Julia Helm Crowned Love2Swim 1m Mini Veteran Champion at Aintree
Friday 13 November 2026
The Love2Swim 1m Mini Veteran Championship brought plenty of excitement to Aintree on Wednesday at the Equiyd National Amateur & Veterans Championships, with Julia Helm taking the top spot to be crowned the new champion.
A total of 56 rider combinations came forward to take on Mark McGowan’s course, with 14 combinations producing a clear round in the first phase to secure their place through to the second phase. With the championship title up for grabs, the riders returned to the arena determined to produce their best performances.
It was Julia Helm riding her own Helms Rossio who delivered when it mattered, producing a fantastic clear round in a time of 29.87 seconds to take the victory and claim the Love2Swim 1m Mini Veteran Championship title.
Jassy Pyke and Bon Amego secured a well-deserved second place, while Chloe Cheetham and Roberto IV completed the podium in third, also producing a clear round in a time of 30.34 seconds.
“I am over the moon. I haven’t won this class before; he has won so much for me but never this one before, so it’s so special. We were also in the Accumulator and the 1.05m classes, and with the mare that I’m also riding, Karina SEP, who also came fourth in the class. I have to put my brave pants on to jump the 1.15m, so that might be interesting.
“I actually haven’t ridden that mare before this show, so it’s quite special that she came fourth as well. It’s the “Greatest Show” here at Aintree, isn’t it! Everyone is super friendly; you’re walking up and down the horse walk, and everyone is wishing you good luck and saying hello. Everyone who works at Aintree is always smiling; people are dancing every night, it’s just such a fun show!” Julia said.
Congratulations to Julia on a fantastic championship win, and to all the competitors who took part. It was wonderful to see so many combinations come forward and celebrate another fantastic championship at the Equiyd National Amateur & Veterans Championships, with a new Love2Swim 1m Mini Veteran Champion crowned!
The Love2Swim 1m Mini Veteran Championship
Aintree Equestrian, Wednesday, 11 November
1st – Julia Helm & Helms Rossio – 0/0 29.87
2nd – Jassy Pyke & Bon Amego – 0/0 30.23
3rd – Chloe Cheetham & Roberto IV – 0/0 30.34
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results
Image: Majestic Media
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