North and East Regional Updates
Here you can find out all of the latest news and updates from the North & East region.
Sponsorship Opportunities 2026
Could you help support our activities next year?
We are ever grateful to our regional sponsors for the support they give. We have opportunities for:
- Regional Sponsorship (Includes a North & East Championship)
- North and East Show Sponsorship
- North and East Youth Show Sponsorship
Please see the additional information below to see how you could get involved. Open to Equestrian and Non-equestrian businesses or personal sponsorship of a class at the North and East Show. Sponsorship helps to support our team and training activities throughout the year.
NORTH & EAST SHOWS SPONSORSHIP
NORTH & EAST REGIONAL SPONSORSHIP
North and East BD Youth Rider League
A friendly competition within the North & East region for anyone who has been selection on a BD Youth Squad! Compete within the category that is the level you've been assessed at during the squad process (D Squad, C Squad, C+ Squad, B Squad, B+ Squad, A Squad). Each category will have an overall winner and placings down to 10th which will be awarded at the North & East Presentation Ball. See the current 2025 standings below. Want to join in this year? See our youth page.
The Rider League closes 30 November with final tests to be submitted by 7 December to count.
NORTH & EAST RIDER LEAGUE FINAL (09.12.25)
North & East Newsletter
Our newsletter is sent out regularly to keep all of our members in the region up to date with all of the latest events, training and news!
BD North and East Awards 2025
From a table full of riders wearing funny specs, the obligatory inflatable unicorns, wild dancing, the presentation of over 40 awards and the sharing of all that’s best about BD North and East, the ball had it all.
It proved a fitting farewell for departing RDO Jo Byrne, who has done so much to ensure the ball’s continued success. She began the evening by road-testing the photo booth holding a sign saying “The Boss” and wearing a crown.
She was also awarded the chair’s rosebowl in recognition of her contribution to member development and initiatives across the region.
“Thanks for the last nine years,” she said “It’s been great being part of everyone’s journey.”
As owner of an exciting five-year-old ridden by Hannah Esberger Hancock, she’ll still be on the BD circuit.
The power of para dressage and the team spirit were celebrated by many and summed up by Shirley Hart, the winner of the Moira Richardson Equine Touch and VHT bronze, for overcoming physical challenges while continuing to compete.
“If it wasn’t for the Paras, I would have had to stop riding. The positivity of everyone involved is amazing, nobody moans, and nobody makes excuses, they just get on with it.” said Shirley who competed as an able-bodied rider for years.
“I was diagnosed with MS in 1990 but as the years went by it caught up with me, and I was struggling with sitting trot at advanced medium. I was initially graded at V but now I’m at IV it’s perfect.”
Shirley and Der Diamant won two classes at the para summer championships at Hartpury. Both were on the comeback trail, Diamond having survived colic surgery and Shirley had recovered from a shoulder replacement. Since then, Shirley has had a knee replacement so they are about to start their 2026 campaign.
Grade III para rider Vicky Earnshaw won the Frizzell Trophy for notable international success, competing Charlotte Arling’s Midline Rioja and her own Prince Pepe successfully at all four internationals on home soil, and the summer championships.
“It was a big year for us and we’ve set a very high bar for the future, she said “I only began doing para in 2022, as I had initially resisted it, and I never dreamt I’d get to wear a flag on my jacket.”
“I’m having an amazing time in the para community, and I want to pay tribute to the support rider I work with, Rosie Squires, who makes it all possible.”
Maddy Ruff, joined BD two years ago at 60 when she retired as an NHS Executive.
“When I was younger I used to follow my daughter around, but now I’m really enjoying training clinics and camps and have met some lovely people.”
She was awarded the Big Murph Cup for her success with her own The Ginger Wizard, an Irish Sports Horse, at the Cavago Associated Championships.
“I train with Sue Joy and she persuaded me to go. We’ve come a long way as he deposited me a few times when I first got him, and he’s quite nervous, so I’m proud of how he coped.”
