Petplan Summer Championships 26: Day two

On day two of the championships, six more winners were crowned, with inspiring journeys of home-produced horses from day one, incredible comebacks and another double title winner. Hear more from the riders as they share their experience and gush about their wonderful dancing partners.

Petplan Medium Freestyle Bronze

Lydia Jeffs-Joory and Nola Van De Eikhof, 73.000%

Kicking off day two at the Petplan Summer Area Festival Championships, Lydia Jeffs-Joory and eight-year-old Nola Van De Eikhof claim the win in the Petplan Medium Freestyle Bronze scoring a huge 73.000% in front of judges Les Smith (E), Karen Barker (C) and Lise Roberts (M).

Lydia described the winning feeling as, “Absolutely incredible, we’ve never won anything at a Championships before so it’s really special.”

Despite Nola not always liking being in an indoor arena, Nola rose to the occasion and Lydia told us how the test went, “The test was really good, I normally feel that I’m not able to be that present in a test, so worried about trying to get everything right. But today I was determined we were going to have a nice time, and we had the best time, despite her being a little spooky at a few things. She doesn’t like being indoors, so for her, it was a big deal. I couldn’t have been prouder of her; she really let me help her around it.”

The duo train with Owen Cooper and in preparation for the Championships today, the hard work paid off and Lydia said, “We just went out to plenty of indoor venues to try get her to see lots of places and we made sure we took advantage of the whole of the arena walk.”

Lydia got Nola three years ago, where her trainer helped her find her. Lydia told us, “She was very fresh and quite spicy at the time. We’ve just been working up the levels and having the best time. She loves doing her dressage and she so talented, but she also loves hacking so lots of that at home as well.”

Looking ahead to the future, “We’ve started to learn some changes at home, it’s going okay, I’m very glad none of them came out today, yet! We’ve got another test to do yet! The plan is to move up to Advanced Medium in the next year or so.”

Outside of dressage, Lydia helps to manage her family farm where she has her horses at home, “I’m very lucky.” Lydia commented.

Lydia chose an Amy Winehouse compilation as her music and shared,“I’ve always loved Amy Winehouse, and I love Jazz and I feel like it really suited her because she’s quite sassy.”

Speaking of why she likes competing at the Area Festivals, “I like how welcoming it is, how friendly everyone is to each other and how supportive. It’s a really nice atmosphere. Nola has managed it really well, mostly because I think the first time we came, we were lucky enough to come a couple of years ago, I brought her big brother here and he helped her through but she’s actually really good at away shows, we’re very lucky.”

Second place went to Louisa PrebbleHill and Knightingale scoring 69.389%, closely followed by Kate Johnston and Lotus Key sr scoring 69.167%.

Petplan Medium Freestyle Silver

Hannah Gilbert and Ivoor, 70.945%

Bedfordshire based Hannah Gilbert and Ivoor had an afternoon of anticipation, waiting to see if they could retain the top spot in the Petplan Medium Freestyle Silver, Hannah told us, “It’s mental, it’s been a long time waiting, we were eigth to go so we had to wait for the other 20 to go so it takes its time. I’m so pleased with him, he was so good.” The duo finished with a top score of 68.834%.

Earlier in the day, the combination placed eighth in the Petplan Medium Championship.

Speaking of the Freestyle test, “He knows the test because we’ve done it quite a few times. I think his medium canter is his thing, his extended trot is also his thing, so when that comes up, I’m hoping it’s going to be good.”

Hannah has recently changed instructors and now trains with Ami McLean, Hannah explained, “It’s made a massive difference to his way of going and my thought process.” In preparation for today, Hannah said, “We’ve had a couple of lessons and then he hacks, I don’t really go in the school, he hacks mainly, pole work and keep it varied really.”

Ivoor was backed by Hannah herself and has owned him since a three-year-old, “All his mistakes are my mistakes!” Hannah joked. “So, it’s been lovely, been ups and downs, not majorly downs, hasn’t had many injuries luckily but looking forward to the future definitely.”

Away from competing, Hannah is a freelance groom and also rides out for a local race yard, she told us, “I also drive arctics just to help a bit money wise, but it varies my life as well.”

The duo chose classical music parts and was designed by Ros Kay, “I owe it all to her, she’s amazing. When we came to do it, I said to her I wanted it a bit jazzier, so she came up with it. It’s all down to her, I wouldn’t be here without it, she’s just amazing.”

Looking ahead to the future, Hannah hopes to step up to Advanced Medium next year, “It’s not Winters, hopefully we’ll aim for the Summer Championships next year, hopefully music and straight classes then keep going up hopefully.” Hannah explained.

