Petplan Summer Championships 26: Day One

Our first day of the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships, saw first time champions, double title wins and amazing success in the sunshine at Arena UK. Hear from our winners, as they shared their journey and celebrate their incredible achievements.

Petplan Intermediate I Bronze

Ella Glennon and Skovsbogaards Lord Franklin, 67.794%

Our first summer champion of 2026 was Ella Glennon and her own Skovsbogaards Lord Franklin, who won the Petplan Intermediate I Bronze, with a score of 67.794% from judges Fiona Lace (C), Tim Pearson (E) and John Robinson (M).

Describing what it felt like to be dressed in a sash and rug, Ella explained, “It was an absolutely brilliant feeling to win on him today, it’s been quite a busy year, I have had my A-level exams, so we took a break from competition. We took a step back and focused on training, so to finish the year on a win is absolutely amazing.”

Reflecting on the best moments of their test, Ella shared, “I was super happy with our canter work, which is usually a bit of a weaker side of his. His trot work today, he wasn’t quite with me enough for what I wanted but, in our canter, we had some lovely highlights, my canter pirouettes and tempi changes came off, which is what we have been working really hard for.”

Ella has owned the lovely bay gelding for around two years now and have already been on an amazing journey together, “We originally brought him from Denmark, and he was sold to us as a horse who wasn’t able to change, so it took me about a year and a half to actually get the changes, so for them now to be a highlight for us is just a really nice feeling. Last year we did Wellington CDI where we did the Juniors and we ended up finishing on the podium which is fantastic and we have now stepped up to PSG and Inter I and training a little bit of the Grand Prix work, so that will be something to work at over the winter.”

The Area Festival series is something Ella has always enjoyed competing in, explaining why Ella shared, “I always feel like it is always a really lovely atmosphere, everyone is so friendly, the prize giving’s are great and the venue here is really lovely, I really like the surfaces, everything is just amazing.”

Describing what the ten-year-old is like at home, “He is a little bit more of a timid character than we originally thought, he is quite a big horse, he is around 17.1hh so when you look at him you think he is a big powerful horse, but I think inside he is like a little bunny rabbit or a deer in headlights. For example, little things really worry him, so it is just making sure he is confident enough at home and particularly at a competition, that was probably his weaker bit this year, was staying comfortable and happy in a competition without getting so worried. He is a really lovely character and so easy to do at home and I love him to pieces.”

With Vossi being more nervous at competitions, Ella has certain preparation she will do before a bigger event, “I would usually take him to a little local show about a week before, just to make sure we get some beans out of him and make sure he is feeling happy, so I also know what I am getting. We have now also changed our routine, so before I would ride at a show and get on him the day of the class, but now I ride him the day before, making sure he is comfortable at the venue and see what he is feeling like. Around the outside I also shower him in pats and that usually makes him breath and keeps him calm.”

Balancing studying and looking after as well as keeping horses fit, takes a lot of hard work and preparation, Ella shared how she managed the workload whilst studying for her A-level exams, “I would have really liked to continue competition with him, but through some external factors I think it was quite good for me to take a step back and focus on my A-Levels. I think it is a lot of early mornings and late nights and lots of hard work, I think having a routine and sticking to it, making sure I have certain time for revision and certain times to do my horses, and I am so lucky I have my amazing parents who were super and helped me out with the horses and made sure I could ride and not think about anything else really.”

Ella shared her advice to everyone who might be thinking of giving the Area Festivals a go, “I would say absolutely, I think my first Area Festival was when I was five, and I started at Prelim on my little 11.2hh Dartmoor pony, so to finish at Inter I is a full circle. I have made some great friends here, gained so much experience riding at championship shows from a young age until now. So go and do it!”

In a very close second place was Ellie Roberts and Lyon HK with a score of 67.647% and in third was Fiona Newall riding Fendy VCG to a score of 65.784%.

Petplan Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze

Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee, 73.000%

Natasha Gibbons and her own Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee rose to victory in the Petplan Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze with a score of a huge 73.000% in front of judges Cherry Elvin (E), Steph Cooper (C) and Janet Surr (M).

