympian and her rising star made it all look easy at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April) at Addington Equestrian.

Sophie Wells rode her own Ontario LC to comfortably win the Equi-Trek elementary gold on Friday 17 April with a score of 72.48%.

“I thought he had a bit more impulsion than yesterday,” said Sophie, reflecting on her second place in the Spillers medium freestyle gold. “I just warmed him up for a little bit too long.

“But that’s part of the process; he’s changing and getting stronger all the time, and he was super today.”

The seven-year-old Vitalis son took his first championship win completely in his stride.

“I’m thrilled with him and his attitude,” said Sophie. “He went in the prize giving and was so cool.”

The partnership has been together for around 18 months after Amy Woodhead sourced the gelding from the Netherlands.

“Shortly after he arrived, Amy called me and was like: ‘I think I have a horse for you’,” Sophie told H&H. “She was mega for finding him for me.”

“Rio” began the year as the reserve regional champion at medium freestyle gold and did his first para competition at the Equissage para winter dressage championships at the end of February.

Sophie’s taking a slowly-but-surely approach, building the gelding’s confidence and strength with care and with an eye for the long-term.

“I won’t put any pressure on him this year,” she told H&H’s dressage editor Oscar Williams in February. “It’s about building his confidence and letting him get stronger.”

With trainability and talent in spades, Sophie has high hopes.

“I’m hoping that he’s one of my LA 2028 Paralympic horses,” she said. “So this is one step in the journey for him.”

Dannie Morgan and PDS Saddles elementary freestyle gold champion Fürst Lady III earned second place with 70.15%, while Jayne Turney and Fiona O’Hara’s Finnegan Mac completed the podium won 69.95%.

Horselight medium silver: “She knows everything”

Natasha Gibbons on her own eight-year-old Freischutz daughter Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee rose to the top in the Horselight medium silver championship, netting 73.57%.

Aimee was Berkshire-based Natasha’s first auction purchase.

“We brought her from Teresa Oaks of Penhaligon stud, from the Elite Auction when it used to be at Stoneleigh,” she told H&H. “We picked her up at six months, and we’ve done everything with her from there.”

Livery yard owner Natasha previously trained M&Ms, show ponies and workers before progressing to dressage horses.

Aimee, she says, has been a model student: “It’s like she read the textbook of dressage; she knows everything”.

The trainable mare learned her changes over the winter and is currently working at advanced medium.

“I’m hoping we’ll be looking at advanced in the summer and maybe prix st georges by the end of the year,” added Natasha.

Aimee already has a few Petplan Area Festival titles under her belt – novice silver in 2024 and elementary silver in 2025 –but this is her first winter dressage championships sash.

“She’s very clever, and really wants to do the right thing,” said Natasha.

Bethany Edginton on Karen Redfearn’s Nelson HD came second with a score of 72.18%. Emma Mason on Emma Jenkinson’s Fleur C completed the podium on 70.79%.

Winter Area Festival Championships: “She’s like a Labrador”

Ella Green and her own Majestic Artist were victorious in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships novice bronze, netting 71.33%

The 13-year-old daughter of A Picobello’s Artist Z used to event up to BE100, but turned her hoof to dressage a little over a year ago.

This competition marks the pair’s first-ever Area Festival championships.

“I didn’t expect to come home with a sash,” said Ella. “I’m just so pleased we got here and I’m delighted with Magic.

“She has great relaxation in the walk, which was brilliant in this atmosphere.

“I thought she coped really well. She normally freaks out with the banners and flowers, but the arena walk this morning really helped her.”

Ella, who has four at home including an eventer, opted for Magic’s career change because cross-country “wasn’t her thing”.

“It’s funny, she liked cross-country schooling, but as soon as you put her in a competition, she didn’t want to do it.”

The stable manager told us Magic is “like a Labrador” at home: “She loves cuddles.”

Michelle Woolmer and her own nine-year-old Tullibards Mr Globetrotter were second with 70.39%, while Jazz Blucher and For Fusion II, a 12-year-old owned by his rider, finished third on their score of 70.11%.

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A slight sat-nav malfunction did not prevent Dannie Morgan from claiming a second freestyle crown at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships as day two came to a close.

Dannie, riding Karen and Christina Rousin’s seven-year-old Freya VII, scored 77.61% to top the podium in the Spillers medium freestyle gold, the mare’s first national title.

Dannie’s music, shared with head girl Lauren Burrows, made its third appearance in the competition, this time with an adapted floorplan.

“We’ve had three wins with that music here,” Dannie told H&H. “It was made by Tony Hobden and Kelly Jewell at Equidance, who always do an amazing job for us.

“I must confess that I did actually go wrong in my test. I turned the wrong way in the canter and realised I was about to do the same half-pass again.

“So, bless her, she did really well because she was flying about like a go-kart doing simple changes left, right and centre.”

Unperturbed, Freya didn’t score less than seven throughout her test, netting nines for her trot work and canter half-pass.

“I’m just obsessed with this mare,” said Dannie, who has trained Freya “from the start.”

“She’s an angel, and everyone loves her. She tries her hardest, and she’s developed the strength for good self-carriage. I was able to show her off today.”

Dannie added that he believes Freya’s future is full of promise.

“She’s got the ability to go all the way. She’s got good paces and the temperament to allow us to develop them into great ones, and now she looks a really special horse.”

Sophie Wells with her own seven-year-old Ontario LC slotted in behind Dannie with 75.95%, and Gracie Catling – also winners of the Magic prix st georges freestyle gold – came third riding Gaynor Morris’ 11-year-old mare Fraithwens Wytske Fan Ter Lune with 73.5%.

Black Country Saddles advanced medium silver: “Yesterday, he was wild”

The Black Country Saddles advanced medium silver championship went down to the wire. Lynn Wickes and her own nine-year-old Furstino just pipped Penny Smith with her own Rembrandt GSH by Revanche Du Rubin to the post, scoring 71.48%, to Penny’s 71.39%

Lynn bought the Farrell son from Germany as a rising five-year-old and has been producing him with Dannie Morgan’s help.

“Dannie has helped me with him for the last three years now; I go to him on a weekly basis,” she said.

“Freddie has lots of ability, and I think the potential to be a grand prix horse. I’ve just got to match him.

“I’ve ridden other horses at prix st georges and inter I, but I’ve never ridden at grand prix. So it’d be lovely to actually have a grand prix horse.”

Lynn said Freddie has a flair for the dramatic.

“Yesterday, in my warm-up, he was wild,” she said. “Dannie came to my rescue and helped me get him to concentrate rather than passage around the place. He was a tremendous influence yesterday, and his words stayed with me.”

Third place in this championship went to Olivia Commins and 10-year-old Diamond Hit son Dark Diamond OC with 70.6%.

Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships: elementary silver

Irma Sutton of the Netherlands earned a comfortable win in the elementary silver with Sara Gallop’s Secret son Sazzaro Ballante, scoring 72.45%.

“He was excited in the medium yesterday and today a bit more tired, so it actually made him think a bit,” said Irma, who is based at Prestige Equestrian.

“He’s a very big horse, so it takes him a while to get his brain around his work, and today it all came together.”

Irma said Sazzaro’s highlight was his collection, which hasn’t always been plain sailing.

“He used to find it really hard to take weight on his hind leg. And now he’s starting to really perform the collected canter to walk transition,” she said.

“He’s really learning to sit, which is a nice feeling, because before, he found that really hard.”

The result was all the more impressive given that it was Irma and Sezzaro’s first championship together.

“I’ve done about every role there is at Prestige since I moved here 23 years ago,” explained Irma. “And Sara lets me ride her lovely horses. What could be better? It’s a dream job.”

Close behind Irma was Amber Flynn riding Jennifer Whittaker’s mare Fortuna BG with 70.68%. Sarah Roberts, on her own 14-year-old Levistano gelding Lionheart, completed the podium with 69.74%.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A horse who bounced back from illness to become better than ever sealed victory with a mistake-free test at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April) at Addington Equestrian.

Gracie Catling won the Magic prix st georges freestyle (PSG) gold with her own Qwinton; she and the 18-year-old Quarterback son netted 74.83%, an impressive 3.13% ahead of Jade Clark and Jemimah HH in second place with 71.71%. Sara-Jane Lanning and Hawtins Lirica completed the podium with 70.25%.

“I’m so pleased with him,” Gracie said. “He’s a hot horse to ride in a test, and it was one of the first times I’ve had a PSG freestyle with no mistakes, so I was delighted.”

Gracie’s floor plan launched straight into the tempi changes from the first halt, accompanied by music from Aladdin.

“It’s really hard, but we did it because that’s when he’s at his calmest. I love it when he pulls them off, and then his extended trot is always his party piece at the end,” Gracie said. “Mum and I do all the music and floor plans together, so it makes it extra special and personal.”

“Twix” is a gentleman at home, but it hasn’t always been plain sailing with him.

“He came to us from a lady we know in Germany about four and a half years ago,” explained Gracie.

“He was a laminitic with glue-on shoes; you name it, he had it. We kind of brought him back from the brink and thought he’d hit medium as he had before, but we didn’t expect anything like this from him.”

“I’ve never had a horse like her”: PDS Saddles elementary freestyle silver

Lauren Burrows and her own High Hoes Esquisse, a seven-year-old Escalito daughter, won the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle silver with 72.56%.

“I know she’s a very capable horse, and I know if I can get it right on the day with the relaxation, which is the trickiest thing, she can produce a brilliant test,” Lauren said.

“I love riding her. I bought her unbacked as a three-year-old, and I know her so well.”

Lauren reclaimed her music for this class, which her boss Dannie Morgan pinched for his victory in the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle gold yesterday (15 April).

“He did the same floor plan yesterday. We always say our horses are best friends, so they’ve done matching tests and won matching rugs,” she joked.

“Dannie gives me a lot of opportunities, and I’ve gained so much experience from riding all his top horses. It’s really cool to put that into my horse, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Lauren said she’d love “Kizzy” to be the horse “who takes me to grand prix”.

“I’ve never had a horse like her, and one that I feel like could take me to the top. That would be the ultimate dream.”

Bethany Edginton and Lakeview Buddy came second, scoring 72.18%. Ellen Glover, with her own eight-year-old Morricone’s Love MFS, came third with 71.28%.

Winter Petplan Area Festival Championships: “He’s such a delight”

Zoe Rymer sailed to the top of the podium in the inter I silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships on her homebred 12-year-old JSR Joie de Vivre with a score of 68.58%.

“I’ve done everything with him myself, and he’s a joy,” said Zoe. “His stable name is Jolly, because he’s such a delight.

“I don’t think you can ever expect to win, but he’s super easy to ride if I ride correctly. He responds very well, and very rarely lets me down. Any mistakes are mine.”

Bred to event, Jolly has a sister who competes up to advanced level. “But he doesn’t like jumps,” said his owner.

“I used to event, but at 59 I thought it might be time to stop. I have a lovely young rider who events my horses for me now. So I’m just enjoying the journey.”

Based in East Yorkshire, Zoe runs a yard for competition horses and a small-scale breeding operation.

“I’m not very good at parting with them, but we make them into as good a horse as they can be, and if they suit someone else better, they go,” she explained.

Jessica Whitehead and The Amazing Spiderman, her own 19-year-old gelding by Samarant, came second, on 67.11%. Amelia Vanhegan-Harris and her own Holme Grove Prokofiev son Holme Grove Bernini came third with 66.08%.

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British dressage champion, Sadie Smith, enjoyed her second prizegiving at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April) after she and Peter Belshaw’s Times Rococo topped the podium in the Prestige novice gold at Addington.

“I’m chuffed to bits,” Sadie told H&H. “She went even better than yesterday, that bit bolder and with a bit more push.”

This was the duo’s second sash of the 2026 winters, as Sadie and Coco won the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold yesterday (15 April) with 76.95%

“I thought she might be a bit tired, but she had a good rest and came out ready to go,” said Sadie.

“Coco” delivered a consistent test marred only by a little tension in the walk.

“The relaxation is coming,” said Sadie of the five-year-old. “The walk definitely improved from yesterday. I couldn’t have asked any more of her. She’s such a beautiful horse with a lovely attitude.”

Dannie Morgan and the seven-year-old Zalando followed Sadie on 72.96%. Dannie and the son of Blu Hors Zack were victorious in the novice gold winter regional at Wellington earlier in the year, where Sadie and Times Rococo slotted in behind them.

Jezz Palmer claimed third place with Martin Price’s six-year-old Birmingham son, Blackjack Anmore, on 71.4%.

Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships: “He was quite feral when we got him”

It was a close-run thing in the elementary bronze at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships; the three top scores separated by just over half a percent.

Megan Armor and her own 10-year-old Dare To Trust clinched first with 70.73%.

This was Megan’s first area festival final at a winter dressage championships. She came on a wild card, and said she “never expected” to win her first rug today.

“Bungle” came to Megan, an instructor at Parwood Equestrian, from the RSPCA as part of the British Horse Society’s Second Chance scheme.

“He was quite feral when we got him five years ago, and came from a barn with many, many other horses,” she said. “We gained his trust, and my boss helped me back him.

“We do dressage and a bit of eventing, and he just loves his job. I’m so proud of him.”

Gemma Jones and her own 10-year-old mare Temple Omega slotted in just behind Megan with 70.57%. Lottie Walsh and her own Ramiro B gelding Meridianway Pluto B came third with 70.21%.

Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships: “I was beaming from ear to ear”

LucyAnna Westaway delivered an astoundingly consistent test on her own 15-year-old gelding AHI O Malley.

Bar one 5, her scores remained between 6.5 and 7.5 to earn 68.03% and land her at the top of the podium in the inter I bronze at the Winter Area Festival Championships.

“I had no idea where we would come, but I’m thrilled,” LucyAnna, a freelance instructor, told H&H. “As soon as we moved off from that first canter-halt-trot, I knew it was going to be a good one.

“I was beaming from ear to ear throughout.”

Lucy has a small team of owners who she rides for, and owns “Malley” with Jonathan Smith and Frances Davis, who gifted LucyAnna a third of the Martin son.

She credits long hacks in the Surrey Hills for getting Malley fit and beautifully muscled.

“He’s a dude, and his Jazz and Spanish lines make him so much fun. He’s a cheeky chap who loves his food, and turns his head to the side and smiles for a Polo.”

Hannah MacMillan and her own Brookeborough Lad came second with 67.16%, followed by Linda Faulks and her own Knocknacree Bentley with 65.15%.

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A win for a survivor, a family horse, and a talented mare who kept her sass under wraps to produce a stellar performance, wrapped up day one of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April) at Addington.

Carmen Gammie, on her own Lets Make An Opera M, made the mammoth journey from Aberdeen to reign supreme in the prix st georges silver in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championship classes. She and the 10-year-old gelding by Guardian S scored 67.01%, a lead of almost two per cent.

Despite their greenness at the level, the pair held their own. Aside from a couple of mistakes in the trickier movements, they delivered a consistent test.

“His trot work is super, my fours were good, and bits of the canter were lovely,” said Carmen. “There were moments where we lost balance and the throughness.”

Carmen, who trains with Hannah Moody, bought the gelding when he was five and produced him herself, adding: “I did young riders about 10 years ago, but it can feel like the blind leading the partially blind!

“I didn’t expect us to do so well. He won the Spillers freestyle medium silver last year, so it’s quite a step up.

“There’s room for improvement, so we’ll consolidate, then maybe try inter I. But there’s no real rush.”

It’s a win that might never have been.

“We nearly lost him to a virus when he was seven,” Carmen explained. “He had six months off, too unwell to ride. It’s even more special now he is where he is.”

Carmen broke the journey at the Moodys’ for a short boot camp ahead of Addington, and it’s safe to say the lessons paid off.

“Hannah kicked me up the butt a bit, and put me on the straight and narrow!” she said.

Lynne Mason finished behind Carmen in the standings riding 19-year-old Donner Trois with 65.05%. Tabitha Leicester and 17-year-old mare Eires Rock came third with 65%.

Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships medium bronze: “We call him Mr Consistent”

Greg Dickens and “family horse” Brutus G sailed to the top of the podium in the medium bronze with 70%.

A former three-star eventer and resident with Piggy March, “Bruno” has turned his hoof to dressage with relish and will appear in the elementary silver with Greg’s wife, Sheryl, today (Thursday 16 April).

“Everyone jumps on him at home,” Greg told H&H. “He’s such a lovely boy. We call him Mr Consistent, but he’s been uncharacteristic since we got here. For the first time, his stablemate came with him. He’s napped and wasn’t happy being separated from him.

“But he’s managed to control himself and put the work in where it counts. If he threatened, it didn’t come to anything, and that’s what we’re most proud of.”

Greg said Bruno was a promising event horse, but an injury curtailed his career.

“It stopped him galloping,” Greg explained. “But I think this job suits him better.

“We’re not professionals, and we try very hard. Days like this make all the effort pay off.”

Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios, a 10-year-old gelding bred and owned by the Pincus family, followed Greg with 69.56%.

Rachel Gallop with Sarah Gallop’s seven-year-old gelding Quantum Hit came third with 68.06%.

“An amazing mare with a little bit of sass”: PDS Saddles elementary freestyle gold

Dannie Morgan stormed to the top of the podium, almost three per cent clear in the elementary freestyle gold on a mare nicknamed Rasputia.

“It’s a strange one, but she reminds us of a character in a film called Norbit with Eddie Murphy,” said Dannie of the eight-year-old Fürst Lady. “The wife, Rasputia, has a lot of attitude, so it fits her. She’s an amazing horse with a little bit of sass.”

The mare, owned by Charlotte and Rose MacMillan, scored a perfect sea of 7s, 7.5s and 8s throughout a quality, consistent test. The final score was 78.08%.

“It’s actually my groom, Laura Burrows’ music,’ Dannie told H&H. “Lauren got a great score at regionals with it, so I said ‘We have to share around here,’ and stole her music.”

