The Howden Way Young Horse class series got underway at Barbury Horse Trials (27–29 March), with titles awarded in the six- and seven-year-old divisions.
These age classes are designed to give riders a platform to showcase talented young event horses, with the opening leg of the 2026 series attracting competitive fields across both sections.
Cook and Parel take six-year-old honours
Isabelle Cook won the six-year-old class riding Parel, finishing on a score of 32.7 after adding cross-country time penalties to a dressage score of 28.3.
The Dutch gelding, owned by Sarah Pelham, Millie Seagon, Jim Chromiak and Shaun Lawson, previously finished 14th at the five-year-old Young Horse Championships at Cornbury and was second in his last run at Lincolnshire in the BE100.
Isabelle said:
“He was a really good boy, actually. It was his first novice and I definitely didn’t expect him to go and win – he exceeded all expectations. I just set out to see how he’d go, but he travelled and galloped so easily and jumped really well, so I let him roll on and it all came together. It was amazing.
“I’ve had him since the end of his four-year-old year and he’s very straightforward at home – easy to do and a lovely horse to have around. He can be a little bit spooky, but he’s generally very rideable and has four great owners from the same family behind him.
“For now, the plan is just to keep him at this level and let him gain experience. If he’s ready, we might look at a two-star later on, but as a six-year-old there’s no rush – it’s all about giving him a good, steady season and seeing how he develops.”
Kate Rocher-Smith finished second riding KMS Dassett Envoy on a score of 41, while Sophie Wildern placed third with Ardencotes Just My Luck on 49.8.
Rocher-Smith tops seven-year-old class
Kate Rocher-Smith won the seven-year-old class riding Edentrillick Dassett Muze, an Irish gelding by I’m Special De Muze out of Leestone Uno Momento.
Kate said:
“I’m thrilled with how both horses have performed. Harley, the seven-year-old, came to me in November 2024 after a showjumping career in Ireland. He’s put a huge amount of effort into everything, and it’s lovely to see him really enjoying eventing and growing in confidence across all three phases. He loves cross-country, and you can see the benefits of his schooling coming through. Long-term, we hope to produce him for Leon and potentially beyond, but for now it’s about giving him a positive, educational season.
“My six-year-old, KMS Dassett Envoy, was runner-up in his class. I bought him at the same time as Harley, and he’s a very sharp, scopey horse who needs sensitive producing to channel his ability. He’s enjoying his trips out, learning with each experience, and we’ll be guided by him as to how far we push him this year. It’s been a really rewarding start for both of them.”
Max Warburton finished second riding Earl Dorado, owned by the rider alongside Nicola Salmon and Robin Salmon.
Key results – Barbury Horse Trials Young Horse classes
6-year-old class
- Isabelle Cook and Parel – 32.7
- Kate Rocher-Smith and KMS Dassett Envoy – 41
- Sophie Wildern and Ardencotes Just My Luck – 49.8
7-year-old class
- Kate Rocher-Smith and Edentrillick Dassett Muze
- Max Warburton and Earl Dorado
Series overview and pathway
The Howden Way Young Horse classes run throughout the spring and summer at British Eventing venues, with six-year-olds competing at novice level and seven-year-olds at intermediate level.
The top three in each class receive an additional £250, £150 and £100 respectively, on top of standard prize money.
Alongside the classes, young horses are tracked through The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues, which calculate rankings using the average of a horse’s three best finishing scores via a Power Based Average.
The 2026 Young Horse Championships will take place at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire from 10–13 September.
For many combinations, the classes also act as preparation for the FEI World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers (15–18 October), which host the CCI2*-L World Championship for six-year-olds and the CCI3*-L World Championship for seven-year-olds.
Horses identified at the Cornbury House Young Horse Championships may be invited to attend The Howden Way Development Days, with selected combinations progressing to The Howden Way Young Horse Academy the following year.
Feature image: Isabelle Cook and Parel, credit Top Shots Photography
