NAF Five Star Winter Championships 26: day five

From teenage rising stars to a returning Olympic champion, a host of inspiring combinations claimed titles on the final day of the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, with riders sharing emotional first wins, long-awaited breakthroughs and exciting future ambitions alongside their talented equine partners.

Petplan Novice Bronze U21 

Winner: Sophia Parry and Caramelle, 70.167% 

Sophia Parry and Karen Harrington’s Caramelle danced to victory in the Petplan Novice Bronze U21, earning their first title together as a combination with a score of 70.167%. 

“It’s insane,” beamed Sophie, who hails from Conwy, “I’ve never felt anything like it. I’ve just been so excited since I heard.” 

Reflecting with experience beyond her years, she continued: “She felt really forward and she was really soft. I felt you could really tell a lot of the stuff we’ve been working on,” Sophia said about her test today. The young rider trains with Laura Parks and Madi Haerr, “we’ve been doing lots of hacking but in our lessons we’ve been working on getting her really soft. We just came for the experience really!” 

Caramelle is practically a celebrity pony at the Winter Area Festival Championships, having won for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025 with her former rider Lydia Holmes. Speaking about her partnership, Sophia said, “I’ve had her since the end of last summer. Even the first week I could just tell she was going to be amazing. She’s been so good the whole time.” 

“She’s really sweet and she’ll do anything for a treat! She loves the other horses too,” she added. 

Sophia now aims to have a go at the BD Youth team events – the Inter Regionals and Home Nations. “Hopefully we can come back next year. I love the buzz when you do well, and progressing through the levels is so rewarding,” the bright young rider concluded on her hopes and what she loves about dressage. 

Abigail Harrington and her own Pauldary’s Alia pulled a great test out of the bag to earn second with 69.111%, whilst today it was Beth Harrison’s turn to team up with family superstar Garthfach Whisky Rocks, matching her sister Megan’s placing yesterday with third and 68.944%. 

SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver 

Winner: Bethany Edginton and Nelson HD, 73.056% 

Bethany Edginton was a delighted winner of the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver, scoring a fantastic 73.056%.   

“It’s amazing,” the final Silver section winner of the week beamed, “I’m absolutely over the moon, it’s been an amazing week and this has completely topped it.” 

“The music suits him so well and when you manage to get it exactly where you want it, it’s just great. The music really makes your test in the freestyle and makes the difference,” Bethany said about her Pirates of the Carribbean routine designed by Equidance.  

Speaking about the eight-year-gelding, Bethany said: “He’s like a big dog. When he’s tired and chilled he’s really cuddly... at the beginning of the week wasn’t, he was more like ‘let’s go’! Yesterday all he did was sleep, he really settled in and he enjoys it.” 

The West Yorkshire-based rider has been working with her winning ride from a just turned five-years-old and thanked her trainer, who was there from the start: “Jezz Palmer was riding him at the time, we’ve continued to train with Jezz since then.  Having him here this week has been amazing because the training before your test makes you feel like you can go in and do it, knowing that everything is right. It’s been invaluable.” 

“We want to keep training and try an Advanced Medium soon... when we can do our changes!” 

Bethany was supported by Nelson’s owner Karen Redfearn and her grandma: “Karen’s support’s been amazing and so has my gran. She’s been here all my life, and supported me through all of it, she’s always fun and great.” 

Summarising her week, Bethany said: “Just amazing, unexpected and they’ve been so good. It makes the winter worthwhile where I’ve had too many horses going – often thinking ‘I’ve had enough of this!’ It really makes it all worth it, especially when they’re so with you and they enjoy it too.” 

Second place went to Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace on 72% - the pair have earned two top eight placings this week. Whilst Katie Hale and her elegant mare Nonstop Desperado A.S scored 70.500% to earn themselves third.  

Petplan Novice Silver Under 21  

Winner: Amelia Dovey and Artists Ambassador, 69.056%  

Amelia Dovey earned her second title of the week in the Petplan Novice Silver Under 21 Area Festival Championship; this time is was Hannah Dovey’s Artists Ambassador’s time to shine, earning 69.056% in front of Claire Ballantyne (E), Gillian Peters (C) and Tim Pearson (M).  

“It’s really exciting, especially for Bear as he hasn’t done anything,” Amelia said before speaking through her tests “In Buddy’s test we had quite a few eights and the medium trots are always a highlight for him! Bear’s only eight... and although he tried to exit the arena, we kept under control and the rest of it was great.” 

“They’re totally different! Buddy is very playful, he likes running away in the field. But Bear wants to be in your face and space all the time, he’s also very ‘I’m the best look at me’ in his character!” 

