Sashes, smiles and championship dreams as Team Quest Semi-Final winners emerge
Written By:British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
Published:Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:00
Months of dedication, teamwork and determination paid off for Team Quest riders as the second round of Semi-Finals took place at venues nationwide. From emerging combinations making their mark to experienced teams continuing their strong campaigns, competitors gave it their all in pursuit of coveted qualification spots for the Quest Championships.
Holmside Hall Equestrian, County Durham
Starting off in County Durham at the Holmside Hall Equestrian, the Sweet Stride O’Mine U21 team topped the highly competitive leaderboard to finish on a final team score of 68.63%. Amelia Tyler, Evelyn Peach, Sofia Tyler and Sophie Haunch competed across the Preliminary and Introductory classes to come away with four excellent scores of 71.56%, 69.33%, 65.00% and 63.56% respectively. These four young riders only started their Team Quest journey earlier this year, making their debut at Port Royal in March, where they earned a team score of 69.267% to finish second. The team have since been out a handful of times throughout the year, earning them their spot at the Semi-Finals. When reflecting on their brilliant success from the weekend, the team told us “What a day! Dancing with our teammates, our four-legged best friends AND winning our semi-final! We are over the moon and still smiling now! The ponies were all on top form bringing home some of our strongest results and a personal best too.
“Thank you BD Quest, we are having a ball! We joined to have fun with our friends as we progress on our dressage journey; it has been this and so much more! We can’t wait for the final now!”
In the Open competition, MGS Mind Your Manors were crowned victorious on a final team score of 67.99%. The team, comprised of Emma Robinson, Joanne Crowther, Robyn Grandidge and Keyley Gutteridge competed across the three levels to come home with 68.75%, 68.10%, 67.12% and 63.85%. Speaking to the team after their victory, they told us that “We feel incredibly lucky to have been selected as a team by Claire Senior at Manor Grange Stud. MGS Mind Your Manors was formed by 6 riders who had never met, becoming great friends, supporting each other every step of the way. From the very beginning, Claire has provided us with invaluable training, guidance and support throughout our journey.
“We would also like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsor, Vintage Equestrian Stock Co, who have provided us with our beautiful stocks and helped us look incredibly smart and polished at every event. We are so grateful for their support and generosity. While two members sadly had to withdraw due to their horses’ health, their contribution earlier in the season played a huge part in getting us to this stage.
“We had a fantastic time competing at Holmside Hall in the semi-finals, making it a day full of encouragement laughter and prosecco!”. Individually, team member Emma-Nicole Robinson told us that “This year has been a huge learning experience, but more importantly, it has been an incredibly rewarding one, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far we have come”. Furthermore, Robyn Grandidge quite simply said ‘I love my pony!’.
Kirsty Wilson, who was a part of the team but did not get the opportunity to compete, told us that “During what was a difficult and disappointing time, the support of my teammates meant so much. Although our season ended sooner than I had hoped, I’ve loved continuing to be part of the team and supporting everyone from the sidelines.’
Finally, Kayley surmised by saying “It’s been an amazing time from the start, I would like to thank all my team for making this happen and a thank you to Claire and Sue. Let’s go smash the finals ladies!”
Warren Farm Equestrian, Merseyside
For U21 team The Dinky Divas, this fabulous team enjoyed a weekend of success with riders Isobel (Izzy) Gregory, Tabitha Patrick, Ivy Cadwallader and Evelyn Tyres-Barker. This fantastic four completed on a final score of 64.28%, earning them their golden ticket to the finals. Speaking to the team manager Jenny, Izzy’s Mum, she explained to us that “The highlight was definitely seeing the girls experience their first team stay away together and receiving their winners sashes. They were all so excited and incredibly proud, and it was lovely to see them celebrate such a special achievement together.”
Quest has always been a special event for creating memories and bonds that will last a lifetime, but this was especially highlighted by Jenny who recounted that “One of the best things to see was the way the girls supported each other throughout the weekend. They helped each other get their ponies ready, carried water together, shared jobs and were always looking for ways to help their teammates. There was even a lovely moment where Izzy was struggling to carry something and the other girls immediately stopped what they were doing and dropped their own things to help her — nobody asked them to, they just saw a teammate needing a hand. Those little moments really showed the team spirit we hoped Dinky Divas would create.
“The girls also loved the whole experience of staying away together — spending time with friends, making memories and enjoying the team environment (including the pizza night!). The support and kindness from Warren Farm and all of our qualifying venues also made such a difference. Everyone we have met throughout Quest have been so welcoming and encouraging, which helped make the journey such a positive experience for both the riders and their families.”
When talking about what drew this group of young jockeys into trying Quest, Jenny explained to us that “it was about spending time with friends, doing something a little different and giving the girls the opportunity to experience team spirit. Quest offered a lovely introduction to affiliated competition without the pressure being solely on results. We wanted the girls to learn that being part of a team is about supporting each other, celebrating successes and helping each other through challenges. Seeing them grow in confidence, develop their partnerships with their ponies and genuinely look out for each other has been the most rewarding part. There has been an obscene amount of cheesy chips consumed .... Quest you have been a blast!” Further to these incredibly special moments shared during the competitions, The Dinky Divas have also been nominated for the Team Quest Team of the Year award at the annual Regional Awards that will be held at the AGM meeting this coming Thursday.
