From first-timers to finals contenders: My Quest Semi-Finals deliver inspiring stories
Written By:British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
Published:Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:00
The second round of My Quest Semi Finals has produced another group of standout combinations heading to the Quest Championships in November. Across four venues, riders of all ages and experience levels delivered impressive performances to secure their places at the season finale, with stories of perseverance, long-term partnerships and newfound confidence demonstrating exactly why Quest remains such a popular pathway into the world of British Dressage.
In the North and East of the country, Holmside Hall saw Jo Crowther take a fantastic win the Open Preliminary 2 competition aboard her own Sir Nunn Golden Lady. Jo, who was new to the Quest community this year, scored a brilliant 70.326%, making her the only Open My Quest rider to do so. The duo also competed in the Team Quest Open Novice 3, where she topped the leaderboard with another cracking score of 68.100%. Speaking to us after her win, Jo told us that “the highlights [from the Semi-Finals] were being part of the brilliant team Mind Your Manors, with Emma H, Emma R, Kayley, Kirsty, and Robyn, coached and supported by Claire Senior. We came with no expectations, me especially as Novice is a step out of our comfort zone, so to score a 68% for the team was a massive achievement. Prelim is where we are most comfortable but again to gain a 70% in an arena which at 7.30am was full of equestrian eating flower dragons in their pots just put the cherry on top of the cake.
“I felt super smart too with my stock made by Sue Fynney from the Vintage Stock Company. Quest gives you an idea of how affiliated dressage works; it removes a lot of myths about not being good enough to have a go at dancing between the whiteboards. The team element gives that extra camaraderie with your team supporting your journey
“I’d like to thank my long term trainer Caroline Gaukrodger who has been with us since we started dressage journey, which has not always been plain sailing as Sir Nunn Golden Lady, AKA Amber, can be really spooky. I fell in love with this mare as a two-year-old when I saw her in a field grazing 14 years ago, and I just knew I had to bring her home.”
Jenni Kuehnle and Amarach Clover finished in second place in the Preliminary 2 with 69.457%, and Kathryn Brown completed the podium lineup with Llanarth Bay Flyer, who scored 67.935%.
In the U21 section, dedicated Quest member Lucas Smyth took an impressive five percent win in the Novice 2, coming away with 74.038% on his own Rhythm Island. Lucas has been competing in Quest since 2023, working his way through the levels from Introductory up to Novice, and has dipped his toes in to Regional championships this year, where he gained a golden ticket to the LeMieux National Championships in the Prelim Silver section. Kate Harrison finished in second place with Garthfach Whisky Rocks on 69.904%, and Lily Barraball completed the top three lineup with Walstead Tom Kat on 66.538%.
Up in the North & West, Warren Farm saw lots of tough competition and top scores across the sections, however U21 rider Zara Hayler took home two top-three places, winning the Introductory 3 and finishing second in the Preliminary 2. 12-year-old Zara scored 69.32% in the Introductory class and 68.48% in the Preliminary in front of judges Ade Lanigan and Liz McCann. Speaking to us about her first year of being a part of the Quest family, Zara told us that “This is my second season with Erw Wastad Step On (Nye) last year I mainly did some showing classes at riding club, this is my first year joining British Dressage and competing at My Quest Under 21 Intro & Prelim ! I have enjoyed receiving nice and encouraging comments on my partnership with Nye which has inspired me greatly and gained some good scores throughout the season when we have done well.
“My highlight of the day was winning the Intro and gaining second place in the Prelim which meant I have qualified for the National Championships in both categories, which I am really looking forward to in November. Receiving the awards and standing on the podiums for the first time was very special. It was nice receiving two tests sheets back with having two judges for the very first time too was different. Nye really seems to enjoy it too, he has good balance and rhythmical movement helping me with my balance and keeping my posture as I live with Cerebral palsy.”
“I have enjoyed watching the leader board scores throughout the year at My Quest. Warren Farm where the Semi-Finals was held is an excellent venue and very well organised. The Steward doing the tack checks was lovely and all the stewards were very efficient keeping everything to time.
Meanwhile in the Open section, Heather Hardy took a commanding win in the Introductory 3 aboard Rathkeery Alex. This brilliant duo were the only Open My Quest pairing to score over 70%, finishing on a final score of 70.68%. Heather and Rathkeery Alex started their Quest journey earlier this year, and having only competed in a handful of shows have emassed a rather impressive set of results, including a personal best of 72.05% last month in the Introductory 3 test at their local My Quest competition. Francesca Hoggarth finished in second place with Banksgate Brando on 69.77%, and Vicky Wray completed the top three lineup with Destiny Lady Rose on 68.07%.
Fenning Farm Equestrian, Cambridgeshire
In the South and East, Jo Westlake had a fantastic weekend of competition in the both the Team and My Quest championships. Having taken the win in the Open Preliminary 2 aboard her own Trixies Sir Russell with a final score of 69.240%, Jo told us that “I’ve only just started doing Quest recently – a member of my team was injured and I was asked to join, and they encouraged me to do the My Quest. I attended the last few shows in August and managed to qualify, I can’t believe he won the semi-final, I thought we were in with a chance of a placing, and maybe a wildcard but I never dreamed we’d qualify outright.”
