Forest Edge Host Exciting East Regional Academy Championships
Thursday 26 February 2026
Riders from local British Showjumping Academies came together last week at Forest Edge Arena for the first Regional Academy Championship Show of the year. The Regional Academy Championships offer Academy riders an exciting opportunity to continue to showcase their skills in a competitive yet supportive championship environment.
To find out more about these Regional Academy Championships, visit: www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/page/Regional-Academy-Championships
Mini Individual – Sponsored by Rackheath vets
Prizes kindly donated by Equi-Spirit
First up was the 70cm Mini Individual class. 28 starters came forward with 15 jumping clear to contend for top spot. Camilla Fitzalan-Howard, who was representing the Norfolk Academy, piloted Thornberry Skylark around the course in an uncatchable time of 29.86 seconds to take victory.
Alexa Comben, also from the Norfolk Academy, jumped Crocadon Wild Girl into second place, just over half a second behind the winning pair in 30.44 seconds. Molly Brooks and Sheanmore Mata, who are part of the Kent Academy, took home third place in a time of 30.64 seconds, just 0.20 seconds in arrears.
Mini Team - Sponsored by Rackheath Vets
Prizes kindly donated by Amy Stone Equine Products UK Ltd
The Norfolk Polywiggles team took home top honours in the 70cm Mini team competition, kindly sponsored by Rackheath Vets. Demi Gaskin (Duffy’s Luck), Camilla Fitzalan-Howard (Thornberry Skylark), Alexa Comben (Crocadon Wild Girl), Charlotte Self (Reign) lifted the title with a completely clean score sheet in a time of 90.95 seconds, beating out seven other teams for the win.
The Kent Dare Devils team of Ava Brown (Chaori De Fesquel), Poppy Hodgson (Rian’s Boy), Molly Brooks (Sheanmore Mata) and Lily Elliott (R Rita) also jumped clear as a team to finish second in a time of 96.99 seconds.
The Beds & Bucks Brightstars team of Abbie Rapley (Lady Cookie), Ruby Couzens (Birrinview Joker), Skye Hollingsworth (Ebbwshaw Rhosyn Goch) and Josh Evans (Off the Hook) picked up third place, another to stay on a clean sheet, with a total time of 102.38.
Midi Individual – Sponsored by Avanor Healthcare
Prizes kindly donated by GJL Animal Feed Fakenham
Twenty-seven combinations contended the 85cm Midi Individual class with just over half jumping clear, so it was all to play for. Mia Stathopoulos, representing Kent Academy, convincingly claimed the win in a time of 32.46 seconds aboard Kilea Tina.
Josh Evans, riding for Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire Academy, steered Off The Hood into second place in a time of 34.03 seconds. Norfolk Academy Member Charlotte Self took home third place with Peggy Sue, finishing 1.25 seconds in arrears.
Midi Team - sponsored by Avanor Healthcare
Prizes kindly donated by Amy Stone Equine Products UK Ltd
In the 85cm Midi team competition, kindly sponsored by Avanor Healthcare, it was the Kent Rubies who stormed home to take first place against their six rivals. The quartet of Mia Stathopoulos (Kilea Tina), Harry Evans (Violet Banks Barberalla), Mae Phillips (Sultan Du Barry) and Poppy Hodgson (Rian’s Boy) returned a team clear in an uncatchable time of 112.12 seconds.
The Essex Red team of Mylee-Rose Huzzey (Spotted Her First), Maisie Cock (Eliza Doolittle IIII), Nancy Lou Gilbert (Roo Trump) and Max Williams (Lady Ellie I) also produced a team clear in a time of 118.49 seconds to finish in second place.
The Essex Academy secured another top three placing when their Green team trio of Evie Parish (Drumcave Katie), Lyra South (AMD Delaveau) and Freddie Parish (Heritage Jupiter) jumped the final team clear to finish in third place, in a time of 120.92 seconds.
Maxi Individual – Sponsored by Ellis Timber Ltd
Prizes kindly donated by Britten Farriery Ltd
Riders from Norfolk Academy dominated in the 1m Maxi Individual class, kindly sponsored by Ellis Timber Ltd, taking home the top three placings. Nineteen starters came forward, with half jumping clear, but it was Lola Batch who claimed the win in a time of 33.55 seconds, riding Oh Riley.
Poppy Webb and Boom Shakalaka slotted into second place, almost four seconds off the winning pace in 37.45 seconds whilst Evie Bond Smith picked up third place riding Tilly’s Luck, finishing just 0.41 seconds in arrears.