Quite established at the level and with a few mediums already under her belt, the mare rose to the challenge in the championship atmosphere.

“She won’t have seen anything like this before, so my goal today was to give her confidence,” said Dannie. “We had a little ride in the morning, and she relaxed well. I was confident she could go and do her job in the evening.

“She has a lot of highlights to show and a nice scopey trot. She’s gaining more balance all the time and makes a really nice picture.

“Now, we just want to get the changes more established and carry on. She has a lot of talent for the future.”

Alice Oppenheimer and the seven-year-old Frankin daughter Headmore Forever Ruby earned second with 75.19%. Nikki Barker on her own gelding Danoa finished third with 75.06%

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Gareth Hughes marked his return to the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships in style, blowing the competition out of the water in Magic prix st georges (PSG) gold riding the talented 10-year-old stallion Morricone III to score 74.51%.

He and the Millennium son were almost four per cent clear of Claire Abel and her own GF Sezuki with 70.59%, while Bryony Goodwin and David and Serena Pincus’ Sheepcote Just Daisy earned third place with 70.54%.

Morricone III, owned by Flamboyant Dressage Stud, is relatively new to the level but produced a mistake-free test to see off the competition.

“This is a particularly difficult arena to ride in; everything is so close,” Gareth said. “He was quite nervous going in, but he tried hard not to make a mistake. And he didn’t.

“He really stayed with me and has that good balance of high-quality collection and extension. So, with a mistake-free test, we got some great marks.”

This is still a relatively new partnership, and Gareth said there’s much more to come from Morricone.

“I see no reason why he’s not going to be a star of the future. I’m hoping next year we’ll be ready for grand prix. He shows all the attributes we want, and when they look like he does, it helps.”

Having spent a couple of years “regrouping”, Gareth has a string full of talent and promise.

“I had Mowgli-Olympia MC come out at grand prix at Hartpury a couple of weeks ago – he’s only nine,” he said.

“I have Lufada MVL at grand prix too, and Morricone now, who’s snapping at their heels.

“We were trying to work out how long it’s been since I last competed at the winters. I remember it was at Solihull, so it must have been about 20 years.

“So, here’s me thinking I was going to slow down and I’ve nearly got a stronger set of horses than ever.”

Equi-Trek elementary silver: “We’ve evolved together”

Sophie Lee-Amies rode a clear round on the D’Avie daughter River Rise Ooo LaLa in the Equi-Trek elementary silver to top the podium with 72.68%.

Next in line was Imogen Swann on Podrick Van Den Overwinning with 71.16%, while Ellen Glover and Morricone’s Love MFS came third with 70.25%.

“I’ve never won anything like this before,” an overjoyed Sophie told H&H. “We came third at the summer nationals at novice but this is our biggest achievement so far.”

Sophie works for Sadie Smith, based at the yard of Sarah-Tyler Evans, who bred “Ola”.

“I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have a horse like her,” Sophie said. “But, due to the kindness of Sarah and my parents, we managed to get the funds together, and we were able to buy her.”

Sophie added that that when the partnership began around two years ago, she and Ola were “quite green”.

“We’ve evolved together,” she said. “We’ve both been nervous, and she does get a bit scared coming into big arenas like this, but today she was much more confident.

“Every time we go out, we gain confidence as a partnership.”

Sophie trains with Sadie, who won the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold earlier in the day, and said she is “really lucky” to have Sadie’s support.

“She comes to all the shows with me and helps me warm up; she was there at the warm-up today, even though she had to get on a horse straight after.

“She’s always incredibly supportive. I’m really lucky to have her as a mentor.”

Winter Petplan Area Festival Championships: “He’s a show horse who got too good at dressage”

Freya Baldwin and nine-year-old gelding Hoghton Maverick are new to PSG, but took on the challenge to win their first championship sash.

Freya and “William” scored 68.48%, followed by Jenna Roddy and 14-year-old Tim with 67.5%. Jennifer Harkness and her mare Inouk came third with 66.96%.

“He only did his first PSG in December, so we didn’t expect this,” Freya said.

“I’ve had him since he was three and backed him myself. He was a show horse as a four- and five-year-old, but then he got a bit good at dressage.”

Freya said that before she owned William, she had ridden up to medium level, and the pair had moved up the levels together in a snaffle.

“He’s quite sensitive in his mouth and never strong,” she explained. “He’s in the softest, rubber snaffle you could possibly imagine.”

Although she didn’t feel the test was perfect, Freya, who trains with Hayley Colwell and Becky Moody, was “over the moon” with the result.

“Obviously, there are still things to work on; we’re still a bit green,” she said. “But I’m so pleased. He’s a good boy who works hard, and we have grand prix as our long-term aim.”

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‘She takes everything in her stride’: rising star impresses the judges at NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships

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A young mare rose to the occasion under 2025 national champion, Sadie Smith, on the opening morning (Wednesday 15 April) of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Addington, in which there were also first wins and new partnerships blossoming.

Sadie earned the winning sash in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold with Times Rococo, a five-year-old by Ibiza and out of a Negro mare. She is owned and bred by Peter Belshaw of Times Dressage.

Sadie’s score of 76.95% meant she finished ahead of Alice Oppenheimer in second by almost two per cent. Alice scored 75% on Sarah Oppenheimer and Caroline Dibden’s mare Headmore So Sapphire, and 74.45% on Sarah Oppenheimer’s Headmore Forever Ruby, securing Alice two places on the podium. Mares took all three of the top places in the class.

Sadie was full of praise for “Coco” at her first championship.

“She takes everything in her stride,” she said. “I have a really lovely relationship with her; I’ve ridden and produced her from the start, and she tries so hard.

“Even though she’s young, she can maintain a lovely frame. She is nicely balanced for her age, too. She’s lovely for me to ride as she’s so uphill.”

Although a touch insecure in her walk, Coco earned marks back in her trot and canter work, scooping plenty of 8s.

“I love doing music classes with the young horses because you can use a lot of the arena and get them used to going into the corners,” said Sadie.

“I’ve used this music (Curse of the Ice Queen/Snow White and the Huntsman soundtrack) for years. It’s emotive and beautiful. I seem to have a stamp of horse, and this music suits a lot of them.”

HorseHage prelim gold: ‘Winning is a huge bonus’

He’s been the bridesmaid in the past, but today Eli Lovell secured his first winter championship crown in the HorseHage prelim gold.

Eli piloted Parchioness G, a six-year-old by Incognito. “Pascha’s” lack of mileage on the competition scene barely showed in his consistent test, in which he scored 7s and 8s across the board.

“I knew if he could go the way I know he can, we would do reasonably well,” said a delighted Eli. “But [winning] wasn’t something I was expecting; it’s a huge bonus.”

Eli shepherded the gelding through a slight spook in the canter and quickly regrouped. Pascha’s trot work, according to his rider, shone throughout the test.

“He’s not very old, and we’ve not been to many shows,” said Eli, who sourced the gelding from Holland before selling him to Sophie Bennet a year and a half ago. “We didn’t really enter regionals until the last minute, and we got a last-minute wild card, too.

“I bought him as a four-year-old and, thinking he’d be small, thought he’d be perfect for Sophie. But he just kept growing, so I recently started riding him and I’m really enjoying him.”

Eli and Parchioness G topped the podium with 72.87%, more than one per cent clear of Tahley Reeve Smith and Sarah Stoute’s Shu Fu gelding KI Smargd in second on 71.73%.

Edwina Hutton-Potts and Uno Macho van de Kiekenhoef matched Tahley’s score, but the latter pipped her to second place by 1.5 on the collective marks.

Winter Area Festival Championships: a new partnership shines

It was a close-run contest in the medium silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, but Alice Begg and her eight-year-old mare Noraly, topped the podium with 70.22%, just 0.2 of a penalty head of Imogen Swann and her own 10-year-old gelding SJL Good Looking. Hayley Sykes and her own Nuit Noir were third with 69.28%.

For Alice, the victory was particularly sweet. Her partnership with Noraly, who came from Holland as a blank canvas, is still less than a year in the making. Their win marks Alice’s first Area Festival Championships sash.

“When I got her nine months ago, she’d never been to a competition,” she told H&H. “There was a lot to work on.

“We’ve spent the last nine months doing everything we can and working very hard at home – she has a brilliant brain. For her to come here with no mileage and rise to the occasion is amazing. She thrived in the atmosphere.”

Alice worked hard on the mare’s extended canter in the build-up to the championships, which was richly rewarded with an 8 and two 7.5s.

A grade V para rider, Alice took Noraly in the CPEDI2* at Harpury’s spring international this year, and is aiming the mare for more internationals in future.

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How to watch the Winter Dressage and Area Festival Championships live from anywhere in the world

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Watch the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships and Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships this week (15–19 April 2026) and enjoy the action at two of the biggest events on the national dressage calendar.

The Winter Dressage Championships and Winter Area Festival Championships take place at Addington Equestrian in Buckinghamshire. The whole show is free entry for spectators, but if you’re not able to visit the event in person, here’s our full guide on how to watch the championships from the comfort of your own home.

At a glance

• Winter Dressage Championships dates: 15–19 April 2026
• Watch Winter Dressage Championships on TV: H&C TV
• Watch from anywhere: Use this Surfshark deal – just £1.38/month

How to watch the Winter Dressage Championships on TV

Horse & Country TV (H&C) will be showing live coverage from all three arenas at the Winter Dressage Championships, including the arenas hosting the Petplan Area Festival Championships. Members of H&C+ will be able to live stream the event and watch back on-demand, including previous years.

To find out more about H&C+ membership options, visit horseandcountry.tv.

Competition clips

If you’re competing at the Winter Dressage Championships, you can download your competition test clips from H&C by visiting their website for £20 per clip. This service is free if you have a H&C Gold membership.

How to watch the Winter Dressage Championships from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as Surfshark, where you can get an exclusive low price of just £1.38/month, and offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

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You may also be interested in:

Your guide to the Petplan Area Festivals, including how to qualify for this championship dressage series

‘I think maybe a Jägerbomb’: Becky Moody and Jagerbomb claim World Cup title with personal best freestyle in Fort Worth

Why you don’t need to ride a warmblood: enjoy the inspiring real stories behind some of the less expected partnerships spotted at the Winter Dressage Championships

Places to stay if you’re heading to Addington for the Winter Dressage Champs or Blue Chips

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The owner of a cob whose dam was saved from slaughter, and who survived a complex multitude of veterinary ailments before he started his ridden career, hopes his dressage success will show other owners what can be possible.

Rebecca Duke bought Mr Finn as a three-year-old and within a few years, he had been diagnosed with arthritis, bony changes to the spine, respiratory issues, PSSM and ulcers. She was advised by a vet that putting him down might be the best option.

In 2023, Mr Finn and Rebecca started competing with British Dressage (BD); they have since been placed at the summer Area Festivals and won up to novice level.

Rebecca told H&H she wanted to sing the praises of “my little miracle cob who despite all his hinderings comes back to the white boards feeling better than ever”.

“All horses can shine through dressage; the unlikely ones, all breeds and even the ones who are a little broken,” she said. “I love the phrase ‘dressage for horses, not horses for dressage’, as I believe it truly helps them physically and mentally.”

Rebecca said Finn’s arrival was a surprise to his first owner, who had saved his dam from slaughter in Ireland. She saw him advertised at a younger age but it was “not the right time” for her to buy. But when he was advertised again later, she took the chance to secure him.

“Even when I bought him, a lot of people said ‘Why have you bought him? The way he looks, he’s a recipe for disaster’,” said Rebecca, adding that Finn does not have the best conformation. “But I’d always wanted a black horse with four white socks! And my other horse was going through rehab, so I thought he could be a bit of a project. I knew he needed some TLC so I could put a bit of time into him while my mare needed a quieter life.”

But the problems came “thick and fast”, Rebecca said; the arthritis was diagnosed first in his stifles and hocks, followed by everything else.

“It was rehab after rehab,” Rebecca said. “There was a vet in the beginning who, when it all come out, all the things he had wrong with him, she said ‘You’re going to be lucky if he can be a happy hacker, and honestly, I’d consider putting him to sleep’. But I’d just lost my mare, and I said ‘No, I can’t lose him as well. I’m going to try to do everything’, despite everything that was against us.”

Rebecca said it was a struggle at first, so she did her research, and turned to a more classical approach.

“I started learning a lot through Horses Inside Out and about biomechanics of how the horse moves and everything, and I learned a lot from Heather Moffett,” she said. “I just got lots of things in my toolbox to keep him well, and now I just always work him in a ‘prehab’ sort of way; stretchy work, slow work, polework, competition – I really mix it up for him, and I think the slow prehab-based work is what’s helped him the most.”

Rebecca still approaches all Mr Finn’s work in this “prehab” frame of mind; work that builds the correct strength and musculature to keep him sound and comfortable and make any further issues less likely.

He is also carefully managed owing to the PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy), which means horses have abnormal accumulation of glycogen, the form of sugar stored in muscle. This can cause muscle stiffness and pain, but Rebecca sought advice from a nutritionist and changed his diet and management routine to keep him comfortable.

And once he was, she considered competition.

“I’d just done unaffiliated before; and I’d never really had the opportunity, because I had a string of broken horses, who would get to the point where they were under saddle and then something would happen, and I just never got to do it, so it was a bit of a dream come true to get to do it with Finn,” she said.

“We affiliated and there I was, on this little cob, tootling around thinking ‘I don’t know if I belong’. But the first time out he came second, with nearly 70%. I think we did our first Petplan [Area Festivals] at prelim and the next year we did freestyle novice and came third.

“Even if you don’t feel ready, whatever horse you’ve got, you can do it. After the first few outings, I realised he was really good and we really enjoyed it.”

Rebecca said she hopes others who have had similar situations with horses will take some inspiration from Finn’s journey.

“It’s disheartening, isn’t it?” she said. “Just a little thing, like being able to ride them; it’s why a lot of us got into it, we have a passion for horses, we enjoy riding or having them as pets, but when they’re poorly all the time, it just makes you question your life choices.

“I often get emotional about it, I have to pinch myself. I had the vet to check him the other day just to make sure he’s all right, given all his issues. And she said he’d pass a vetting, he’s the best he’s ever looked.”

Rebecca pointed out that dressage came about as a result of the correct training of a horse to make him be the best he can, and she believes Finn is testament to this.

“I’m going to aim for the Petplans again in January,” she said. “We’ve stuck at novice for a while now, but considering he’s doing really well, and he’s starting to do some advanced movements at home without any struggle, so I might just try an elementary and see where we go from there. I’m not in it for winning, it’s more the enjoyment, and he comes alive when he goes in the white boards. He loves it, especially to the music, so it’s just about keeping that variety in his life.”

Rebecca described Finn as “not your typical dressage horse”.

“The way he’s built; he’s so downhill and croup-high, he’s like a horse of two halves,” she said. “But it’s not mattered, he’s done really well despite everything. I hope our story can inspire others to go to BD whatever breed you have and not to let diagnosis hold you back.”

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After 13 unforgettable years at the Petplan Area Festival Championships, Chantelle Oliver-Symonds and her 20-year-old spotty dressage horse delivered a fairytale finale, winning the inter I freestyle title.

Stadmorslow Coffee N Cream (Harvey) – an Appaloosa/Welsh D gelding –is no longer eligible to compete at Area Festivals, and Chantelle said winning this last rug and sash was the perfect way to bow out.

“Winning that rug and sash with Harvey, especially now he’s 20, meant the world to me,” said Chantelle. “He’s my horse of a lifetime.”

Chantelle and Harvey’s journey is the stuff of inspiration. The Craigcoach Midas gelding was bought for just £200 at three years old, and together they’ve risen from prelim to grand prix.

“We’ve done it all without financial backing, just hard work and the right partnership,” Chantelle said. “It shows that dreams really can come true.”

Their performance was set to an upbeat 1990s medley – a freestyle of Chantelle’s own creation that perfectly captured the joy of their journey.

The accountant turned freestyle producer wove together Steps’ Tragedy, Geri Halliwell’s version of It’s Raining Men and the Vengaboys’ We’re Going to Ibiza into a cheeky, crowd-pleasing routine. That Vengaboys track is now featured in Lottie Fry’s Glamourdale Airlines freestyle. Great minds clearly think alike.

“I wanted to make people smile, and it did just that,” Chantelle added. “We had a little mistake in the pirouette, but the rest felt amazing.”

“There were plenty of comments from those watching who thoroughly enjoyed it,” she added with a laugh. “I had it before Lottie!”

“I found him in the Horse & Hound sales adverts”

Looking back on their journey together, Chantelle said: “I originally went out to buy an all-rounder but mainly to hack. We’re not from a horsey background, nor did we have the money to spend on any major horsepower. And if we’re honest, we didn’t really know what we were looking for!

“So when I found Harvey in the H&H sales adverts – a tiny little photograph of this gorgeous little yellow horse – I thought I had to get him. So much so, I told a small white lie to my dad, who was driving me to go and view him, that he was in Cardiff… not Carmarthenshire! Safe to say he wasn’t pleased when we sailed past the Cardiff junction and I declared we had another two hours to go.”

Their progress through the levels wasn’t all plain sailing. “We tried our hand at eventing, notably our first British Eventing, where we scored a whopping 46% in the dressage,” Chantelle recalled. “But I had a nasty fall in 2011, and it knocked our confidence so much. Despite trying to drop down and rebuild it, it was clear that jumping wasn’t for us.

“I actually put him up for sale, but my sister reminded me that we couldn’t sell a horse that I kept falling off. So we took him to a local family fun show at Warminster Saddle Club, which was holding a Cricklands Championships of GB qualifier.

“He managed to get his ticket and from there won double gold with over 75% across the four tests over the weekend. The prize was a British Dressage class ticket, and as they say, the rest is history!”