Meanwhile in the Open section, The Figs topped an incredibly competitive leaderboard to finish on a final team score of 68.78%. Rosalyn Morrison, Mandy Sant, Cheryl Owens and Suzanne Ewart-Bott competed across the Preliminary and Novice classes, scoring 69.69%, 68.75%, 67.90% and 62.50% respectively. When reflecting on their success over the weekend, the team told us that “We decided to do Team Quest because we love being part of such a great team, surrounded by good friends who support each other. It’s been brilliant having something to work towards together – and of course, the chance to compete, have fun, and hopefully win a sash while riding our unicorns!”
Fenning Farm Equestrian, Cambridgeshire
Over in Cambridgeshire, The Stressage Squad dominated the Open leaderboard to win with over a two percent lead, finishing on a final score of 69.92%. Katie Seeley, Emily Smith, Roxanne Simmons and Morgan Ackland campaigned across the four levels, with Katie brining home a massive score for the team of 74.33%, followed by the other three members posting strong supporting scores of 68.02%, 67.40% and 65.90%.
Speaking to the Team Captain, Roxanne, she told us that “We were absolutely thrilled to have won our Semi-Final at Fenning Farm. We haven't had the best year with one of our horses undergoing emergency colic surgery, but the support of our teammates and a few horse swaps meant we could still get the team out to qualify for the Semi-Finals. We were absolutely chuffed to have won and now get to head to the National Championships!
“The team was created in 2020 by Alison Hale, who is also our Team Coach, and she has been our biggest inspiration for Quest. She is a fantastic teacher and has stepped up for us time and time again. We really wouldn't be here without her. Our highlights from the weekend would be two of our riders qualifying for the My Quest championships. Katie won her Intro My Quest class, and Emily finished third in her Prelim My Quest which means both have qualified. Katie also scored a whopping 74.33% in her Team Quest class! We are super excited to be heading up to the Championships in November as we didn't think it would happen this year.”
The U21 section was won by the Braeside Mane Attraction Trotters, who completed on a final score of 64.69%. Riders Isabella Powley, Uma Abhyanker, Frèja Noble and Lauren Preston made their mark across the three levels, scoring 65.58%, 64.42%, 64.06% and 63.40% respectively. We spoke to one of the older members of the team, Frèja, who gave us a glimpse in to their success at the weekend: “We had a fantastic time at Fennings Farm. It was great to be part of such a friendly and enjoyable team environment, where everyone worked together, supported each other and, most importantly, had fun.
“The judges were also really helpful, giving us some useful advice and feedback to take forward and continue improving. After qualifying as an individual the week before, it was amazing to secure a team qualification too. Getting onto the podium and winning a sash was a fantastic achievement for us, and something we were all really proud of.
“I’m now really pleased to have two qualifications for Nationals — one as an individual and one as part of a team. With Nationals now on the horizon, the team and I are really excited to take everything we’ve worked on into the next stage. We’re looking forward to competing together, giving it our all and hopefully making Nationals a competition to remember!”
Bridgend College, Bridgend
Over at Bridgend, the Open team event was won by the Tic Toch’s on a brilliant final score of 69.08%. The team, comprised of Rachel Tostevin-Black, Lottie Chant, Shelley Higham and Melvina-Ann Jones, produced a set of top scores across the three levels scoring 72.60%, 68.23%, 66.40% and 66.00% respectively. Speaking to these four brilliant Welsh ladies, they told us that “Team Tic Toch is a group of ladies who are all members of West Wales riding club, who are enjoying the whole experience of working as a team. We currently have six members who are such a good group and are supportive of each other.
“We find the whole experience of Quest making friends at the venues local to us whilst having a chance to compete at the regionals really exciting and to Win the Open team competition at Bridgend and have the opportunity to take our team to the national championships was way beyond expectations. Rachel Tostavin-Black has only started competing at dressage this year and has had a steep learning curve to be our star performer pulling out 72 percent test. She was understandably delighted! We are looking forward to our trip to Arena UK in November!”
The U21 competition was won by the Curre Counter Canterers, who completed with a final score of 66.36%. The team, comprised of Chloe Morgan, Amelie Francis-Lang, Henrietta Jones and Arabella Baker, produced some brilliant scores across the Introductory and Preliminary classes to score 69.42%, 69.38%, 60.29% and 59.90% respectively. Speaking to the team about their victory, Team Captain Clare Jones told us that “After a season of highs and lows, winning the Semi Final is a fantastic testament to the hard work, determination and resilience of the whole team.
“Chloe is hugely proud of Ian as the highest-placed RoR on the Semi Final board, and for also going on to win the My Quest Intro. Ami absolutely smashed both her Prelims, also going on to win her individual class with the fabulous Tim, and our youngest rider Hettie has made huge strides forward with Belle, who was fresh to dressage at the start of the season. Arabella did a beautiful job with our favourite dressage diva Avocado despite a particularly difficult week personally, and the duo are looking forward to returning to Arena UK for the second year running. I am so proud of every single one of them!”
