Equiyd National Amateur Second Rounds at Forest Edge
Wednesday 22 October 2025
The Equiyd National Amateur Second Rounds concluded over the weekend at Forest Edge Arena, where competitors produced some superb performances in their bid to qualify for the Equiyd National Amateur Championships, which will be held at Aintree Equestrian Centre in November.
The first day of competition opened with the 85cm qualifier, attracting eight starters, with four combinations progressing to the jump-off. All four produced impressive double clears in a closely contested class but victory went to Lorna Simpson, riding her own Rubi VII, who topped the leaderboard with a time of 37.53 seconds. Laura Barber and Hideaway Wonder finished just behind in 37.80, while Lorna Simpson claimed third with her second ride, Zilver Bling, in 38.66.
Forest Edge Arena
Equiyd 85cm National Amateur Second Round
1st – Lorna Simpson & Rubi VII – 0/0 37.53
2nd – Laura Barber & Hideaway Wonder – 0/0 37.80
3rd – Lorna Simpson & Zilver Bling – 0/0 38.66
4th –Alex Hudson & Nevada Van De Start – 0/0 39.80
Competition remained tight in the 95cm qualifying class, where 11 starters came forward, with seven reaching the jump-off. Three produced double clears as Rachel Chisnell and her own HSB Shancourt Diamond came out on top, posting a sharp double clear in 38.53 seconds. Sophie Redman and Ballyengland Quality Belle claimed second with a steady clear in 44.95 seconds, while Alex Hudson and Nevada Van De Start maintained consistent form to finish third in 49.01 secnds.
Forest Edge Arena
Equiyd 95cm National Amateur Second Round
1st – Rachel Chisnell & HSB Shancourt Diamond – 0/0 38.53
2nd – Sophie Redman & Ballyengland Quality Belle – 0/0 44.95
3rd – Alex Hudson & Nevada Van De Start – 0/0 49.01
4th – Skye Blu Valderas Yeow & Ezariosa Z – 0/4 51.51
5th – Rebecca Justice & Kansas II Z – 0/14 55.49
6th – Gemma Butchers & Palmyro – 0/WD
6th – Marianne Macallister & Chipette – 0/WD
The Equiyd 1.05m Second Round class saw eight starters, with five combinations making it through to the jump-off. Once again, three competitors achieved a double clear, this time it was Davina Barber riding her own Upton’s Magic Girl who produced a fast and faultless performance to take the win in 39.06 seconds. Skye Blu Valderas Yeow and High Voltage III were close behind in 39.60 seconds, while Summer Barber and Like Lightning completed the top three double clears in 44.06 seconds.
Forest Edge Arena
Equiyd 1.05m National Amateur Second Round
1st – Davina Barber & Upton’s Magic Girl – 0/0 39.06
2nd – Skye Blu Valderas Yeow & High Voltage III – 0/0 39.60
3rd – Summer Barber & Like Lightning – 0/0 44.06
4th – Rachael Frost & Findern Flash Dance – 0/4 42.03
5th – Rebecca Justice & Ailby Calypso – 0/4 44.56
Rounding off the weekend’s competition was the 1.10m National Amateur Second Round qualifier, which saw five combinations advance through to the jump-off, securing their place at the Championship Show. The win went to Ruby Pointer and her own Rosie Berry, whose raced around in 39.49 seconds to secure first place. Summer Barber and Like Lightning once again featured on the leaderboard, finishing second with a clear in 46.20. Third place went to Tia Bideau and Mirthe T who finished the fastest of those who faulted in 40.66 seconds.
Forest Edge Arena
Equiyd 1.10m National Amateur Second Round
1st – Ruby Pointer & Rosie Berry – 0/0 39.49
2nd – Summer Barber & Like Lightning – 0/0 46.20
3rd – Tia Bideau & Mirthe T – 0/4 40.66
4th – Chloe Alibone & AGL Cruise Control – 0/8 42.80
5th – Georgia Barber & Noorminka – 0/8 48.73
We now look forward to the 2025 Equiyd National Amateur and Veteran Championships at Aintree Equestrian Centre this November, where the country’s best amateur combinations will compete for national titles.
Images: Shelley G Photography