Speaking of her win here today, Natasha told us, “I’m over the moon, I’m really happy with her. She’s a superstar! It all went really well actually, I went a bit blank on keeping up with my music, but apart from that, her way of going was really good and she halted which is sometimes a bit hit and miss with Amy, when she comes in and decides if she wants to wait at the start!”

“She’s quite reactive to the music, as soon as she hears it go, she’s like ‘right, I’m off’. Her changes were good, all her trot work was probably a highlight, it went really well, I was really pleased with her.” Natasha continued.

The duo has progressed rapidly through the levels, winning Elementary at the 2024 Winter Area Festival Championships before taking victory at Medium the following year at the Summer Area Festival Championships. Speaking on the progression they have made, “She picked up the changes really quickly, she’s so clever, she’s like a sponge, once she’s got something, she’s pretty much got it.”

Talking about their experience competing at Area Festivals, “It’s a very friendly atmosphere, it’s very welcoming, everyone smiles at you and everyone is in it for the same reasons.”

Natasha’s music was created by Equidance, and she told us how it all came together, “Kelly was fabulous at choosing it. I wanted to go for something that was quite rocky and she was like ‘Amy is so elegant and dainty’, so she went for the violine led. My niece is obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters, so the trot music is ‘Golden’. You know when you hear something so many times and think, ‘That would be really good trot music’? That’s how we chose that one. Kelly chose the canter and the walk music, and it all came together!”

Looking ahead, the duo already has their sights firmly set on the next stages of their journey, “She’s ready to go out and do an Advanced, then hopefully up to Prix St Georges,” Natasha said. Their ultimate goal is to step up to Prix St Georges and return to the Area Festival Championships next year.

Kathy Staples and Le Blanc Ter Selles placed second with a score of 71.723%, followed by Katie Roberts and Nemo IX scoring 70.667% concluding the podium.

Petplan Intermediate I Silver

Jessica Parr and Juvat FCS, 67.969%

Jessica Parr and Juvat FCS, took their first title of the day in the Petplan Intermediate I Silver, with a score of 67.969%. Reflecting on how it felt to have won, Jessica shared, “I am really pleased, always pleased to win, it is just a nice reward for all the training.”

This is the duo’s second year competing at Inter I, Jessica describe how the two of them have grown at this level, “This year she has felt dramatically more secure than last year, she loves dressage, she is not a hacking horse, she wants to be in the arena working. She loves being asked questions, she has also taught me to be the master of quick recoveries, but luckily not today.” Jessica trains with Sarah Payne and Hannah Moody, “hopefully they will be pleased” Jessica explained.

Jessica has owned the black mare since she was five-years-old, “She had done about five novices when I got her, so it has been so nice to go all the way through the levels with her. It is really rewarding and I have never gotten here before. This is the first time I have ever gotten a horse to Inter I and I am loving it, hopefully we are not at the end of the journey yet.”

Describing the highlights of their test, Jessica shared, “Her lateral work, usually she scores well at, all of it was a highlight to me! Her tempi changes have gotten better, and it all just felt more secure, I would say she hasn’t got anything that is too wow, but she does everything very solid and consistently.”

The 12-year-old owned by Tracy Jordan and Jessica is known for being, “The princess of the yard. She likes her own space and doesn’t like anyone to look at her in her bedroom.” Jessica wanted to give freestyle to music a go this summer, drawing her to the Area Festival series, and is planning on heading to the Winter Regionals this season, “It is also on my bucket list to ride at Inter II and Grand Prix, I hope I get there and I am going to keep trying.”

Hannah MacMillian and Brookeborough Lad were in second place with a score of 67.157% and Emma Littlewood riding Camacho were in third with 66.422%.

Petplan Advanced Medium Silver

Kizzie Lucas and Candito, 68.815%

The Petplan Advanced Medium Silver title went to Kizzie Lucas and Candito, with their winning test in the outdoor arena scoring a great 68.815% from judges, Tom Graham (C), Lindsey Dawes (E) and Mark Phillpot (M).