Ivoor is a 17.3hhh 13-year-old, Hannah described his personality despite his impressive height, “He wants to be in your pocket all the time, he wants to be a 13.2hh, he’s just a big BFG. The other day he was scared of purple flowers, so he’s one of them! He’ll go past machinery, the yard is on a farm, so he’s used to all the tractors and trailers and everything, but a purple flower is the scariest thing!”

It was a closely contested top three, with Hannah Knight and Indy Pepper claiming second place on 70.723%, closely followed by Joanna Loftus with Optus-D, who rounded up the top three with a score of 70.667%.

Petplan Medium Bronze

Lydia Jeffs-Joory and Nola Van De Eikhof, 68.944%

Lydia Jeffs-Joory and Nola Van De Eikhof claim their second title of the day, after the prize giving Lydia told us how she was feeling, “Absolutely amazing, I couldn’t have wished for more. She was so good for both tests, I’m just so proud of her.”

Speaking of how she thought the Medium Bronze test went, “We had a little wobble in the second test, where she was a little opinionated about a Chinook flying over us so that was interesting. But other than that, she was fantastic and she let me help her round and I loved every minute.”

The duo competed in the indoor arena earlier in the day in the Petplan Medium Freestyle Bronze, Lydia told us, “She does prefer an outdoor, so she was more relaxed in this test. But I loved the music we did earlier today as well.”

Offering advice for anyone thinking of competing in Area Festivals, Lydia said, “You’ve just got to keep going to the everyday shows and try to enjoy it. Just keep consistent and keep going. I’ve had moments where I didn’t think we’d get to anything like this and eventually, if you keep working hard enough and trying, it all works out.”

After a long, exciting day, the duo had a long journey home, “We’ve got a long drive back after we’ve packed up, so we might not celebrate tonight, maybe tomorrow!”

Katherine Morris and Gurrane Captain Sparrow secured second place with 68.278%, followerd by Sheryl Dickens and Brutus G with 67.555%.

Petplan Medium Silver

Kathy Staples and Odaylia VD Watermolen, 69.278%

There are not many things that are more rewarding that winning a sash and rug on a horse you have produced yourself from the beginning, Kathy Staples riding her own Odaylia VD Watermolen, took top honours in the Petplan Medium Silver today.

The duo won the class with a great score of 69.278%, Kathy describing how she felt, shared, "It was a bit unexpected, she is a hot head, ginger feisty mare, she has been a bit of a handful the last couple of days at home and here. She made a couple of mistakes in her test to be fair, but the rest of the work she did was really super, so I am really impressed with her."

The chestnut mare is known for being a bit spicy, Kathy spoke on how she prepares for a bigger competition like this, "I keep the routine the same, and she lives in the field, so coming away and having to be stabled in another challenge." But the 16.2hh does enjoy the championship atmosphere, "She can be a bit funny with the music but generally when she gets in the white boards that's her safe space and she is much more rideable and chilled."

Sharing the journey that they have had together so far, Kathy commented, "I have had her since she was an unbacked three-year-old and she is now seven; she has probably been a little bit slow coming along compared to some horses. But she is a bit of a nervous nelly so she has had to learn to trust me, and I have had to gain a really good partnership with her. She wouldn't have coped with being rushed, she needs to do things when she is ready, but it is paying off because I think she's a horse for the future. You never know until you get there, but I am hoping!"

The Surrey based duo have had a taste of a big show, having competed at the National Championships a few weeks ago at Elementary level, where they came third. "I was chuffed with her as she has really stepped up. She has only done a handful of mediums and is pretty green. She qualified for the Area Festival Championships by coming second at her Area Festival after being challenging again and I just thought, 'we'll just go give it a go' but she is really growing up and coming into her own."

At home the gorgeous mare is different to when being ridden, Kathy explained, "She is chilled as anything in the stable at home and on the yard, it is just her personality ridden, she is lovely in hand." They are planning to carry on training throughout the winter and come out the other side more solid in the medium work, "I would also like to learn some changes, so we can move up to Advanced Medium, she will have something to say about that but we have started them, so that will be my aim."

Reflecting on how rewarding the experience is producing your own horse, Kathy shared, "It is amazing, my favourite part of my job has always been doing the young horses, I back and break quite a lot and to be able to do it with your own and get them to this level is really rewarding. I have got three horses here this week, and I have had them all since unbacked two- and three-year-olds."

"I had one yesterday in the Advanced Medium and he was second in the music and third in the straight class, and the youngest one is in the Elementary tomorrow, the straight and the music."

