Sandy McLean lands the Winter Grand Prix at Morris Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic with Gino F
Tuesday 18 November 2025
Sandy McLean produced a superb late challenge to win the Winter Grand Prix at Morris Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic, guiding his experienced partner Gino F to a decisive victory in the final class of the show.
A competitive field of 18 starters came forward to tackle John Bedford’s demanding 1.40m Grand Prix track, but the course proved a true test of accuracy and power. Only three combinations delivered faultless opening rounds to progress into the jump-off, guaranteeing an exciting finish to the weekend’s action.
First to go in the jump-off, Alex Barr set a strong opening standard with a smooth, efficient clear in 35.45 seconds, putting pressure on the remaining contenders. Fergal Holohan was next into the arena with CES Celtic Son, producing a bold, forward round that shaved nearly a second off the target time to take the lead in 34.57 seconds.
That left only Sandy McLean, who captured three Winter Grand Prix titles in the 2023/2024 season, to attempt the challenge. Riding his own 14-year-old gelding, Gino F - his established Grand Prix partner, the pair rose to the occasion. Sandy delivered a perfectly judged round, combining flowing turns with powerful, forward riding to stop the clock in an unbeatable time of 34.18 seconds, securing yet another Grand Prix victory.
Commenting on his win, Sandy said: “He jumped really well. I thought the course was well built but big enough that it took some jumping. The first round was a bit tight for time, I think I squeezed in by 0.01 of a second, so the finest of margins but the jump-off was nice and flowing. We got a good run to the last and there were a couple of other long runs where I could let Gino cruise down.
“This is his first class since Horse of the Year Show where he was second in the Grand Prix, and we’re off the Dubai next week so this was a great class to set him up and a good stepping stone to see what we can do abroad.”
Winter Grand Prix
Morris Equestrian Centre
1st- Sandy McLean & Gino F – 0/0 34.18
2nd – Fergal Holohan & CES Celtic Son – 0/0 34.57
3rd – Alex Barr & Preben Van De Doornakkers – 0/0 35.45
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Jamie Agnew Photography
The final Under 25 National Championship Qualifying Class took place at Morris Equestrian Centre’s Winter Grand Prix, offering riders one last opportunity to secure a coveted place in the 2025 London International Horse Show Final this December.
Twenty-seven determined combinations came forward to tackle the 1.40m track, which presented a technical and challenging test. Three combinations produced faultless first rounds to progress into the jump-off, guaranteeing themselves a ticket to the final – the jump-off would determine the result. All three returning riders once again delivered clears, leaving the final placings to be decided by the clock.
It was Emma Crawford who rose to the occasion aboard Lynn Crawfords 13-year-old gelding, Dukes of Hazzard, producing a fast, balanced, and accurate round to stop the clock in 42.83 seconds and claim the top spot.
Charley Hamilton and Loretta Blue MFS followed to take second place, crossing the finish in 46.20 seconds, whilst Megan Broadway completed the podium in third with Jumping Star SL in 50.92 seconds.
U25 National Championship Qualifier
Morris Equestrian Centre
1st – Emma Crawford & Dukes of Hazzard - 0/0 342.83
2nd – Charley Hamilton & Loretta Blue MFS – 0/0 46.20
3rd – Megan Broadway & Jumping Star SL – 0/0 50.92
NB Results pending final grading
Annabel Shields delivered a decisive performance to win the Winter Grade C Championship Qualifier at Morris Equestrian Centre, securing her place in the Winter Championships Final.
A field of 17 competitors stepped up to contest the class, with riders facing a technical and forward-riding course that demanded precision throughout. Six combinations produced first-round clears to earn a place in the jump-off, but only three maintained a faultless record over both rounds, leaving the final order to be determined by the clock.
As the jump-off unfolded, Annabel Shields piloted John Chadwick’s seven-year-old mare, Cicerdora, to a bold and accurate round, stopping the clock in an impressive 34.07 seconds to take the victory and the all-important championship qualification.
Abbie Bevan and Nightfall I gave a strong challenge, finishing close behind in 34.79 seconds to secure second place, while Regan McHardy and Lady Macbeth Z completed the top three with another effective double clear in 42.26 seconds.
Winter Grade C Championship Qualifier
Morris Equestrian Centre
1st – Annabel Shields & Cicerdora – 0/0 34.07
2nd – Abbie Bevan & Nightfall I – 0/0 34.79
3rd – Regan Mchardy & Lady Macbeth Z – 0/0 42.26
NB Results pending final grading
 c. Jamie Agnew Photography1eeyvtlqisk28.jpg "Aileen Craig claims a commanding victory in the UNIBED – High Performance Eqiune Bedding Winter Grades B&C Championship Qualifier")