“Dreams don’t have deadlines”

On their long road to grand prix, Chantelle admits that flying changes were the biggest challenge. “The changes have been super hard for us as he learned to change late behind, so having to go back and re-teach a chronically late change when I had no idea what I was doing either wasn’t the easiest,” she said.

“We found that the best way was to do it quietly in our own space with several tubes of Polos in my pocket, which has made it a bit embarrassing now when he then turns round for one in a test! Because of his conformation, as soon as he gets any tension over his back, naturally it becomes harder for him to step through, so our main focus is always on relaxation.

“On the flip side, his conformation, despite not being typical for a dressage horse, has been a gift at the higher levels. He’s really compact and finds the collection so easy – pirouettes and piaffe are his absolute favourite things to show off and are normally the highlight of his test.”

Now, as the veteran gelding joins the gold section and steps up to grand prix, he will no longer be eligible to compete at Area Festivals – but Chantelle isn’t rushing any decisions about his future.

“He’s going to carry on being in work, but he’s now done his first grand prix and will be in the gold section for the rest of time, so we can’t do this any more!” she said.

“We are going to play around at grand prix until Christmas. After that, we’ll start to bring him down the levels. He’s a brain that likes to be busy, so retirement isn’t going to be for him.

“But we’d like to retire him sound and happy, which hopefully won’t be for a few years yet.”

“We didn’t have money or breeding behind us”

For Chantelle, Harvey’s personality is every bit as special as his achievements. “He’s such a lovely person, and is everyone’s best friend,” she said.

“My advice for anyone in a similar position to us would be to find a horse that, above all, you love, regardless of their ability.

“Although it certainly helps to have a horse with magnificent breeding and to have financial backing, I think Harvey proves that you don’t need to have those things to help reach your dreams; a good brain for me is much more important.

“It’s taken a long time for us to get to where we are, but the journey has been amazing. Every year, I’ve set what I call my ‘annual crazy goal’ and forced myself to step outside my comfort zone.

“Whether that’s giving a new level a go, aiming for a championship, or going to our first Premier League – which was very scary on a little yellow horse – it’s helped me stay focused on training and making steady progress with him.”

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At the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships and Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships held together at Addington Equestrian (16-20 March), more than 700 riders went down the centre line – on everything from native ponies and cobs to retrained racehorses and warmbloods.

Yes, it’s exciting to spot future team stars and watch the polished warmbloods climb the levels – but dressage isn’t only about that. It’s also about the personal victories: showing up with the horse you have, building a partnership, and measuring progress against your own journey.

Whatever the size, shape, or breed, what matters most is the connection between horse and rider.

Here are three stories from last month’s championships that capture that spirit…

From the field to the finals: why one rider swapped a warmblood for a native pony – and never looked back

When Hannah Bown lost her warmblood, she never imagined her next dressage partner would be a 14.2hh New Forest pony who’d been turned away after recovering from a broken leg.

“I’d competed up to PSG,” said Hannah, who works full-time as an NHS diagnostic radiographer. But after losing her horse – and everything the pandemic brought – she wasn’t in the right place, emotionally or financially, to start again.

“Then Rodney’s owner said, ‘I’ve got a little native pony in the field – take him on loan, see what you think.’ And I thought, ‘Why would I go from a warmblood to a pony?’”

Four months later, that little New Forest pony – Buckland Bonnie Lad – had completely won her over.

“It’s been a massive culture change but the enjoyment is exactly the same,” Hannah adds. “Sure, you might not get nines for your mediums – Rodney’s only got short little legs – but if you train them correctly, the judges can’t ignore it.”

At this year’s Winter Dressage Championships, they scored 67.07% to finish 11th in the Equi-Trek elementary silver.

Hannah credits her trainer, Sara-Jane Lanning, for giving her the confidence to aim high.

“I told her, ‘We’ll forget about proper dressage,’ and she said, ‘No, we’re doing this properly,’” says Hannah. “At the nationals, I was the smallest in the warm-up by a country mile – and you do worry about showing yourself up.

“But Sara-Jane never doubted us. She’s so focused on correct training and always says, ‘If it’s right, the judges can’t not give you the marks’.”

Hannah’s not setting hard targets, but she says getting back to PSG isn’t out of reach.

“If you don’t tell them they’re a native, they don’t know. Rodney wears his bling, goes out and does the job. Just trust them, train them well, and enjoy it.”

From showing cover star, to centre lines: Sam Roberts’ surprise winter dressage championships ride

In the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, all eyes were on a 13.2hh Welsh section B stallion – Moelview Prince Consort – dancing through a PSG test with rider Sam Roberts. Small in size but big on presence, the 15-year-old show ring star is now proving just as successful between the white boards.

The pair’s first career was in showing, where they won the mountain and moorland supreme at Olympia in 2014, just months after qualifying at Windsor. They’ve also taken top honours at The Royal International and Great Yorkshire.

But after an injury sidelined him from showing, Sam turned to flatwork as part of his rehab.

“I’d never even done dressage before,” she says. “We just sort of fell into it. I’m a proper one-pony wonder!

“By pure luck – absolute fate, really – Jennie Loriston-Clarke judged our first affiliated prelim at Sparsholt. He scored 86.74%.

“From there, I got completely hooked. I love the technical side of dressage, how it always pushes you to improve. The feedback has made me more disciplined in my show riding, too.”

They’ve won at every level of the Associated Championships, prompting the step up to PSG. “It’s fast-paced and I still feel very green,” Sam admits.

“At Addington, I was meant to do five three-time changes… I did seven! There was still space left, so I just kept going. It’s all good fun though, isn’t it?”

Being on a pony has its perks. “I get more time in the tighter movements. Though in walk, it feels like forever to cross the arena.”

“At our local venues, everyone knows us, so I forget he’s a bit unusual. But at the winters, I had to ask my trainer Alice Oppenheimer, ‘Why is everyone looking at him?’ And she said, ‘Probably because you’re the only one under 16 hands in a tailcoat!’

“You just stop noticing after a while. But I hope he shows people that you don’t need a stereotypical warmblood to succeed. With a bit of luck and the right training, you can get there.”

Draughts can dance: how an Irish Draught helped his rider heal

When Ruby Walker entered the Prestige novice silver with her Irish Draught Moylough Cruz, she carried more than a competition number – she brought a story of recovery, resilience and an unexpected partnership.

“I planned to bring Cruz on to sell,” she says. “But he’s been my partner through everything, including being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

Ruby’s life was turned upside down after witnessing a tragic lorry accident involving her previous horse. The trauma left her with months of flashbacks, nightmares and isolation. “I tried to bottle it up,” she admits. “But after four months, I sought help. Counselling helped a lot – and later, medical treatment made a real difference.”

During this time, her bond with Cruz began to grow. “Our first two years weren’t easy – we didn’t click. But after I started treatment, he quite literally held my hand through it all.”

Since then, they’ve become a team in and out of the arena. “He’s known as the horse who never stops giving. He owes me nothing, and I owe him the world. He’s my best friend and gave me back my love for horses.”

Stepping into the warm-up ring alongside top riders hasn’t been easy. “We were stabled near Jezz Palmer and his stunning warmbloods, and we almost felt like we shouldn’t be there – like we should be out on the beach instead!

“But when we do our tests and do well, it overrides all of that and any worries about what others might think.”

Now competing at championship level, Ruby hopes their journey shows others what’s possible. “Cruz proves it’s not about having the perfect horse – it’s about believing in the one you’ve got.”

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Fancy trying affiliated dressage, but not quite sure where to start? You need to read this…

From unwanted yearling to dressage championship star: the story of Scruffy, the pony who keeps on giving

‘Carl said he’s the best horse in the country’: titles, turnarounds and a standout finish to the winter dressage championships

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She wasn’t bought with a plan. In fact, she wasn’t even bought at all. Dyffryncothi Bridget – or Scruffy, as she’s known at home – came into Bridget Tate’s life as a bad livery debt.

“They did a midnight split and left her with us,” recalls Bridget. “We didn’t know what to do with her.”

Sixteen years on, the 14.1hh chestnut mare has become something extraordinary: a multi-time competitor at the Winter Dressage Championships, a beloved schoolmistress, and a pony who’s quietly brought riders – and lifelong friendships – together.

Still going strong, Scruffy recently finished sixth in the prelim bronze under-21 class at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, with her current young rider, Isabel Callow. She’s now competed at eight winter championships with four different riders – and she’s still not done.

Behind the scores and rosettes is a story about what equestrian sport can do at its best: shape people, connect them, and show that sometimes the ponies that cost nothing end up meaning everything.

“At first, Scruffy went to my aunt’s as a companion for a youngster,” says Bridget. “But when she was four, my aunt said, ‘I just want £500 for her and a good home.’”

Bridget, then 14, decided to produce Scruffy for Pony Club, knowing a low price alone wouldn’t secure her future. She didn’t know then what she had. Her first test, she recalls, was chaos.

“I could barely canter a 20-metre circle. My mum was calling the test, started laughing – then I started laughing. We lost it completely.”

Scruffy had plenty of spirit. “In the early days, she’d buck her way through the warm-up. She can still do a serious buck. I remember Annabelle Wesley even fell off before her first competition, then went in and won it! And if Scruffy sees grass, she’ll still try to drag you off.”

But Bridget kept showing up. “We competed, competed, competed – and eventually, something clicked. Within two years, somehow, she was going FEI.”

Just as things were taking off, Bridget aged out of pony classes. Scruffy was sold – but years later, she came full circle, gifted back to Bridget. Since then, she’s helped rider after rider reach the Winter Championships.

“Now she’s the ultimate schoolmistress,” says Bridget. “She’s introduced me to so many people. We have a photo of her with 15 people around her after she won the prelim bronze title with Annabelle in 2023 – this tiny pony, in the middle of all the riders and friends she’s helped.”

Bridget hopes to breed a foal from her one day – “if I can ever get her back from all the kids who keep borrowing her!”

Bridget now has a new goal: to turn Scruffy’s story into a children’s book. “I’m drafting it on my old school laptop that barely works, but I want to get it down. I think it could be a heartwarming message – the free pony that’s been worth so much to so many people.

“I want to tell people that you don’t need a top-end, expensive pony. She’s beaten international-level ponies. You put her on a half-pass line and she’ll ask, ‘How long do you want me to go for?’

“She’s taught me so much, and I think, if the way of going is right, any horse can get there. Just give it a go and see how far you can get.”

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You may also be interested in:

‘Carl said he’s the best horse in the country’: titles, turnarounds and a standout finish to the winter dressage championships

‘It could’ve gone either way’: comeback ride edges it in winter dressage championships thriller

‘It’s five minutes of your life, but it takes a lifetime to get there’: a crowning moment and comeback queen light up winter dressage championships

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With more than 900 combinations riding down the centre line over five packed days at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships and the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, it was fitting that Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree brought the curtain down – winning the final class, the Horselight medium gold, on 74.82%.

After finishing second to Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE in the Black Country Saddles advanced medium gold the day before (19 April), Dannie looked determined to put things right in the final class of the championships.

“I had a couple of annoying mistakes in the advanced medium – totally my fault,” Dannie said. “He cantered in the extension, which was costly, but he’s still only seven and a little green at that level. Sometimes at championships, it does come down to mistakes, and we weren’t good enough on the day – full credit to Bryony.

“But I’m proud I could come back and finish the job today. I just focused on riding a clear round in a good balance. He has so many highlights that I don’t need to push – it was just a lovely ride.”

Dannie has always believed Fever Tree was something special.

“It sounds strange, but when I first saw him, I had a feeling – like, ‘This is my horse’. Everything he’s done since I’ve known he was capable of. It’s my job to do right by him.”

Asked about the weight of expectation that comes with riding a horse like Fever Tree, Dannie said: “I put a bit of pressure on myself, sure. But he actually gives me a lot of confidence, and I’m lucky to have Carl Hester and Sadie Smith guiding me.

“It’s a massive team effort. With a horse like him, the sky’s the limit. Of course, you need a lot to go right, and a lot of luck, but he’s a very special horse.

“Carl said to me he’s the best horse in the country, which is an incredible compliment. I’m still learning every day – but having one like him is a real privilege.”

The win brought Dannie’s tally to four national titles for the week, putting him level with Sadie Smith as the show’s leading rider.

Reflecting on the championships, Dannie said: “It’s amazing for me and Sadie – we’re best friends and live ten minutes apart. But what really makes these shows for me is the support. You don’t always win this many titles, but the camaraderie between riders, how everyone mucks in to help – that’s what makes it special.”

Alex Chick and her 14-year-old Apache gelding, Giovanni BM, topped the Superflex inter I silver, scoring 70.2%. Louise Gallavan – fresh from victory in the Magic prix st georges (PSG) silver just an hour earlier – was second on Sandros Fire (68.97%), with Christine Cockerton and Florance Christi third on 68.68%.

“I’m elated,” said Alex. “It was a bit tense, a bit up and down, and I didn’t think I was going to win it. I had a mistake in the two-time changes – everything had been going beautifully until then.

“But my changes are always a bit hit or miss. His trot work is where we pick up the marks – that’s what pulls our scores up.”

Alex bought Giovanni as a five-year-old from the Brightwells auction at Addington, making this win something of a full-circle moment.

“The poor thing – I hope he doesn’t think he’s back here to be sold!” she laughed. “I almost didn’t buy him. There was another I liked more, but it went for too much, and Giovanni was my second choice. Thank God I got him in the end.”

Now, the pair are eyeing a new challenge.

“Grand prix is the next step,” Alex said. “That’s what I need to crack on with now. I say that like it’ll be easy… but I know it won’t be!”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Showing star-turned-dressage horse lands hard-fought win

In the final class of the Winter Area Festival Championships, Emma Dunkley topped a super-tight advanced medium bronze, winning on Stanley Grange Heir Supreme with 67.46%. Cheryl Tuff and Ritter Sport were just behind on 67.41%, with Stephanie Rapley and Jay-Jay third on 67.02% in the 31-strong class.

“I’m actually quite emotional,” said Emma. “It feels like we’re really stepping into the realms of proper dressage now. I never thought we’d be here – and to win? I’m over the moon.”

Emma and Stanley Grange Heir Supreme have been together for five years. Originally from a showing yard, the gelding began as a “lovely prelim horse”, and the pair have climbed the levels together.

“We’ve built the relationship step by step, and he’s grown so much,” she said. “Lorna George trains us and has been with us every step of the way – she’s basically my life coach.”

Their progress hasn’t come without effort. “It’s been really hard work,” Emma admitted. “My flying changes have taken a while – he’s much quicker than I am! But if I’m on it, they’re fine – and I got a 7.5 for one today, which I was thrilled about.”

Now, the combination will look to move up to advanced – and soon, PSG.

“I actually bought my tailcoat here last year,” Emma said with a smile. “I’ve been thinking, ‘I’ll wear it soon’. We just wanted to tick this box first – and what an amazing way to end our advanced medium season.”

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Riding to a Mary Poppins-inspired freestyle, Carmen Gammie and Let’s Make An Opera M claimed the Spillers medium freestyle silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, scoring 69.67%.

Katie Warner and Active Nuvolari were second on 68.33%, with Paula Lee and Deseado Santo close behind in third on 68.17%.

“We were here earlier in the week and had an ‘interesting’ go at the advanced medium,” Carmen said. “It didn’t go to plan – he’s still quite green at that level – but today we were both much more confident, and I’m really pleased with him.”

Despite a few blips, the overall performance felt solid, Carmen added.

“We had a big spook in one of the medium canters and he threw in a change, so I was a bit worried. But overall, he gave me a really consistent feeling.

“The music suits him too – he’s quite small and light on his feet, so it works well.”

This was the pair’s seventh national championships together, but their first win.

“I’ve done about 20 championships myself as well and never won,” Carmen added. “I’m a proper amateur – I work full time as a chartered accountant – so dressage is my spare-time passion.

A shared title and shared dreams in the under-21 classes

There was no separating Talitha Jordan and Crippsy Bilbo Baggins from Verity Matthews and her 13hh Welsh dynamo, Bunbury Peppermill, in the under-21 novice silver in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships classes – both riders scored 69.06%, tying even on collectives to share the win.

The two young riders, who both hope to pursue professional careers in dressage, handled their press interviews together and with infectious enthusiasm.

“It’s amazing – I wasn’t expecting it at all, especially as he did a change in the canter!” said Verity, who trains with Louise Bell. “We’re just happy to be here.

“When I went around the outside, I couldn’t really stop, so I just thought, ‘Breathe’ – and then he calmed down once we got into the test. As soon as we get to a show, he’s on it. You just have to trot on – there’s no hanging about!”

Talitha, who trains with David and Serena Pincus, added she was delighted to share the win.

“It felt like he was really enjoying himself in the test, so I wasn’t worried about the score,” she said. “I was so happy with the canter work – he went in confidently, wasn’t fazed by the atmosphere, and just settled in beautifully.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Eventer tops 40-strong field

Duncan Morgan and Neptunus-Utopia were clear winners in the 40-strong prelim silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, scoring 71.75%.

“I actually came out slightly disappointed,” admitted Duncan, who events up to intermediate level and has been preparing for the championships with trainer Lynsey Ryan. “She felt a bit tense going in and dropped off the leg, but she didn’t spook, and it all came together in the end.”

Duncan and Neptunus-Utopia also won the open dressage at the Pony Club’s 2024 JCB National Championships, but they’re not planning to swap eventing for a full-time dressage career just yet.

“Eventing is definitely still more my thing,” he said. “I like leaving the ground too much to switch completely!”

The mare, he explained, has taken time to come into her own: “She’s taken a while to get going – and she jumps really well, which doesn’t always help the dressage! But the flatwork is the foundation of everything in eventing, so it’s worth putting the time in and getting it right.”

First to go in the under-21 novice bronze, Rosie Shaw and K Mlyn’s Kashira faced a long, tense wait to see if their 69.56% would hold the lead. In the end, it proved enough to take the win.

