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11-year-old rider enjoys instant success in step up from 128cms to horses: ‘We didn’t plan it, they just gelled’

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • Exceptional young showjumper Anya Dewey Clarke has been enjoying an unprecedented run of success recently, taking the 128cm circuit by storm.

    But followingly a hugely successful 2025, in which she claimed a full house of 128cm titles, the 11-year-old rider has just won her first championship of 2026 – this time riding horses.

    At the British Showjumping Winter Championships at Arena UK, Lincs (18-22 March) Anya topped the winter children-on-horses final with 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Jewelino, formerly ridden by Michaela Whitaker and owned by Michaela’s father Martin Wood.

    A winning international debut

    Anya Dewey Clarke started riding Jewelino in January and their competitive partnership has been an instant success, with six victories in six shows.

    Anya even made her international debut in the CSI1* at Gassin-St Tropez last month, where she and Jewelino won three out of the four classes they jumped, including two 1.15m grands prix.

    “I’ve known Michaela Whitaker for a while through showing – her daughter Gracie has got Anya’s old first ridden pony that she won at HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] and the Royal International on,” Anya’s mother Anna said.

    “She offered Anya the ride for a bit as she had never ridden a horse and we thought it would be a good experience – we didn’t really get him with the plan to do children on horses but they just gelled.”

    Anya Dewey Clarke: “I wanted a clear, not to try to win”

    Three made the jump-off of this close children on horses final at Arena UK, all of whom jumped clear less than 1sec apart. Cheska Kirby finished runner-up with Magic Chianti, while Charlie Barker was third with Acarno B.

    “I mainly wanted a clear, not to try to go in to win, but I knew that he’s got a nice big stride – he’s fluent and covers the ground, so I just stayed forward. He’s a lovely horse,” Anya said.

    Read the full report from the British Showjumping Winter Championships in Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops 26 March.

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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