Young talent dazzles at Youth Home Nations 2026

The Youth Home Nations is always a highlight of the Youth calendar. Hosted this year at Vale View Equestrian, Leicestershire, the North and West Team claimed victory in the team competition whilst the Individual awards showcased some of our most exciting young talent.

© Kevin Sparrow

In the Preliminary individual competition, it was Lucas Smyth who took the trailblazing win by just over a four-point lead. Aboard his own Rhythm Island (Jameson RS2 x Sir Sinclair), Lucas and Lando stormed ahead scoring 73.333% in Saturday’s Preliminary 5 and 72.267% in Sunday’s Preliminary 6 to finish on a final score of 145.600. Reflecting on their win, Lucas stated that “Winning at Home Nations was such a special moment, it confirms how Lando is maturing in between the dressage boards. During his first test on warm up day, I had difficulty with his response to the environment. However, we took full advantage of the arena familiarisation time which helped me to get him to settle and become confident in that arena, allowing me to really show-off what he was capable of.

“I thought the atmosphere of Home Nations was amazing, extremely motivating and supportive especially with the help of Jess Carr who assisted me in the warm-up, plus the organisation and support of Charlotte Nicholls, Ava Fowler and Vikki Hayton. I am now preparing Lando for the Preliminary Silver and KBIS Five-Year-Old Young Horse Championships at the Lemieux National Dressage Championships this September.

“This was my first Home Nations, and I can't wait to (hopefully) represent my region again next year. It's such an honour to be selected. I would like to give a special thank you to North & East's top team players Josh Bailey and Isla Needham for the immense support and motivation they always give me."

In the Novice Individual competition, Zoe Clewlow carried on her winning streak from the Youth Inter Regionals, taking the overall win aboard Alison Foden’s Ferrij (by San Remo). The duo finished in fifth place in Saturday’s Novice 5 competition with 68.389% and won the Novice 6 on the Sunday with 70.968% and finish on 139.135. Zoe and Ferrij have only been a combination since February of this year due to Zoe ‘stealing’ the ride off her sister Josephene due to her own horse struggling with lameness. Zoe describes Ferrij as “really talented but also quite quirky… although he looks an easy ride he is very sensitive and has to be ridden quietly and sympathetically or he just switches off. Just before my Sunday test he was spooked by another pony, so he went into the test feeling rather hot, but he gave me a fantastic ride and I came out beaming!

“The highlight of this weekend was riding in a team with my older sister, especially when the team finished on the podium in third place! This was my first year doing the Home Nations and it has been a wonderful experience being part of a larger team and having the support and encouragement from so many people.” There is still a busy season ahead for this duo as they look forward to the Area Festivals, Midway Championships and Associated Championships later on in the year.

In the Elementary Individual competition Indy Edwards took the overall win aboard her own Poughkeepsie (Ferguson x Everdale). The duo claimed victory on both days of competition, scoring 72.292% in Saturday’s Elementary 5 and 70.051% in Sunday’s Elementary 6 to come away on a final total of 142.343. Reflecting on her experience from the weekend, Indy remarked that she “was incredibly proud of Janet [Poughkeepsie] this weekend. With this being our first Home Nations, I wanted to make sure it was all about experience and fun but to come away with both the elementary individual win and the team overall win was a major highlight for the weekend.

“My aim was to really focus on improving the impulsion and ground cover of her overall work, whilst keeping her relaxed and through to the contact. She’s only six and I really feel that she stepped up to the mark. Janet can get very nervous in the warmup, but as soon as you enter the arena it’s like she takes a deep breath and relaxes to fully engage with me. We’re hoping to receive a wild card for the Summer Elementary National Championships and from that we will start looking towards the Medium work. I feel this weekend has given us that added confidence in our ability to that.”

In the Medium, Anna Wheeldon topped the Individual leaderboard with her own Jackie-Bertha R (Negro x Vivaldi) to take the title of Medium Individual Champions. The pair took the win in Saturday’s Medium 5 with 68.611% and finished third in Sunday’s Medium 6 with 66.343% to come away with an overall score of 134.954.

