Catherine Housman Claims Horse of the Year Show Final Spot at Chard NAF Five Star Silver League Semi Final
Monday 27 July 2026
The race for qualification to the NAF Five Star Silver League Final at Horse of the Year Show continued this weekend at Chard Equestrian, where 41 rider and horse combinations took on Krissy Spiller's testing semi-final track in the hope of securing one of the coveted qualifying places for October's final.
The course proved a true test of accuracy and consistency, with 17 combinations producing two faultless rounds to earn their place in a competitive jump-off.
Leading the way was Catherine Housman, who partnered her own Contrichta to an outstanding clear round in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 34.34 seconds to take victory and book her place at the Horse of the Year Show Final.
Claiming the runner-up spot was Nikki Curtis aboard Destination II, who also produced a polished clear round in a time of 35.30 seconds.
Completing the podium was James Loffet riding Gaudi II, delivering another faultless jump-off performance to finish third in 36.30 seconds.
Congratulations to all of the combinations who progressed to the jump-off and, in particular, to Catherine Housman and Contrichta on an excellent performance to secure victory and qualification for the NAF Five Star Silver League Final at Horse of the Year Show.
“I’ve had Contrichta since summer 2020, we qualified for the Bronze League in 2021 but ended up taking a different horse but then qualified for the Silver League Final the following year. We didn’t have the best round in the jump off but to make it to HOYS with her was great. She’s nineteen now so I wanted to give it another crack but didn’t want to chase the League points as she’s older so opted to save her for the qualifiers. She loves the format, if I can keep her contained and clear in the first round I generally know she’s with me for the other two, her last round is always her best. She loves a jump off and a challenge, she’s brilliant!
I think luck was on my side in the jump off, the course was good, technical where it needed to be but also enough clear to make it competitive. I lost a stirrup so didn’t have the best line to the last, but she saved me and the rest of it suited us. I jumped the first on an angle and went really forward from there. We were tenth of the seventeen and there was only one treble clear, I thought it’s likely some of those following me would go clear - I know my horse is fast, I know I can dare her, I’ve got one shot so we just went for it as it could be our last chance to qualify. She answered every question, she was just great, I’m so pleased.
I’m quite careful what I do with her now, she’s a bit of a lunatic at home so I will just keep her fit and ticking over until HOYS, no great plan really. I don’t school her particularly at home she loves to hack, just enough to keep her going.”
NAF Five Star Silver League Semi Final
Chard Equestrian Ltd, Sunday 26 July 2026
1st – Catherine Housman & Contrichta – 0/0/0 34.34
2nd – Nikki Curtis & Destination II – 0/0/0 35.30
3rd – James Loffet & Gaudi II – 0/0/0 36.30
4th – Michaela Russell – 0/0/0 38.04
5th – Emily Mould & My Ariana – 0/0/0 38.18
6th – Kelly Read & Qemerald Van De Vogelzang – 0/0/0 38.53
7th – Oscar Stewart & Kilbarron Abbey – 0/0/0 42.16
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: ESP Photographic