“It was very nerve-wracking – and my mum wasn’t helping!” laughed Rosie. “She kept watching all the other riders and saying, ‘Oh my God, I think they’ll win.’ I felt sick the whole time… and then absolutely brilliant afterwards!”

This was the pair’s first championship appearance – and their first mounted prizegiving.

“I was very nervous, but so proud of her,” Rosie said. “Our medium trots were a highlight – she always scores well for them, and today she really went for it. She’s the kind of horse you just point, and she does the rest.”

K Mlyn’s Kashira, who Rosie says loves a head scratch and “especially feed,” will now head home to reunite with her best friend, Squiggle – a yearling who shares her field.

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From double to double-double: back-to-back wins mark standout week at winter dressage championships for one unstoppable partnership

‘I thought we’d never get close to that’: bold freestyle and surprise win light up winter dressage championships

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Ponies stole the spotlight in Saturday’s under-21 classes at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, with Lydia Holmes and her 13.3hh buckskin mare Caramelle, swamped in her winners’ rug, taking the elementary bronze title on 68.49%.

“I’m so excited,” beamed Lydia. “Caramelle means a lot to me. We’ve had her for seven years, and she won here last year in the novice bronze – so to come back and win again has been amazing.

“She always pulls it out of the bag. She’s incredible – completely reliable – and to take the win was the cherry on top.”

Lydia has produced Caramelle herself from an unbacked youngster.

“She’s the sweetest, easiest pony to have around,” she said. “She’s exactly the same at a championship as she is at home – the best pony in every way.”

The pair have progressed to FEI level together, but this class likely marked the end of their partnership in the arena.

“I’m 16 now, so this is my last year in ponies – it was probably our final test. But if it was, it was such a lovely way to end it.”

As for what’s next for Caramelle?

“We’ve always said we might sell her at some point, and I’m hoping to find her a five-star home… but we’ve been saying that for years and never have, so you never know!”

The result may also close a chapter in Lydia’s dressage career, as she now plans to shift her focus back to showjumping.

“Caramelle’s been the main reason I’ve loved dressage. Whether I’d enjoy it as much without her – I don’t know. She’s the one who’s made it special for me.”

Danielle Ward and her 21-year-old 13.3hh gelding North Star – known at home as Bug – claimed the under-21 prelim bronze title with a score of 70.95%, just edging out Steph Garrison and Clearview Murty in second on 70.79%.

The pair are regulars on the TeamQuest circuit with the Jennings Juniors, who finished second at the Quest National Championships in November – but even with that track record, Danielle said she was “definitely not expecting” to win here.

“We weren’t expecting to win our Area Festival either!” she laughed. “So I’m absolutely over the moon with Bug – he’s been amazing.”

“He’s a little pocket rocket – he definitely doesn’t act his age. He used to event, but he hasn’t done much dressage, so I’ve been trying to bring him up through the levels.”

“I’ve always preferred dressage anyway – I don’t have the guts for eventing!”

Reflecting on her championship experience, Danielle added: “It’s been amazing. Such a fun and lovely atmosphere – I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Laura Fowler and Veronica Bunnie claimed the under-21 prelim silver title at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with an impressive 70.71% – a standout win in what was both the pony’s first championship and first stay-away show.

“We’re a bit shocked to be honest,” said Laura, still aboard the 11-year-old mare as she spoke after the prizegiving. “I’m just elated – I can’t believe she’s done that. She’s exceeded all our expectations this week.”

The pair had already notched a win at the same venue a couple of months earlier, taking their Area Festival qualifier, and it seems Veronica Bunnie knew exactly what the prizegiving meant.

“She walked out of there the happiest I’ve ever seen her,” Laura said. “It was like she knew – as if she was saying, ‘I got what I deserved’. I think she expects it every time she goes out now – and I reckon she’s quite pleased it’s happened again!”

Laura was full of praise for her test: “I was absolutely chuffed. I don’t think we could’ve done any more. She handled the arena so well. I thought she might find it overwhelming, but once she was in there, she just pulled it together – she loves to perform.”

One of the test highlights came in the canter work.

“She loves her canter – it’s definitely her favourite bit,” Laura said. “It’s very bouncy to sit to, but it’s really fun.”

Lauren Bone landed her first national title at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, winning the under-21 elementary silver with Sezsational – a striking five-year-old by Sezuan’s Donnerhall out of a Bretton Woods mare – on a score of 67.66%.

“This is my first-ever win at a national championship, and it’s his first-ever championship entirely, so I’m so proud of him,” said Lauren.

“He’s got lovely trot work and such a relaxed way of going. I was surprised by how well he kept himself together – he’s still a baby, and you never really know what you’re going to get.”

The canter loops were a highlight of the test – something Lauren has been focusing on with her trainer, Charlotte Lutener.

“Charlotte’s more like an older sister to me,” she said. “She’s helped us so much in preparing for this.”

Their journey to the championships hasn’t been entirely smooth. While qualifying at the Aintree Winter Area Festival, Lauren broke her toe during the tack check.

“We’d just done the best test he’d ever done, and a horse spooked behind us – he jumped and landed straight on my foot,” she recalled. “I ended up doing the prizegiving with a broken toe, but the adrenaline carried me through!”

This time, though, there were no mishaps – and plenty of support. Sezsational is shared with Lauren’s younger sister Jasmine, who’s been riding him while Lauren studies for her dental school exams.

“She’s done a lot of the work while I’ve been at uni, so a lot of the credit needs to go to her,” said Lauren.

As for sibling rivalry?

“There probably used to be,” she admitted. “But now we both want each other to win as much as ourselves. When we found out we’d won, we were jumping around screaming – we were absolutely delighted.”

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You may also be interested in:

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

‘I thought we’d never get close to that’: bold freestyle and surprise win light up winter dressage championships

‘It could’ve gone either way’: comeback ride edges it in winter dressage championships thriller

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Amy Hose made it back-to-back advanced medium titles, winning the Nupafeed advanced medium freestyle silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships with Enrique on 71.28% – two days on from winning the Black Country Saddles advanced medium silver.

Ellie Robers and Lyon HK were second on 70.72%, with Lindsay Wilcox-Reid and Sanbonani completing the top three on 69.33%.

It’s been a rapid rise for Amy and Enrique, who also pulled off a double at last year’s Winter Championships – and they look set to climb higher still.

“It’s surreal – but a great feeling,” said Amy. “I had one little mistake in my extension, but apart from that, I enjoyed every minute in there. This horse is just amazing – I love him to pieces.”

She and Enrique rode to a new, more dramatic freestyle – one previously used by her trainer Jezz Palmer, who she also works with at Anmore Dressage.

“I’ve only just switched to it, I normally go for quite fun, bubbly music, but this was totally different – a bit more dramatic,” she said.

Enrique, a big, elastic mover, looked every inch the showman on his lap of honour.

“Jezz told me that after doing the double-double, I had to go for it – so I did! I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop at the end. But Enrique loves the attention – he laps up the clapping.”

Reflecting on her Winter Championships experience, Amy added: “I didn’t think anything could top last year – that was my first Winters. So to come back and do it again… it’s just incredible.”

Next up is another big step: prix st georges.

“Neither of us has done it before, so it’ll be a brand new challenge,” Amy said. “We’ll get training and give it our best shot – and hopefully, be back here again next year.”

Bolt from the blue: wildcard pair win bumper class at the Winter Area Festival Championships

Hayley Bolt and Hilleon triumphed in the largest class of the entire Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships – the 48-strong prelim bronze – with a winning score of 71.67%.

The pair went down the centre line at 11:01am and had an anxious wait until after 6pm before their win was confirmed, made all the more impressive given they came in as wildcard entrants after placing fifth at Solihull’s Winter Area Festival.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Hayley. “I’ve been watching and refreshing the results all day. I was so anxious – butterflies non-stop – my nerves were shot. But it was worth the wait. Unbelievable.”

Hayley works and trains with Patsy Bartram and rides Hilleon on behalf of owner Kate Leverton, who is currently studying veterinary medicine in Edinburgh and left the mare in training with Patsy.

“I’ve been with Pat for 20 years,” said Hayley. “I was only 13 when I started riding for her, and she’s supported me every step of the way. But this was my first-ever championships, my first title – I’ve always been the ‘home rider’.

“So to get out there and actually do it… I’m over the moon. I don’t know what to say – I’m just so proud.”

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You may also be interested in:

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

‘I thought we’d never get close to that’: bold freestyle and surprise win light up winter dressage championships

‘It could’ve gone either way’: comeback ride edges it in winter dressage championships thriller

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Lauren Burrows and Beaux Lyon were runaway winners in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, scoring 76.11% to finish ahead of Alexis Knight and Mila – who won the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle silver yesterday (17 April) – in second (72.96%) and Maria Pook and Flashlight in third (71.76%)

It was a brilliant class to close the day, featuring a diverse mix of types, breeds, and sizes – from crowd favourites Theo Charnley and RSPCA George, to Christy Shuall’s Friesian–cob gelding Shaq O’Neal, and 20-year-old palomino Twyford Salamander with young rider Nicola Byam-Cook. All thrived under the spotlight to an equally eclectic soundtrack, in a fantastic showcase for British Dressage.

But Lauren and Beaux Lyon were the clear favourites with the judges, and look like a combination destined for a bright future.

“It was just amazing,” said Lauren, reflecting on her win. “I’m speechless, to be honest – that horse gives me the best feeling.

“I’ve had him since last summer, and he hasn’t actually done very much yet. This is his first year competing, so we never expected to even be at the Nationals when we started.

“But he’s got the best temperament, and he tries so hard. We always joke that he’s a bit of a labrador because he’s just lovely to have around – I’m really lucky to ride him.

“He’s only just learned how to lift in the trot, so it was cool to be able to show that off – our medium trots were definitely a highlight.”

Lauren borrowed her Edward Scissorhands freestyle from Dannie Morgan, who she works for.

“I’m really grateful to him for letting me use it,” she said. “He’s had it for a couple of years, and I’ve always loved it. It’s so emotive, and it builds throughout the test – it was a real privilege.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: “I’ve never hit the refresh button on my phone so many times!”

Holly Powell, more used to hurtling around a cross-country course, claimed the novice silver title in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with Millennium Star, scoring 71.17%.

Emily Baldwin and MBF Luna Blu were hot on their heels with 70.94%, while Emma Beswick and Linkswood Fantasia placed third on 70.45%.

“I was so pleased with him because he’s quite green at this level – and I’m still quite green to dressage,” said Holly. “We’ve only been a partnership for 12 months, but thanks to Karen Nicholas we’ve come on leaps and bounds. I can’t wait to see what we can do next.”

It marked not only Holly’s first national title, but also her first time riding at the championships – and even the Area Festival where she qualified was a debut outing.

“It’s pretty epic to have won,” she added. “I had very low expectations. I just said to myself, ‘Don’t fall off and remember the tests!’ So I’m super happy with him – he’s like a big dog, makes everything easy, and loves his job.”

Reflecting on the switch to dressage, Holly said: “I still love eventing, but I’ve definitely been bitten by the dressage bug. I actually find dressage more stressful – my nerves are terrible.

“We were first on today, and I’ve never hit the refresh button on my phone so many times!”

Carrie Passmore and her electric 14.2hh homebred, Star Gazer, made it back-to-back national titles by winning the advanced medium silver on 69.43% – a year after taking the medium silver.

It was another tightly contested class, with Tasha Wakely and Onis De La Espada close behind on 69.17%, and Freya Baldwin with Hoghton Maverick in third on 67.85%.

“I’m absolutely delighted with him – he’s a cracking little pony. I couldn’t ask for any more,” said Carrie. “His changes were spot on – we’ve been working really hard on those – and his walk pirouettes were a highlight too.”

“We’re running out of competitions,” she added with a laugh. “I’ve kept having to move him up a level! We’ll work on the prix st georges now, but we’re also looking for a pony rider – it’d be great if he could go down the FEI route.”

Star Gazer was homebred, which makes his rise all the more meaningful: “He’s by Jennie Loriston-Clarke’s Littledale Bright Star, out of a Dutch-cross broodmare we had – which makes seeing him do so well even more lovely.”

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Alex Harrison-West and Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Diamonds Are Forever claimed the feature class on day three of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, winning the Superflex inter I gold with a score of 71.08%.

They finished ahead of yesterday’s prix st georges (PSG) freestyle gold winners, Matt Frost and Kerouac (69.85%), while India Durman-Mills on Escade and Lucinda Elliott on Ice LH shared third on 69.61%.

Alex and the eight-year-old mare were 11th in the opening day’s PSG, but bounced back in style to be the unanimous winners among the judges today.

“It feels great,” said Alex. “After the PSG, I had the bit between my teeth – I was determined to do a good job. It was just one of those days when everything came together.

“It was a different judging panel today too, which might have helped – but honestly, I think she just had a good night’s sleep!

“It’s only her third inter I, but she’s so good in the ring. She takes everything in and seems to get even better the moment you ride through the entrance at A.

“She’s a chestnut mare – so you’ve got to go with the vibe she’s giving you. But today, she wanted to win as much as I did.

“My first halt took a little time to get, but I was determined we’d nail it. We moved one foot at a time, and once she was square, we were off.

“Her real highlight is her trot work – she’s got great cadence and stays fluid through the movements. I thought her right pirouettes were particularly good.

“But really, the whole way around, she gave me a lovely, easy feeling in the ring. I didn’t have to push for more – we were working at a nice level the entire time: enough quality without tension. I think that’s exactly what everyone wants to see right now. She held a good frame and stayed relaxed in the work.”

Alex, a list 1 judge himself, believes that experience gives him an edge in the arena: “It helps with how I position and prepare movements – especially double-marked ones, or where there’s a transition mark at the end of an extension.

“I’m always conscious to ride for those marks. And it helps me sense where the judges might be in their scoring – so I do think it makes a difference.”

Emma added: “I’m so proud of her. For just her third attempt at this level, she was amazing. She won at the National Championships when she was four and hasn’t done a championship since – so I think she was incredible today.”

“Alex caught her when Amy [Woodhead] was pregnant,” Emma said, with Alex laughing, “and never let go!”

Emma continued, “He’s done such a good job with her that I thought, ‘he needs to stay with her.’”

On what comes next for the exciting combination, Emma said: “We’ll see how we go, she’s at a good level now, so we’ll see how she develops, but she’s training everything towards the grand prix.”

Winter Dressage Championships: Hard work pays off as a consistent mare delivers a first national title

Charlotte Monk and First Class V were clear winners of the Horselight medium silver, scoring 71.53% to win their first-ever national titles together. Virginia Turnbull and Fabelwelt were second with 70.23%, and Grace Durkan and Navarro I were third on 69.58%.

The pair have come close before, third in the novice silver at the National Championships and fifth at the Winter Championships in 2023.

“It feels pretty surreal to be honest,” Charlotte said. “It’s only her seventh medium test, and I didn’t expect it all.

“I came out of the arena and I said ‘Oh dear, I could’ve done this better, and this…’ so I’m quite surprised to be honest!

“But these last few months she’s really come on, particularly her medium trot and her extended trot, and I think she’s now a horse who delivers day-in-day-out, she’s so consistent.

“I’ve had her since she was three years old, and I’ve been training with Serena Pincus, and she’s helped me no end – she wouldn’t be the horse she is now if it wasn’t for her, I’m so grateful for her.”

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You may also be interested in:

‘I couldn’t have asked for more’: cool-headed contender claims fourth national title for rider who ends perfect week at winter dressage championships

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‘It’s five minutes of your life, but it takes a lifetime to get there’: a crowning moment and comeback queen light up winter dressage championships

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Sadie Smith extended her stellar run at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, winning the Equi-Trek elementary gold with Times Oddjob (OJ) on a score of 72.43%. Dannie Morgan – never far off the pace – took second with Jockey Club Felaini S on 71.57%, while Jess Dunn placed third with WHS Funtime Frankie on 70.59%.

It marked Times Oddjob’s second title of the championships, having also won the elementary freestyle gold on the opening day (16 April).

“This week couldn’t really have gone any better for me,” Sadie said. “I’ve had OJ since he was four, and he’s such a cool horse. He’s not a massive, extravagant mover, but he has a fantastic temperament, and you can take him anywhere – he’s always lovely to have around.”

However, Sadie did add that the six-year-old gelding was a little hotter than usual, with his last experience in the Addington main arena being whizzing around in a pizegiving.

“Our rein back was a little more tense than normal,” Sadie laughed. “But he was still quite chilled-out really, and I’m super pleased with him – I think he’s going to be such a cool horse.”

She added that she didn’t expect to win – but she’s said that about all her classes, and has gone on to win each one, and with her championships now wrapped up, she’ll leave with four more national championships to add to her growing collection.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a more successful championship, and I’ve never enjoyed one as much as this. I tend to put quite a lot of pressure on myself – probably too much sometimes – and a lot goes into getting to this point, so to leave with all of this… it’s really rewarding.”

Sadie will now look ahead to returning to Addington for the CDI next month, where she’ll make her international grand prix debut with her top ride, Swanmore Dantina, ahead of what could be quite an exciting summer.

Winter Area Festival Championships: All-rounder, best friend, champion

Caroline Saunders and the charming TGI Ab Initio clinched the novice bronze title in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championship with 70.56%, edging out rising star Lissy Fell – riding the five-year-old stallion Parker IV (Ferdeaux x Johnson) – by just 0.06%, with Ashlene Bagshaw and Dream-Maker close behind on 70.17%.

“He gives his all every time, and the judge told me she liked him because he went around with a smile on his face,” said Caroline. She added that she knows nothing about the breeding of the 15-year-old gelding, bought from Ireland a decade ago – but that hasn’t mattered. As she stood doing post-test duties, he waited beside her, calm as anything in his winner’s rug.