“It depends what the ponies are working on and how they feel,” Amelia said about transferring her skills across two different rides. The Worcestershire-based rider trains with Katie Bailey, who’s been on hand to support in the buildup to the show: “We’ve been running through tests and the different movements, she’s been so helpful.”  

“I love playing with the new movements and teaching a young pony how to do them,” Amelia concluded on what she loves most about dressage. 

It was native pony power all-round, as Neve Moran and the Connemara pony Clareville Golden Knight (Caherlistrane Bay x Slisneoir) placed second with 68.278%, whilst Olivia Staples and the Welsh pony Celton Orsino (Heaton Romeo x Moelview Moonstruck) took third with 68.111%. 

Petplan Preliminary Silver 

Winner: Jessica Allen and Hendrewen Deserts Lady, 71.032%  

Jessica Allen and Hendrewen Deserts Lady sparkled in the Petplan arena on the final day of competition, earning their very first title, rug and sash in the Petplan Prelim Silver on a score of 71.032%. 

“Very surreal,” was how the Caerphilly-rider described the experience, “I think it’s going to take a little while for it to sink in but I’m absolutely thrilled. I’m thrilled with the way she came out today and tried her little heart out.” 

The Welsh Pony and Cob registered mare known as ‘Maddie’ is by Hendrewen Desert Express and out of a Derwn Railway Express-sired mare. “I bought Maddie as a project pony during covid, and we had a little dabble at low level dressage within the first year of having her. Then she sustained an injury and has been off for two and a half years but came back last year and we haven’t really looked back since, so it’s been fantastic. 

“The last 18 months have been a bit of a whirlwind, we’ve been in the Welsh teams, we qualified for the Winters and Nationals last year but this is our first rug. It’s the rug you can’t buy isn’t it, so very very happy.” 

Reflecting on her winning test Jessica said: “I think we managed to ride more energetically today which has helped, normally I’m quite happy to a trot around! Thank you to my wonderful trainer, Vikki Pengilly she warmed us up today and I think that was all the difference and gave us the confidence we needed to say ‘come on, crack on, we can do this!’ 

Jessica was full of praise for her coach, adding :“Vikki has been absolutely fantastic, she really understands the cobs and how they go and what they need. I think without her, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” 

Speaking about life away from dressage, our winner spoke about her career and her previous riding experience in showing: “I work in IT so quite different the rest of the time. I’m in digital transformation, the horses give me that wonderful balance away from work and the office. We’re very lucky that we have a family farm back in south Wales so it’s always been an opportunity to have horses. Whilst my previous pony career was in showing and M&M’s, this has been my first dip of my toe into dressage and it’s a wonderful thing, really enjoying it.”  

Next up – a move through the levels: “Hopefully now that we’ve got a bit of confidence in ourselves that we can do it, we’d love to try some Elementary now and see where can take that.” 

The contest for the top spots in the 39-strong class was immensely tight. Becky Hutchinson and her own lovely Welsh-bred Tynwydd Pocket Rocket were superb runners up with 70.952%; Catherine Tristram presented her handsome piebald Sherlocks Razzling Royale for third on a score of 70.397%. 

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold 

Winner: Dannie Morgan and Bellinski, 72.334% 

Dannie Morgan joined Sadie Smith and Gracie Catling in achieving three wins across the week, taking the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold crown with Kristina Rausing’s Bellinski, rewarded 71.334% by John Robinson (H), Jane Peberdy (C) and Sarah Leitch (B).  

“I was really pleased with Bellinski today,” Dannie said about the tall 18hh gelding by Bon Coeur, “he’s a really sensitive horse. He’s still fairly green in the changes so I adapted my floorplan yesterday and thought about what better lines I could use for the changes. And it really worked out today, I was really pleased with it. He has a lot of quality and I was really able to show off his highlights in the trot work.” 

Often seen in the winners’ enclosure for a freestyle test, Dannie reflected on his programme today: “I have a really fun track that I ride to, it’s a compilation of songs by Imagine Dragons. Tony and Kelly from Equidance put it together for me, it’s always fun to ride to.  

“I really do enjoy riding the freestyles, I like how you can sort of wing it a bit with the music! It’s also great to get horses in the arena. With Bellinski, I didn’t feel he was quite ready to come here and do the straight test, but this gave me a chance to bring him in the arena and not make it quite so technical.” 

The gelding looks to have all the ability for a great future in the sport, as Dannie explained: “I’ve always thought he’s a really exceptional horse. Henry Boswell rode him before and did a good job with him, and I think everyone can see his talent. But he’s a sensitive horse, so it’s just getting into his brain and working out what’s best for him.” 

