UNIBED High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Championships 2025
Thursday 14 August 2025
Skill, dedication, and a whole lot of Fun with a capital F – the UNIBED High Performance Equine Bedding Academy Championships return to Stoneleigh Park for another unforgettable year. Riders from across the country gathered for the prestigious finals, ready to showcase their talent, celebrate team spirit, and crown the brightest stars of the British Showjumping Academies.
Mini Individual
Charlotte Noys, who was part of the winning Mini Team in 2024 and riding high having won the Just For School Individual 80cm Final on Monday, once again proved unstoppable as she piloted Amners Hot Springs to an individual title.
A mammoth 169 starters came forward for this class with 55 jumping double clear over the two days. To take home the coveted rug and sash, riders would need to leave all the poles up and be quick against the clock.
Charlotte, who represented the Berkshire & Oxfordshire Lions team, piloted the 15-year-old gelding swiftly around the course in an uncatchable time of 25.05 seconds at what may be one of their last shows together.
Commenting on her victory, Charlotte said: “That was amazing. I didn’t think I was going to win, I was just going for a nice, calm clear then I thought I might as well go for it because it’s my last year on him as I’ve outgrown him. Smudge is amazing, he will jump anything. He is so special to us and will always look after his rider.”
Lilly Mitchell from the Gloucestershire Sparrows Academy team jumped Doylan Gorgeous Gift into second place, just 0.06 seconds off the winning pace in 25.11 seconds. Bonnie Taylor and Ratatouille Spartacus, who were part of the Kent Mini Monsters team, took home third in a time of 25.80 seconds, 0.69 seconds further in arrears.
Mini Teams
The Kent Mini Dare Devils team of Eliza Cooper (Archwood Faberge), Lottie Lewin (Ravenclaw Rivercat), Tristan Mante (Tywysoges Edina) and Harlow Wiek (My Blue Eyed Boy) lifted the Mini 70cm Team title with a completely clean score sheet in a time of 83.71 seconds, beating out 41 other teams for the win.
Katy Ford, Lead Coach for the Kent Academy, said: “This team has such an amazing team spirit. The effort and enthusiasm they put in to support everyone, it is exactly what the Academy is all about. For them to win is just the icing on the cake of a great week.”
The Norfolk Brightstars team of Ruby Newson (Luckylane Firecracker), Grace Robertson Widdowson (Primsland China Doll), Camilia Fitzalan-Howard (Primsland China Doll) and Alexa Comben (Crocadon Wilkd Girl) slotted into second place, also with a zero score in a time of 88.74 seconds
The Sussex Swallows team of Gracie Churcher (Corey’s Princess), Maisie Conway (Silver Star), Darcey Gilbert (Cumbak Kid) and Douglas Bunn (Renkum Grenadier) picked up third place, another to stay on a clean sheet, with a total time of 89.44 seconds.
Midi Individual
Imogen Breakell emerged victorious in the Midi 90cm Individual Championship with Mighty Mouse W Van De Dauwhoeve.
A massive entry of 125 combinations contended this class with almost half jumping clear on the first day, so it was all to play for on the final day. Imogen, representing the Berkshire and Oxfordshire Empires, convincingly claimed the win by 1.25 seconds with the 13-year-old mare.
After the class, Imogen said: “We have recently had a loss in confidence, so just going clear was a great confidence booster. I was hoping to help the team win and then I thought I may as well go for it. Cantering round in that lap of honour felt amazing.
“I’ve only had her for three months, but she is sweet and loves a cuddle,” added Imogen.
Lola Batch, riding for the winning Norfolk Bushybarnabees team, steered Oh Reilly into second place in a time of 29.79 seconds. Scotland’s Glencoe team member Darcy Shepherd took home third with Captain Planet B, a further 1.94 seconds off the pace.
Midi Team
The Norfolk Bushybarnabees team of Lola Batch (Oh Reilly), Savannah Hibbs (Bealby Entertainer) and Honor Duffy (Tawnydun Tierney) beat out 32 other teams to finish in top spot at the only team on a zero score in 118.74 seconds.
Tamsin Conyers, lead coach for the Norfolk Academy, said: “The girls rode some super rounds, and their ponies flew round in a very competitive class. I’m so thrilled for them.”
Second place went to the Lancashire & Cheshire Yellow team of Lily Mae Green (Lilly’s Blue Eyed Sensation), Georgia Bates (Riverbank Squirrel Nutkin), Isla Squires (Edenvalley Sparkle) and Amelie Bradshaw (Miami Goldsands), finishing in a slightly quicker time of 115.51 seconds but on four faults.
The Berkshire and Oxfordshire Empires, comprising of Jessica Noys (Stonehenge Cosmopolitan), Phoebe Breakell (Dizzy Rascall) and Imogen Breakell (Mighty Mouse W Van De Dauwhoeve) raced around in a rapid time of 101.54 second, but 8 faults saw them slot into third place.
Maxi Individual
Riders from Scotland dominated in the 1.05m Maxi Individual Championship taking home the top three placings but it was Isabella Henderson, representing Scotland’s Queen of Scots Academy Team, who claimed the win with Builders Surprise.
Thirty-three riders came forward over the 1.05m track with two jumping the double clear needed to fight it out for top spot. Izzy and her eight-year-old mare edged ahead by the slightest of margins, just 0.05 seconds separating her from second place and earning her a much-wanted sash.