“He’s my best friend, really. He takes everything in his stride. My eight-year-old daughter can ride him – he’s just the kindest, kindest horse.”

The pair were novice 1m combined training champions in 2023, but Caroline admitted today’s win came as a surprise.

“He’s done a bit of everything – unaffiliated eventing, dressage, showjumping – but after watching a few tests, I knew how high the standard was. The scores were so close, so we’re just thrilled. Absolutely thrilled.”

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You may also be interested in:

‘He owes me nothing’: star seven-year-old confirms his class as returning winners shape day two of winter dressage championships

‘It’s five minutes of your life, but it takes a lifetime to get there’: a crowning moment and comeback queen light up winter dressage championships

‘Days like this don’t come around that often’: hat-trick of national titles kicks off blockbuster start to winter dressage championships for one rider

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Building on his dominant performance earlier in the day, Dannie Morgan added another national title to his tally, winning the Spillers medium freestyle gold at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships. Riding Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano) – known at home as Gordon – to a score of 79.55%, he cemented the gelding’s reputation as one of the most exciting seven-year-olds in the country.

The super-athletic gelding cruised to a comfortable win, finishing more than 6% ahead of Gracie Catling and the impressive Friesian, Fraithwens Wytske fan ter Lune (73.17%), with a freestyle set to music from the film Dinosaur.

“Gordon is an absolute star,” said Dannie after the prizegiving. “He’s always so reliable in the arena, and he’s a phenomenal talent. I absolutely love riding to that music – me and my twin brother used to watch the movie all the time when we were kids. It’s quite special and personal, so I’d like to thank Kelly Jewell and Tony Hobden from Equidance for putting it together for me.”

It’s hard to pick just one thing that makes Fever Tree stand out – all his paces are exceptional, and he hardly ever drops below a seven. This was his 45th win in 51 outings, and his fifth national title. He looks every inch a future team horse in the making.

“We tried to create quite an interesting floor plan,” Dannie explained. “He has so many highlights, so we showed off steep trot half-passes, and in the canter we included half-passes into simple changes.”

Spectators seemed to flock from every corner of Addington to watch the combination – such is the gelding’s reputation – but that didn’t faze Dannie.

“To be honest, it’s lovely to have that support. It gives you a boost, and it’s always a positive pressure. I love riding at championships – it’s what I do it for. Having to rise to the occasion gives me that buzz and adrenaline. Each title with Gordon is special. I cherish every day with that horse. He owes me nothing – he’s my horse of a lifetime.”

“Hopefully we’ll go all the way”: Amy Hose and Enrique step up in style

Amy Hose’s superb run at the Winter Dressage Championships continued as she won the Black Country Saddles advanced medium silver with Enrique (Eric) on 70.88% – a year after taking home two elementary titles.

“Our canter work was a massive highlight – it always is,” said Amy. “The half-passes were brilliant, and he was with me in the changes. My pirouettes still need work – they’re definitely my weakness – but the rest I was chuffed as nuts with.”

“I work for Martin Price at Anmore Dressage, and we’ve got such an exciting number of horses coming through. I train with Jezz Palmer there, and I think we bounce off each other and train hard – seeing results like this is so rewarding.

“I’d never competed at advanced medium before, and Eric’s my only horse at this level – so wherever we go from here will be amazing. I absolutely adore him, but I’m hoping we’ll go all the way.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Natasha Gibbons and Aimee do it again

Another combination on a championship streak was Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee, who won the elementary silver in the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with 72.71% – their second national title, following novice silver success last year.

“She was brilliant,” said a clearly proud Natasha, speaking to the press while the seven-year-old mare stopped for selfies with friends and family.

“She went up the centre line a little bit shell-shocked by the crowd, but she’s absolutely mega. I know everyone says that about their horse, but she’s got the best brain – once she gets on a job, she’s 100% with you. I’m thrilled she didn’t make any mistakes. I don’t know what else to say!”

Natasha bought Aimee as a six-month-old foal from the Elite Auction and has produced her through the levels herself.

“From day one, she’s been so easy,” Natasha added. “She was born knowing how to do it – as long as I steer her in the right direction, she’s fine.

“She’s still pretty much on half power, but we’re trying to keep her relaxed and figure out what works best for her. She can do it all – it’s just a case of me catching up with her! But my main aim is just to continue loving her and enjoying her. I’m very, very lucky.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘They’re starting to show what they can do’: clean sweep of podium sparks buzz at winter dressage championships as homebred mare takes rider to new heights

‘It’s five minutes of your life, but it takes a lifetime to get there’: a crowning moment and comeback queen light up winter dressage championships

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

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Matt Frost and the striking 18hh Kerouac won the Magic prix st georges (PSG) freestyle gold, the feature class on day two of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, with 76.75%. Gracie Catling and Qwinton were second on 73.54% – the third time she’s finished runner-up at the championships – and India Durman-Mills and Escade were third on 73.04%.

Matt and Kerouac had placed fifth in the straight PSG yesterday (16 April), despite trending on a leading score at times. He was determined to move past that disappointment.

“Yesterday gave me a bit of a kick up the backside,” said Matt. “He felt amazing, but I made three big mistakes. I wasn’t far off, so I was gutted.

“Today, I focused on getting him more through to the bit and over his back – and he was brilliant. I love riding to music as well, so that helps.”

The freestyle soundtrack has a fun backstory too: “I stole the music from Victoria Appleyard, who I used to teach,” Matt laughed. “It’s a freestyle that works really well for exuberant horses like Jack. She actually won a medal with it at the young rider Europeans.”

Matt and Kerouac have been regulars on the Premier League circuit, picking up several wins. But until now, Kerouac hadn’t had that crowning moment – and this was it.

“This is his first championship win, and it’s my first for a long time. I’ve spent so long focusing on coaching that I think you fall a little out of the rhythm of competing at championship level.

“When you’re in that arena by yourself, you realise how much everyone puts into it. There are so many emotions in just one test. It’s five minutes of your life, but it takes a lifetime to get there.”

Matt was full of praise for Kerouac – and deeply relieved.

“I’m thrilled for him. He’s a brilliant horse. His only fault is trying too hard. But he has everything for the top level, and hopefully we can go on to that now.

“It’s a massive relief. The whole team is here – Gavin Makinson, who bred him, is here – and when things don’t go to plan, you feel like you’ve let them down. Today I didn’t feel like that. And that’s a great feeling.”

“They said I’d never ride her again”: comeback mare takes inter I title at winter dressage championships

Emily Coller and Flabbergasted II won the inter I silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships on 67.23%. Jennifer Morris and Jumble were second on 63.63% while Hannah Bailey and Rosewater Danny Boy took third on 63.19%.

“It was really exciting,” said Emily. “I haven’t won a big championship before, so it’s really cool to have my first one.

“Her changes are really secure, so once I got through the trot work, I felt pretty relaxed for the canter – from that point, she helped me home.

“She’s a really special mare. I’ve had her for nine years, and it’s taken a long time for our partnership to come together – but we’ve moved up from novice to inter I together. She was quite hot at first, and I was still only 14, but she’s amazing now. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Emily explained that at one point, Flabbergasted II’s future under saddle looked over: “She actually got totally written off in 2020. We sent her for a routine check-up – we do that every year because my mum’s a vet – and she was cleared from every angle.

“Then, on the way back from the vets, between the lorry and the field, she did her deep digital flexor tendon in her back leg. They told me I’d probably never ride her again.

“We gave her a full year out and didn’t touch her. But as we slowly brought her back into work, she started off weak behind – and then just got stronger. She came back totally sound, with no treatment.

“So to come all the way back is amazing. My dream now is to go all the way to grand prix with her.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘They’re starting to show what they can do’: clean sweep of podium sparks buzz at winter dressage championships as homebred mare takes rider to new heights

‘Days like this don’t come around that often’: hat-trick of national titles kicks off blockbuster start to winter dressage championships for one rider

‘This one feels special, I didn’t expect it at all’: Becky Moody’s latest star takes PSG while a personal best seals the deal for comeback duo at winter dressage championships

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Alexis Knight and her seven-year-old mare Mila won the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle silver at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, scoring 73.14%. Alicia Prim and Sapphire Blue were second on 72.95% while Christine Daniels and Darbey Ramblin were third on 70.7%.

Mila was full of energy during the prizegiving – flying around hot on the heels of third-placed Darbey Ramblin.

“Phew, glad I survived that – but she did look quite impressive, didn’t she?” laughed Alexis. “She can be a bit hot and is either brilliant or really tricky. But today she was with me – she was in front of me, in the connection – and it all felt lovely.

“We had one big mistake when we fluffed a simple change, but we kept going. The rest of the quality was so good that we got away with it. I’m so proud of her – I can’t believe it.”

Mila picked up several eights – for her medium trot, free walk, and even for her simple change in the other direction.

“She’s a real quality horse,” Alexis added. “Honestly, she’s far too good for me as an amateur. I bought her as a four-year-old and produced her myself, but I’ve had so much help along the way.”

Dannie Morgan – a dominant winner in the morning’s earlier class – helped Alexis in the warm-up, and she credits him with “turning them up a few notches”.

Their freestyle music also topped the artistic scores, with eights for interpretation and choreography.

“It’s from Eye of Melian, who I’d never heard of, but Kelly Jewell from Equidance found it. It’s absolutely stunning and suits Mila so well. I like emotive music – this is really orchestral, really emotional.

“In fact, when I came out, my whole support team was sobbing. It was really, really special.”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Rider battling illness claims unexpected win

Emily Nicol and her Irish Sport Horse, Adamo Cavaliere, delivered a flowing, harmonious test to win the elementary bronze at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with a score of 67.97%. Laura Spencer-Jones (Komatsu RNIII) and Rosie Jones (Jive II) shared second place, both scoring 65.63%.

“That was completely unexpected,” said Emily, standing with Adamo Cavaliere in a sunlit spot after the prizegiving – the eight-year-old mare looking as if she wore her sash and rug every weekend.

“I didn’t have a great week in the buildup – I was really ill, and my colleague was away, so I was running the yard alone and just trying to get through life.

“I did as much as I could, and managed to squeeze in a lesson with Hannah Biggs last Friday, which was so helpful. I love her as a trainer.

“But we gave it our best, and this was such a lovely surprise. She’s the easiest horse I’ve ever worked with – so consistent, with such a good brain. I bought her as a four-year-old to event, but when I decided not to go down that path, we found she could actually move really well, so we stuck with it.

“It’s taken time – she was very weak at the start – but now I think she’s capable of some pretty cool things. I’d love to make it to small tour.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘They’re starting to show what they can do’: clean sweep of podium sparks buzz at winter dressage championships as homebred mare takes rider to new heights

‘Days like this don’t come around that often’: hat-trick of national titles kicks off blockbuster start to winter dressage championships for one rider

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

Places to stay if you’re heading to Addington for the Winter Dressage Champs or Blue Chips

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Dannie Morgan kicked off day two of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships in dominant style, sweeping all three podium spots in the Prestige novice gold – a result that had the press room scrambling to find out if it had ever been done before.

As it turns out, the only other rider to achieve the same feat at the Winter Dressage Championships was Charlotte Dujardin in 2018, with River Rise Nisa, Gio and Mount St John VIP.

Kristina Rausing’s Verity I (Vitalis x Sir Donnerhall I) – also known as Betty – took the win with 77.58%. Liz Frampton-Hobbs’ Empathic (Escamillo x Wolkentanz) was second on 74.41%, with another of Kristina’s horses, Freya VII (Fidertanz x Rosengold), close behind in third on 74.36%.

“It’s so special when you get days like this,” said Dannie. “I’m blessed to have such a talented team of horses, and I’m proud of all of them, but especially Betty. She’s usually the underdog out of the three because she can be quite sensitive, but she’s really come into her own at these championships. She’s such an exciting talent for the future.”

“I also have to give a massive shout-out to my team – both here and at home. I’ve got seven horses at the championships, and they’re doing a fantastic job. And of course, to the owners who let me train such incredible horses.”

Prizegiving duties were left to Verity I – first to go in the 23-strong class – who earned her moment in the spotlight after finishing second to Sadie Smith and River Rise Onassis in yesterday’s novice freestyle (16 April).

“I think that freestyle yesterday was the strongest class I’ve ever seen – it could’ve gone to anyone,” added Dannie. “But I couldn’t have asked for more from any of mine. Empathic has a super temperament and lovely free gaits, and Freya’s hugely talented too.”

With Dannie’s top ride, the multiple-title-winning Fever Tree, who goes later today in the medium freestyle gold, still only seven, and all three of his novice horses just six, he has a seriously talented group coming of age at the same time.

“It’s taken a while for them all to come through, but I’ve known they were waiting in the wings for a while. Now, they’re getting to show what they can do. It’s just so exciting to have horses like them to get up and train with every morning. I think, ‘God, how lucky am I?’”

Winter Area Festival Championships: homebred mare who’s making dreams come true, flies to small tour title

Jade Clark and Jemimah HH won the inter I bronze title at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with 70.64%, finishing ahead of Daisy Hills and Midtgaards Gijon – who were also second in the prix st georges yesterday (16 April) – on 69.56% and Lucy Mills and MSL Saltarello Hit on 69.12%.

“It still doesn’t feel real to be honest,” said Jade, talking to Horse & Hound while Jemimah sunned herself after the prizegiving. “I went in there with a determination that today she was going to listen.

“She’s so enthusiastic that sometimes she gets a bit ahead of me and doesn’t always wait, but today she listened to every half halt and was ready for the next move.”

Sue Brennan, who co-owns Jemimah with Jade, also bred the now 11-year-old mare, who has been with Jade for her entire career.

“She was a bit of a wild ride when she was younger,” Jade laughed. “I used to ride her first thing in the morning – otherwise, I’d spend all day worrying whether I’d survive the ride or not!

“She started to settle down at seven, and that’s when she won the medium silver at the nationals. That was a turning point for us.”

Jade admits the move up the levels hasn’t been easy, particularly in managing Jemimah’s powerful canter to suit the demands of the test.

“I’m learning too – she understands the work now, so it’s all on me and how I ride on the day. But I’m incredibly lucky to have Sue’s eyes on the ground at home every day, and Carl [Hester] has helped me with her since she was five. He kicked my ass on Tuesday in a test riding session – and it paid off today.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Days like this don’t come around that often’: hat-trick of national titles kicks off blockbuster start to winter dressage championships for one rider

‘This one feels special, I didn’t expect it at all’: Becky Moody’s latest star takes PSG while a personal best seals the deal for comeback duo at winter dressage championships

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Sadie Smith capped a remarkable opening day at the 2025 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships with a hat-trick of national titles – rounding it off in style by winning the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle gold on Peter Belshaw’s Times Oddjob (Vitalis x Damon Hill) with 73.85%.

Earlier in the day, she had already claimed victory in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold on Sue Garrard’s six-year-old mare River Rise Onassis (Glamourdale x Amsterdam), scoring 79.82%, following on from her HorseHage prelim gold win in the previous class.

“That was a personal best for her,” said Sadie of River Rise Onassis’ performance, as she grew increasingly familiar with post-test interviews. “She’s needed a lot of time – she’s quite tall and was a bit weedy when she was younger – so we’ve taken it slow. But she’s much stronger now.”

“This was her first championship, and she handled the atmosphere really well. I couldn’t have asked for much more. My halts could have been neater, but her way of going was brilliant.”

When Sadie spoke to Horse & Hound, the elementary title hadn’t yet been confirmed, and she hadn’t expected to stay at the top of the novice class either – especially with Dannie Morgan still to ride several of his top horses. He pushed her close, finishing second with Verity I (79.54%), third with Emphatic (78.43%), and fifth with Freya VII (77.59%).

River Rise Onassis performed to a freestyle featuring tracks from Curse of the Ice Queen and Snow White and the Huntsman – music that has become something of a lucky charm for Sadie over the years.

“I’ve now won three titles with that music,” she laughed. “The first was a novice gold 10 years ago, with the mother of River Rise Pizzazz [who won the prelim gold]. I also came third with Imhotep here using it once, and I use the same trot and walk music for Swanmore Dantina’s freestyle.

“I might need to upgrade it at some point, but I love twinkly, emotive music – and I found these tracks myself years ago, so it’s quite personal.”

With the River Rise duo, five of Peter’s Times horses at home, and her top ride, Swanmore Dantina, Sadie is developing a powerful and diverse string.

“They’re all so different – that’s why I’m so chuffed,” she said. “I don’t put any pressure on us. I’m still surprised Dannie didn’t win, to be honest! I am competitive, but I also want the horse to have a good experience. Until today, they’ve all been really green – we didn’t have the best regionals – but today, it’s all come together.”

Realising she’d end day one of the Winter Championships with three national titles, Sadie said: “I never thought we’d win all three! With Oddjob, I knew it was a good score, but I didn’t think it would be enough to take the win.

“I’ve won three in a day once before – at the winters in 2018 – but never on three different horses. It’s amazing. Days like this don’t come around often, and you work so hard that when it does all – finally – come together, it’s such a buzz. It gives you a real confidence boost in what you’re doing.”

As for the celebrations? “I think I’m just going to go to bed,” she laughed. “I’ve been riding since seven this morning!”

Winter Area Festival Championships: Two riders win their first-ever national titles in the later classes

Mia Smith and Dutch Discovery (DJ) claimed the prix st georges (PSG) silver title at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with a score of 67.99%, edging out Daisy Hills and Midtgaards Gijon (67.3%) and Lucy Mills with MSL Saltarello Hit (67.01%).

Despite a small mistake in the first walk half-pirouette and a blip in the second line of changes, Mia and DJ impressed across the board, finishing as the unanimous winners among the judges. Their early trot work earned multiple eights, helping them to secure the top spot.

“It’s only our second nationals, and I’ve had him just a year and a half, so this is very, very exciting,” said Mia. “I’m really grateful for everything he’s given me.

