Winter Regional Championships: Chard Equestrian

Combinations aimed to win the admiration of the judges at Chard Equestrian, as the Somerset-venue played host to a Valetine's weekend Winter Regional (13 – 15 February 2026) with top quality competition and great performances at the heart of the action. 

The Anmore Dressage team were out in full force at Chard Equestrian, claiming multiple wins across the levels and sections. Jezz Palmer (pictured) achieved the highest score of the show, topping the Prestige Novice Gold with Martin Price’s six-year-old gelding Blackjack Anmore (Birmingham x Rotspon) on an impressive 77.151%; their winning margin was no less than five percent in a competitive class judged by Joyce Head, Janet Surr and Lindsey Dawes.  

Jezz claimed his second title of the show on board Katie Oliver Games’ seven-year-old mare Bovary JBM, riding to the top spot in the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Gold with 75.722%. Bovary JBM, known as ‘Bonnie’, was also a champion with Sofia Games in the saddle, as the duo claimed the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver title on 72.167%. Sofia has been based at Anmore Dressage since 2025 and is campaigning at Junior level with her two rides under the tuition of Jezz. “Bonnie, you are simply magical,” enthused Sofia on social media, “She has the most incredible feeling and performed with such confidence. It’s an absolute joy to dance with her. A few green moments, but she’s becoming so much stronger. This is only the beginning. A huge thank you and congratulations to team Anmore Dressage, a fantastic weekend for all. Thank you Jezz Palmer for helping Bonnie and I and for riding her so beautifully.” 

Continuing the success for Anmore pupils, 2025 The Centre Line Prelim Silver Champion Amy Ward did a stellar job of showing off her KBIS five-year-old winner MS Broadway M (Bon Courage x Royal Classic) in the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Silver class, taking the title with 72.130%. 

Silver rider Joe Roome achieved a laudable treble at Chard with the elegant jumping-bred mare Acqua Marina Della Caccia, sired by Diamant De Semilly. The pair looked a picture in the first class of the show, claiming the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver with 71.389%; before earning their second title in the Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Silver (67.407%) on day two, followed by golden ticket number three on day three, with 69.815% in the HorseLight Medium Silver.  The pair also finished as runners-up in the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver, truly marking a week to remember. Speaking on Facebook, Joe summarised the experience: “Very proud of the whole team’s performance, weekends like this make the long winter days feel worth it! It’s such a delight being involved in the journey of such a lovely team of horses, owners, and everyone who makes it all possible. Special shoutout to the girls at home - it’s not just the horses who deserve a quiet few days after such a busy weekend!” 

Hampshire-based rider Olivia Oakeley collected a duo of wins with her home-bred mare Nulli Secundus 11. On Friday, the combination secured the Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Gold with 71.991%, before going on to impress David Hamer, Helen Clark and Martyne Galland to win the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold with 72.889%. Speaking on social media, Olivia was full of praise for her ‘darling home-bred', whilst also thanking part owner Rachel Lambert, trainers Roland Tong and Carl Hester, Charlotte Dicker and the Catherston Stud team. “There’s no better feeling than one you’ve bred starting to show their potential thanks to the team you have around you,” she said. 

The Magic Prix St Georges classes saw some great quality action. Holly Kerslake and the British-bred gelding Cabochon Platinum topped the Silver class on 67.990%; whilst Lucinda Elliot teamed up with Hawtins Cadenza (Coal Diamond x Don Frederico) - whom she produced as a young horse - for a Gold victory with 70.441%.   

At Intermediate I level, Georgina Nicholls and the Vitalis-sired KWPN mare Istrade Taonga improved their Prix St Georges placing by two to claim the Silver win with 68.676%. Whilst New Zealand’s Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia (Jazz x Sandro Hit) showed an accomplished performance in the Gold class to take the top qualification spot with 69.510%.  

Crossing the border from Devon to Somerset, Beth Bainbridge notched up one of the show’s top scores, earning 74.630% on board Kim Nunn’s six-year-old Newton Delightful in the Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Gold.  

Whilst Bryony Goodwin added further Winter Regional success to her impressive tally, claiming the Equi-Trek Elementary Gold spoils with the Franklin-sired BB Florence; their winning mark was also an impressive 74.545%.  

Alice Oppenheimer continued her own Winter Regional title count, further her Onley Grounds success with another class win; this time in the HorseLight Medium Gold with Headmore Belle Amore achieving 70.880%.  

Congratulations to all competitors who took part and those successful in securing their spot at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships in April. Thanks go to the team at Chard Equestrian for hosting a super Winter Regional event.  

