News
Wales celebrate historic Senior Inter Regional win
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:09
Team spirit came together in spectacular fashion as Wales’ Pendine Sands triumphed at this year’s Senior Inter Regionals (8–9 June 2025), hosted at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire.
There were emotional scenes as Wales secured a long-awaited victory at the Championships, with 31 teams from across all corners of the country gathering for two days of fiercely competitive yet friendly rivalry. The battle for the top spot was nail-bitingly close, however, with a stunning collective performance from Maddie Maher (Willoway Chicago), Francesca Turner (Albie), Katie Evans (Frankie VII) and Georgina Williams (Sharaz), the Pendine Sands team from Wales secured victory with a team total of 418.85, just 0.31 marks ahead of a determined North & East Alnwick Castle team, whilst South & East’s Power Harrows completed the Senior Inter Regionals team podium.
The victorious Welsh quartet were in commanding form across Saturday and did just enough to hold the top spot on Sunday, led by Denbighshire’s Maddie Maher and her New Forest gelding, Willoway Chicago. The unbeatable pair delivered standout Preliminary scores of 72.86% and 70.40%, making them the highest-scoring combination of the weekend.
Teammate Francesca Turner also produced a strong Preliminary performance with her own nine-year-old gelding Albie, taking fourth overall with 68.57% and 68.67%, whilst in the Novice, Katie Evans and her small but mighty 13.1hh piebald gelding Frankie VII scored 69.11% and 67.80% to place second individually. Completing the winning quartet were Georgina Williams and Sharaz, who delivered 67.71% and 69.24% in the Elementary, helping to secure the team win and claiming third overall individually.
Reflecting on the weekend, Georgina said, “He delivered two fantastic tests… I was quite emotional walking out after how superb he’d been.” She continued, “Team Wales were amazing from start to finish. Giving so much support and kindness and a lot of laughs really made the whole experience so special and I have made such fantastic friends, so thank you to every one of you. Diolch.”
For Welsh Development Officer Vanessa Archer, the win marked a significant and emotional milestone: “I’m absolutely thrilled to finally see a win for Wales at this team event. I’ve been in post for nine years, and whilst we’ve had plenty of near-misses, we’ve never quite reached the top – until now. We believe this is the first win for Wales in 14 years at this event, which makes it all the more special. I’m incredibly proud of our riders. They supported and cheered each other on every step of the way. Even with six teams competing, there was a true sense of being one team – Team Wales!”
Finishing with a score of 418.54, North & East’s Alnwick Castle may have narrowly missed out on the team title, but the team had plenty to celebrate as every member landed a spot on the individual podiums, including three wins. Lissy Fell and Lilliana Sturmey’s five-year-old Johnson-sired stallion Parker IV claimed the individual Novice title after delivering an exceptional 71.83% on day one, followed by 68.17% on day two to top the leaderboard.
Fellow teammate Sam York and her Sandreo-sired gelding Oakring Santino led the way in the Medium with two consistent performances to secure the individual title, whilst Molly Rose and her long-time partner Wantsley (Democraat x Ferro) proved unbeatable in the Elementary. The 22-year-old gelding topped the leaderboard both days with 70.99% and 70.00% to take the individual win on 140.99%.
Posting on social media, Molly shared her elation: “Wowie – you just keep blowing me away! Unbeaten with over 70% on both days… just 0.3 of a mark keeping the team from the win, but still so proud.” She added heartfelt thanks to her team, saying, “Absolutely loved being part of Team North & East – the most supportive group of riders.”
Taking third in the team standings, South & East’s Power Harrows delivered consistent performances to score 409.16. Preliminary rider Abi Moore Bunn, from Kent, and Carole Davies’ seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse Rocky Rolling River laid a solid foundation with scores of 69.60% and 67.40%. Meanwhile, Novice competitors Sophie Clark (Ballydaniel Jack) and Tamara Strapp (Lantern) supported with consistent results in the high 60s, alongside Elementary rider Rosa Grad.
Just behind in fourth were South & West’s Donald Ducks on 408.18, with Charlotte Dicker and Devaldi’s Kiss leading the way with scores of 71.67% and 68.20% in the Preliminary to also take second place overall. The North & West’s Blue Lagoon followed in fifth on 404.92, and delivering a strong showing for their region, Scotland’s Highland Collection placed just outside the top ten with a collective score of 399.47, finishing just behind Wales Colwyn Bay on 399.62.
Thanks go to Bury Farm and their wonderful team for providing an exceptional venue and pulling out all the stops to deliver a truly memorable Senior Inter Regionals weekend. Our gratitude also extends to the prize sponsors who supported the event. A massive congratulations go to all the riders who took part, and everyone behind the scenes who supports regional dressage.
