Final qualifying opportunity produces standout performances at Bogenraith

The Bogenraith regionals (8 – 9 August) provided the final opportunity for riders to gain their golden ticket to the LeMieux National Championships, with riders Mary Pearson and Fenella Quinn taking their place on the podium to secure their direct qualifications.

© Dawn Brown Photography

Silver rider Mary Pearson had an exceptional weekend, taking the win aboard Beth Grimwood’s Bella Vista (by Fiflon) in the Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Silver and finishing third in the BETTALIFE Novice Silver. This combination made their competitive debut in March of this year and attended a handful of shows in the run up to the regionals. They won the preliminary in front of judges Lotte Olsen, Vivienne Graham and Sandra Smith with a final score of 68.87% and scored 70.97% in the novice in front of Vivienne Graham, Sandra Smith and Alison Duck. Speaking after her test, Mary commented “I only started riding Bella in February, after Bella had been out of work for almost a year due to not having a rider. Bella is quite particular about who she likes so I wasn’t sure if we could hit it off, but I think it was very clear early on that we both got each other. The partnership we are formed is wonderful and she means so much to me.

“This was only our fifth show and our first regionals together, so to come away with a win in the prelim and third place in the novice was just so incredible. I couldn’t be prouder of Bella; she was absolutely wonderful from start to finish and took everything in her stride. She did two wonderful tests; she felt super soft and everything just flowed together beautifully. I am kicking myself for walking early in my novice, which was costly, and we had a slight miscommunication in trot in the prelim; but if we can still win with that and get a third, I can forgive myself. We have been selected for the Senior Home Nations at the end of August, and after that we will head back out to get our scores for winters and just enjoying the time we have together. I would like to say a big thank you to Bella’s owner Beth for trusting me with Bella, she really one special horse. Also, a big thank you to Karen Dewar and Matt Frost for all their help with training so far.”

Taking up ranks on the podium, there were an incredible three horses claiming four spots on the podium across the two classes that were bred in Scotland by the MFS Studfarm. In the preliminary, Justine Morley finished in second place with Gordon Ironside’s Zack’s Legacy MFS (Blue Hors Zack x Dancier) on 69.67%, and Linda McSwiggan finished in third with her own Hanleen Tik Tok (Jumped Up Z x Lancelot) on 69.00%. In the novice Justine Morley claimed victory with Zack’s Legacy MFS on 72.63%, and was closely followed by Jack Morris with his own Jaxx-Joker MFS (Jameson RS2 x Del Piero) on 72.15%.

Gold rider Fenella Quinn claimed the D&H Intermediate I Gold regional championship title aboard Jacqui Ross’ Kintyre (Grand Galaxy Win x H Pion) with 68.04%. Presenting in front of judges Lotte Olsen, Alison Duck and Debby Lush, Fenella won the class by just over five percent. “Kintyre has the most incredible canter, so our tempi’s & pirouettes are always a highlight”, Fenella commented, “my mum (Kintyre’s owner Jacqui Ross) bought him as a three-year-old, and he has been produced in the Netherlands since. I rode him twice over the years, I think, before deciding after a visit in January it was time to take him home. We’ve only been a combination since then so it’s still a really new partnership, but he is the loveliest boy & I feel so lucky to get to work with him. He has three amazing paces & such talent for collection; I think the future is very bright!”. This partnership also attended the Wellington Premier League earlier in the year where they finished fourth in the Intermediate I on 68.48%. Up until 2024, Fenella regularly represnted Ireland at CDI3* level aboard multiple rides, and hopes to make a return to the international stage with Kintyre as her next international superstar: “I’m actually pregnant with my second child” Fenella explained, “so after nationals I’d love to aim for the Wellington CDI in October, but it will all depend on how my pregnancy progresses! Right now, I’m just enjoying every ride with my lovely horses.”

