Anya Defends Her Crown as Day Five Delivers More Stand Out Performances
Saturday 08 August 2026
Day five brings yet another championship retained, as Anya Dewey Clarke and Fredaine De Blonde successfully defended their National 138cm Championship title, claiming the honours for the second consecutive year.
Describing ‘Blondie’, Anya said: "She is just incredible, I love her, she's the queen of the yard and I think she's just proven why."
Anya’s tactics in the six-strong jump-off saw her establish a one-second lead, saying: "I knew that I had to start strong and finish strong, I knew I had all of my turns planned, and she just gave all of her energy and all of her talent to that."
Conor Barnes claimed the National 128cm Championship title with Creevagh Pringles, having ridden the pony for just three months.
Producing the only double clear of the class, Conor said: "It feels amazing, 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."
He continued: "I'm really happy, I've only had her for about three months and I feel like I'm going to make a really good relationship with her."
Ella Kay & Little Flexible claimed the Silver League 148cm & Under Championship Final after holding on to the lead in a 20-strong jump-off, having been drawn first to go.
Reflecting on the victory, Ella said: "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."
Having recently brought her horse back up to the top tracks, Ella added: "She's just so good against the clock and so honest, I know I can turn her back as tight as I want."
On her approach to the jump-off, Ella said: "My aim wasn't to win it, it was just to put a really nice round in... it was quite a good jump-off for just turns, because you can jump across them, and because she's so good at it and she stayed careful, it worked."
Annabella Williams and Dancing Danny claimed victory in the Silver League 138cm & Under Championship Final, securing a standout result in the competition.
Reflecting on the win, Annabella said: "I'm really happy that I've won. I haven't had a win in quite a while, and I'm really happy." Annabella continued: "I was only meant to go for a double clear, but it changed, I guess."
Poppy Williams claimed the Silver League 128cm & Under Championship Final, securing the biggest win of her career to date onboard the aptly named Living the Dream.
Reflecting on the result, she said: “Thank you to his owners Nicky Caroline and Lucia... he has just the best pony I could have.”
Heading into the jump-off, Poppy’s strategy was simple: “Don’t go mental and just have fun.”
Darcie Brooke Halliday and Twirl and Swirl claimed victory in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Final.
Describing her six-year-old pony, Darcie said she is "really kind, friendly and an honest pony."
With 29 combinations progressing to the jump-off, Darcie and Twirl and Swirl produced the fastest round, finishing 2.82 seconds ahead of second-placed Bonnie Rose Evans and Sweet Little Dreamer.
For the full list of results, visit: https://members.britishshowjumping.co.uk/live/results
Image credit – 1st Class Images
