LeMieux Quest Championships 25: Team champions sparkle at Arena UK

The LeMieux Quest Championships offer team spirit, sparkling stables and marvellous mascots in abundance; this year’s team titles were secured by Mel’s Belles and the Joy Riders, as Open and U21 riders did battle across three memorable days of action.  

Team Quest Open 

Winners: Mel’s Belles, 409.722  

24 teams made up of 167 combinations contested the Open Team Quest Championship, kindly supported by long term BD partners LeMieux, with two days of test riding, team spirit and plenty of supporters on hand to cheer the teams on. After six rounds at Introductory, Prelim and Novice level, it was South & West team Mel’s Belles to take the title in emphatic fashion, completing on a score of 409.722. 

Fiona Russell-Brown with Nye Painted Lady, Trish Tucker and Tallyho Jackson, Deborah Fisher riding Woodline Lady and Elizabeth Turner with Molls Blossom stepped up to make the winning quartet at the Championship.  

The team were brought together by Melanie Norris, who also trains all of the combinations too. The original Mel of Mel’s Belles was arena-side supporting today, alongside family, friends and the rest of the team members who helped to achieve championship qualification. Based around Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, the whole team are grateful for Mel bringing them together, as winning rider Trish Tucker explained: “We have all come together because we have the same interest, we want to train and improve the correct way for us and Mel is the most brilliant with that.”  

“We wouldn’t be here without Mel, her dedication and loyalty to all of us has been incredible. There are always times where we think we can’t do it, and she makes us believe in ourselves, so thank you!”   

Speaking about her pride in the team, Mel commented, “It has been a pleasure, they have all worked very hard and listened to what I said! You have to remember that it is a team of seven, and the whole team made a tremendous effort to help us get here.”  All the team were on hand to support at the show, which Fiona Russell-Brown gave thanks for, adding, “they have been running round helping us get ready and tack up!” 

The team started their 2025 Quest campaign very early in the year as Fiona continued, “we started in January, which may have been too early with the weather we had! After that we just kept going out, different teams, different combinations of people, some doing My Quest as well.”  

“We have all had ups and downs, with ponies, with riders but everyone has just stepped in to help get back to do the best job we can, it’s been incredible,” adding Deborah Fisher, who was riding at her first championship, “Just everyone supporting and helping each other, it’s the best thing.” 

Reflecting on her own experience, Trish said: “From a newbie on a new pony, it is a great way to judge where your hard work and developments are paying off. Alongside the support and encouragement from your fellow teammates at the same time, is next to none.”  

Elizabeth Turner, who came to dressage later in life having previously ridden in riding schools, concluded: “It’s been brilliant, it has been so great learning all about dressage and competing in BD competitions in a really friendly, fun and supportive environment.” 

In second place were The Seedlings - Sharon Garner, Helen Farlow, Helen Hill and Charlotte Hall – who finished on a superb runner-up total of 402.597. Hailing from the South & East region, Daisey Siggers, Sophie Bardrick, Emma Boreham and Laura Percy of The Sequestrians claimed third place after two great days with their dancing partners, who scored 402.273 overall.  

Congratulations to Mel’s Belles, all placed teams and everyone taking part in the Open competition. It truly was one to remember.  

Team Quest U21s  

Winner: Joy Riders, 423.456 

With 23 teams stepping up for a shot at the LeMieux Team Quest U21 crown, the contest for the top spots proved hot-hot-hot despite the winter setting at Arena UK.  

After two days of test riding, the Joy Riders sister-friend quartet Becky Weston, Kate, Megan and Beth Harrison returned to the top step of the podium, to take their second U21 team title in three years. The four girls rode some impressive tests and brought in equally impressive scores, with a particularly storming second day of competition earning them the title.  

Their total of 423.456 saw the ultimate family horse Garthfach Whisky Rocks earn two top scores of 73.400% with Megan in the saddle, and 73.600% with the eldest Harrison sibling Beth on board. Becky Weston brought her former racehorse Whooligan for his first major show, and earned two consistent contributing scores, including a fantastic 70.530%. The youngest of the Harrison trio, Kate, brought a brand-new partner to this year’s winning line-up too as she moved up in height to sister Megan’s former pony Oxview Mattie.  

Speaking about the experience and the wait for the win, Megan Harrison explained: “On the first day we did okay but didn’t think we were going to win. Today the scores have been so much higher and we thought ‘oh my gosh we actually have a chance!’ We sat in the horse box watching the scores come up one but one, it was stressful! But it’s been really fun.” 

“Only Whisky is the same horse on the team as in 2023, so we didn’t expect it.” 

“It’s better,” Becky Weston laughed about how it feels to win this year compared to in 2023, “we didn’t expect to win but we really wanted to.” 

“When we were competing back in the Pony Club days it was always me, Beth and Megan,” she continued, “we always felt really bad for Kate because she was younger! This gives us the chance to all be together and have fun.” 

The Eastwel Eaglets were worth runners-up in second place, earning a stellar team total of 412.191. The team from the South & East region is made up of sister duo Abbigail and Jessica Pusey-Fovargue, Millie Kutluoglu and Marnie Ward. Third place belonged to the County Durham-based Beamish Riding Centre trio – Heidi Bartley, Roxy Paterson and Amelia Quinn – who rode to a fantastic total mark of 411.732.  

Results - top ten 

Team Quest Open 
1. Mel's Bells - 409.722,
2. The Seedlings - 402.597,
3. The Sequestrians - 402.273,
4. Dalston Dressage Divas - 402.038
5. The Stressage Squad - 402.027
6. The Buckaroos - 401.072
7. Needs More Leg - 398.565
8. Team Whalebone - 398.487
9. Team Oakenden - 397.430
10. WB Quest Queens - 397.343

Team Quest U21 
1. Joy Riders - 423.456
2. Eastwel Eaglets U21 - 412.191
3. Beamish Riding Centre - 411.732
4. Dance Monkeys - 410.787
5. Braeside Buckaroos - 408.568
6. Denstone Divas - 404.207
7. Mum's Money Pits - 402.070
8. Ride or Dye - 399.452
9. Lakes Legends Juniors - 398.371
10. Reins and Giggles - 398.158

FULL RESULTS