Kizzie speaking to us following her lap of honour, explained how it felt to have the rug and sash, “It feels amazing, I am pleased with him.” Candito loves a big occasion she shared, “He really just comes alive when he goes in the arena, when he is in the warm up, we call him a ‘beach donkey’ but when he goes in the arena he rises to the occasion. I was pleased with his canter work and the judges' comments said it was very bold.”

Working on their canter is something they have been doing at home Kizzie explained, “You wouldn’t be able to tell but he is only schooled once a week, the rest of the week he hacks around the country lanes and goes in the sea.”

Candito knows what he is here for when he enters the arena, “It hasn’t been too busy today which as suited him, because he can be a bit spooky, and we didn’t spook at any flower pots which is normally our thing, so I was really pleased.”

Kizzie and Candito are familiar with an Area Festival Championships, “I have won at the Winter Area Festival Championships before in 2023, the U21 Elementary and then in 2024 at the Winters we were third in the Medium Bronze and second in the Advanced Medium Bronze. So now we have gone that one step further.” The Area Festivals have allowed the duo to progress up the levels in a friendly and fun atmosphere, “It has been amazing, I have had him for four years and we have gone from Prelim all the way to Prix St Georges, to have the Petplan Area Festivals available to us is amazing, as he is not the most flashy horse but he comes here and holds his own and it really supports the ammeter riders in the community.”

Kizzie describing the bay Irish Sports Horse, shared, “He is such a lovely boy, he can be a grump, he doesn’t like his stable mate Dan. But when he is one on one, he is great, he loves a cuddle and a polo and recovery mash is his favourite thing. He also loves being at a show, travelling all that way [six hours] he comes here and understands what he is doing.”

Away from horses Kizzie has been busy, “Life has been chaotic, in the last three weeks I have started an internship with the Dyfed Powys police, as my year in industry placement from Uni. I study media and communications at Swansea University, so it has been quite chaotic balancing a nine to five, horses and with it getting dark in the winter and not having an arena at home. Our team has really come together; we have friends who have an arena locally that we hack to and everyone has helped me out to get prepared for this show.”

Looking ahead to the future Kizzie concluded, “I would love to come back next year at Prix St Georges, and I would love to do Inter I if I could. If he is sound and happy that is the plan, but we will take it day by day and whatever he says is right, we will do.”

Second in the class with another impressive score was Alex Greatorex riding Carrick Toomes Ambassador, with a score of 68.421%. Followed in third place by Sophie Chatwin and Dare to Be CS, scoring 67.982%.

Petplan Advanced Medium Bronze

Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee, 70.000%

Berkshire based Natasha Gibbons claimed her second win of the day onboard Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee, this time in the Petplan Advanced Medium Bronze Championship. “I’m absolutely thrilled, we’ve had a perfect day but now quite tired!” The duo went straight to the top spot following their test in the Medium Bronze, leaving them with an afternoon of waiting to see if they could hold on to the lead and add another title to their Bronze Freestyle win.

“She was really even between the two classes, trot work was a bit of a highlight, changes all happened, she had one muddled change, but everything was very nice.” Natasha told us about the highlights of the class.

When comparing how Aimee performs in the different arenas, “She definitely lights up a little more in the music but she’s a lot more relaxed outside. She gets a little hotter indoors, so I know outdoors she can halt and she can walk well, indoors she’s a bit hit and miss.”

“She’s one of those where if she ever does anything silly, she’ll just get a bit bouncy on the spot, but she keeps quite a level head. I can’t fault her; she has been fabulous all day.” Natasha reflects on her successful day.

Second place went to Alex Holman and Carrick Diamond Bard scoring 68.816%, followed by Kathy Staples and Le Blanc Ter Selles with a score of 67.500%.