Speaking about her story with Trixies Sir Russell, who is known as Wilson at home, Jo told us that “We bought Wilson for £200 with tack as a project for my daughter in 2019 because we felt sorry for him in the condition he was in. We soon realised he had lots of behavioural issues (he’s well known for his special moves), so I took over the ride and we just bonded. My love is jumping, but he’s not really a showjumper so we do combined training, and this is actually our first month just doing dressage! Quest has been a nice introduction to BD and I love the team atmosphere, it’s a lot more relaxed than I was expecting. It was our first visit to Fenning Farm and all the people and judges there were really lovely, I’d definitely go back again, it was worth the four hour round trip for five minutes in the ring!”
Suzanne Clover secured the second qualifying spot with Nenemia on a final score of 67.170%, and Emily Smith completed the lineup aboard Balucous on 66.520%.
In the U21 category, 10-year-old Isabella Powley and 13-year-old Uma Abhyankar went head-to-head in the Introductory 3, coming away with 65.580% and 64.420% on their ponies Priestwood Ziggy Stardust and Harbledown Albert. Isabella started her My Quest journey back in March alongside her campaign with her teams, Braeside Main Attraction Trotters and the Braeside Buckaroos.
Finally, over in Wales, U21 rider Emily German secured two golden tickets to the My Quest Championships with Kizmet by taking a commanding win by four percent in the Novice 2, to finish on a final score of 66.35%, as well as finishing second in the hugely competitive Preliminary class with 69.02%. This is the 18-year-old’s first year competing in Quest, and Emily told us that “the semi-finals weekend was such an experience for me, I was so happy with how Kizmet performed and how we were able to show how all of our hard work paid off. It was lovely to soak up the atmosphere and be surrounded by so many great riders.”
Speaking around her journey with the 11-year-old mare, we were told that “mine and Kizmet’s journey has definitely had some ups and downs, but with a lot of help from Andrew Jones and Kat Raybould we were determined to improve. We have learnt so much about each other and I feel like now our partnership has really grown, and she’s shown me to enjoy and trust the process. The thing that I love about Quest is that everyone is so kind and welcoming. I love how it gives me so many opportunities, as well as getting to meet new riders and their amazing ponies.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to my parents who take me to my lessons and competitions, and everyone who supported me in getting there. Reaching and winning the Quest Semi finals is something I am so proud of, and I can’t wait for mine and Kizmet’s future!”
Lauren Davies finished in second place with Penyffynon Rain Dance with 62.02%, and Georgia Reynolds completed the podium with Lochlands Man on the Moon on 60.10%.
In the Open section, both the Preliminary and Novice classes had their top three placings separated by less than one percent. In the Preliminary, Phoebe Stephenson pipped the win aboard Jaquardeaux SSH on 69.35%, whilst Lottie Chant finished hot on her heels with Marbeth Milwr Bach on 69.24%. Finally, Rosie Ashforth claimed third place O-Pablo Picasso, just 0.2% behind the winner with 69.13%. The competition in the Novice class was no less fierce, but it was Jane Ward and Winton Fansi Lady who claimed the top spot on 68.56%, followed by Lucy Millward and Neens Big Thyme on 68.37%, and finally Melvina-Ann Jones followed just 0.2% behind on Baileys Brother, with a final score of 68.17%.
Thanks go to the organisers and teams at each of the events for delivering superbly run championships, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout.
Results – top three
Holmside Hall Equestrian
Open Introductory 3
1. Ellie Carman and Oikantika, 68.409%
2. Lisa Busby and Bay Clyde, 68.295%
3. Kayley Gutteridge and Flashman V, 67.841%
Open Preliminary 2
1. Jo Crowther and Sir Nunn Golden Lady, 70.326%
2. Jenni Kuehnle and Amarach Clover, 69.457%
3. Kathryn Brown and Llanarth Bay Flyer, 67.935%
Open Novice 2
1. Lisa Mcelvaney and Diamond Joe, 66.442%
2. Sarah Clark and Who's Diamond, 66.250%
3. Anita Dailey and Hazel, 66.154%
U21 Introductory 3
1. Amelia Quinn and Meirchion Frankie, 71.023%
2. Lucy Adcock and Oden, 69.773%
3. Heidi Bartley and Ardmore Ban, 68.523%
U21 Preliminary 2
1. Caitlin Evans-Simpson and Rosenhof's Mary Poppins, 69.022%
2. Charlotte Clemie and Laidback Larry, 68.696%
3. Isla Needham and Houwdoe, 68.587%
U21 Novice 2
1. Lucas Smyth and Rhythm Island, 74.038%
2. Kate Harrison and Garthfach Whisky Rocks, 69.904%
