Winter Regional Championships: Myerscough College

Congratulations to the latest cohort of regional champions who have earned their NAF Five Star Winter Championship qualification tickets at Myerscough International Equine Arena’s Winter Regional Championships held in Lancashire (14 - 18 February 2026).

It was a double victory for Sophie Wells, who began her Myerscough campaign by taking the top score of 74.48% across the five days with LJT Egebjerggards Somoa in the hotly-contested HorseLight Medium Gold. The class, which was the biggest at this Regionals, saw 21 compete in front of judges Richard Baldwin (C), John Robinson (M) and Karen Barker (E), with Sophie leading by more than 4 percentage points.

 Sophie has ridden the 10-year-old St Schufro mare for five years, and it was their first show this year. “I am thrilled to bits. She relaxed in the arena and was rideable so I could show off her quality. There’s still loads more in there.” Sophie attributed the mare’s performance to a winter spent doing a variety of things, including some jumping, and will campaign her for the Para World Championships this year.

Returning to Myerscough the following day, Sophie won again, this time with Vanessa Knight's Diamond Crusader II in the Magic Prix St Georges Gold, scoring 69.41%. “Having trained him since a baby for various owners, it’s an honour to take him in the arena – he is a really special little horse. It’s been a while coming back to this level, but I’ve so missed it.”

A close second in the highest percentage was Jodie Pharaon and Coco Dancer, who claimed the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold with 74.23%, judged by Jenny Ward (C), Andrea Smith (M) and Carolyn Lesley Smith (E). It was a high scoring class, with the first five all gaining more than 70%;  second place went to Mat Burnett and Za Za Zoom (73.78%) and third to Greg Sims and First Dance T (73.14%). Greg (71.06%) and Mat (70.86%) also took first and third respectively in the Equi-Trek Elementary Gold, with George Blackburn and Faust V claiming second (71.01%).

Music proved to be a hit for West Yorkshire-based Bethany Edginton who took the first of two victories by winning the Baileys Novice Freestyle Gold with Florentina Anmore (73.8%) to music from ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. “She’s anything but a dragon,” said Bethany of the Total McLaren mare. “She’s only five and still growing, and I was really pleased with her.”

Continuing her music success, Bethany claimed second in the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver with the 15hh supercob Lakeview Buddy (69.87%) riding to music from The Muppets. The pair then claimed victory in the Equi-Trek Elementary Silver (68.84%). “Buddy is a Heinz 57 and isn’t built for dressage, but he has got the brain for it. He tries hard and we had a great time.

“I’m really looking forward to the Nationals. I have another horse qualified for the Medium, so the logistics of getting three there will be interesting,” she said.

In the Spillers Medium Freestyle Silver and HorseLight Medium Silver, Liverpool-based Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Fantasia (Furstenball x Rohdiamant) took first (70.06%) and second (62.21%) respectively, building on their success at the Aintree High Profile show last autumn where they were Medium Under 25 Champion and U25 Medium Music Champion.

Olivia said: “She is unbelievable – the most perfect horse. I’ve been riding her for two years now, and it’s been the most amazing two years of my life. I train with Gareth Hughes and, fingers crossed, we are aiming to do our first PSG by the end of this year.”

Another to score a one-two was Amber Flynn from Lancashire’s Whitehill Stud, riding Jennifer Whitaker’s Fortuna BG. The pair were the highest scoring Silver combination at these Regionals, winning the Baileys Novice Freestyle Silver with 73.06%, and were second in Prestige Italia Novice Silver with 70.27%. The 2018 Fahrenheit mare, bought as a yearling, was broken by Amber with Jessica Dunn riding her competitively until Amber ‘pinched back’ the ride last year.

“I was really pleased with her. Our music is Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa and it really suits her as she is a bit sassy herself. I love riding her and she tries her heart out every time. This year we aim to start teaching her flying changes and after the Nationals we plan to build up to Elementary and Medium.”

Isle of Man-based rider Helen Squires made the trip to Myerscough more than worthwhile, taking a win with 71.79% in the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver and third in the Equi-Trek Elementary Silver on a score of 65.96%. Her horse, 10-year-old Leonardo VII had a previous career as a carriage horse with his owner Lynda Christian.

Freelance instructor Helen said: “He didn’t seem to enjoy carriage driving and wasn’t really brave enough – he’s happier being ridden and it’s great he’s found a career he loves. It’s the first time I’ve qualified for the Nationals and I still can’t believe it – I’m on cloud nine.”

In the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver, Katie Owens and Quatro II led the way with 72.22%, after finishing second in the Spillers Medium Freestyle Gold, while Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold winners Anna Wilson and Finest Hour (70.28%) also finished third in the Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Gold. Anna then won the NAF Superflex FEI Inter 1 Gold with Escojunio Ballante on a mark of 68.19%.

Highest score on the final day – featuring Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium, NAF Magic PSG and NAF Superflex Inter 1 classes – went to Charlotte Donovan and Just It’s Mie who won the NAF Magic FEI Prix St Georges Silver with 71.76%.