Petplan Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver

Fiona Wallbank and Woodlander Booker T, 74.000%

Fiona Wallbank had an incredibly successful day at the championships, with the best result being the win in the Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver. Fiona riding Woodlander Brooker T, won the class with our highest score of the day, 74.000%.

Fiona sharing how it felt to have also finished third in this class, shared, “It’s surreal really, I am ecstatic, it is the first time they have both been to a show together so it has been a little stressful, but to win the class and come third with both my horses as well as fourth and ninth in the straight class, is something dreams are made of. I was a bit emotional when I came out, and saw he had smashed it with 74%, which is a great score.”

Sharing her thanks to Equidance for doing the music last minute, Fiona commented, “It so suited the horse as I couldn’t have the same music for the two horses.” Fiona also wanted to share her gratitude to her team, “my trainer Jackie Beavon is very supportive and a good friend, Julie Steed who owns Frank [Woodcroft Francisco] is also so supportive.” Fiona also had a great team with her on site, “my thanks also go to Sarah Oldridge, who has been phenomenal. It is a big ask to ride four tests in one day, and trying to manage me and the horses! I just can’t tell you it is what dreams are made of and I am so lucky to have these horses.”

Fiona has owned Woodlander Brooker T for a while now, “I have ridden him in tails which has always been a dream of mine, I am very new to Prix St Georges, but I am so proud of these boys.” The bay gelding used to find one change exciting, Fiona shared, “but over the last couple of years he is much more solid in his changes, and we are working towards tempi changes now. He is fabulous horse to own with a superb temperament, and he does play up to a little prize giving as you can see, as he got a little excited.”

Explaining her music choices for the two lovely horses, “Frank had the holiday music, which has always been special music, and it gives me goosebumps when I ride to it, you can’t not like it. Booker T’s new music, I am not sure of the name of it, but it also gave me goosebumps.” Fiona had only ever ridden this music at home; this was the first time it was ridden at a competition!

Competing in four tests in one day is quite a task, Fiona shared how she was able to manage this and the emotions she felt throughout the day, “I don’t suffer from nerves, but I relied on Sarah as she did a plan and we stuck to it to a tee, with the timings and everything which was a superb help as I knew what I was doing. She has gotten the horses ready, and I have just gotten on and ridden, and that's the easy part but it is the team behind us that get us here, the girls at home, my husband, and my trainer and farrier. It is a big team effort.”

Fiona shared why the Area Festivals are a great option for them to compete, “I’m an amateur rider, of older years, I put something on Facebook and my husband commented ‘not bad for an old bird’ but I know he is very proud of me. I work hard and I feel like I have to take this opportunity now in my life and get on with it. Thanks to Petplan for sponsoring the Area Festivals, us amateur riders are very grateful.”

Bethany Edginton and Nelson HD were our second-place finishers with 71.278% and Fiona’s second place finish was on Woodcroft Francisco, scoring 70.556%.

Petplan Intermediate I Freestyle Bronze

Sophie Browne and Franzisko, 66.834%

The penultimate prize giving of the day went to Sophie Browne and Franzisko who won the Petplan Intermediate I Freestyle Bronze, scoring 66.834%. Reflecting on her win, Sophie said, “I didn’t think we were going to win, I just feel like he deserves it so it’s nice that he got his moment.”

Sharing her thoughts on how the test went, “He felt lovely in the test, I made a couple of silly dyslexic moments but other than that, he was super so I can’t really complain, he always tries. He went in a bit on eggshells when I went around at the start but once he went in the arena, he felt fine, he just gets a bit jittery.” Sophie trains with Judy Harvey and Stephen Moore and describes them as “very supportive”.

The 14-year-old Franzisko, also nicknamed ‘Princess Francesca’ is owned by Lorraine Sattin. He’s described as “quite precious and he does like to like to destroy rugs, so that’s his only downfall, other than that, he’s perfect. He hacks, he sometimes pops a little jump, he just does everything, he’s pretty good I have to say.”

Lorraine bought the gelding when he was nine years old, before Sophie began competing him at Elementary level and gradually worked her way up the levels. “He’s got such a good brain, he always tries.” Sophie told us. Lorraine also takes him out competing in Elementary freestyle, so between them, he really does a bit of everything.

