The British Showjumping National Championships delivered six days of closely fought competition at Stoneleigh Park, where established combinations successfully defended their crowns, new partnerships announced their arrival and coveted Horse of the Year Show tickets were secured.
Held from 4 to 9 August, the championships brought senior, pony, para equestrian and retrained racehorse competitors together for one of the biggest weeks in the national showjumping calendar.
Emma-Jo Slater, Emma Sargeant, Joe Trunkfield and Ella Kay were among the riders to secure multiple titles, while Madison Heath and BP Millionaire emerged as one of the headline combinations after being crowned National Champions.
Emma-Jo Slater begins with championship double
Emma-Jo Slater made an immediate impression on the opening day, adding two titles to the four championships she won at Stoneleigh in 2025.
Her first victory came in the National Grade B Championship with home-bred seven-year-old Kimba Luidun, who is already qualified for the Foxhunter Final at the Horse of the Year Show.
Emma-Jo later returned to claim the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship aboard Kimba Showtime. Drawn first in a 30-strong jump-off, she set a target that remained unbeaten.
“I was first to go in the jump-off and knew I had to go as fast as I can and hope it paid off,” she said. “I thought I might get beaten by a bigger horse with a bigger stride, but they had to leave the jumps up, she was good.”
Emma Sargeant and Joe Malone won the National Grade C Championship, continuing a successful run which included victory in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Masters in 2025.
Joe Trunkfield dominated the Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier incorporating the National 1.40m Championship. He successfully defended the title with Cashallco and filled all three podium places, taking second aboard Maymar Loma and third with Starbux.
The opening day also brought a remarkable clean sweep for Tabby Morgan Evans in the Children on Horses Championship. Producing the only clear round of the class, Tabby and Catoki IV took the title. She also finished second with Zilveren’s Swizzle Time BDA and third aboard Kesha From Second Life Z.
Isobel Hudson and Cooley Iron Man won the National Senior Rider Championship following a 17-combination jump-off, while Hallie Rae Currie and Vegas Z concluded the day by claiming the National Under 21 Championship.
Familiar combinations defend their titles
Joe Trunkfield continued his winning run on the second day, adding the Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier incorporating the National Speed Horse Final to his tally (feature image, credit 1st Class Images.
Riding Darjeeling Desir, owned by Michael McKinley and produced by Daisy McKinley, Joe overturned the early target set by Charlotte Ash.
“He’s a really quick horse, so I told myself to take a breath, jump the jumps and follow the canter I’ve got, which is naturally quick, and it paid off,” he said.
Emma Sargeant successfully defended the National 1.25m Restricted Rider Championship aboard Whisper’s Love. The combination finished just 0.04 seconds ahead of Emma-Jo Slater and Kimba Luidun after a fiercely competitive jump-off.
Emma-Jo secured her third title of the week in the National 1.15m Members Cup Championship, retaining the crown with Kimba Time. A field of 89 starters was reduced to 23 for the jump-off, but the previous year’s winners once again proved unbeatable.
Stephanie Gunn and home-bred Quarantino won the Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Final.
“He’s by my old stallion I used to ride that we sadly lost a few years ago, so he’s quite a special horse to us,” said Stephanie. “I’ve done everything with him myself, he’s super consistent.”
Adam Botham and Nixon IV took the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Masters. With Nixon IV already holding his Senior Newcomers qualification for HOYS, Adam’s attention now turns to securing a Foxhunter ticket with the stallion.
Yasmin Davis and the 17-year-old Zanbowa Z claimed the National 1.30m Championship, finishing 0.9 seconds ahead of Georgina Ellis and Croisiere.
“He’s a 17-year-old now, I’ve had him for around 11 years,” said Yasmin. “He is one of my first horses. There is not really anything he hasn’t won nationally or internationally.”
Madison Heath and BP Millionaire crowned National Champions
Madison Heath and eight-year-old BP Millionaire provided one of the headline results of the senior championships when they won the British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway Championship and were crowned National Champions.
Their victory also secured a direct qualification for the Horse of the Year Show in October.
“At the start of the week I couldn’t jump a clear round, but I’m happy to go home now that we’ve got the title,” said Madison.
Having stepped up to bigger tracks this season, BP Millionaire rose to the challenge.
“I didn’t really want to put too much pressure on him, but he took to it well,” Madison added.
Two further HOYS tickets were awarded following the championship. David Harland secured the International Stairway League qualification, while Joseph Trunkfield claimed the HOYS Wild Card League qualification.
Emma Sargeant completed a remarkable championship hat-trick with Whisper’s Love by adding the National 1.25m Championship to her earlier victories in the National Grade C and National 1.25m Restricted Rider Championships.
“It feels great, she’s won every class she’s been in, and she’s jumped like a little star really,” said Emma. “She always tries her hardest, and she’s always quick in a jump-off, so I’m absolutely delighted.”
Phoebe Jefferies and Zipwire successfully defended their National 1.05m Championship title, producing the fastest of eight double clears from a field of 59 combinations.
Douglas Duffin secured another HOYS ticket when he guided Laura Tinto’s home-bred seven-year-old Omex Star HBF to victory in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Masters.
“She’s already qualified for the Grade C,” said Douglas. “It’s nice to have the Foxhunter as well, which is one of the most prestigious classes to qualify for.”
The inaugural National 95cm Championship attracted a sizeable entry, with 43 combinations progressing to the jump-off. Catherine Mills and Wishful Italica became the class’s first champions, winning by 1.62 seconds.