Maxi Team - Sponsored by Ellis Timber Ltd
Prizes kindly donated by Amy Stone Equine Products UK Ltd
Victory went to the Norfolk Rocks team in the 1m Maxi team event, kindly sponsored by Ellis Timber Ltd. Lily Newson (Swaggermuffin), Savannah Hibbs (Bealby Entertainer), Ella Fitzalan-Howard (Hiloa De Yonat) and Florence Newstead (Realta Beag) rode their way to the sole team clear of the competition in a time of 120.10 seconds.
The Norfolk Canaries team picked up second place with Savannah Hibbs (Ballyveane Rockey), Harriet Cane (Accept the Blue), Lola Batch (Oh Rielly) and Poppy Webb (Boom Shakalaka) racing to the fastest time of the class, finishing with just four faults in a time of 110.40 seconds.
Third place went to the Kent Divas, with Eloise Greene (Lios Na Tuleha Blaithin), Olivia Brooks (Nighthawk III), Mae Phillips (Sultan Du Barry) and Mia Stathopoulos (Rivington Melody) also finishing on four faults in a slightly slower time of 127.40 seconds.
Intermediate Individual - Sponsored by Sandons Saddlery
Prizes kindly donated by Equi-Spirit
From a start list of eighteen combinations, eight jumped clear in the 90cm Intermediate Individual Class, kindly sponsored by Sandons Saddlery. Representing the Essex Academy, Crystal White & Metro Politan Harry Potter crossed the finish line in top spot with 4.68 seconds to spare.
Kent Academy member Zara Goodman steered Lazebel I into second place in a time of 38.01 seconds whilst Gabriella Frediani, also representing the Kent Academy, rode Ringwood Charmer into third place, finishing just 1.62 seconds in arrears.
Intermediate Team - Sponsored by Sandons Saddlery
Prizes kindly donated by Amy Stone Equine Products UK Ltd
The Kent Emeralds were triumphant in the 90cm Intermediate team competition, kindly sponsored by Sandons Saddlery. Sophie Bacchus (La Mauniere Grace), Gabriella Frediani (Ringwood Charmer), Sky Penfold (Cian of Kilkenny) and Mia Stathopoulos (Mon Ami) finished on a team total of four faults, in an uncatchable time of 117.25 seconds.
The Kent Academy also took home second place, with the Kent Sapphires team of Alicia Cox (CCS My Guy), Isobelle Greatly (Halona II), Zara Goodman (Lazebel) and Makalya Marshall (Oke Beach Time) finishing on eight faults in a time of 123.22 seconds.
The Believers, a team made up of riders from the Essex (Crystal White & Metro Politan Harry Potter, Max Williams & Newmarket Trooper), Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire (Philipa Young & Hamberlins Charco) and Hertforshire & Middlesex Academy (Finlay Daniel & Santo Niro) took home third with eight faults in a time of 124.19 seconds.
Advanced Individual - Sponsored by EH Haylage
Prizes kindly donated by Saracens Horse Feed
It is a family affair in the 1.05m Advanced individual class, kindly sponsored by EH Haylage, with the Day sisters taking the top two spots, both riding for the Kent Academy. Lissie Day ended the championships show taking the top spot against her seven rivals, crossing the finish in a time of 37.54 seconds aboard Lady Zaire.
Hot on her heels was sister Milli, who crossed the finish line in a time of 39.66 seconds riding Le Dorado HK whilst Norfolk Academy member Gemma Waller picked up third place, riding Manderville Crescendo, finishing just behind in a time of 39.73 seconds.
Advanced Team - Sponsored by EH Haylage
Prizes kindly donated by Amy Stone Equine Products UK Ltd
In the final class of the day, the Kent Diamonds team were victorious in the 1.05m Advanced team competition, kindly sponsored by EH Haylage. Gabriella Frediani (Ringwood Charmer), Lissie Day (Lady Zaire), Milli Day (Le Dorado HK) and Mia Dwyer (Tiger Lily I) produce a team clear in a swift time of 120.61 seconds.
The Norfolk Broads team of Gemma Waller (Manderville Crescendo), Mia Archer (Miss Poppy II), Rosie Walker (Contoki Star) and Alicia Cox (CCS My Guy) finished in second place on eight faults in a time of 125.66 seconds.
Image: Shelley G Photography