Franzisko is described as “the most perfect horse, he stands, travels, he’d stand all day on the lorry, he is just lovely and he’s so pretty.”

Sophie works at a show jumping yard most mornings and does freelance riding in the afternoons. She also has a couple of horses of her own that she is bringing on, so, as she said, “everything is horses!” She added, “I like to try to dabble in eventing for just a bit of fun. The first time I properly competed in dressage was with him, my first proper Warmblood I started riding, so about five or six years ago.”

Speaking of how he handles the competition atmosphere, “He’s very good, he’s nice to learn on because he never kicks a fuss about anything. He’s quite focused, the first time he came here to do an Elementary he was on his toes, and we struggled to get around the arena. But it doesn’t take him much to relax once he knows what he’s doing. I think there more there is in the test you can just steer him to something else.”

The duo had only used that music four or so times with that floorplan, Sophie told us “It went a bit quicker than I was expecting. That one was Aladin soundtrack, so it was quite fun and upbeat, I didn’t want it to be too serious, cos you know, we’re not at the Olympics! But I like the music, it’s got a lot of lyrics in it, so it makes it easier to remember.”

When asked about her thoughts on the straight and music classes, Sophie said, “I find the straight classes easier to ride because you have more time, otherwise you feel like you’re chasing the music but the music is good fun because nobody else is going to do your floorplan and we make the floorplan up ourselves and you can play to your strengths a bit and have a bit of fun.”

In 2025, the duo was third in the Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze and fifth in the straight Bronze. Looking ahead, they’re in the Prix St Georges Silver on Friday, Sophie said, “So hopefully we can do something similar on Friday. You always want to do well but I just want to do a nice test really, more than anything else.”

Looking to the future, “We’d like to see how far he could go, everyone wants to do Grand Prix, so maybe one day but we’ll see. It’s just nice to be able to do this, I never thought I’d be doing this.”

Ellie Roberts and Lyon HK placed second with 66.125% and Leanne Jackson and Jazzwooderh concluded the top three with 64.792%.

Petplan Intermediate I Freestyle Silver

Jessica Parr and Juvat FCS, 68.917%

Jessica Parr and Juvat were our next double title winners, this time taking the top spot in the Petplan Intermediate I Freestyle Silver, with a score of 68.917%. Sharing her thoughts after their second win of the day, Jessica exclaimed, “I wasn’t expecting this when I woke up this morning, you dream it and you hope it and its all happened today!”

This time taking on the dressage to music in the indoor arena, Jessica shared, “My music is from my Prix St George when I used to use it, it is nineteen forty's dance music. Which I love riding to it, the entrance sounds a little bit alarming, it sounds like I am going to be ran over by a steam train, but it makes you listen. The rest of it is really nice to ride to.”

Describing the experience, this time in the indoor arena, “She was more tense indoors than outdoors, I enjoyed my ride outside better this morning. But we did hold it together, I have been riding her now for a lot of years, we have got quite a good partnership, so I managed to save the fragile parts. I can make it a bit easier knowing what she is going to do.”

Competing in the music class was a highlight for the pair, “I love picking the music and having music that suits the horse. It is just nice to have a free hand to link things together and I like trying to think outside the box and doing things a little bit differently.”

Having a support crew here with you at the championships is all part of the fun, Jessica shared, “I’ve got my dad here with me, and Janet who is good and comes to lots of shows and then Sarah and Mark have come to help me, as well as a friend Charlie who came to help me this morning,”

Jessica has her own little yard near Market Rasen, “It has eight boxes and I teach dressage all day and ride horses, I love my life really.” Looking ahead to their next step, “she is twelve, so I like to hope we can keep progression for a few more years and see where we get to.”

Jessica Whitehead and The Amazing Spiderman were our second-place finishers, 68.500% and it was another third for Emma Littlewood and Camacho, who were closely behind in third with 68.292%.

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