From Team Quest to the National Championships: Northallerton Regionals success

The Northallerton Regionals (24 – 26 July) saw a first-time Regional win for former Quest rider Lucas Smyth, whilst Paul Hayler took a victory in the TopSpec Medium Gold with exciting young horsepower.

© Paul Dobson Photography

In the Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Silver class, 15-year-old Lucas Smyth took an astonishing win aboard his own five-year-old KWPN Rhythm Island (Jameson RS2 x Sir Sinclair). Known as ‘Lando’ at home, the young gelding was purchased from the Woodcroft Stud, and the duo made their ‘official’ BD debut in March. Lucas has been a regular face on the Quest circuit for the past couple of years, featuring in the U21 ‘Flo Riders’ and ‘MGS If you know you know’ teams just earlier this year. Lucas has also taken part in BD Youth events with the North and East Region, most recently finishing second at the North and East Championship show at C+ squad, scoring 82.50% and 84.10%.

The pair contested their first affiliated British Dressage event at Epworth back in March, winning the Prelim 1 with 71.60%. Since qualifying, Lucas went on to compete at the Hartpury KBIS Young Horse Semi-Final for Five Year Olds, where the pair finished 15th in an incredibly hot class. Additionally, the pair had their first attempt at regionals at Vale View, where they finished 18th in the Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Silver class. Following this, they made the trip to Northallerton to compete in the KBIS Young Horse Semi-Finals and the Preliminary Silver class. In the Prelim, they produced a cracking test to take the win by four percent, finishing on 73.40% in front of judges Claire Ballantyne (C), Cherry Elvin (H) and Gwyneth Lewis (B). "I was really pleased with how consistent the test felt overall” Lucas explained, “A real highlight for me was the free walk on a long rein. As Lando is only five years old, he can sometimes lack the confidence to stretch and keep walking out, but he felt super responsive and relaxed in the arena, which allowed me to really ride for every mark. Leading up to the Nationals, the focus is all about fine-tuning the details by refining our transitions and building strength. For me, it’s always about working through the training scale and moving up the levels correctly while making every outing a positive experience for him. We're using this time to solidify our foundation without rushing.

"Winning at Northallerton means so much to us. It was extra special because after just missing out on qualifying in the 5yo Young Horse class earlier in the week, though still finishing 7th in a very strong field, securing a direct qualification here was a wonderful validation of all the hard work we’ve put in behind the scenes. It's a huge confidence booster heading into such a major championship. At the end of the day, my main goal is to build a lasting, correct partnership with Lando so we can be the absolute best we can be together. I’m incredibly grateful to my trainers: Hannah Moody, Claire Senior, Alistair Alderson, and Barbara Harrison-Bland. I am also grateful as well to my family, BD, our biggest supporter Gill Kelvin, and of course Lando himself. We can't wait for Nationals!"

Mairead McGrath finished in second place with Alison Ferneyhough’s British-bred Marchington Davinci (by Ramiro B) on 69.27%, and Isabel Heppenstall completed the podium with her own Karinhaantje HNK (Negro x Jazz) on 69.13%.

For Paul Hayler, it was second time’s the charm for Vikki Ray’s Oliver XV (Fontaine TN x Fidertanz), who took the win in the TopSpec Medium Gold. The seven-year-old Dutch bred gelding grew in confidence from their experience at Vale View Regionals just a week earlier. The duo took the win on 70.28%, making them the only combination in the class to score over 70% in front of judges Gwyneth Lewis (H), Charlotte Nichols (C) and Steph Cooper (B). Oliver was purchased by Vikki for herself, and she trained with Paul up until a year ago, at which point Paul took over the ride. In 2025, the duo qualified for the LeMieux National Championships at Novice and Elementary level, where they finished second and fifth with 70.10% and 70.48%. Earlier this year, they then qualified for the NAF Five Star Winter Championships at Elementary, where they finished 11th.