Charlotte, who works and trains with Becky Moody, has had the 11-year-old Everdale gelding since he was two. “He’s the first horse I have trained up the levels. Our aim this year was to break 70% so to have done it in February is very cool!”

Coming second to Charlotte in the PSG Silver, Victoria Johnson and Temujin won the NAF Superflex FEI Inter 1 Silver with 67.35%, with Charlotte Clarke and Eto’o being very consistent and finishing third in both classes.

Results 

Saturday 14 February

HorseHage Preliminary Silver
1. Jackson Black and Diatto Dancer, 70.73%
2. Suzanne Bowe and Charles, 67.27%
3. Fiona Boddy and Amor Vincit Omnia, 66.07%

Baileys Novice Freestyle Silver
1. Amber Flynn and Fortuna BG, 73.06%
2. Anya Cooper and Finissima, 72.87%
3. Ann Savage and Machno Gwenlli, 69.35%

HorseHage Preliminary Gold
1. Helen Dutton and MSJ Diva Dann’Olymbrio, 72%
2. Darcas Lever and Zebedee I, 71.33%
3. Alex Ingoe Connolly and Oedda Lijbra’s Home, 71%

Sunday 15 February

Baileys Novice Freestyle Gold
1. Bethany Edginton and Florentina Anmore, 73.8%
2. Nathalie Kayal and M.M. Olenader, 72.41%
3. Emily Watts and Bazaars Ice Town, 72.31%

Prestige Italia Novice Silver
1. Helen Hopewell and Ototo, 70.43%
2. Amber Flynn and Fortuna BG, 70.27%
3. Harry Rouine and Winsome III, 68.71%

Prestige Italia Novice Gold
1. Anna Burns and Raver TC, 71.67%
2. Kirstie Clarke and Picaro, 71.29%
3. Kirstie Clarke and Viviana, 69.62%

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Gold
1. Jodie Pharaon and Coco Dancer, 74.23%
2. Mat Burnett and Za Za Zoom, 73.78%
3. Greg Sims and First Dance T, 73.14%

Monday 16 February

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver
1. Helen Squires and Leonardo VII, 71.79%
2. Bethany Edginton and Lakeview Buddy, 69.87%
3. Lauren Bone and Sezsational, 69.36%

Equi-Trek Elementary Silver
1. Bethany Edginton and Lakeview Buddy, 68.84%
2. Charlotte Thomas and My Beauty CTD, 68.74%
3. Helen Squires and Leonardo VII, 65.96%

Equi-Trek Elementary Gold
1. Greg Sims and First Dance T, 71.06%
2. George Blackburn and Faust V, 71.01%
3. Mat Burnett and Za Za Zoom, 70.86%

Spillers Medium Freestyle Gold
1. Bridget Tate and Ozzymundus, 70.44%
2. Katie Owens and Quatro II, 70.33%
3. Jodie Pharaon and Coco Dancer, 70.06%

Tuesday 17 February

Spillers Medium Freestyle Silver
1. Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Fantasia, 70.06%
2. Hayley Colwell and Milton-D, 68.89%
3. Courtney Monks and Cedric II, 68.61%

HorseLight Medium Silver
1. Harriet Horsfall and Linck GE, 69.31%
2. Olivia Rimmer and Wadacre Fantasia 69.21%
3. Isabelle Maughan and Mercury, 67.27%

HorseLight Medium Gold
1. Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Somoa, 74.49%
2. Jessica Dunn and Funtime Frankie, 70.37%
3. Ruth Edge and Fidermeyer, 69.63%

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver
1. Katie Owens and Quatro II, 72.22%
2. Emma Littlewood and Woodcroft Nolan, 67.50%
3. Guy Reynolds and MSL Samba Star, 65.83%

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold
1. Anna Wilson and Finest Hour, 70.28%
2. Zara Murad and Kvolsbaek’s Awesome Aurora, 62.44%

Wednesday 18 February

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Silver
1. Lily Cawley and Damon’s Dan Farrington, 68.15%
2. Emma Littlewood and Woodcroft Nolan, 67.73%
3. Olivia Commins and Dark Diamond QC, 67.27%

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Gold
1. Jennifer Harkness and Inouk, 67.59%
2. Jessica Dunn and Lord Lenny, 67.08%
3. Anna Wilson and Finest Hour, 67.08%

Magic Prix St Georges Silver
1. Charlotte Donovan and Just It’s Mie, 71.76%
2. Victoria Johnson and Temujin, 68.33%
3. Charlotte Clarke and Eto’o, 65.54%

Magic Prix St Georges Gold
1. Sophie Wells and Diamond Crusader II, 69.41%
2. Bella Liu and Alfranco, 66.96%
3. Bridget Tate and Daltrey, 66.86%

Superflex Inter I Silver
1. Victoria Johnson and Temujin, 67.35%
2. Daisy Hills and Midtgaards Gijon, 65.78%
3. Charlotte Clarke and Eto’o, 65.74%

Superflex Inter I Gold
1. Anna Wilson and Escojunio Ballante, 68.19%
2. Sarah Fitton and Florenciana 4, 65.54%
3. Amanda Dyson and Hermanus II, 62.30%

FULL RESULTS

Photo: Lottie Christian Photography