Team standings
1. Wales, Pendine Sands, 418.85
2. North & East, Alnwick Castle, 418.54
3. South & East, Power Harrows, 409.16
4. South & West, Donald Ducks, 408.18
5. North & West, Blue Lagoon, 404.92
6. North & East, Bamburgh Castle, 402.33
7. South & East, Springtime Harrows, 401.00
8. North & East, Belton House, 400.38
9. South & East, Harvesters, 399.99
10. Wales, Colwyn Bay, 399.62
Prelim Individual
1. Maddie Maher and Willoway Chicago, 72.86% – 70.40% – 143.26% (Wales)
2. Charlotte Dicker and Devaldi's Kiss, 71.67% – 68.20% – 139.87% (S&W)
3. Joanne Sharpe and Samda Patronus Charm, 69.68% – 67.87% – 137.55% (N&E)
4. Francesca Turner and Albie, 68.57% – 68.67% – 137.24% (Wales)
5. Abi Moore Bunn and Rocky Rolling River, 69.60% – 67.40% – 137.00% (S&E)
6. Holly Edwards and SHS Quickstep, 69.05% – 67.40% – 136.45% (N&W)
7. Leanne Holford and Abergavenny Ancelotti, 68.57% – 67.60% – 136.17% (N&W)
8. Lauren Cox and Purely Pandora, 67.06% – 68.93% – 135.99% (N&E)
9. Michelle Davies and Samburu LL, 67.78% – 67.73% – 135.51% (N&W)
10. Amber Steward and Don Nikita, 68.81% – 65.40% – 134.21% (S&E)
Novice Individual
1. Lissy Fell and Parker IV, 71.83% – 68.17% – 140.00% (N&E)
2. Katie Evans and Frankie VII, 69.11% – 67.80% – 136.91% (Wales)
3. Sophie Clark and Ballydaniel Jack, 68.50% – 68.23% – 136.73% (S&E)
4. Hollie Jepson and Bridgehouse Tamborine, 68.78% – 67.04% – 135.82% (N&E)
5. Tamara Strapp and Lantern, 68.39% – 67.04% – 135.43% (S&E)
6. Sarah Nicholls and Dealbreaker, 68.11% – 67.31% – 135.42% (N&E)
7. Andrea Sparkes and Kazan, 67.11% – 67.96% – 135.07% (S&W)
8. Jessica Thomas and Moyne Artist, 68.78% – 66.18% – 134.96% (Wales)
9. Caroline Wilson and Gortskeagh Amy, 67.06% – 67.90% – 134.96% (Scotland)
10. Primrose Hawker and Kellythorpes Standing Ovation, 68.06% – 66.83% – 134.89% (S&E)
Elementary Individual
1. Molly Rose and Wantsley, 70.99% – 70.00% – 140.99% (N&E)
2. Helen Howard and Starholme Amberleigh, 68.13% – 69.39% – 137.52% (N&E)
3. Georgina Williams and Sharaz, 67.71% – 69.24% – 136.95% (Wales)
4. Anita Jones and Esceifiog Perl Ddu, 68.44% – 68.08% – 136.52% (Wales)
5. Abi Jacobs and Auld Flame, 67.29% – 67.12% – 134.41% (S&E)
6. Georgina Pagett and Champions Little Mix, 70.47% – 63.74% – 134.21% (Wales)
7. Alys Matravers and Jannick, 65.78% – 67.68% – 133.46% (S&W)
8. Tia Ratty and Rolo’s Sweet Like Chocolate, 66.88% – 65.66% – 132.54% (S&E)
9. Anna Davies and Maan, 68.25% – 64.24% – 132.49% (Wales)
10. Clare Bosley and Tremeer, 65.83% – 66.41% – 132.24% (N&E)
Medium Individual
1. Sam York and Oakring Santino, 66.56% – 66.30% – 132.86% (N&E)
2. Patricia Haskins and Gaelic Surprise, 65.50% – 65.56% – 131.06% (S&W)
3. Hilary Janion and Sir Wilhelm, 65.72% – 64.54% – 130.26% (N&E)
4. Jane Boothroyd and Private Dancer V, 65.44% – 64.54% – 129.98% (N&E)
5. Alys Matravers and Tiger Mazarati, 65.44% – 64.13% – 129.57% (S&W)
6. Christine Daniels and Darbey Ramblin, 63.39% – 63.89% – 127.28% (N&E)
7. Vicky Foster and Hillgrove Rockstar's Ruby, 63.94% – 63.29% – 127.23% (S&E)
8. Tina Hillman-Green and Blakeney Night, 60.78% – 65.28% – 126.06% (S&E)
9. Kirstie Wright and Mill House Kann Eye, 62.56% – 62.27% – 124.83% (N&W)
10. Lesley Wheatley and Detroit GH, 62.44% – 62.18% – 124.62% (N&E)