“I know some of the other combinations in our class – they’re really good – so I didn’t expect to beat them at all.”

It’s clear how much DJ means to Mia, and how much fun she’s having with him: “He’s a selective horse – he lets you know if he likes something – but he’s so friendly. I taught him to do tricks so I could give him more treats. He can smile and kiss, and he always tilts his head when he tries because he doesn’t quite get it, but it’s very cute.”

Looking ahead, she added: “I’d love to aim for the young rider Europeans next summer, but this year, my friend and I want to do the under-25 grand prix at Sheepgate – just for fun, since it’s unaffiliated!”

In the medium bronze, Anna Wheeldon and Jackie-Bertha R took top honours with 68.78%, followed by Annabelle Wesley and Vanir Kamira – the former Badminton winner clearly enjoying a second career – on 67.56%, and Susan Bill with Flamenco Princess close behind on 67.45%.

“It feels amazing to have won – it’s a really good feeling,” said Anna. “It’s been a long journey, and a lot of hard work. She’s a tricky mare – very spooky – but I’ve been training with Jess Dunn, and she’s helped me so much.

“She was there for my warm-up and reminded me to keep my leg on and ride with confidence. She told me, ‘Ride it like you’re going to win it,’ and I gave it my all. She was with me every step.”

Anna’s win meant a lot: “You watch other people win national titles and say, ‘That’ll be me one day.’ Now it is!”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘I didn’t even expect to be in the top three’: 18-time national champion kicks off winter championships with rising five-year-old star following in his dam’s footsteps

‘This one feels special, I didn’t expect it at all’: Becky Moody’s latest star takes PSG while a personal best seals the deal for comeback duo at winter dressage championships

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

Places to stay if you’re heading to Addington for the Winter Dressage Champs or Blue Chips

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Becky Moody and Jo Cooper’s Lancelot BS (Dreamboy x Lancet) clinched the Magic prix st georges (PSG) gold title at the 2025 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships with a winning score of 70.39%. In an ultra-competitive class, Gracie Catling and Qwinton followed in second on 69.85%, with India Durman-Mills and Escade just behind on 69.56% – each judge placing a different rider in top spot.

The decisive margin came in the walk half-pirouettes, where Becky and Lancelot picked up a pair of eights while others faltered.

Becky, who has more than 30 national titles to her name, said this one stood out.

“I didn’t expect to do it – not with this horse, at this point in time,” she admitted. “He’s still quite green, and he’s never been in an arena like that before, so I really wasn’t sure how he’d cope.

“But he was super cool – actually better in the arena than the warm-up, which is exciting for the future.

“There was still some tactical half-halting,” she added with a laugh. “Changes have been his Achilles heel for a while now, but we’re getting there, and he’s getting much more confident. But at the moment, I still have to keep everything quite controlled, but when we can take the handbrake off, he’s such a cool horse.”

Just like his illustrious stablemate Jagerbomb, Lancelot has been with team Moody his whole career. He was bred by her long-time supporter Julie Lockley, brought through the lower levels by Becky’s stable jockey Anna Burns, and is owned by Jo Cooper and Becky’s mum, Anne.

“I’m not quite sure what the future holds for him yet,” Becky added. “I have to sell some horses at some point because I have way too many. So he might be one of those, but he’s showing some real talent for the grand prix work, so we’ll see.”

Comeback king claims PSG bronze title with personal best at Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships

Helen Beaton and Frankisse II delivered a career-best performance to win the PSG bronze title at the 2025 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, scoring 67.16% in a nail-biting finish. Their personal best was just enough to edge out Madison Eagle and Royalty II, who scored 67.01% for second place.

“I’m a little bit shocked at the moment,” Helen admitted, speaking from the quiet of the stable block after the prizegiving. “It hasn’t quite sunk in. He pulled out the best test he’s ever done – he timed it perfectly.”

While the flying changes were reliable, it was the pirouettes that made Helen proudest.

“He sometimes struggles with them, but today, he waited, listened, and gave me everything,” she said.

Helen’s partnership with Frankisse has been far from straightforward. She bought the gelding unseen four years ago – a decision she admits gave her second thoughts when he arrived.

“He looked awful when we got him,” she said. “He was at novice – badly – and I remember thinking, ‘Oh gosh, what have I bought?’”

Then, two years ago, disaster struck when Frankisse fractured a femur. That he’s come back from such a significant injury to achieve this title is, for Helen, nothing short of remarkable.

“To come from all of that to this… It’s hard to put into words,” she said. “He’s such a trier, and just the loveliest, loveliest horse.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘He means the whole world to me’: teenager triumphs on her 22-year-old pony as another rider celebrates emotional first national title at winter dressage championships

‘I didn’t even expect to be in the top three’: 18-time national champion kicks off winter championships with rising five-year-old star following in his dam’s footsteps

Places to stay if you’re heading to Addington for the Winter Dressage Champs or Blue Chips

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Rose Punchard and her delightful 22-year-old 14.2hh gelding Spot Awole – better known as Nemo – kicked off the 2025 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships with a win in the medium silver, scoring 68.83%.

In a tight class, Tina Hillman-Green and Blakeney Night finished second on 68%, with Beth Miller and Ramanos just behind on 67.67%.

“He felt like he was listening to me the whole way through,” said a beaming Rose after the prizegiving. “Especially in the half-passes and the walk pirouettes – those were probably my highlights.”

It’s been a remarkable rise through the levels for 14-year-old Rose since she partnered up with Nemo in September 2022. The experienced gelding, who has been competing with British Dressage for nearly 16 years, has proved the perfect mentor.

The pair have now qualified to compete internationally and will line up at Addington CDI in May. Last month, they were also long-listed for this summer’s pony European Championships.

“Nemo’s just so easy in every way – he’s been there, done it, and he still loves what he’s doing,” said Rose. “He’s definitely getting better with age!”

Despite blustery conditions at Addington, Nemo showed his class, never scoring below 6.5 from any of the three judges. Rose, meanwhile, brought her own polish, earning the highest collective mark in the class for position and seat.

“He helped me so much when we first started,” she said. “I’d been riding at prelim that year, and when I first sat on him, I think he thought, ‘Who’s this? What is she doing?’

“But he’s always been so kind to me. Now we’ve really gelled, and I love him so much – he means the whole world to me.”

‘I never thought someone like me could win’: Samantha Jimmison lands first national title

Also battling the wind in the outdoor arenas, but in the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships classes, Samantha Jimmison and Olwyn Cope’s elegant six-year-old gelding Lillinghall Moment In Time (Morricone x Sandro Hit) took the Equi-Trek elementary silver on 69.85%.

“I had a dream test,” said Samantha. “There was a little blip at one point, but he didn’t panic – he stayed with me, and all was good. I couldn’t have asked for much more.

“I was a bit worried about the wind, but I knew that if everything came together, we’d be knocking on the door.”

The win marked a first-ever national title for Yorkshire-based Samantha, who produces young horses across all the disciplines.

“This is like my max level in dressage,” she admitted. “I’ve done a little bit of medium with other horses, but they’ve usually been sold or gone to other riders – that’s the nature of what I do.

“So, the parts where there are blips – that’s both of us figuring it out. It’s a bit of the blind leading the blind!

“I train with Caroline Saynor, who’s been amazing and so patient with both of us. I do think he’s an exciting one. Realistically, I should probably sell him, but Olwyn is adamant she wants us both in tails.”

Though Samantha is no stranger to eventing and showjumping, dressage has clearly found a place in her heart.

“I genuinely enjoy it,” she said. “I don’t always love competing – in my head, I’m not very good at it and want to be better. So this is a massive confidence boost.

“You always assume there’s going to be someone better. I never thought someone like me could come here and do what we’ve done today.”

The result is made even more special by the close-knit team behind her success.

“Olwyn bred him, and my stable jockey and best friend, Jasmine Watson, did all the original work with him. She even cross-country schooled him for me last week,” Samantha laughed.

“When you’ve had the horse from the word go, it’s really special. I remember when I first sat on him, I joked, ‘This will be the one who wins a national for me’ – and now, here I am. Can I retire now?”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the winter dressage championships and all the major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘I didn’t even expect to be in the top three’: 18-time national champion kicks off winter championships with rising five-year-old star following in his dam’s footsteps

Places to stay if you’re heading to Addington for the Winter Dressage Champs or Blue Chips

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British Dressage (BD) Petplan Area Festivals have become a cornerstone of grassroots dressage, offering thousands of riders the chance to compete in a championship-style setting. With over 6,500 competitors taking part in 2024, it’s the largest affiliated dressage series in the UK – and it continues to grow.

Whether you’re stepping into the arena for the first time or aiming for a place at the prestigious Area Festival Championships, this series offers the perfect balance of ambition, challenge and fun.

What are the Area Festivals?

The Area Festivals provide bronze and silver level riders with a structured and accessible pathway into affiliated competition, offering the excitement of a championship-style event without the pressure of competing against top professionals. A step up from regular BD competitions, each test is judged by three judges instead of one and includes a post-test vet check, ensuring a true championship experience.

With two championship seasons – summer and winter – riders can qualify and compete year-round at venues across the UK, with the chance to progress even further to the prestigious Area Festival Championships.

The Summer Area Festival Championships take place at Arena UK in October, while the Winter Area Festival Championships are hosted at Addington in April – alongside the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships.

• Winter season: 1 July – 31 December
• Summer season: 1 January – 30 June

The series runs from prelim to inter I levels, with sections for bronze and silver riders, ensuring fair and competitive classes for all.

How do you qualify for Area Festivals and the championships?

Qualification for the Area Festivals is based on a percentage system, meaning you’ll need to achieve a set number of minimum scores within the specific qualification period to secure your place.

You can gain your scores by competing at regular BD affiliated shows. This lets you progress at your own pace while competing in a familiar setting before stepping onto the bigger stage at an Area Festival.

The exact number of scores required depends on the level you are competing at.

✔ Prelim to advanced medium – Three scores of 63% or above

✔ Prix st georges (PSG) and inter I – Two scores of 60% or above

To secure a spot at either championships, you must finish in the top two of your class at an Area Festival. Combinations can enter up to two Area Festivals per season at the same level and section, unless they qualify for the championships on their first attempt.

BUT if you’re not in the top two, a significant number of wildcards are issued each season to the next highest-placed combinations at each level across all the Area Festivals. In 2024, over 130 wildcards were issued across the levels.

Other rules to consider

Riders cannot compete at the same level (including music classes) in both an Area Festival and a regional within the same season. If entering both, the Area Festival level must be at a higher level than the regional.

There are score restrictions for future eligibility:

• Combinations who score 68% or higher (70% for music classes) at a regionals can no longer compete at the same or lower level in an Area Festival – both in the current and future seasons
• Similarly, combinations scoring 68% or higher (70% for music) at an Area Festival championship cannot enter an Area Festival at the same level and section or below in any future seasons
• If a rider has competed at a Premier League, they can’t compete at an Area Festival at that level or below

Love dressage to music?

The summer season features an exciting freestyle to music category, where you can showcase your horse’s rhythm and expression – why not take it to the next level and give designing your own freestyle a go?

To qualify you need to score:

✔ Prelim to advanced medium – Two scores of 63% or above in regular classes

✔ PSG & inter I – Two scores of 60% or above in regular classes

The top two from each class will then move forward to the Summer Area Festival Championships.

Do I need a BD membership?

Yes. To qualify for an Area Festival at prelim bronze level, riders can earn their scores as a BD club member on a club-registered horse. However, if they successfully qualify, both the rider and horse must upgrade to full membership before they can take part in the festival itself.

For those competing at prelim silver and all levels upwards, both the rider and horse must already hold full (competing) membership and a full horse registration in order to gain qualifying scores.

Horse ownership also comes into play. If you own a horse taking part in the Area Festivals, you must be a full (competing) or full (non-competing) member, even if you’re not the one riding.

How to get started

✔ Join British Dressage: Sign up for a club membership (£60) or a full membership (£187 for both horse and rider)

✔ Learn Your Tests: Use the BD TestPro App or purchase tests from the BD Shop

✔ Get out competing – earn qualifying scores at your local BD competitions

✔ Track your progress – Keep an eye on your scores and ensure you meet the requirements in time

✔ Enter your Area Festival – Once qualified, select your event and get ready for the challenge – and keep your eye out for wildcards!

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A horse and rider who were both on box rest with serious ligament injuries a year ago have made a remarkable comeback to win at their Petplan Summer Area Festival.

Camilla Stevens-Tratt was walking her mare Angelica in hand while on crutches last summer, after she had damaged her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and Angelica her annualar ligament. But on 16 August this year, they won the prix st georges (PSG) freestyle title at Chard.

“It was like the complete fairytale ending,” Camilla told H&H. “I’d been to Area Festivals so many times and been pretty average, it hasn’t been our day. I would never have dreamed of it.”

Camilla said she and Angelica, whom she bought as a four-year-old for £900, were competing at PSG level a year ago when the mare, who was then 12, came in from the field lame.

“The vets were guarded about whether she’d get back to high-level dressage so I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” she said. “Then a month after she went lame, I had a nasty fall from a young horse and did my ACL and a meniscus tear. I was on crutches for three weeks, then had a clunky knee brace for three months and I’m still waiting for surgery. I’m managing but it’s not brilliant, but ultimately, it was going to be me or her who got the private surgery as the NHS wouldn’t pay for hers, and she won!”

After the “long slog” of box rest, pen turnout and finally full-field turnout, Camilla brought Angelica slowly back into work.

“I took it super sensibly; she was always ok but it was scary,” Camilla said. “I didn’t have an arena in the spring but when we cut some silage, I had fields to ride in. I started cantering and thought ‘Let’s see’ and asked for a change, and she hadn’t forgotten any of it. She felt brilliant, and that’s when I dared to think ‘Maybe this is going to happen again’.”

At their first competition after their injuries, in June, Angelica and Camilla scored a personal best of 66.13% to win the PSG freestyle at Chard.

“I love the music and Chard is probably our favourite place,” she said. “It was the most vile, windy, wet day and the boards were blowing over; I just thought we had to survive it but she was an absolute star. I didn’t have high hopes for the score as the conditions were so terrible but I didn’t care; I was just happy to be there – and I did burst into tears!”

To qualify for the Area Festivals, they needed another +60% score, which they duly achieved at Chard the next weekend, to set up their return trip this month.

“I was so well prepared, and had perfected my quarter marks!” Camilla said. “I just wanted a lovely plaque and a nice picture and to have a nice day. I was absolutely chuffed with her, and when our score went up, I thought ‘That won’t win but at least we haven’t disgraced ourselves’, and then the other scores went up – and I had another little cry!”

Camilla said her first big win, sash and mounted prizegiving was the perfect end to a “pretty horrendous” 12 months.

“When I was hand-walking her and I was on my crutches, I joked to a friend that when I was back at PSG, I’d tell H&H!” she said.

“Angelica thinks the world revolves around her, which mine does so that’s fine. I’d love to do an inter I freestyle with her; I might give it a go next summer as I’ll never have a horse as amazing as her.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Although national titles were on the line at the 2024 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships – and riders were doing all they could to vie for top honours – the supportive and encouraging environment really re-focussed attention for this writer on why we compete in dressage, and what draws us to the sport.

Namely, that deep connection and trust with the horse that riders can feel between the boards – which, at its best, allows us to set aside our real-world struggles.

This sentiment was perfectly encapsulated by 16-year-old Ruby Kelly and her palomino gelding Sir Nunn’s Just Rudi, who finished eighth in the under-21 novice bronze on 66.59%. The class was won by Lydia Holmes on Caramelle with 71.59%.

Ruby and her family originally bought Rudi in November 2020 to help with the severe anxiety and mental health struggles Ruby was experiencing relating to school and social situations.

“I later received an autism diagnosis, which explained a lot of my struggles with day-to-day life,” says Ruby. “High school is rough enough at the best of times but I found it incredibly hard so I’m now homeschooled, which allows me more time to spend with Rudi.

“Without Rudi, I don’t know how I’d cope – when I’m around him all my worries fade and I’m in the zone with him. I love him to absolute bits. Whether grooming, riding, sitting in the field with him or even mucking out his stable, it’s like a form of therapy.”

Ruby adds that she and the now 13-year-old Rudi tried showjumping, cross-country and showing before realising dressage is where their passion was.

“We started with introductory unaffiliated dressage in April 2021 – it wasn’t the prettiest test but after I had that thrill of trotting down the centre line, I couldn’t stop,” explains Ruby.

Since then the combination has gone on to be prelim dressage to music champions at The Midway Championships at Hartpury and are regular Team Quest under-21 competitors with the West Midlands Dressage Group Bluebirds.

“It’s been a rollercoaster,” says Ruby, who has been helped along the way by Kirsty Imm at Bromyard Equestrian.

“It took a while for me to get used to his little quirks and for both of us to adjust to the gaps in our experience, but we both understand each other. He needs a quiet and patient rider and he has a gentle persona, which helps calm me down when I’m stressed out.”

2024 Winter Area Festival Championships: “To have fun together is our main goal”

Reflecting on her experience at the championships, Ruby adds: “The atmosphere was next level. What I liked about it was that I got to be social in a way that I feel comfortable with – we’re all there to compete so there’s no room to feel out of place.

“Saying that, the day before the test Rudi was wild – throwing numerous shapes in the exercise ring, which was a bit off-putting but no way was I going to let it take over our achievement of getting there.

“The stewards were lovely helping us have multiple quiet exercise slots to calm us both down and although it wasn’t our best test, we went down the centre line and halted at the end, and that was all I ever wanted.”

Ruby now has her sights set on the Summer Petplan Area Festival Championships – that is once her GCSEs are out of the way – but is keen to keep the experience as fun as possible.

“Although I’m competitive I need to remember where we’ve come from, it’s so easy to get ahead of yourself so I want to stop pressurising myself. To have fun together is our main goal in the long run.”