Anna Bates finished in second place with her own Gitina (by Johnson) with 62.89%. Fenella also campaigned Kintyre in the Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges where they finished fourth on 64.80%. The Prix St Georges was won by Eilidh Grant with her own Lebora on 68.53%, closely followed by Jessie Clarke with her own Doornroos II (Gribaldi x Rheingau) on 68.09%. Anna Bates finished in third with Gitina on 65.05%.

Alongside her success on Kintyre, Fenella also campaigned her own Flying Scotsman Caldeonia (Fidertanz x Sir Donnerhall I) to finish second in the TopSpec Medium Gold with 67.59%, where Fenella stated that she “was really proud of how secure Scottie (Flying Scotsman Caledonia) felt in the medium work” before going on to explain that this was only his fourth medium test.

Jennifer Johnston Harman claimed the win in the TopSpec Medium Gold aboard her own Nightlife with 70.14%. Just behind Fenella, Nicky Heale finished in third place aboard her Welsh-bred Manordeilo Enchanted Gift (Glanaeron Digrifwr x Newydd Lloyd) with 67.08%.

Thanks go to the organisers and team at Bogenraith for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout.

Results – top three

Saturday 8 August

HorseQuest Elementary Silver

1. Imogen Casely and King Cotton Legacy, 70.91%

2. Niki Baxter and Penhaligone Femme Fatale, 70.30%

3. Liz Daniels and Splash and Dash, 68.74%

HorseQuest Elementary Gold

1. Susan Dunlop and Off Limits JK, 67.37%

2. Jade Whitelaw and Nancy I, 65.91%

3. Anna Shaw and Bernabeo, 61.06%

TopSpec Medium Silver

1. Jack Speakman and JSA Shakespeare, 68.75%

2. Karen Dewar and Kianca, 68.38%

3. Jack Morris and Quality Always Wins MFS, 68.29%

TopSpec Medium Gold

1. Jennifer Johnston Harman and Nightlife, 70.14%

2. Fenella Quinn and Flying Scotsman Caledonia, 67.59%

3. Nicky Heale and Manordeilo Enchanted Gift, 67.08%

Advanced Medium Silver

1. Aimee Aspinall and Lavanya MC, 69.54%

2. Karen Dewar and Kianca, 65.93%

3. Jack Morris and Quality Always Wins MFS, 65.83%

Advanced Medium Gold

1. Elidh Grant and Lebora, 68.75%

2. Robyn Smith and Gentle Caledonia, 68.15%

3. Jennifer Johnston Harman and Nightlife, 67.96%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Silver

1. Anne Maclennan and Henrico, 62.50%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold

1. Elidh Grant and Lebora, 68.53%

2. Jessie Clarke and Doornroos II, 68.09%

3. Anna Bates and Gitina, 65.05%

Sunday 9 August

D&H Intermediate I Silver

1. Michael Whippey and Genson Blue, 68.63%

2. Anne Maclennan and Henrico, 62.84%

D&H Intermediate I Gold

1. Fenella Quinn and Kintyre, 68.04%

2. Anna Bates and Gitina, 62.89%

Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Silver

1. Mary Pearson and Bella Vista, 69.87%

2. Justine Morley and Zack’s Legacy MFS, 69.67%

3. Linda McSwiggan and Hanleen Tik Tok, 69.00%

Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Gold

1. Emily Sutherland and Sir Angelo, 70.60%

2. Scott Mclennan and Kenan, 67.73%

3. Katie Turnball and Ashton Odanz, 66.67%

BETTALIFE Novice Silver

1. Justine Morley and Zack’s Legacy MFS, 72.63%

2. Jack Morris and Jaxx-Joker MFS, 72.15%

3. Mary Pearson and Bella Vista, 70.97%

BETTALIFE Novice Gold

1. Aimee Aspinall and Finlay Caledonia, 70.38%

2. Amily Sutherland and Sir Angelo, 69.46%

3. Susan Dunlop and Off Limits JK, 68.44%

FULL RESULTS