‘I’m never put under any pressure’: 19-year-old rider takes second sash of the show after novice silver victory

The incredible pairing of young rider Georgie Nicholls and Katie Haigh’s Woodcroft Kika Quina (Luna) picked up their second win of the Lemieux National Dressage Championships, this time in a competitive BETTALIFE Novice Silver Championship.

Their well-deserved score of 73.827% landed them the title, over Lucyanna Westaway and Keystone Rocketman who netted 72.346%. Third place on 72.037% was Matthew Procter and AB Kensington.

Luna was in the spotlight only the previous day at the National Dressage Championships, when she won the Equitop elementary silver, a class where Georgie, 19, also placed second with Headmore Figaro.

Katie bought Luna, a six-year-old Johnson x Rohdiamant mare, two years ago after she’d done a handful of young horse classes, with the eventual aim of doing para classes with her herself once she has been classified for a grade.

“Luna always gives 100% and she’s super consistent,” said Georgie. “I said this yesterday, but this was probably one of the best tests she has ever given me.”

Georgie is based at the Headmore Stud where she began as an apprentice and is now second rider. Luna has been her ride for just over a year and is also based with Alice Oppenheimer and her team at Headmore.

“I get all the support and more at Headmore; I’m never put under any pressure so I’m really lucky,” Georgie added. “Luna is the perfect pony in every way, she’s so affectionate and she really loves her job.”

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.

You may also be interested in:

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

‘Getting to regionals was amazing, let alone here’: Jo Barry beats the odds to claim PSG title at National Dressage Championships

‘His energy is never-ending, just like his father’: Charlotte Dujardin adds second national title to her 2021 tally

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