“It’s absolutely incredible, I never expected it,” said Catherine. “It’s a terrifying wait being in the middle of a jump-off of 40-something, so absolutely unreal.”
The Retraining of Racehorses Finals produced three further winners. Karen Dickson and D Day IV took the Retraining of Racehorses Club 75cm Final, Bethan Crozier and Cubao won the Retraining of Racehorses Club 90cm Final, and Tracey McLaughlin partnered Heart Star to victory in the Retraining of Racehorses Bronze League Final.
Para equestrian competitors completed the day, with Evie Toombes retaining the Grade III Championship aboard Dieu’s Utopia Z and Jordan Phelps winning the Grade IV Championship with Toyland Detective.
Born with spina bifida and tube-fed for 16 hours a day, Evie spoke about the determination required to continue competing.
“Trying to ride horses probably doesn’t work on paper, but we make it work and days like this really make it worthwhile,” she said.
Jordan, who lost her vision in a riding accident six years ago, described Toyland Detective as “the most perfect saint ever”.
“I’m sure he knows I can’t see and he does all the seeing for me,” she added.
Raphaela Dawson ends her pony career with National 148cm title
Pony competition moved to the forefront on 7 August, when Raphaela Dawson rounded off her final year on ponies by winning the National 148cm Championship with Maifield Another Sunrise.
The pair finished 1.58 seconds clear over a technical championship track, improving on their second place in the same final in 2024.
“She was second here in 2024 for my first time in the 148s, so to come back here and win it today is amazing,” said Raphaela.
Francesca Finneran and seven-year-old For Joy claimed the Pony Newcomers Masters. The mare followed in the footsteps of her sister, Halo Joy, who won the title in 2025.
Felicity Ashcroft and Trefriw Eros took the Stepping Stones 128cm Championship, with Felicity also finishing second aboard Parc Creme Brulee.
Sienna Rimes and Durley Hall Medici won the Stepping Stones 138cm Championship, while Amelie Bigmore and Derryinver Rocky secured the Pony Restricted Rider 1.10m Championship by three seconds.
The team titles went to Bucking Brilliant in the 90cm Championship, the Cheshire Chicks in the 1m division and KANG Showjumping in the 1.10m Championship.
Anya Dewey Clarke retains National 138cm crown
Anya Dewey Clarke and Fredaine De Blonde successfully defended their National 138cm Championship title on the penultimate day.
The combination established a one-second advantage in the six-strong jump-off to secure the championship for the second consecutive year.
“She is just incredible, I love her, she’s the queen of the yard and I think she’s just proven why,” said Anya.
Conor Barnes, who had ridden Creevagh Pringles for only three months, produced the class’s sole double clear to win the National 128cm Championship.
“It feels amazing,” said Conor. “I came here wanting to win this class. It feels like a dream come true to win it, and I really have high hopes for HOYS.”
Ella Kay began a memorable weekend by winning the Silver League 148cm and Under Championship Final with Little Flexible. Drawn first in a 20-strong jump-off, Ella established a lead that none of the remaining combinations could dislodge.
“It feels amazing, because I was second in this class two years ago with a different pony and to come back and win it from first draw is really nice,” she said.
Annabella Williams and Dancing Danny claimed the Silver League 138cm and Under Championship Final, while Poppy Williams and Living the Dream took the Silver League 128cm and Under title.
Darcie Brooke Halliday and six-year-old Twirl and Swirl won the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Final. They completed the fastest of 29 jump-off rounds, finishing 2.82 seconds ahead of Bonnie Rose Evans and Sweet Little Dreamer.
Ella Kay completes championship double
Ella Kay returned on the final day to win her second title in as many days, this time taking the STX-UK Pony Foxhunter Masters aboard nine-year-old Clounanna Benji Boy. The result marked the pair’s first major championship victory together.
“It feels amazing, it’s really nice to win a big title on Benji because I have never won one on him before and he deserves it,” said Ella.
“The last few years I’ve been coming home with seconds and thirds and to win two, in two days, it’s just really good.”
Emmie Horner and Gray Rose won the Junior 1.15m Members Cup Championship Final. Emmie had produced the mare herself and arrived at Stoneleigh with both Newcomers and Foxhunter HOYS tickets already secured.
“She felt really great and I’m so glad to have won it on her,” said Emmie. “She’s a really special pony to me as I’ve produced her myself.”
Harriet Davies recorded the biggest victory of her career when she partnered the British home-bred TPD Remar to the Pony Discovery Championship Final.
Of the 64 combinations contesting the class, 22 progressed to the jump-off and eight produced double clears. Harriet and the seven-year-old mare stopped the clock 0.37 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.
Mia Pearson and Kono IV won the Pony Restricted Rider 1.00m Championship Final, with the combination’s journey having begun when Kono IV was competing at Discovery level.
“I got her just jumping Discovery, and she’s taken me all the way up to jumping 1.25m this season,” said Mia.
The remaining Bronze League honours were shared across the three pony height divisions.
Alexander Thomas-Cheffings and 20-year-old Treflan Nero won the Bronze League 128cm and Under Championship Final by 2.92 seconds.
Elsie Drea and Fallowfen Socrates took the Bronze League 138cm and Under Championship Final, finishing just over a second ahead of the remaining double clears.
Lola Rose Bird and May Lass completed the championships with victory in the Bronze League 148cm and Under Championship Final.
From Emma-Jo Slater’s opening-day double to Ella Kay’s closing weekend success, the 2026 British Showjumping National Championships combined successful title defences, first-time victories and important HOYS qualifications across six busy days at Stoneleigh Park.
