Wales earn history making Youth Inter Regional victory

From 5 – 6 July, Onley Grounds Equestrian in Warwickshire played host to the Youth Inter Regionals, where teams from across the country battled for the top honours. 2025 saw history made, as Wales claimed their first ever Youth Inter Regional title.  

It was a nail-biting weekend with record entries across the regions battling it out to find out who would be crowned Inter Regional Team winners and Individual squad test winners. The weekend saw great friendship, top riding and competitive spirit as 36 teams battled it out for team and individual accolades at the Warwickshire venue. 

BD Wales marked a memorable victory at Onley Grounds, as the Wales Conway team claimed the win and brought home the trophy to the region for the first time in its history. With the battle going down to the wire, the winning Wales Conwy team of Bryley Llewelyn (Cwmtysswg Will), Sofia Mirza (Lamboro Action Man), Lily Pett (Snabo Star) and Lacey Owen-Morgan completed their weekend on a team score of 553.00, triumphing over North & West Jaguar by 6 points.  

Congratulations to the runners up from the North & West Region, Oliver Gould (Miami Alana), Verity Matthews (Romanno Bellagio II), Amelia Dovey (Pencwarre Butty Bach) and Annabelle Aston-Wright (Mill House Adimo Pectore) finishing on a team score of 547.00. The final podium place went to North & East Scarborough Castle comprising of Millie Brierley (Barnsview little Asti), Lucina Lewis (Joiners Rio Verdie), Amy-Lauren Fillingham (Lincoln LDS) and Delilah Esberger-Hancock (Doolittle) who finished on a team score of 547.00. 

A proud team from BD Wales commented, “It was a real reflection of the dedication and talent across BD Wales. It has also shown the region what British Dressage Wales has in store for the future.” 

Individual winners 

Amelia Dovey and her palomino gelding Pencwarre Butty Bach from the North & West Region took the Individual win in the D squad competition, which is aimed for riders up to the age of 11. Whilst the C Squad individual honours went to Lily Pett from the Winning Team Wales Conwy team, upon her own gelding Snabo Star or Joey as he is known at home. Their journey has been extra special, and they improved from their second place at the BD Youth Home Nations last year. Lily also claimed a title at the Red Gorilla Combined Training Championships earlier in the season, making it a very successful year to date.  

The C+ Squad Individual title, for riders aged 15 and over, was secured by Oliver Gould and his 15-year-old Chestnut mare Miami Alana; the duo scored 182.3 over the two days. The B Squad individual title went to Sofia Mirza who was also part of the winning Team Wales Conwy. Lamboro Action Man, a 15-year-old roan gelding piloted by Sofia successfully scored 186.7 over the two days competition. This pair’s partnership has developed from Team Quest to Inter Regional Champions in just three years, testament to hard work and dedication. 

Earning a win for the North & East region, the B+ squad Individual title went to Isabella Ineson and her ride Jack Morka. Jack is a real family horse, who stands at an impressive 17hh; the gelding is normally competed by her mum and dad, and he has been part of the family since he was just three-years-old. This combination has previously been successful at Inter Regionals in 2023, where they won the C+ Squad Individual honours. 

Josh Mellor was triumphant in the A squad championship with the 12-year-old bay gelding OFS Ferrari (by Fuerstenball). Having previously represented the North & East team at the Youth Home Nations, this combination has been successfully campaigning up the levels. Josh piloted the 18hh gelding to finish the weekend with 181.5, an impressive 8 points ahead of second place. 

Results – top five  

Team competition  
1. Wales Conwy – 553 
2. North & West Jaguar – 547.500 
3. North & East Scarborough Castle – 547.000 
4. North & East Angel of the North – 542.000 
5. North & East Alnwick Castle – 541.600 

D Squad Individual  
1. Amelia Dovey and Pencwarre Butty Bach, 184.4 (North & West)  
2. Ellie Davis and Fenmere Dominic, 180.3 (South & West)  
3. Sophie Luscombe and Wynwillow Corniche, 177.8 (South & West)  
4. Tabitha Paine and Dukeshill Pebbledash, 177.5 (South & West)  
5. Lucinda Lewis Joiners and Rio Verdie, 177.4 (North & East) 

C Squad Individual  
1. Lily Pett and Snabo Star, 186.4 1 (Wales)  
2. Amelia Thomas-Wymark and Molenhorns Lespirit, 184.5 (North & West)  
3. Isabel Callow and Dryffthcothi Bridget, 184.5, (North & West)  
4. Amelia Johnson and Spot the Spot II, 182.9 (South & East)  
5. Gracie Stanbrook and Patience Sweeney, 181.1 (North & West) 

C+ Squad Individual  
1. Oliver Gould and Miami Alana, 182.3 (North & West)  
2. Annabelle Aston-Wright and Mill House Adimo Pectore, 180.7 (North & West)  
3. Jess Cooper Ross and Romeo, 180.6 (South & East)  
4. Millie Brierley and Barnsview Little Asti, 179.4 (North & East)  
5. Oliver Lawery and Seiont Glesyn, 179.0 (North & East) 

B Squad Individual  
1. Sofia Mirza and Lamboro Action Man, 186.7 (Wales)  
2. Amy-Lauren and Fillingham Lincoln LDS, 185.8 (North & East)  
3. Olivia Vials and Dylano, 180.6 (Wales)  
4. Freya Percival and Happy Vemma, 180.2 (North & East)  
5. Bella Balian and Beechwood Joey, 177.5 (South & West) 

B+ Squad Individual  
1. Isabella Ineson and Jack Morka, 186.7 (North & East)  
2. Moya Payne and Iambic M, 179.4 (South & East)  
3. Jasmine Bone and Sezsational, 178.9 (North & East)  
4. Freya Ainscough and Showstar, 169.7 (North & West)  
5. Bryley Llewelyn and Cwmtysswg Will, 169.6 (Wales) 

A Squad Individual  
1. Joshua Mellor and OPS Ferrari, 181.5 (North & East)  
2. Pippa Reed and ILAR Vincent, 173.3 (South & East)  
3. Madison Dalley and Google II, 172.7 (Wales)  
4. Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 172.5 (North & East)  
5. Jayne Sandiford and Mario del Rey, 171.6 (South & East)