Emma Sargeant and Joe Malone dominate Winter Grades B&C Qualifier at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic
Wednesday 05 November 2025
Emma Sargeant galloped to an emphatic victory in the UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C qualifier at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic in Cheshire, claiming one of two coveted qualification spots for next year’s Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
A competitive field of fifty-one combinations came forward to tackle Rafael Suarez’s testing 1.35m track which called for power, balance, and accuracy throughout. The standard was exceptionally high, with 19 riders producing initial clears to earn a place in the jump-off. From there, it became a true race against the clock, as 10 combinations kept all the poles in place in their bid for the Hickstead tickets.
It was Emma Sargeant, however, who delivered the standout round of the class, riding Carl Freeman’s eight-year-old gelding, Joe Malone, to a lightning-fast clear in 32.91 seconds – a time that none of her rivals could match. The established partnership, who have been together for almost two years, continue to go from strength to strength, having also been victorious in claiming the Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter Masters title at the British Showjumping National Championships earlier this summer.
Iwan Carpenter came closest to catching her, finishing second and taking the final qualifying ticket aboard his own Knockalough Poet, just 0.83 seconds off the winning pace. Madison Heath claimed third place with a stylish double clear on Sarah Williams’ BP Millionaire, rounding off another high-calibre class in what was a superb weekend of jumping at Kelsall Hill.
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre
1st – Emma Sargeant & Joe Malone – 0/0 – 32.91
2nd – Iwan Carpenter & Knockalough Poet – 0/0 – 33.74
3rd – Madison Heath & BP Millionaire - 0/0 – 34.23
NB Results pending final grading
Image: KT Equine Photography
 c. KT Equine Photography.jpg "Victory for Emily Ward and Wild Star HF in the Winter Grand Prix at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic")