Samantha Britton riding SJL King were in second place, with a score of 69.056% and Irma Sutton with Kupido-Tetti were in third, scoring 68.944%.

Petplan Prix St Georges Bronze

Alex Greatorex and Carrick Toomes Ambassador, 66.916%

It was an emotional win for Alex Greatorex and Carrick Toomes Ambassador, after an incredible journey of highs and lows, the duo is our 2026 Petplan Prix St Georges Bronze Champions, winning with a score of 66.916%.

"It is absolutely amazing, like fantastic" Alex exclaimed, some of the highlights of their test were the canter pirouettes and Alex described the walk pirouettes "were on point" describing the rest of their test Alex said, "He was just with me the whole way and his changes were also really good today. He is the horse of a lifetime really, I am a very lucky girl."

Alex shared some of her journey with the grey gelding, "I got Sam as a three-year-old, he is now twelve. We have had a very up and down journey, he started as an event horse, he went to the young horse championships as a four-year-old, he has won at BE100, he looked like he was going to be a super star and then he had a field injury, which curtailed his career." Alex was able to get Sam back into work and they were enjoying some dressage competitions after his rehab, "He has won me nearly Area Festival up to this level, but then we nearly lost him to peritonitis a couple of years ago. We missed on summer championship here one year as he was nearly dying and really sick, it is just amazing to get him back and have him with me,"

The 16.3hh Irish Sports horse is a member of the family, "He is like a pet. You can ride him bareback around the farm, go out for a dog walk and then razz him and do some xc jumps. He is our gem isn't he, we are very lucky to have him and he is just amazing."

Alex is an Equine Chiropractor, working mostly in Newmarket, "I am very busy, I work six days and week and I also have a couple of event horses at home. It is a very busy life, with horses, we don't get a break. I do love to go diving when I am not riding a horse, something completely different but other than that we just love our horses."

Speaking on why she chose to compete in the Area Festival series, Alex explained, "I just love the fact that this horse can get a chance to show stuff off and do so well in these classes. He is very correct at what he does but is not overly flashy, he does try but he gets marked on his correctness and I think it is just something I can do on my very normal horse and compete with the best of everyone else and to be rewarded for the training that we have done. I would recommend it for anyone who might not have the best super Ferrari, but it is great for my Range Rover."

Joanne Price rode Casino Scandal to second place with a score of 66.127% and Sam Roberts and stallion Moelview Prince Consort were in third place, with a score of 65.784%.

Petplan Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze

Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 69.792%

Concluding the competition for the day was the Petplan Prix St Georges Freestyle Bronze, where Sophie Isaacs and her own Donaigo Ace were crowned champions with an amazing score of 69.792% from judges, Andrea Smith (C), Tim Pearson (E) and John Robinson (M).

Reflecting on their win after the prize giving, Sophie shared, "It feels absolutely surreal, it is really unexpected, it was the last thing that I expected to happen today." Sophie explained that some of the winning moments in their tests were, "I think getting the tempi changes and the pirouettes where they were meant to be."

All their hard work at home has really paid off, "It has been a hell of a roller-coaster with the changes, and all the work, he is naturally a very able horse but does have a mind of his own. It has taken a lot to train him to this level as he is so easy in some ways and then wants to anticipate and help you out then worries himself silly when he gets it wrong. So, he is very clever."

Having owned the black gelding for nearly five years, Sophie started riding him as a five-year-old then brought him when he was six, "At that point he had not been to any competitions yet, so we have literally been on this journey together from the start, it is so rewarding." Sharing more about the music they rode to, Sophie commented, "We go for jazzy, Spanish/Latin music with a good beat, I thought Tequilia was quite iconic too, so I had to use that, I'm quite musical myself so it had to have a good beat to ride to."

The 16hh British Hanoverian is known as an easy-going person, "He can be sharp but generally he is easy going, he has settled down a lot over the years." The Area Festival series offers the opportunity for progression, "This is my first time working up the levels, so I am taking the opportunities whilst I can, and I am a bronze rider, the Area Festivals are a really encouraging set up, the way you qualify and everything the competitions are all very friendly. It is nice for a first timer."

Horses are all day every day for Sophie, "There isn't a life outside of horses, I am a freelance rider, I go home to sleep, and I get up to ride, then I go home to sleep again. I ride between nine and twelve horses in a day, and I am just about to start doing my coaching qualification and I am hoping to get a yard in the future and compete horses for people."

Our second-place combination were Lucy Johnson and Dexterity with a score of 67.500%. In third place were Helen Browne and Jellybean II having scored 66.292%.

VIEW THE FULL RESULTS

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