Charlotte Bevan Takes the Top Spot at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic
Monday 02 November 2026
The Winter Classic series got underway last Thursday at Kelsall Hill, with riders setting their sights on securing those all-important qualifying places for the Winter Finals at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
One of the headline classes on the opening day was the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier, which attracted an impressive 51 rider and horse combinations, all looking to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Designed by Rafael Suarez, the first-round track proved a competitive test, with 22 combinations successfully jumping clear to earn their place in the jump-off. With the pressure on and qualification places up for grabs, it was Charlotte Bevan who produced the winning performance, riding her own Nels De Villee to another clear round in a time of 33.85 seconds.
“I am so pleased to win, he was amazing. We’ve had him since he was a three-year-old, and other than some friends of ours backing him, we have done all the producing ourselves. I took him to his first show and have done everything with him; he’s only seven, so still young. We call him Nelly at home, as in ‘Nelly the Elephant’ which makes people laugh because it’s a bit girly; although he is a stallion he is the sweetest horse you have ever met. He will fall asleep with his head on my knee when he is laying down; we have such a great bond and he loves a cuddle. He’s the easiest one to have around and even my mum hacks him out; she won’t ride any of the others. He’s everyone’s favourite.
“It was actually a bit of a shock to win, although Nelly is very consistent jumping clear rounds; I am usually quite slow and don’t go for it very often. I don’t know what came over me, but I thought, ‘we are going to give it a go’! He was amazing, I couldn’t fault him- like a real-life unicorn, I think there are some very exciting times to come. I prefer riding him to a bigger fence, he just loves it and is a bit of a show off so steps up well, he’s always listening to what I ask him. We know each other inside out, having done everything together.
“We also jumped the Under 25 qualifier and came so close in that. He had the fastest time in the jump off but just caught the vertical coming out of the double, which he barely touched, it was just unlucky. We are going to go up to Morris and give that qualifier another go there. We weren’t going to aim at that, but he gave it such a good go we owe it to him to have another go at Morris; if we don’t qualify this year, it will be something to aim for in 2027.
“We are really looking forward to jumping the final at Hickstead, he will love the big grass ring there. He will have a great time showing off!” Charlotte said.
Thomas Pritchard secured second place aboard Princess SW, also delivering a faultless performance to cross the finish line in 34.89 seconds. Just behind him was Iwan Carpenter, who claimed third place with Merllyns Special Illusion, producing a clear round in 34.91 seconds.
With the opening Winter Classic now complete, attention turns to the next fixture at Morris Equestrian, where riders will once again be looking to secure their place in the final.
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier
Kelsall Hill, Thursday, 29 October 2026
1st – Charlotte Bevan & Nels De Villee – 0/0 33.85
2nd – Thomas Pritchard & Princess SW – 0/0 34.89
3rd – Iwan Carpenter & Merllyns Special Illusion – 0/0 34.91
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results
Image: KT Equine Photography