Another to find success at the associated championships was Emily Peck and her 12-year-old ex-racehorse, Peter’s Portrait. They took home the Magical Song Memorial Shield for the highest scoring N&E rider at the RoR championships.
She joined BE in January 2025 to be part of a Quest team, and despite a blip in getting eliminated for forgetting to remove her over-reach boots in one class, she has gone from strength to strength.
“He has such a good brain and he’s a delight to train,” said Emily who trains with Mark Townsend, fitting in her riding with a demanding job as a health and safety exec.
Jo Loftus reached advanced medium level with her 7/8 TB, but decided she’d like her next horse to be dressage bred. Enter Pumpkin, aka Opus-D, a spicy chestnut KWPN, who she bought from her friend Mel Chapman. They were awarded the Elovate Trophy for winning the summer regionals at prelim silver.
But five days after that success, when Jo was on holiday with Mel, they had alarming news.
“Mel’s Dad always does evening checks and gives them all a treat. He phoned to say something wasn’t right with Pumpkin, and it turned out he had sepsis in a knee and had to have surgery. He had a 2mm puncture wound, invisible to normal sight, and a few hairs had got in.”
“He had three months off so missed the nationals – but Mel’s Dad probably saved his life. We’ll try again this year.”
Jess Parr was rewarded with the Jack Richards Memorial Trophy for winning the summer regionals at PSG, her first championship at the level, with her 12-year-old mare Juvat FCS. The pair are now contesting small tour.
“I’ve had her since she was five and gone from novice to this level, and although this is all new territory I feel there maybe more to come” she said.
Jess, a level 2 BD coach herself, has trained with Sarah Payne since she was 15.
Sarah was awarded three trophies herself, two for riding and the Laura Fry Trophy for going above and beyond in the sport and region.
The Chrissie Havis Sheild for a tutor judge making an outstanding contribution to members’ development returned to Jane Peberdy, who coaches, judges from Quest to Grand Prix and runs the judges’ training programme.
“I love seeing trainee judges grow in confidence , and I enjoy being there for them at all levels whether it’s the training we put on, or just offering some reassurance when they see me at shows and have questions. I get a real buzz from helping people achieve their goals.”
“I think we’re making a real difference and have introduced a number of new topics in the programme this year.” she said.
Rose Punchard, 14, the recipient of the Fosters Trophy for notable international success for a developing rider, was part of the British Children on Horses team at Le Mans last year with Samantha Bloor’s Elason.
Trained by Sue Carson, she began with an ex-riding school pony and has been moving up the levels since. She has two new horses, Tetris, a 13-year-old Oldenberg gelding and AB Kensington, an 11-year-old KWPN to contest going forward. Her ambition is to be part of the Junior squad.
The Esberger Bronze for a rider under 25 having notable international success went to Charlotte Lutener on Full Fusion BS in her last year at under 25 classes. They helped the British team to the bronze medal.
“Flo tried her heart out for me,” said Charlotte, who trains with Becky Moody “I’m so lucky to have her.”
Flo is now on loan to a younger rider, also based at the Moodys, whilst Charlotte concentrates on, her eight-year-old Nacho SR. She’s spent the winter training in Germany and hopes to contest premier leagues when she returns and back two rising four-year-olds. She’s also on the P3 World Class pathway.
Oliver Lawery was awarded the Sir Oliver Silver Freestyle Bronze after his dance to a Queen medley on his Welsh D Seiont Glesyn, aka Harvey, gave him the freestyle win at the winter regionals.
“He was a jumper but I couldn’t control him so my trainer Nicky Sanderson suggested we try dressage.” said Oliver, 17, who also has a Lusitano, Falsete, who he is moving up the grades with.
“I’ll continue campaigning Harvey at novice and it would be lovely to do the youth teams.”
The Sheepgate Youth Trophy for the most promising Youth rider of 2025 went to 20-year-old Izzy Ineson on family horse Jack Morka.
“He’s lovely, and is ridden by my Mum too.” she said “I’m particularly proud that we went to the national championships at elementary level together.
Jess, who trains with Joyce Fearn, commutes from her Humberside home to university in Leeds, so she can spend time with her horses.