“He’s changed and developed so much in the last 12 months,” Paul explained, “he is such a trainable horse and has the most fantastic temperament. He gave me a really good feel at Northallerton and felt much more secure than at Vale View where we had a few green mistakes that cost us the class. He is a big horse and is currently standing at 18hh, so we have taken our time with him, but he has so much natural ability and is finding the work easier and easier. Going around the test, it just feels easy now; he holds his frame and balance really nicely. We have taken the time to develop his balance and strength, but he has this brilliant, controlled power. I truly think he could be the next Grand Prix horse, we have started playing around with half steps at home and he has picked it up with such ease.”

Following just under half a percentage point behind Paul, Charlotte Cundall and her own and Brian Reed’s FJ Veyron (Vivaldi x Fidermark) finished in second place with 69.72%. Bridget Tate completed the line-up with Rosalind Tate’s Ozymandias (Vitalis x Voltaire), who scored 69.31%.

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

Results – top three

Friday 24 July

TopSpec Medium Gold

1. Paul Hayler and Oliver XV, 70.28%

2. Charlotte Cundall and F J Veyron, 69.72%

3. Bridget Tate and Ozymandias, 69.31%

Advanced Medium Gold

1. Jezz Palmer and Toddington Debut, 70.09%

2. Charlotte Lutener and Nacho SR, 69.77%

3. Melissa Chapman and TCE Godietas Mind Over Matter, 68.94%

Advanced Medium Silver

1. Anna Burns and San Isidro, 70.00%

2. Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 68.24%

3. Katie Alexandra-Scott and Liverpool KS, 67.55%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Gold

1. Amy Woodhead and Mount St John Salomea, 70.78%

2. Natasha Leak and Belissimo, 68.58%

3. Melissa Chapman and TCE Godietas Mind Over Matter, 68.24%

Fairfax Saddles Prix St Georges Silver

1. Heidi Hutchinson and Florida of Westoak, 68.92%

2. Heidi Hutchinson and First Sebastien, 67.55%

3. Zoe Rymer and JSR Joie De Vivre, 66.47%

D&H Intermediate I Gold

1. Bryony Goodwin and Krack DE, 69.46%

2. Mary Pritchard and Jack AZ, 67.89%

3. Natasha Leak and Belissimo, 67.70%

D&H Intermediate I Silver

1. Victoria Johnson and Temujin, 69.41%

2. Clare Hinchliffe and Cascento, 64.80%

Saturday 25 July

BETTALIFE Novice Gold

1. Harriette Williams and Newton Just Divine, 71.08%

2. Aimee Gascoigne and Sutton Grange Black Magic, 69.62%

3. Melissa Chapman and TCE Royal VDH, 69.41%

HorseQuest Elementary Gold

1. Harriet Horsfall and Linck GE, 72.27%

2. Rose Punchard and Tetris, 67.73%

3. Aimee Gascoigne and Sutton Grange Black Magic, 67.32%

HorseQuest Elementary Silver

1. Joanna Loftus and Opus D, 68.48%

2. Lucie Stokoe and Led Zeppelin, 68.33%

3. Megan Harrison and Garthfach Whisky Rocks, 67.98%

TopSpec Medium Silver

1. Alison Calvert and Woodlander Frampton, 69.44%

2. Harriet Horsfall and Linck GE, 69.07%

3. Aimee Gascoigne and Linkswood Fandango, 68.52%

Sunday 26 July

Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Gold

1. Joshua Mellor and Burgharde Revie, 73.07%

2. Harriette Williams and Newton So Divine, 72.33%

3. Andrew Wright and Rikardo D, 72.27%

Absolute Equestrian Collective Preliminary Silver

1. Lucas Smyth and Rhythm Island, 73.40%

2. Mairead McGrath and Marchington Davinci, 69.27%

3. Isabel Heppenstall and Karinhaantje HNK, 69.13%

BETTALIFE Novice Silver

1. Harry Rouine and Vincenzo III, 70.86%

2. Joanna Loftus and Opus D, 70.86%

3. Breesha Byers and Caperann Karl, 69.14%

FRIDAY RESULTS

SATURDAY RESULTS

SUNDAY RESULTS