In the Advanced Medium Individual, Sophie Isaacs took the overall win aboard her own Donaigo Ace having took a clean sweep in Saturday and Sunday’s Advanced Medium 5 and 6 competition, winning on both days with 67.500% and 69.028% respectively to come away with a final score of 136.528. “My test on Saturday didn’t go fully according to plan as I had a bit of a disruption at the start, and then I missed a movement!” Sophie remarked, “However, my super little horse did everything I asked and thankfully well still ended up with a good mark! Sunday was a lot better: we had a clear run, my horse felt more relaxed, and we scored one of the best scores we’ve had at the level.

“Winning the class was definitely a highlight, but actually having been able to come back on Sunday and improve after a disappointing first test was enough in itself. The atmosphere and support you get from your region and teammates is something very special that I haven’t experienced anywhere else.”

Sophie has been a keen member of the BD Youth family for the past four years since acquiring Donaigo Ace four years ago. In that time, the duo has progressed from Prelim level up to Prix St Georges and have been a regular face in both regional training and competition circuit. This year alone, the pair have qualified for the Area Festival Finals at Prix St Georges and the National Championships at Advanced Medium. “I’m very sad to now be at the end of my BD Youth journey… we’ve been on the teams every year, I’ve done two foundation academies, one national academy, and the young professionals programme, and one of the biggest things I will hold onto from all of these are the friendships I’ve made. It isn’t just about the sport; it’s the social aspect and the connections you make with people from all over the country. For anyone unsure if BD Youth is for them, you must have a go and get involved!”

In the PSG, Tabitha Leicester took the win with Laura Leicester’s Eires Rock (by Santana) with 131.127, having scored incredibly consistently across the weekend to come away with 65.588% on Saturday and 65.529% on Sunday. Via Instagram, Tabitha commented that “Elsie was her usual fabulous self. She improved from day one to day two, with two of the judges giving us a lovely percentage increase overnight. The feeling she is giving me in the tests has improved so much, she’s so much softer and calmer through her body, especially in the trot work. Compared to Home Nations last year at this level, she has improved and strengthened so much, so I couldn’t be happier with the scores in comparison to last year.

“I couldn’t thank everyone enough for their support this weekend and really making it the best it could be! It was definitely my favourite Home Nations so far and I’ve been doing them since I was 13! Such a fun weekend and we will look forwards to next year.”

In the Children on Horses, Daisy Bellamy took the overall win with Nicole Jahanshahi’s Doruto on a final score of 147.571, having won on both days over the weekend on 72.700% and 74.871% in the Children’s Team and Individual Tests. “I’m really pleased with my tests, he felt so supple and relaxed, he was waiting and listening to me” Daisy commented, “My highlight was winning on both days, and having the highest score of South and West so I got to wear the duck pyjamas while we partied. I absolutely loved the races on the Friday night which the youth panel organised, it was so much fun!”

“We will have some quiet time now, and continue working on improving our connection and engagement making sure we hack lots and build him up more with hill work to create more strength. Then we’ll keep working on raising our scores and getting more consistent. I enjoy every moment with this horse, we have a very special bond and I believe in him. He will teach me so much and I will love him and be grateful for everything he gives me.”

In the Ponies, Lacey Owen-Morgan took the win aboard her own Sulaatik’s Vingino (Sulaatik's Versace x Mescalero) with a final score of 138.689. The duo won the Pony Team and Individual tests on both days, scoring 69.905% and 68.784% respectively. When reflecting on her success over the weekend, Lacey stated that “being selected to ride the FEI Pony Test for Wales was such a great feeling. We have been working really hard on them for the last year at Premier Leagues, High Profiles and CDI’s, but I must admit my Team test on Saturday was the best we had ever ridden it. It was definitely the highlight of our weekend. Sunday’s Individual test also felt really good, and our marks on movements we have been working on were reflected in our overall score. Our aim for the rest of the year is to hopefully be invited to the Nationals in September, and also to gain some Winter PetPlan Scores at Medium level. I feel really proud being part of the Wales team which is one of reasons I applied. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. It is like being part of a really big family.”

In the Young Riders, Mia Smith took the win on Dr Elle Smith’s Dutch Discovery (Tuschinski x Jazz), having topped the leaderboard on both days with 66.618% and 69.118% in the Team and Individual tests, leaving them on a final score of 135.736. Furthermore, in the Juniors Ireland’s Ellen Mooney took the win on Mariposa, finishing on a final score of 133.680 having scored 66.768% in the Team test on Saturday and 66.912% in the Individual on Sunday.

