Charlie Dawson Dominates at Port Royal NAF Summer Silver League Qualifier
Thursday 28 May 2026
Port Royal Showground played host to the latest NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier at the weekend, where 22 rider combinations came forward to take on Michael Bainbridge’s challenging track in pursuit of those all-important qualification points.
Riders were required to produce two solid rounds to secure a coveted place in the jump-off, and with the pressure mounting, only 10 combinations managed to keep all the poles in place to advance to the deciding round.
It proved to be a standout day for Charlie Dawson, who produced a superb double performance to claim both first and second place. Taking the win aboard her own Iloma, Charlie delivered a smooth and speedy clear in the jump-off, crossing the timers in an unbeatable 35.16 seconds.
Not content with just one podium finish, Charlie returned later in the class riding TGF Africa to secure second place with another faultless round in 38.74 seconds.
Third place went the way of Christina Kenyon riding Calpsos Rampant Million, who also produced a stylish clear round in the jump-off, stopping the clock in 39.12 seconds.
With another exciting qualifier completed, riders will now turn their attention towards the Summer Silver League Semi-Finals later this summer, all with hopes of securing their place at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show Final this October.
“I’ve had Lola since a four year old and she is thirteen now, I broke her in and did everything myself with her. She’s done all the age classes, Newcomers, Foxhunter and Talent seekers then sadly picked up an injury last year and has had a full year off. We didn’t know how she would come back, but she’s picked up and carried on like she’d never left! Having the break with her meant that we dropped out of the Gold League, so it’s great to be able to do the NAF Silver League having come back form the injury. We got stuck in the Gold League as she just keeps winning.
“She’s worth everything to me, I could never sell her as I have done with the others. You never go in the ring thinking she might struggle or have a fence down, it’s just a case of can you go fast enough! We call Lola the free range chicken at home as she just wanders around the yard doing what she likes, like a big pet. She owns the yard!
“We love Port Royal and is very local for us, we go there competing, and training with the younger horses. The course suited us, there were lots of places you could turn rather than galloping, there were a few tight turn backs which worked in Lola’s favour. She’s only small, around 16hh so the more twisty the course the better. She can be funny going in the ring and I have to go in backwards but once she’s in, she gets on with the job. We hadn’t got too much planned for this year as she was coming back from injury, she went to the BS Winter Championships and Wales & West where she won classes then just did this qualifier, so we will just keep her ticking over now until the semi-final.” Said Charlie.
NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier
Port Royal Showground, Sunday 24 May 2026
1st – Charlie Dawson & Iloma – 0/0/0 35.16
2nd – Charlie Dawson & TGF Africa – 0/0/0 38.74
3rd – Christina Kenyon & Calpsos Rampant Million – 0/0/0 39.12
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: Mags Media Life
