Ellen Whitaker wins ladies championship at Scope Festival

Ellen Whitaker picked up the Riverside Ladies championship in the Bingley Hall at Stafford during the Easibed BSJA/Scope Festival on Wednesday.

Eleven contested the jump off with Ellen and Ocalado cruising inside to the triple bar to finish ahead of Sharon Quigley (Sumas Sound of Music) and Bumble Tomas (Harrington II).

In the Midlands Equestrian Centre National championship defending champion Geoff Luckett took an early lead in the 10-strong jump off for the gents title. Brickfield Boy jumped across the angles to withstand the challenges of Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade), and Geoff Billington (Rosinus).

Despite competing Indy 28 for the first time indoors, Mathew Sampson pulled off some amazing turns to claim the Peacock Construction National Under 18 championship. The pair were having their first outing since helping Great Britain clinch the 2008 European team gold medal team, and finish fourth individually in Prague.

Pippa Goddard clinched her second championship of the Festival, when Pauline Plowman’s Delfino headed the Squibb & Davies junior Foxhunter masters. Just 2 managed double clears in the jump off, where early drawn Delfino saved every inch. Four HOYS tickets went to Sarah Elder (Cinderella Girl), Amelia Green (Something About Candy), Spencer Roe (Mayflower II) and Chad Fellows (Tex Two).

After setting a fast pace in the 16-strong jump off for the Smiths Equestrian National 128cm primary championship, Katie House and My Little Pumpkin maintained their lead over Millie Allen (Flinor Songbird).

Yasmin Tanfield and Wakeleys Foxhunter produced the only double clear to clinch victory in the National 138cm primary championship. Nine contested the final round, where Yasmin held her nerve after 5 of the early finalists faulted.

Two other championships were settled, Jonathan Dixon and Zegreanne triumphed in the Northern Marine Underwriters National 1.30m Classic, and, although a double clear eluded Tom Woolacott in the Hand Equestrian Centre junior Starspotters championship, his fast four fault final round with Chivas, was good enough to secure victory. “After the first rail fell, we moved up a gear” said the Somerset rider.

Stay in touch with the latest news from Scope Festival on Horseandhound.co.uk

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