Ruby’s mum Charlotte adds how proud it makes her to watch Ruby compete: “The incredible bond they have, creates a low-stress, non-judgemental interaction which provides Ruby with a huge amount of self-confidence and belief.

“We never imagined they’d have this magnetic silent connection so in tune with each other’s emotions – it’s captivating to watch.”

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Gracie Catling and her Friesians are becoming regular features at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, and they caught the eye once again this year – bringing drama and bombast to the freestyle classes, finishing in the top four, four times.

We caught up with Gracie to reflect on her championship experience, and what it is about Friesians that makes them so well-suited to a career between the boards.

Gracie’s highlight was coming second on nine-year-old Fraithwens Wytske Fan Ter Lune in the PDS Saddles elementary freestyle gold championship to Dannie Morgan on Fever Tree, scoring 75.76% – the third-highest score of the whole championships. Wytske was also fourth in the Baileys Horse Feeds novice freestyle gold, 19th in the Prestige novice gold and 13th in the Equi-Trek elementary gold.

“Wytske is owned by Fraithwen Friesians but I’ve been riding her for the last eight months,” said Gracie. “Her highlight is definitely the freestyle – she was a bit marmite for the judges in the straight classes.”

Gracie’s second Friesian at the championships was experienced campaigner Tsjebe Fan ’E Vesta Hoeve, who is owned by her mum Julia Catling. The 18-year-old Tsjalke 397 gelding finished third in the Magic Prix St George (PSG) Silver Winter Championship on 67.79%.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from him,” added Gracie. “We’ve owned him for 14 years now so we know him inside out. He’s more of a family pet than a competition horse, I think he genuinely thinks he’s human and he’s given us so much pleasure.

“He arrived when I was only six, so we’ve grown up together. Luckily for me, Mum had a knee operation and couldn’t compete so she let me start riding him when I was strong enough – with strict instructions not to do more than novice!”

However, since then “Jeb” and Gracie, all the while learning together, have gone on to win the 2023 Petplan Summer Area Festival inter I bronze title, feature on the cover of British Dressage Magazine, and, more recently, be selected to compete internationally at young rider level for Great Britain – with his connections believing him to be the first Friesian to do so.

Gracie Catling: “Friesians are powerful but sensitive souls”

“Friesians stand out for me for a few reasons, their beauty and presence are very impressive, but they also have the kindest nature,” explained Gracie. “They are willing and want to please like no other horse, and in the Netherlands, the KFPS [Royal Association, The Friesian Horse Studbook] grade them on these qualities.”

It was through Jeb that Gracie got the ride on Wytske: “Fraithwen wanted a rider experienced with the breed. Wystke is quite similar to Jeb, but she was warmblood paces with a Friesian body and brain. She’s naturally more talented and I think she’s a special horse – I adore having her on the yard.”

Gracie adds that it takes a certain sort of riding, and rider, to enable Friesians to perform at their best: “They don’t need a lot of work like warmbloods and in the Netherlands they sometimes train with a heart monitor on as they can lack stamina.

“I love them because they’re so quick to learn, try hard and you don’t need hours of riding and warm up – a bonus if you’re short on time! They don’t like nervous riders; they’re sensitive souls and take a lot of confidence from the rider. They are incredibly powerful too.”

Gracie is a second-year sports psychology student at Loughborough University and juggles her studies with riding her growing string of horses – she also rode her warmblood Qwinton to fourth in the Equitex advanced medium silver at the championships.

“The deal has always been that I can do the horses as long as I finish my education, which I understand more now as I get a bit older. My Dad says at the end of my degree I can choose to follow my passion or my pension – that remains to be decided!”

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Katie Bailey notched a second win of the week on Escomond, adding the HorseLight Medium Gold title to the previous day’s advanced medium sash at the 2024 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships. She earned herself a comfortable victory margin on 73.15%. She had a long wait to celebrate her success as her biggest threat looked to be the final horse into the arena, GF Sezuki. Claire Abel’s Sezuan mare had already finished a narrow second in the freestyle earlier in the day, but was foiled again for the top prize, finishing as reserve champion on a score of 70.22%, despite a dazzling extended walk for eights across the board earning double marks.

This was Escomond’s second visit to the arena on this final day, but while he was “lit up” in the advanced medium freestyle – finishing down the order in 12th – he was back in form for the medium.

“I think he remembered the prize-giving from the same arena yesterday, he was like a different horse,” said Katie. “So this afternoon, I just kept my leg on and rode more positively, I said ‘let’s get going’, and it worked. Our trot work, half passes, and medium canter went really well. It’s amazing to win two championships, but all I tried to do mentally was ride the best tests I could.”

Young riders to the fore in the silver sections at 2024 Winter Dressage Championships

Isobel Lickley, 19, headed the Magic Prix St Georges Silver Winter Championship on 70%. The runner-up was Chrissie Havis aboard the skewbald Beckhouse Piano Blue, scoring 68.57%.

Isobel, who competed on pony European teams, is aiming for young riders this season. She has been riding Katniss “on and off for the past few years”, but relinquished the ride to her mother while she had a spell training abroad last year.

“I was in Holland for eight months as Lottie Fry’s assistant rider – it was an amazing experience,” she said. “When I came back last August I stole Katniss back from my mum, and I don’t want her stealing her back!”

Isobel was pleased with her test overall, “nitpicking” over little mistakes in the trot work, but her changes earned a string of eights.

“Her changes had so much more expression, which we’d been working on, so it was nice that was rewarded in the arena,” she said.

Chrissie Havis had to settle for the reserve champion slot for the second time in one afternoon, as her ride Beckhouse Piano Blue finished just behind the Superflex Intermediate I Silver Winter champion Escade (India Durman-Mills). None of the field broached the 70% barrier, with India on 69.7%, after she broke in her extended trot, but her final halt boosted her score with two eights.

India has done both junior and young riders on Escade, and the 19-year-old is aiming for young rider teams again this season. This was only their third inter I.

“My mistake in the trot did push the mark down but luckily he came back to me straight away,” said India. “These sort of things happen. I’m hoping we can move up to inter II towards the end of the year.”

Flying changes seal the deal in the final Petplan Winter Area Festival Championship

The final Petplan Area Festival championship, the 34-strong advanced medium bronze, resulted in a win for Daisy Hills on Midtgaards Gijon. Their party piece was also the flying changes, which drew eights from the judges, for an overall 70.21%. Kizzie Lucas and Candito finished a fraction behind in second on 70.04%, conversely, an error in their second change costing them victory.

“He has a definite talent for the changes,” said Daisy. “It’s something we work on a lot but they’re always a highlight.

“I only started riding him six months ago and so everything has happened quite quickly – this is a dream come true,” she said. “We made our young rider debut in January and we’ve decided to go for it.”

Daisy, 20, previously evented, competing at the Badminton Grassroots Championships in 2019, but switched fully to dressage last year.

“I just had a love for dressage,” she explained. “It was always my favourite phase in eventing, and something I just love working hard on.”

Also on the podium and with eventing links, the veteran Cillnabradden Evo is still going strong in his retirement as a top-flight event horse. Sally-Anne Egginton’s 18-year-old won Gatcombe’s British Open in a multi-garlanded eventing career with both Andrew Nicholson and Oliver Townend. He finished third in this class on 68.37%, ridden – as he has been since 2022 – by Poppy Burner.

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“What we don’t have in height, we make up for in hair,” said a beaming Ruby Lewin following her plus-65% test aboard CNS Cob Marley in the 2024 Petplan Elementary Bronze Winter Area Festival Championship.

The class was won by Jonathan Canty and Fablewelt (69.7%) but despite that, there was no containing Ruby’s delight: “We’ve got our own unique way and I love it.”

The 15-year-old traditional gypsy cob – who stands at only 13.1hh – was rescued in poor condition as a two-year-old by Charmaine Senior, who still owns him. After a successful career in the show ring, he’s been competing in affiliated dressage with Ruby for over six years.

“He’s shown excellent potential from the get-go,” explained Ruby, who only started competing at elementary in December after a gentle push from her coaches Craig Messenger and Daniel Watson.

“We qualified for the Area Festivals in just three tests and then he went and won at Parwood, which got us here today. We’ve come to give it a go, do our best and get the experience because he’s done nothing this big before.”

2024 Winter Area Festival Championships: “I’ve always loved cobs”

With his voluminous mane and feathers, Marley stands out from a mile away. “He’s also a real character, to say the least,” adds Ruby. “He’s a little chatterbox and he likes to make his presence known – and he’ll do anything for a gingernut biscuit.”

As you can probably imagine, Marley doesn’t just wake up looking like this, and with so much hair, being this well-turned out takes some late nights and early starts.

“For a show like this, it takes us around four hours,” said Ruby, “he gets washed, blow-dried head to toe, you name it.”

“We leave him with five single plaits going down his mane overnight, and then before we ride at a show it gets brushed out and goes completely wild.

“My previous horse was a Lipizzaner, so the complete opposite – but I’ve always loved cobs and we’ve built up such a solid collection over the years – we just click.”

Having made the move up to elementary, Ruby now has her sets on going even further: “Both Daniel and Craig see real potential in him to move up to medium, and we’ll see how far we go from there. But we’re in no rush, we’re just enjoying it, having fun, and he’s loving it – he’s a proper showman.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A colic operation and surgery on all four legs has proved no barrier to the doughty Bryntegllwnynau Rocky Robin, who was competing in the elementary silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships 2024. The skewbald, who stands barely 14.2hh, is a super jack of all trades, having started out as a racing pony, then a Pony Clubber before become a championships dressage contender.

“I’ve had him since he was four and I was 12 – and he’s now 17,” said his rider April Joynson. “We’ve come a long way, but there have been a lot of bumps in the road.”

April bought Robin from a family who enjoyed pony racing, and he wasn’t fast enough. But nor did they envisage he’d be a dressage pony.

“Mum was into dressage so she got me doing Pony Club and we cottoned on to the fact that he’s very rhythmical and has a lovely canter, so I had some decent scores and that’s how the journey started,” she explained.

Robin’s not only flourished between the white boards, he also won a one-day event last year.

Petplan Area Festival Championships 2024 contender: “Old but gold!”

Robin had colic surgery in 2018, when the vets warned April “not to get my hopes up” for any competition prospects.

“They said he was unlikely to return to ridden work and certainly not to compete in shows like today, no chance,” she said. “But he came back feeling really strong, and we got to the championships in 2020. We finished middle of the board but I was just happy to be there.”

Then last year, he had his palmar annular ligaments operated on, first the hinds, followed by the forelegs.

“He was supposed to have six months’ complete rest, and then six months’ rehab, so I thought I’d have to miss this, but after four months the vet said he was good to go and to crack on. So my first show was the qualifiers and we finished a close second. Then he got a personal best in a medium, so he’s getting better and better – old but gold!

“It doesn’t always go perfectly, but he’s adorable and always tries his best. He’s a dream pony. Although it wasn’t always like that – as a four-year-old I was on the floor most of the time.”

Their performance in this class was not their best – “sadly today he decided to have a couple of canters in the medium trot” – and April rued comparing her ride to her rivals.

“We had a few blips, because I asked too much, but that’s where as a rider you have to adapt to your horse,” she said. “I look around the arenas here and it gets in my head that I should be doing a bigger trot, and they need to sit more, uphill, go, go, go. And that’s where he says, ‘I had better canter, I can’t do any more on my little legs’.”

They finished 20th in a field of nearly 40 on 66.37%. Bethany Edginton won the class on Nelson HD on a score of 73.24%.

Dealing with “eau de cheval”

It’s not only Robin working his socks off. April works full time in marketing for an engineering company.

“It’s tricky – a lot of early mornings,” she says. “I get up at 5.30am, muck them out, put them out and start work at 7.30am. I’m lucky the office is about 20 minutes from the yard. I always make jokes that if I smell, please tell me and I’ll quickly put more perfume on but [my colleagues] know the drill, like if I have a bit of straw in my hair, they’ll tell me I might want to grab that out!”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ponies ruled in Sunday’s under-21 novice classes at the 2024 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships at Addington Equestrian, topping the podiums in both the silver and bronze.

A versatile buckskin pony delivered the goods in the bronze section. Caramelle, ridden by Lydia Holmes, produced a beautifully consistent test to score 71.59%, and shade Joris Couture (Alexandra Cordingley) into second on 71.18%. Another pony, the palomino Twyford Salamander (Jemima Byam-Cook), was third.

“I was quite nervous because I’ve not done much dressage this year, but Caramelle is so good, she knows her job,” said Lydia, 15. “She’s really consistent and her walk is great.”

Caramelle stands just 13.3hh, and Lydia has had the 11-year-old mare for six years. And while she’s a winning dressage machine, she’s no one-trick pony.

“We started showjumping her this year and she’s so good, so bold,” said the year 10 student. “She can do anything. We’re competing at 90 and hoping to move up to 100. She’s really loveable, she just wants to try her hardest.”

“In the zone” at the 2024 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships

In the later silver section, the show pony Treworgan Dancing Diva squeaked ahead of Welsh cob Seiont Glesyn (Oliver Lawery) by 0.2%, taking the title on 67.98% for Keira Jasinski. The winner is no stranger to a bit of atmosphere, having previously competed as a show pony at Royal International.

“I think that helps her cope, as I didn’t have to do the arena familiarisation this morning,” said Keira, who trains with Kate Rowland. “She is full of sass, but she gets in the zone when we go in the ring and loves her job. She’s sassy but chilled.

“Last year we came second in the prelim under-21s and now we’ve won this,” added Kate, 17, who is hoping to train as an equine physio. “She was really consistent throughout her test, easy and enjoyable to ride. She’s just a joy to have.”

Saturday’s silver prelim winners Lilly Newcombe and Lagos finished third on this tight podium on 67.15%.

In the 32-strong Petplan Preliminary Silver Championships, Rachel Gallop scored an impressive 73.12% on Sazzaro Bellante for their rhythmic and consistent test. Four riders in this class exceeded 70%, with Mia Kirby and WFD Wild Thyme the runners-up. Lauren Green and her eye-catching Connie Dalgan Chester were third on 70.76%.

Rachel and her sister Sara have had the rising six-year-old Sazzaro Bellante since he was two and she is thrilled with how he’s “taken everything in his stride”. He has only been competing in British Dressage since November, having been given time to grow into his 17hh frame.

“We’re both quite new to it as I’m really a showjumper,” said Rachel, who says he is training at medium at home. “I also jump little stuff on him, and my sister’s other dressage horses, for fun. They love it and they’re quite brave, which surprised me.”

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RSPCA George and 11-year-old Theo Charnley continue to make waves and capture hearts on the national dressage stage, placing second in the under-21s prelim silver at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships on 70.62%.

The RSPCA rescued George’s dam, neglected, from the side of the road while she was pregnant with him, and he was later born under their care. Theo and his dad Paul rehomed George as a two-year-old over lockdown and backed him themselves – a fact made even more remarkable when you learn Theo hadn’t really ridden before.

Fast forward four years and Theo is now a budding professional, with a keen eye, whose dressage role model is Becky Moody. He’s even starting to catch up with Becky when it comes to national titles, having already won the under-21 intro title at the British Dressage (BD) Quest National Championships and the intro title at the SEIB Trailblazers Championships in 2023.

However, this was his first Winter Area Festival Championships and he was pleased with his performance: “We got the right canter across the centre line which was good because we’ve been struggling with that – he did really well and was so well-behaved.”

The judges were certainly impressed, with the combination’s marks never falling below six, with the highest reserved for the collective marks on Theo’s position and results.

The combination will now look ahead to the summer regionals and moving up the levels to novice, for what could soon be their last hurrah between the white boards together, with Theo quickly outgrowing the 12hh pony.

Fortunately, despite receiving several offers, George “isn’t going anywhere” according to dad Paul, and the combination, who have done so much to bring awareness to what rehomed rescue ponies can achieve, will continue working together, but in a new discipline.

“We’re retraining to drive and he’s already starting driving with the British junior squad,” Paul explained. “So when Theo is too big for George – which will be quite soon – they can still continue their journey together.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A 13-year-old rider proved her versatility as she steered two very different horses onto the podium at the 2024 Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships. Annabelle Wesley rode the 15-year-old Welsh pony Armada Dyffryncothi Bridget to finish runner-up in the elementary bronze under-21 Area Festival. She backed this up with a third place in the silver on four-star eventer Caroline’s Air KM. There is three hands’ height difference between her two rides, with Bridget standing at just 14.1hh.

Annabelle scored just shy of 70% on Caroline’s Air KM, who belongs to her grandfather, event horse owner Trevor Dickens. Trevor’s most famous eventer is the Badminton and Burghley winner Vanir Kamira, whom Annabelle has also been competing in dressage – and winning on – this year, since the mare’s retirement from eventing with Piggy March.

But this week it was the turn of another of Trevor’s top-flight campaigners, the 2023 Mallow CCI4*-L winner Caroline’s Air KM, to shine between the white boards. The 11-year-old Cassirado mare had been evented by Izzy Taylor since 2021, but has started this season under Max Warburton.

“She’s still eventing, but is on a break having a bit of fun with me,” said Annabelle. “She feels really good, so nice to ride, and I’m so happy I get to ride her, but being 17.1hh she’s a bit different to my pony. I don’t really know how I adapt, I just try my hardest, but the movement is a lot different.”

Armada Dyffryncothi Bridget was mid-division in her medium test earlier in the week, but here scored 67.06%, shaded into second by 0.74% by Gabriella Kozersky on Hollywood Semilly.

“She’s an amazing pony, who always tries really hard and just loves her job,” said Annabelle, who has been competing the Geler Storm-sired pony for 18 months.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It was tight at the top of the elementary silver under-21 class at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships, with winner Alice Lamburn just squeaking ahead of second-placed Brooklyn Daw by 0.29%. Alice scored 70.539% on Linde WS, with her marks getting better and better as the test progressed. She started with 5.5 for the first working trot, and ended with eights.