In the team competition, it was the North and West Spain team who were crowned victorious. Made up of Olivia Booth with Point of Honour, Katrina Metford with Hawtins Fiorucci, India Edwards with Poughkeepsie and Anna Wheeldon with Jackie-Bertha R, the team earned a combined final score of 418.84. The North and East Team Unicorn, made up of Lucas Smyth with Rhythm Island, Delilah Esberger-Hancock with Doolittle, Amy Fillingham with Lincoln LDS and Bethany Thompson with Monty, finished on a total score of 416.51 to leave them in a very close second place. Completing our top three lineup was another North and West team; Team South Africa, made up of Verity Matthews and Cynheidrefawr Horatio, Zoe Clewlow and Ferrij, Josephene Clewlow and Ginley’s Gunpowder and Freya Ainscough and Showstar, finished on a final combined score of 412.43.

Thanks go to the organisers and team at Vale View for delivering a superbly run event, and congratulations to all riders and connections for their hard work and excellent performances throughout.

Results – top five

Preliminary Individual

1. Lucas Smyth and Rhythm Island, 145.600 (N&E)

2. Harriet Dixon and Dark Storm, 141.279 (N&E)

3. Olivia Booth and Point of Honour, 139.768 (N&W)

4. Amy Parry and DHI Mojo, 139.460 (S&W)

5. Lucy Lyn Ferris and How Ya Sammy, 138.946 (WALES)

Novice Individual

1. Zoe Clewlow and Ferrij, 139.135 (N&W)

2. Oliver Lawery and Seiont Glesyn, 139.067 (N&E)

3. Sophia Parry and Caramelle, 136.938 (WALES)

4. Tabitha Paine and Machno Excalibur, 136.887 (S&W)

5. Esme Colley and Penlangwnnws Elgan, 135.534 (S&W)

Elementary Individual

1. India Edwards and Poughkeepsie, 142.343 (N&W)

2. Amy-Lauren Fillingham and Lincoln LDS, 140.764 (N&E)

3. Zoe Florence and Sweet Madness, 140.579 (N&W)

4. Moya Payne and Iambic M, 138.651 (S&E)

5. Grace England and Giselle, 137.427 (N&E)

Medium Individual

1. Anna Wheeldon and Jackie-Bertha R, 134.954 (N&W)

2. Sophia Sutton and Junkbrunnans Taj Mahal, 134.195 (S&E)

3. Freya Ainscough and Showstar, 132.972 (N&W)

4. Megan Austin and Kingcarra Carrick Cruise, 131.593 (S&E)

5. Amy Parry and AB Barroco, 131.574 (WALES)

Advanced Medium Individual

1. Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 136.528 (N&E)

2. Molly Wing and Quartz II, 135.417 (S&E)

3. Ellie Tomkinson and Whatapallaver, 131.358 (N&W)

4. Millie Ann Mclardie and Davidoff 188, 125.440 (WALES)

Prix St Georges Individual

1. Tabitha Leicester and Eires Rock, 131.127 (N&E)

FEI Children on Horses Individual

1. Daisy Bellamy and Doruto, 147.571 (S&W)

2. Darci Ward and Parc Charisma, 143.615 (N&E)

3. Sophie Reid Entwhistle and Brouwershaven's Panamera, 142.127 (WALES)

FEI Pony Inidividual

1. Lacey Owen-Morgan and Sulaatik’s Vingino, 138.689 (WALES)

2. Sophia Sutton and Junkbrunnans Taj Mahal, 136.244 (S&E)

3. Olivia Linnane and Don Dimaro Van Het Gildeland, 132.631 (IRL)

4. Nina Gribben and Keelogues Beauty, 129.554 (SCOTLAND)

5. Eleanor Blewitt and Carry On Princess, 128.627 (S&W)

FEI Junior Individual

1. Ellen Mooney and Mariposa, 133.680 (IRL)

FEI Young Rider Individual

1. Mia Smith and Dutch Discovery, 135.736 (N&W)

2. Olivia Long and Lover Boy, 127.451 (S&E)

Team results – top five

1. N&W Spain – 418.84

2. N&E Team Unicorn – 416.51

3. N&W South Africa – 412.43

4. N&E Team Phoenix – 412.22

5. Wales Scarlets – 410.55

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