Associated Championships 25: Thoroughly good Thoroughbreds

Heading to Onley Grounds in Warwickshire on the first day of action at the Associated Championships 921 October 2025), a host of superb Thoroughbred horses and their riders contested titles from Introductory to Advanced Medium, with inspiring results across the board.  

Claire McCarthy and The Big Guy (pictured) were jubilant winners across two levels at the Thoroughbred Championships, earning the top spots in both the Medium Bronze and Advanced Medium Bronze classes.  

Claire told British Dressage about her 12-year-old ex-race horse known affectionately as ‘Pinky’: "He ran six times and accidentally came fourth twice, it was not his thing! He nearly killed himself the day I bought him (zero exaggeration!) and ended up in a cast for six months, but it gave us time to get to know each other, and it has been he and I since.” 

“He is such an amazing horse and always tries his best, even on the day when the flying changes did not work out! We entered four classes at the Championships, the Medium and Advanced Medium for Thoroughbreds and then the same the next day in the RoR,” Claire continued about her time at Onley Grounds. “The first test he tried so hard, had a blip on the left half pass and our nemesis the walk pirouette, but was really accurate and his walk felt amazing...  and I’m glad the judges agreed too! In the Advanced Medium he was more tired and we missed accuracy with our changes but he took away the overall and Bronze win in the Medium and the Bronze in the Advanced Medium. The next day for the RoR classes we had some big blips in the walk pirouette and changes but he still tried really hard and came second in Bronze in both.” 

The pair were competing at their first ever Associated Championships, adding: “He turned 12 this year and you never know how long you have your horse for, so I decided to just go for what we could this year and he has been amazing. He won the BRC Advanced Medium at the Nationals, he also won the Medium, Medium Freestyle and Advanced Medium Freestyle at the RoR Winter Championships!”  

The multi-talented gelding’s year didn’t just see him star in the dressage arena too, “he also started showing this year and had won multiple championships, even a third at the Hickstead finals and is in his way to LIHS to see Santa this year! Along with this, he made a complete dream come through this year. Ever since I was tiny I have always wanted to get to the point of being able to wear a tailcoat and a few weeks ago we did just that at an Advanced test, where he got his first Prix St Georesg qualifying score.” 

Claire was full of praise when asked about working with thoroughbreds and those hailing from a racing background, “I can only say he literally can turn his hoof to anything and is the kindest soul! He has been a lead horse for baby horses, been a lead rein horse for my tiny human before she got her pony, brought our friends daughter to her first Petplan Area Festivals when she was 12 and then can go out and compete at the level he does at dressage and showing - he is just incredible. I have grown up with ex racers and Thoroughbreds, my mum and dad met while working at Jim Bolger's yard in Ireland! But Pinky is the best of all the horses I have worked with before and we will stay as a partnership competing for as long as he is happy to, and then hopefully a long and happy retirement together after this. After our blips in the RoR, the first thing I did was message my trainer Flick Homden and told her she needs to kick our butts as we will be back next year!”  

Speaking about life away from horses, Claire explained about her busy schedule too: “I am an assistant Head teacher, with a five-year-old daughter so having a strong horsey circle and trainer with belief is imperative! Days start at 4.30am and finish whenever they finish and to be able to go out and compete at a championship like this, makes all the hard work worth every second and to show off everything he can do.” 

Claire concluded by talking about the show and the overall experience: “The set up at the championship was fantastic, everyone was genuinely friendly and it is amazing to have an opportunity to compete at this level against the best of his breed and showcase what they can do with hard work and kindness. Hopefully with more of us going up through the levels there will even be a Prix St Georges for Thoroughbreds and RoR at the show going forwards... as there is a growing number of RoRs competing at this level- all we can do is hope!” 

Sophie Hawke and Enormouse were another star combination who enjoyed a great trip to the Championships. The pair took the top spot in the Novice Silver and Elementary Silver, as well as winning both overall titles at the two levels; both scores were over 67%, showing consistency and talent.   

“Enormouse or Norm to his friends, originally came to my yard to be started and then trained to Point-to-Point,” Sophie said of her winning horse with a special connection, “He ran several seasons Pointing then National Hunt with some success for his Owner/Breeders Micheal and Gail Dare. When he retired he was gifted to me, sadly the Dares have both passed away, so it's lovely for him to do well in their memory.” 

“Both tests went very smoothly after a long journey,” she continued on her rides, following a journey to Onley Grounds from Somerset, “having arrived extremely sweaty Norm was very calm as soon as we started working.” 

“Norm seems to enjoy the big days, he's gone well at the RoR Championships at Aintree both last year and in 2025. Doing two tests two days following didn't meet his approval at Onley and he was rather lazy in his RoR tests! Onwards and upwards, we’ll try to qualify for next year, aiming to go up a level to Medium. He is now in the field having a break.” 

Speaking about herself and her connection with Thoroughbreds, Sophie concluded, “I have a background in eventing and racing and I don't think you can get any better than a good TB. They are intelligent, quick to learn and on the whole pretty trainable.” 

Cambridgeshire-based Leanne Jackson made the journey count with two wins secured on her own Jazzwooderh; the pair topped the Medium Silver before going on to earn the top spot in the Advanced Medium overall and Silver section.  

At Introductory level, it was the seven-year-old gelding Scud (Doyen x Bahri) to stand out, scoring 66.827% to take the win for Jessica Pusey-Forvague. Scud was bred and trained by Irish figure Seamus Mullins, and retired from racing life in 2022 before picking up his dancing shoes with Jessica. The pair began their affiliated journey together in June this year, gaining valuable test time through Quest competitions locally.  

Several combinations took wins across the Thoroughbred and RoR Championship categories, including Harriet Dickin and Star Academy, Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Tir and Eloise Hirst and The Dugout.  

Congratulations to all winning combinations and those who took part, proudly flying the flag for the versatility of the Thoroughbred horse. 

Winners  

Thoroughbred Champions 

Introductory Bronze: Jessica Pusey-Fovargue & Scud *  
Preliminary Gold: Harriet Dickin & Star Academy   
Preliminary Silver: Becca Fleming-Jenkins & Tidestream   
Preliminary Bronze: Eloise Hirst & The Dugout *  
Novice Gold: Olivia Rimmer & Wadacre Tir   
Novice Silver: Sophie Hawke & Enormouse *  
Novice Bronze: Janine Midgley & Shootingsta  
Elementary Silver: Sophie Hawke & Enormouse *  
Elementary Bronze: Harriet Dickin & Custer of the West   
Medium Silver: Leanne Jackson & Jazzwooderh   
Medium Bronze: Claire McCarthy & The Big Guy *  
Advanced Medium Silver: Leanne Jackson & Jazzwooderh *  
Advanced Medium Bronze: Claire McCarthy & The Big Guy   

*Overall Champion    

Photos © KB Photography 

FULL RESULTS