And finally, concluding on the experience of another successful week at the Winter Championships, leading rider Dannie said: “It’s always a great week here, and we always say what a great camaraderie we have with our teams, especially Sadie and Jezz, and we’ve got other friends here. Success is great but it doesn’t always come. So we try to enjoy the week with our horses and I think that’s what the sport needs, people will each other on. It just makes it a great atmosphere here.” 

The placings went to two winners in their own right. Gracie Catling and the Friesian mare Fraithwens Wytske fan ter Lune produced 71.945% in second, whilst NAF Magic day five winner Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente earned third with 70.611%. 

Magic Prix St Georges Silver  

Winner: Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente, 69.755%  

The Magic Prix St Georges Silver Championship title was claimed by British youth rider Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente. The pair produced a polished performance for 69.755%, with Carol Bennitt, Claire Ballantyne and Jenny Ward assessing the class.  

“A little bit shocked but also amazing,” Demi commented after prize giving, “kind of overwhelming but I’m really happy.”  

There were plenty of highlights in the test, as the former junior team medallist reviewed: “I would say probably getting my fours and threes because I’ve only just started PSG so it’s taken me a while to get a hang of it because me and Anton are working together because he’s young as well and it’s both of ours first year doing PSG. The fours and threes have been something that’s been a process getting them so they’re definitely a highlight, and getting a clean test.”  

Demi trains with Peter Storr and Anna Ross, and spoke about her journey through the levels with ‘Anton’: “We went to the Junior Europeans last year, I got him around two years ago, we started at Advanced Medium and this year we transitioned up to PSG which hasn’t been too bad, because he spent two years at Advanced Medium and got himself ready to move up, it was quite a smooth transition so it’s just us both learning together now.”  

Speaking about her Ampere-sired dancing partner, she added: “He’s lovely, he’s so cuddly, he’s just a really lovely person.”  

The pair are hoping to keep progressing on their exciting rise through the FEI levels, concluding: “I’m aiming for the Young Rider Europeans potentially this year if we get selected and long term goal would be to train him to U25 Grand Prix and I want to do an Inter I by the end of this year.”  

Second place was secured by Holly Bates and her own British-bred Hillgrounds Feinline (Feinrich x Sorento) on  69.363%; former Petplan champions Amy Foster-Smith and Kimberley SHR (Desperado x Gribaldi) showed great form for third on 68.088%. 

Petplan Advanced Medium Bronze 

Winner: Sofia Mirza and Sheepcote Adios, 69.167% 

Sofia Mirza earned the first title of her career in the Petplan Advanced Medium Bronze Area Festival Championship. Riding David and Serena Pincus’ Sheepcote Adios, the Herefordshire-based rider produced a lovely test for a winning mark of 69.167%.  

“It’s a pretty cool feeling to be honest,” Sofia (2) reviewed after her main moment in the lap of honour, “I’m really pleased.” 

Reflecting on what made her test a winning on she said: “The highlights were his changes, I was really pleased to get them all. He just gave fantastic feeling really, but I was especially pleased with the canter work.” 

“Me and Adi have been a combination for about a year,” she continued, talking about her partnership with the lovely Ampere-sired gelding, “he’s a fantastic horse with a lovely little character. I’m really grateful to be seeing him every day and working with him. David and Serena have given me so much support. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to ride him.” 

“I’ve been with David and Serena for about tow and a half years. But even just to be here with them at this show, watching them teach and warm up other people, you learn so much from them. They’ve been incredible for me, I went to them barely being able to ride a Prelim test!” 

There’s much to come in the future for this young rider, but speaking more about her BD journey to date, Sofia added: “I’ve been doing dressage on and off from around my A-levels, then I had a gap year with some time off. I didn’t really know what to do, my trainer Brendan Tegg asked if I wanted to go to a yard. I thought it would be good fun, he knew of Serena and called her up straight away. I spoke to her on the phone there and then, a week later I was at theirs with my horse and two and a half years later I’m still there!” 

Reflecting on the Petplan Area Festival experience, she concluded: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity. Everybody is so lovely, the stewards are so lovely. It’s always such a lovely thing to go to, it’s very welcoming for young riders coming through who aren’t quite ready to go down the regional route. It’s a great taster into National competition.” 

Second place went to Fiona Wallbank and Woodcroft Francisco with 68.903%, closely followed by Emma Mason and the lovely piebald Fleur C in third with 68.816%. 

Superflex Intermediate I Silver 

Winner: Holly Bates and Hillgrounds Feinline, 70.686% 

Warwickshire’s Holly Bates earned a dream come true win in the Superflex Intermediate I Silver Championship; earning the class title on board Hillgrounds Feinline (Feinrich x Sorento) with the sole score over 70%. 

