Future stars rise as North & West team capture Youth Inter Regionals crown

The sun was shining for a fantastic weekend at Kelsall Hill, Cheshire for the BD Youth Inter Regionals (27 – 28 June), where the North and West region topped the podium in the team competition in a show of teamwork and elite sportsmanship that showcased the very best of BD Youth.

© KT Equine Photography

The individual competition was hot as ever, from some of our youngest riders taking to the championship stage for the first time to our older, more established combinations. In the D Squad competition, it was Welsh rider Eleanor (Ellie) Summerfield aboard Alex Hawkins’ 16-year-old grey gelding Glenlichd Fair Un Square who took the overall win across the two days, with a combined total score of 180.80. Having been partnered together since June 2024, this win marks the final chapter in an incredibly successful partnership between Ellie and Squire. This duo was also the only D Squad combination to post a 90% score, which they achieved on both days. Ellie commented saying that she was “very pleased with my test. Squire tried his absolute best for me. This was our last competition together so winning made it extra special”. Ellie also credited her trainer Charlotte Thomas for all her help, and for the Welsh Development Officer and Youth Representative Anna and Mary for their help to make the whole competition more special.

It was another Welsh win in the C Squad competition by Lacey Owen-Morgan abord her 17-year-old Dutch New Forst pony Sulaatik’s Vingino, also known as Vinnie. Having finished second on Saturday with 92.00%, and taking the win on Sunday with 94.00%, Lacey won with an impressive final score of 186.0. “It was mine and Vinnie’s first time at Kelsall and it is such a lovely venue", explained Lacey, "this was my final year in C Squad and I wanted to do my very best and end (hopefully) on a high so winning was more than I expected! I would have been very happy with a top 10. Winning C Squad was definitely my highlight, receiving a sash and a rug was the best feeling. I felt both my tests went very well. I have been working on them in lessons with my trainers Shelly Harris and Katy Applin and I felt it all came together on both days. Being part of British dressage Wales is just the best, everyone supports each other, our reps Anna and Mary were our biggest supporters and really make the weekend for us the best. I feel very proud to be part of this team”. 

The C+ Squad was won by North and West rider Zoe Clewlow aboard her sister Josephene Clewlow’s 16-year-old gelding Ferrij. Zoe pulled out two show-stopping performances, posting 95.00% on the Saturday to win the class, and scoring 93.25% on the Sunday to finish second and win the overall C+ Squad competition with a final score of 188.25 “I was really pleased with how Ferri went. I’m really starting to get to know him more now; he is my sister’s horse, and I haven’t been riding him that long. After I got too tall for my old pony Chester, I have been stealing horses from my sister and my mum suggested I tried Ferri for a bit. I’ve clicked with him really well and he’s helping me learn the bigger movements. This was our first year doing any sort of Youth competition so I’m over the moon, I’ve really enjoyed connecting with people my own age and in my region, and having the results be an exciting team effort”.

The sole South and West individual winner of the event came from Megan Tucker and her six-year-old gelding Pablo IX in the B Squad division. Megan and Pablo were the only combination to achieve over 90% in their section, scoring 90.50% and 90.75% over the weekend to take a commanding win by a near ten-point lead, finishing on 181.25. “I felt truly honoured to be able to compete at the Youth Inter Regionals this year” commented Megan, “it was made even more special to be doing it on a horse which I have produced by myself from a four-year-old with the help of my mum from the ground. He can be a very tricky character, and it definitely hasn’t been a very easy journey with him, but these achievements make all the blood sweat and tears so worth it. My highlight of the weekend was after I finished my second test; walking out knowing that we did two mistake free tests… I came out with a few happy tears!”

The third Welsh win came from Phoebe Simcox and her own 19-year-old gelding Reitland's Diamond Hit, known at home as Diamond. The duo topped the score boards on both days, taking home two wins of 89.00% and 86.75% to win the overall B+ Squad Individual competition with 175.80%. “I am super grateful to have been selected to represent Wales”, explained Phoebe, “considering this was our third competition back in seven, nearly eight, months I couldn’t be prouder. Diamond can be a bit quirky and he hasn't been the easiest so to finally see our hard work pay off is just fantastic. I loved being part of the team and riding for wales. My teammates have been amazing in supporting and encouraging myself and others- the team spirit is just incredible. I would also like to say a thank you to my trainer Sarah Whitehead, we wouldn't be where we are without her!". 