Results  

Friday 13 February  

SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver 
1. Joe Roome and Acqua Marina Della Caccia, 71.389%  
2. Louisa Julie Brend and Cynheidrefawr Gerwyn, 70.667%  
3. Nicola Seal and Rebel Heart, 67.278% 

SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Gold 
1. Jezz Palmer and Bovary JBM, 75.722% 
2. Katharine Lewis and SLS Maurits, 68.834%  
3. Avery Maude and The Longhouse Chinoiserie, 68.111% 

Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Silver 
1. Amy Ward and MS Broadway M, 72.130%  
2. Theo Funnell and U-GENE, 70.834% 
3. Molly Ryan and Tyga Fleur Caledonia Anmore, 69.815% 

Prestige Novice Gold 
1. Jezz Palmer and Blackjack Anmore, 77.151% 
2. Davey Harvey and MFS Simply Sensational, 72.151% 
3. Joe Roome and Monarch’s Way Tobiah, 70.054% 

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Silver 
1. Joe Roome and Acqua Marina Della Caccia, 67.407% 
=2. Ben St John James and Devils Advocate, 67.176% 
=2. Penny Smith and Rembrandt GSH, 67.176% 

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Gold 
1. Olivia Oakeley and Nulli Secundus 11, 71.991% 
2. Lucy Palmer and La Vida Loca, 68.935% 
3. Amy Schiessl and Active Sophocles, 68.426% 

Magic Prix St Georges Silver 
1. Holly Kerslake and Cabochon Platinum, 67.990% 
2. Lucy Marshall and Casse-Cou, 65.343% 
3. Georgina Nicholls and Istrade Taonga, 65.147% 

Magic Prix St Georges Gold 
1. Lucinda Elliott and Hawtins Cadenza, 70.441% 
2. Caitlin Burgess and Chocotof, 70.392% 
3. Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia, 70.294% 

Superflex Intermediate I Silver 
1. Georgina Nicholls and Istrade Taonga, 68.676% 
2. Holly Kerslake and Cabochon Platinum, 65.588% 

Superflex Intermediate I Gold 
1. Sarah Wilkinson and Horacia, 69.510% 
2. Sara Paul and Laetitius C, 67.892% 
3. Elizabeth Allen and Heraldik, 67.549% 

Saturday 14 February  

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver 
1. Hayley James and Kingstone-W, 68.846%  
2. Lucie Stokoe and Dionis, 68.462% 
3. Caroline Squire and Viva Venezuela, 66.795% 

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold 
1. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Belvedere, 73.782% 
2. Sara-Jane Lanning and Darcy Bea Good, 71.411% 
3. Joe Roome and Monarch’s Way Tobiah, 70.577% 

Baileys Horse Feeds Novice Freestyle Gold 
1. Beth Bainbridge and Newton Delightful, 74.630% 
2. Sara-Jane Lanning and Darcy Bea Good, 73.982% 
3. Kate Rowland and Osanschu-v, 73.519% 

Prestige Novice Silver 
1. Leanna Osborne and PHERREAU, 69.140% 
2. Theo Funnell and U-GENE, 68.602% 
3. Tracey Taylor and Gerben, 68.441% 

HorseLight Medium Silver 
1. Joe Roome and Acqua Marina Della Caccia, 69.815% 
2. Rebecca Steer and ZARRA, 69.028% 
3. Melissa Lister and FBI, 68.148% 

HorseLight Medium Gold 
1. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Belle Amore, 70.880% 
2. Hannah Biggs and St Giles Fortune Cookie, 70.000% 
3. Katharine Lewis and SLS Maurits, 68.796% 

Sunday 15 February  

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver 
1. Sofia Games and Bovary JBM, 72.167%  
2. Joe Roome and Acqua Marina Della Caccia, 69.333%  
3. Elaine Scott and Florava, 68.723% 

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold 
1. Olivia Oakeley and Nulli Secundus 11, 72.889%  
2. Jessica Davies and Nemo II, 71.500%  
3. Lucy Palmer and La Vida Loca, 71.389% 

Mollichaff Prelim Silver 
1. Louise Christie and High Hoes Dandelion, 71.200%  
2. Theo Funnell and U-GENE, 69.733% 
3. Molly Ryan and Tyga Fleur Caledonia Anmore, 69.200% 

HorseHage Prelim Gold 
1. Jessica Davies and Rubinero GSH, 73.533% 
2. Sara Paul and Zabino, 72.667% 
3. Jessie Kirby and Wallace CFS, 72.600% 

Equi-Trek Elementary Silver 
1. Laura Scott and CEI Summer Days, 69.040% 
2. Jack Stancombe and Fastnet Rock, 68.182% 
3. Brooklyn Daw and Roulette MKM, 67.980% 

Equi-Trek Elementary Gold 
1. Bryony Goodwin and BB Florence, 74.545%  
2. Alice Oppenheimer and Headmore Belvedere, 71.667%  
3. Holly Kerslake and Sparkle II, 71.465% 

FULL RESULTS

Photo: ESP Photographic