“She’s a chestnut mare, and she can be quite tense and spooky, but she coped really well,” said Alice, 20, of the eight-year-old. “It’s my first time doing a prize-giving and she kept it all contained.

“She was very green and weak when I bought her as a five-year-old, but I loved her immediately and have brought up her the ranks myself.”

Alice is studying human biology and anatomy at the University of Liverpool, and is planning to take Linde to uni with her next year.

“This year she’s been kept ticking over by Jade Deter, and I come home for the holidays and try to do the best I can,” added Alice, who cannot foresee a “life without horses”. “I worked at Catherston Stud in my gap year, and loved doing that.”

Brooklyn Daw, 17, was a narrow second, riding 18-year-old Roulette MKM. This was a tonic after a torrid year in which she lost her Connemara pony suddenly to cancer.

“He’s really helped me since losing my pony, which I’d had since I was nine,” she said. “Rou is very different to my pony – going from a 14.2hh to a 17hh warmblood, and it’s taken time to get used to the gears as he has so many!

“It’s the best test we’ve done so far. He has a good brain on him and he’s taught me a lot. I am hoping we can go up to medium this year.”

It was another close finish in the bronze elementary, with Gabriella Kozersky (Hollywood Semilly), by Diamant De Semilly, taking the winner’s sash over Annabelle Wesley and her 14.1hh Armada Dyffryncothi Bridget. Gabriella, who scored 67.8%, competes in BE100 eventing as well as affiliated dressage and says the two are mutually helpful.

“Dressage helps me be so accurate and improve my eventing, and I love the courage that you need to go cross-country. I feel like they’re both equally important and I enjoy both of them the same,” said Gabriella, who is her final year of A levels. “I’ve always wanted to be able to balance the horses and academics because I wanted to be an all-round person. I think the sport helps you mentally organise yourself, be disciplined, and get that competitive mindset. I feel like it really helps you develop and progress as an individual both academically and other aspects.”

“I never anticipated him winning today, we are just aspiring to be just a fraction as good as his sibling Toledo [De Kerser]!”

Under-21 prelims Petplan Area Festival Championships 2024

Another event rider came to the fore in the prelim bronze, when Sophie Bellamy clocked a super score of 72.36% to win on her eventer Drumnaconnell Goody Bag, by Ricardo Z. The pair won a BE90 at the end of last season and are bidding to move up to 100. Sophie has only recently started competing in dressage.

“I realised that if you want to have a chance of being competitive in eventing, your dressage has to be so good, and the more I’ve trained the more I’ve loved it,” she said. “I couldn’t fault him today, he was mega.”

There were three combinations over 70% in this section, with Lilly Cox second on BE Barbara with 70.35%, and Pippa Stephens and her Appaloosa Old Spot Brite Eyes third on 70%.

Lilly Newcombe was another under-21 winner with a plus-70% score, riding Lagos (Rupert), by De Niro x Vivaldi. Lilly scored a personal best of 72.01% in the prelim silver, but was ruing a mistake where she made a transition at the wrong marker which docked marks. The partnership is only five months old, but they formed a quick bond.

“I’ve never done anything like this, and he’s only rising seven,” said the 18-year-old rider. “He was fresh in the warm-up. but as soon as he sees the white boards and goes down the centre line we are like the dream team.

“I’m new to this level as I had a bad accident with a previous horse that was really sharp and lost loads of confidence. But Rupert has just picked me up.”

The runner-up was 11-year-old Theo Charnley and the 13hh RSPCA George, who scored a personal best of 70.63%.

“We got the right canter which was really good as we have been struggling with it,” said Theo, who backed the pony himself having rehomed him as a two-year-old. The skewbald was born in an RSPCA centre after his pregnant dam was rescued from the side of the road.

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‘He’s never needed them’: Barefoot wildcard entry storms to first national title at Winter Dressage Championships

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Katie Bailey continued her recent form with Hannah Dovey and Verity Jenner’s nine-year-old gelding Escomond to win the Equitex Advanced Medium Gold Winter Championship on 73.07% at the 2024 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships – less than 1% ahead of Becky Moody and Magic Dream who finished second on 72.41%.

“It was a hot class so I’m really pleased,” said Katie following her prize-giving. “He’s not done that much, so competition-wise this was quite the experience.

“At a championship, you always want a clean test, so I was conscious of that, but I was able to take more risks in the trot work and ask for a bit more power – there’s still a lot more in there though.

“He was bred by Verity so it’s so nice she’s still involved with him – she was welling up a bit when I went into my test.”

Like fellow competitors Sadie Smith and Amy Woodhead, Katie kickstarted her dressage career riding for Carl Hester – a gig she got after her mum spotted an advert in Horse & Hound. Katie competed Carl’s late Olympic silver medallist Nip Tuck during the early stages of his career, taking him up the levels to prix st georges (PSG).

She also produced and competed Spencer Wilton’s Super Nova, who was on that silver medal-winning team in Rio alongside Nip Tuck – putting Katie in the unique position of having helped to develop half of the 2016 Olympic team.

Katie and Escomond will be back in action tomorrow (14 April) to contest the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle and Horselight Medium Gold Winter Championships.

2024 Winter Dressage Championships: “We were all in tears”

Alys Matravers and Kari Christopher’s Vorvashill Vertigo edged yet another tight contest in the Prestige Novice Silver Winter Championships – winning on 69.87%, just ahead of Jordan Kavanagh and Flashdance GH in second on 69.75%.

“I can’t quite believe it,” said Alys, “we’d hoped to squeeze into the top 10 but to come out on top was unbelievable – we were in tears, all of us.”

The 13-year-old British-bred stallion balances his dressage with stud work and eventing up to BE100.

“He does hate getting trapped in warm-ups and other horses getting too close to him, but otherwise he’ll give anything a go until it gets boring and then we have to mix it up.

“He will start covering again next month and we cut down on his competing while he’s doing that but he’s showing quite good potential to go up the levels.”

Alex Heaton and the six-year-old Irish Sport Horse Cosmopolitan du Rouet won the first Winter Area Festival Championship of the day, convincingly claiming the preliminary bronze on a personal best score of 72.92%.

In a class with 46 starters, Alex was third to go and had a mammoth wait to see if she’d won. “We’ve just been shopping, eating, enjoying our day,” she said. “The more people that were going through the more I thought ‘maybe I’ve got it in the bag’ but there was no stress.”

Alex bought Cosmopolitan du Rouet as an unbacked three-year-old: “I backed him myself but then I found out I was pregnant so I turned him away and brought him back into work about a year and a half ago.

My trainer Laura Rowe has helped massively and we’ve been doing a bit of everything ever since. This was his first championship but he took it like a pro – I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Juan Marin Aizpurua and David and Serena Pincus’ eight-year-old gelding Sheepcote Adios overcame a disappointing result in the Petplan Novice Bronze Winter Area Festival Championship yesterday (12 April) – where they finished further down the rankings on 61.66% – to storm the HorseHage Preliminary Silver Winter Championship at the 2024 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships, winning with 72.47%.

Across the class, there were a few disagreements in the judging, with the judge at B, Gillian Peters, picking Rachael Mosey and Bridget Tate’s Isle Valena as her winner, whereas the judge at C, Tim Downes, placed that combination 21st.

But the judges were unanimous in their praise for Juan and Sheepcote Adios, with each awarding consistent eights. If it hadn’t been for a momentary blip in the canter work that score would have been even higher.

2024 Winter Dressage Championships: “We’ve developed a very good partnership”

Juan had never competed before moving to the UK from Spain to pursue his dreams of being a professional rider three years ago. He has since become a working pupil at the Pincus’ Sheepcote base.

“I started riding him as a baby, and we’ve developed a very good partnership,” Juan said.

“I chose to come to England to because there are very good professionals here and the way of riding is amazing – so I thought it’d be a good place to come to.”

The combination have been competing together since March 2023 and look to be going from strength to strength having qualified for the championships on a wildcard after coming third at Onley Grounds EC Winter Regionals on 69.83%.

Throughout their partnership, Sheepcote Adios has also been competing barefoot.

“He’s a very strong horse with good confirmation,” explained Juan. “There’s no special reason behind why he doesn’t have shoes – he has a very solid, strong foot so he’s never needed them.”

“The plan is to take him up through the levels and we’ll see how he goes. He’s a good boy, he can be a bit cheeky sometimes – but in a jolly way.”

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Sadie Smith and her nine-year-old Dante Weltino mare Swanmore Dantina left the opposition in their wake as they won the Superflex Intermediate I Gold Winter Championship at the 2024 NAF Winter Dressage Championships – following up on their success in the Magic Prix St Georges (PSG) last year.

The combination scored 75% to finish just under 5% ahead of Jezz Palmer and Emily Ivins’ nine-year-old stallion Ketcher B – who won the PSG on the opening day (10 April) of this year’s Winter Dressage Championships.

It was a harmonious and fluent ride from Sadie, with the judge at C, Nick Burton, awarding them 80.29% and several nines for the combination’s canter work and the collective mark for general impression.

“I was really pleased with my test, she felt confident in there and fresh,” said Sadie. “I haven’t done many shows through the winter because I wanted to work on the training and getting her stronger, and today I felt that really helped – everything has come on a lot.”

“She’s always got her ears forward, she has a beautiful frame, and she’s found the step up to inter I relatively easy and to be honest I think it suits her more because she has such looseness in the trot and I can show that off more – I love her to bits, she’s my number one.”

A former rider for Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, Sadie has produced “Dia” through the levels after buying her as a three-year-old but admits she didn’t expect to be here with her.

“I had been planning to sell her because at the time I had another horse who was at a higher level and she was going to fund that one, but for whatever reason she’s ended up staying with me and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Charlotte always winds me up because she’s like ‘Oh you just wanted to get rid of her, but I said no’ – so she was right again!”

Sadie has now set up by herself and says she’s enjoying the experience: “It’s nice being my own boss, but I do miss having the security blanket of Carl and Charlotte there. But it’s good because you have to find your own way at some point, and I’m really lucky that I have a nice string of horses now – Carl still owns one and some of the others belong to Charlotte’s main owner – so I’m still quite heavily involved which is nice because I can pick up the phone and ask for help if I need it.

“It’s a tough sport and everyone’s trying hard to do their best, and when you have days like this it helps you to keep going.”

Sadie and Dia will be looking to make it back-to-back titles when they contest the Superflex Intermediate I Freestyle Gold Winter Championship later today (13 April).

2024 Winter Dressage Championships: “She is a bit of a Disney princess”

Advanced eventer Katie Warner won the last class of the day – the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Silver Championship – aboard the seven-year-old mare Active Nuvolari on 73.79%.

The combination’s Disney-themed music impressed the judges with the judge at H, Andrea Smith giving them 77.22% for their artistic mark. “It suits her because she has such an expressive face, and such long legs, she really is a bit of a Disney princess,” said Katie.

“I was so pleased with her today, we haven’t run through our freestyle in competition before and she’s never been to a big show like this, but she was with me the whole way through – I’m so proud of her. I’m 21 weeks pregnant today, so this was the baby’s first nationals, so it’s very exciting.”

Katie credits her coach and “best friend” Charlotte Smithwhite with holding her hand and encouraging her: “She gave me the belief that I can really come here and do it.”

A-level student Sophia Marston and her 12-year-old mare Solitaire II won the hotly contested Petplan Advanced Medium Silver Area Festival Championship with 68.76%.

“Most of the test was brilliant,” said Sophia, “I got on her and she just felt insanely good. The highlight was probably the trot, she’s still green to the level but she’s starting to gain confidence in her changes as well.”

Sophia has owned Solitaire since she was a yearling, and the combination started their respective dressage careers together – and it’s been a rocky road to get to where they are now.

“Last year she had an accident in the field and fractured her P1 [proximal phalanx] but she’s back up and running now and strong as ever, so whatever happens in the future is a bonus – there’s no pressure with her because I’m already so proud of what she’s achieved.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Sophie Savage and her 15-year-old Irish-bred gelding Two Tone Ted scored an emotional win in the Petplan Novice Bronze Winter Area Festival Championship on 69.23% to take their first-ever national title.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” said Sophie. “When I start thinking about it I just feel like I’m going to cry, I am delighted. I imagined it so many times over and over in my head, that ‘one day you will win’ and I’ve done it!”

“We’re always second or lower down the rankings so I’m delighted, Ted was a star,” said Sophie. “It was a lovely test. He really went forward, as I hoped he would, and he was off my leg the whole way round.”

In a class of 34 that ran over several hours, Sophie and Ted were fourth to go and then had an agonising wait as combination after combination came and went.

“I’ve been trying to keep busy all day, mucking out, and doing odd jobs,” added Sophie. “Every test I was watching after us I thought ‘oh they’ve done really well – that’s a really nice test’ but there we were, still at the top!”

Sophie’s inspiring story, and journey through the levels encapsulates everything that’s positive about the Area Festival Championships – and there were more than a few tears as she was conducting interviews.

“I’m a retired nurse, I have three sons and four grandchildren who were all watching me compete this morning at 8.15, all in front of the iPad. They’re not very old but we have a little pony for them at home and they’re just getting going.

“I did eventing in my younger years when I was a teenager but I went 20 years without a horse while I brought up my children – and here I am now, how amazing.”

Sophie found Ted in 2021 through a wanted ad on Facebook, and after some gentle encouragement, she entered and won an unaffiliated dressage competition at Kings Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre.

“I then joined BD and did Quest in my first year, then prelim for 18 months and now I’m doing novice. He was only meant to be a hack, I didn’t think we’d be on this dressage journey together!

“He’s very safe out hacking, I can take him anywhere on my own, which was the reason for buying him, and he’s just been a star.”

Sophie now trains with Sally Bell – who she describes as “inspirational” – twice a month and is due to compete again with Ted at the Inter-County Challenge at Bicton Arena and regionals in the summer.

2024 Winter Area Festival Championships: “I know I’m biased, but she’s wonderful”

Natasha Gibbons and her six-year-old mare Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee won the Petplan Novice Silver Area Festival Championship on 71.66% – picking up several eights for their canter work.

“It’s her first time here so she was a little bit shellshocked when she first went in, but as soon as she got going she settled really quickly,” said Natasha. “We had one little mistake in our medium trot but other than that she was fabulous the whole way through.

“She’s so consistent I knew that if she pulled it out of the bag she’d be top 10, but I didn’t think we’d win it.”

Natasha has owned Aimee since she was six months old, having bought her at the Elite Auction and backed her herself, alongside her uncle and mum.

“I know I’m biased but I think she’s so wonderful. She’s really easy to do, ever since we sat on her she’s just been so good to ride, and she loves people, I’ve got a little two-year-old and she nuzzles him – she’s amazing.”

Reflecting on her championship experience Natasha added: “The championships have been brilliant, I think it gives you the big championship experience but it’s a little bit more laid back, and not always as intimidating as it can be going in with all the big names – the whole day has been brilliant.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Roland Tong and the eight-year-old mare CHS Fonteyn won the Magic Prix St Georges (PSG) Freestyle Gold Championship at the 2024 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships on 74.12% – just under 2% ahead of Jezz Palmer and Honey D’Or.

“She was brilliant because she’s only done three PSGs before this and then it was straight to the championships,” said Roland.

“I always love the freestyles, Gaynor Colbourn did our music and she played 27 instruments and then brought it all together, so it’s quite unique because it goes from Swan Lake, to Whitney Houston, to Elton – it’s unbelievable.”

It was a marked improvement from the PSG the day before (10 April) – where the combination scored 66.12% to finish 12th – with Roland admitting he went out looking to take more risks.

“She was too nervous yesterday but it was completely different this time around,” he said. “I went on YouTube and I thought ‘I’ve got to make this floorplan really hard’ – so I copied Charlotte Dujardin’s freestyle.”

When asked what the hardest part of the resulting routine was, Roland laughed, answering: “all of it!”

2024 Winter Dressage Championships: “The best horse I’ve ever sat on”

Dannie Morgan continued his fine form to add yet another national title to his collection, winning the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold Championship on his outstanding six-year-old gelding Fever Tree (Foundation x Dayano), who he describes as “the best horse I’ve ever sat on.”

In what was a strong class, the combination were clear winners, scoring the highest mark of the championships so far – 79.29% – and finishing comfortably clear of Gracie Catling and Fraithwens Wytske fan ter Lune, who were second on 75.76%.

“He’s an incredible horse, I’ve never had one like him before, he gives me goosebumps,” said Dannie. “I tried to show an interesting floor plan but there wasn’t anything too technical – he’s got such a lovely way of going and is such a beautiful mover that I just try to present him in a nice way and he makes my job very easy.”

Fever Tree was bred by David Stone of Bow Lake Equestrian where Dannie is based and also won the novice freestyle gold at the winter championships last year. He has now won 25 of 28 outings so far in his career and look set to go to the very top.

“I’ve known him since he was a foal, and ever since I first saw him, I was like, ‘wow, that horse’,” added Dannie. “I got the opportunity to buy him when I broke him in as a three year old. Horses like him don’t come around very often so I want to keep hold of him.”

Dannie was also fifth on the seven-year-old gelding Monsieur Frederique who finished on 72.11%.

The Petplan Intermediate I Silver Area Festival went down to the wire with Julia Walker winning on her 19-year-old mare Rodhea on 66.02% – just ahead of Nichola Harrison and Lobke Van Het Urnenveld in second on 65.93%.

“We call her princess,” said Julia, who works for John and Char Lasstter. “I was so pleased with her performance and that we didn’t make any mistakes in the changes.”

“She came to the UK as a five-year-old from Lithuania and she was going to be for Char but she didn’t quite grow big enough, so I bought her after backing and producing her as a young horse.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now