Finally, it was North and East rider Sophie Isaacs and her ten-year-old gelding Donaigo Ace, known as Hugo at home, that won the A Squad competition. In what was a very competitive  A squad competition,Sophie was  one of two riders to achieve the magical 90% score, the other being Amy-Lauren Fillingham who achieved 90.25% on the Sunday. Over the weekend, Sophie finished first and second with 91.75% and 90.000% respectively, to top the podium with a final score of 181.75. “It was our last ever Youth Inter Regionals and it was one to remember!” Sophie stated on an emotional Instagram post, “Hugo has been a star as always. I was hugely proud of Hugo and the partnership we have developed throughout our Youth journey. We came a close second a few years ago in the B+ but have never quite made it to the win, so to have done it in my final year makes it that bit more special”.

The team competition brought forward the normal chaos of Youth Inter Regional prize givings, with highlights coming from labradors in duck shirts stealing the spotlight on the podium from South and West, unicorn mascots from the North and East region, Norman the Gnome debuting his new and improved look for North and West, many Welsh dragons, the iconic green dinosaur from South and East and plenty of tartan from Scotland. At the height of the celebrations, it was the North and West Brazil team that topped the podium. Comprised of riders Abi Fox (C+), Bonnie Inskip (D), India Edwards (A) and Verity Matthews (C), the four riders took a commanding win a near four-point lead, finishing on a combined total score of 538.00.

Following behind in second place was the North and East Harrogate team, comprised of Lily Davies (B+), Amelia Bullock (C+), Ella Grace Boatman (C) and Caitlin Evans Simpson (C). The team put up an incredibly fighting effort to finish on a combined final score of 534.50. To complete the podium, it was the South and East Daisy Duck’s who finished a very close third with 533.75. The team was comprised of Tabitha Paine (D), Erin Greenwell (C), Maisie Smith (B) and Scarlett Hawkins (C+).

Thanks go to the team at Kelsall Hill for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout the competition. The Regional competitions are always a highlight of the calendar and highlight the very best of our British Dressage community.

Individual Results – top three

D Squad

1. Eleanor Summerfield and Glenlichd Fair un Square, 180.80 (Wales)

2. Bonnie Inskip and Popalbee Temptation, 176.50 (N&W)

3. Alanna Carter and Mr Seigneur, 173.80 (S&W)

C Squad

1. Lacey Owen-Morgan and Sulaatik’s Vingino, 186.00 (Wales)

2. Hollie Davies and Holly Hurst Sir Santo, 184.80 (N&W)

3. Verity Matthews and Cynheidrefawr Horatio, 184.80 (N&W)

C+ Squad

1. Zoe Clewlow and Ferrij, 188.30 (N&W)

2. Emilia Mole and Hollyhurst Bugatti, 185.30 (S&E)

3. Lucas Smyth and Rhythm Island, 181.00 (N&E)

B Squad

1. Megan Tucker and Pablo IX, 181.25 (S&W)

2. Gracie Stanbrook and Patience Sweeney, 172.50 (N&W)

3. Abigail Hird and Tinytopia, 172.00 (N&E)

B+ Squad

1. Phoebe Simcox and Reitland's Diamond Hit, 175.80 (Wales)

2. Molly Powell and Mr Diego, 171.30 (S&E)

3. Lilly Davies and The Blue Eyed Boy, 166.0 (N&E)

A Squad

1. Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 181.75 (N&E)

2. Amy Lauren Fillingham and Lincoln LDS, 179.00 (N&E)

3. Madison Dalley and Google II, 177.25 (Wales)

Team Results – top 10

1. Brazil (N&W), 538.00

2. Harrogate (N&E), 534.50

3. Daisy Duck (S&W), 533.75

4. Emerald (S&E), 531.00

5. Boston (N&E), 529.75

6. Portugal (N&W), 529.21

7. Donald Duck (S&W), 526.30

8. Mexico (N&W), 526.17

9. Spain (N&W), 520.50

10. Stamford (N&E), 519.55

FULL RESULTS