“it’s amazing,” Holly said with a winner’s smile, “I’m so proud of him. I feel like he’s really just achieving what he’s meant to. He’s a wonderful horse and I’m very lucky.” 

Speaking about her journey with the handsome bay, she said: “My mum bought him as a foal from a video on Facebook. He’s bred by Clare Skinner, we thought ‘wow that’s a lovely foal’ so we bought him and went from there. He was sixth in the seven-year-olds two years ago and he’s just a wonderful horse. He loves his work, especially his changes; I love doing changes on him!” 

“It’s so rewarding and I love him to pieces.” 

Speaking about his personality away from the arena, she continued: “He’s a character, he can be a little grumpy having his rugs on but he loves having a snuggle. He’s fully child-proof, with the tractors and gators and kids throwing things!” 

Holly is another winner who balanced riding and competing with being a parent: “I’ve got a two year old girl and a four year old boy – Will and Ellie – it’s mum life for me, and mum and I also have the show horses and run the yard together. Kids and horses it’s all there.” 

Concluding on just how special this moment is for her personally, Holly said: “I have been doing dressage for most of my life, and it’s always been an aspiration to win at a national champioships. I’m 36 this year and I’ve finally done it! I couldn’t tell you how happy I am, how proud I am of him, and how much he means to all of us.” 

Abbie Newbury and the British-bred son of Vitalis Seagry Viceroy notched up 68.922% for second, whilst Amy Foster-Smith and Kimberley SHR completed their week with a second podium placing on 68.333%. 

HorseLight Medium Silver 

Winner: Charlotte Dujardin and Secret Agent, 77.870%  

Charlotte Dujardin became the third Olympian and British team medallist to earn a title at this year’s NAF Five Star Winter Championships, debuting her own and Peter Belshaw’s Secret Agent at the show with a win in the HorseLight Medium Silver on 77.870%.  

The tall, elegant Hanoverian stallion is by the popular breeding stallion Secret out of a De Niro x Stedinger dam, and looked a picture in his first appearance at a BD championship.  

“I’m really really happy,” Charlotte said, “Secret Agent is a fantastic horse, I think he’s one of the best horses I’ve sat on in my life. His ability, his elasticity and his willingness to work is unbelievable.” 

“He’s such a green horse and he’s done very little; to go in that arena that he’s never been in before like he did, I was so happy. He took everything in his stride and stayed with me the whole time, it’s such a great feeling. It’s so lovely to be back and riding in there on such a great horse.” 

“I found him when he was two,” the Gloucestershire-based rider spoke about her journey with her latest talent, “as soon as I clocked eyes on him I loved him,” “He’s been the most wonderful horse. I wasn’t sure I was cut out to have stallions, but I’m so lucky – he's incredibly hot with his mind on the job. He feels like everything I do is effortless. It comes naturally to him which I absolutely love.”  

“As the test went on he got better and better. He hasn’t even done Novice and Elementary to get this level and here he is. I think he’s for sure my future champion.”  

Charlotte was supported on the day by friends and her adoring family, “my family is everything to me. It’s real life isn’t it! My daughter’s now three and my son’s one, it’s not about just me anymore and Dean’s there too. It’s just wonderful.” One day, perhaps we’ll see senior and junior Dujardin winning at the same championships, as Charlotte said with a smile: “Isabella’s already saying ‘mummy I want to go to a show and rosettes’, I’ve got my hands full for sure! I love being a mum. I wish I was younger... I think I’d make the most fantastic broodmare!” 

Reflecting on a show where she’s had much success in the past, she said: “It’s been a fantastic show. I can’t believe how busy it is and it’s been great to have so many people here supporting. The arenas are set up so beautifully and I think for horses that are green it’s great for them to go in these arenas for experience.” 

Finally, Charlotte gave the lowdown on her fantastic pink jacket – which made a winning appearance: “It’s nice to be different isn’t it! My daughter loves pink. When I went to have my new coat fitted, Isabella said ‘pink one mummy!’ So here I am in pink! On a black stallion I think it looks cool and why not be different and make it fun and exciting!” 

The Medium Gold is always a thrilling class to end the show. Nikki Barker with her own and Zoe Kirkpatrick’s Lestingdale VS placed second with 70.648%; Hannah Biggs ensured that the placings would go right down to the wire, stealing third from last to go after a superb ride on the Countess of Shaftesbury’s St Giles Fortune Cookie (Foundation x Sandro Hit) which earned 70.0465%. A special mention goes to Dan Sheriff, who held third for over two hours with his own Gunner KS-sired Nothing Compares 2U, and placed an eventual fourth with 69.954%.   

FULL RESULTS

Photos: Kevin Sparrow