Speaking about her win, Izzy said: “It was a great class, she’s been really good over the last few days, especially in the heat. We’ve had her almost 2 years, and she’s only eight so we’ve just stepped up to newcomers and foxhunter the other week at Wales and West. We came down here hoping to do well and it paid off. It is one of our first big wins, I’m really happy with her, she couldn’t have done any better.”
Elliana Prentice and Breeze De Quidam, who were part of Scotland’s Bannockburn Team, slotted into second on a zero score, in a time of 42.18 seconds. Also riding for Scotland’s team Bannockburn, Millie Elliott picked up third riding Honeysuckle Cruise, finishing on just four faults which they picked up in round one.
Maxi Team
The Scottish riders also dominated in the team event, taking first and second place over the 1.05m track. The Bannockburn team of Britney Clarke (Mr Freddo), Millie Elliott (Honeysuckle Cruise), Nicole Cairns (Corkhill Lady) and Elliana Prentice (Breeze De Quidam) rode their way to victory with a team score of eight in 97.59 seconds.
Hot on their heels was the Queen of Scots team, comprising of Lucy MacGregor (Queen Mac), Rebekka Sutherland (Moneylagen Friday), Isabella Henderson (Builders Surprise) and Britney Clarke (Keyes Girl) who took home second place, also with eight faults in a time of 109.00 seconds.
Lucy Moss, Development Officer for Scotland was thrilled with the performance of her riders: “I’m absolutely delighted, and so proud of all the Scottish riders who travelled down from the show, where we’ve taken first and second in the Maxi Teams. I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of them. We’ve brought down over 55 riders from Scotland, and they are all riding so well, are so well turned out and we had an amazing time at this fabulous show.”
Third place went to another Celtic nation with Dyfed Academy’s Welsh Gold team of Lily Butcher (Dale Lad), Amira Tanner (Crystals Midnight Mystery), Georgina Broome (Ballylee Majestic Hearts) and Lowan Cruise Mills (Change The World) securing themselves a medal.
Intermediate Individual
From a start list of 99 starters, Rachel Stewart landed the Intermediate 90cm Individual title with Coldwell Brennin. Seventeen double clears were unlocked, and it was the Scotland Academy Jacobite team member who crossed the finish line in top spot with just 0.31 seconds to spare.
Rachel said: “It was a bit of a shock to win. I didn’t actually go for the time really, I just stayed in a rhythm and made sure we did all the turns. I didn’t think we would stay in the lead as we we’re quite early to go in the class, but it paid off.
“He can be quite cheeky and likes to bounce out of the arenas, but on his good days he’s amazing - I’m very happy with him. This is our first big win which is so special as we’ve had him since he was young,” she added.
Ellie-May Payne & Lancelot Dwerse Hagen, who were part of the Berkshire and Oxfordshire Aces team, finished in second place for the second years in a row with a clear sheet in a time of 30.74. Warwickshire Grizzly Bears Academy member Billy Colclough piloted El Walking on Sunshine skilfully to third on a zero score, 0.39 seconds in arrears
Intermediate Team
The Kent Diamonds triumphed in the Intermediate team event as the only team on a zero score in 105.10 seconds. Gabriella Frediani (Ringwood Charmer), Georgia Wisken (Gember Z), Sky Penfold (Cian of Kilkenny) and Alicia Cox (CCS My Guy) secured the coveted title over 24 other teams.
Katy Ford, Lead Coach for the Kent Academy, commented: “They are a fantastic group of girls. They’ve all got their own stories and have worked so hard to be here and I am so delighted for each of them. They really deserved this win.”
Scotland picked up another top three placing as the Scotland Academy Jacobite team of Pebbles Walker (Shannondale Flight), Rachel Stewart (Coldwell Brennin), Erin Valentine (Illotte V Broenshoof) and Penny McSkimming (Allie B) jumped into second place with 8 faults in 106.45 seconds.
The Surrey Diamonds team of Ella Bennett (Carnaween Kate), Amber Simpson (Dubai Z) and Orla McDonnell (Flintstone De Ness) rode their way into third place also with 8 faults in a slightly slower time of 128.39 seconds.
Advanced Individual
Kate Barrett enjoyed an amazing few days of competition, ending the Championship show with three titles to her name. Taking the 1m and 1.10m Just for Schools Individual Finals on Monday, Kate followed this up with a win in the Advanced 1.10m Individual Academy Final, riding Marley’s Clover.
Twenty-seven combinations contested this final, with six jumping double clear over the two days of competition, Kate forging ahead by 0.50 seconds in a time of 29.96 seconds.
Kate, who was riding for the Norfolk Broads Academy team who finished third, said: “I’m so proud of him, he can be really cheeky sometimes, but he settled down and we got the job done. We’ve had him almost four years, and he can still be nervous sometimes but when he settles, he goes well, and he loves to go quick, which helped us today. I’m exhausted and thrilled, but he really pulled it out of the bag this week.
Esme Butler, jumping as part of the Sussex Sparrows Academy team, finished in second placed with Innislusky Paddy, riding a double clear in a time of 30.46 seconds. Ella May Payne picked up her second top three placing of the day, this time riding La Bamba IV and part of the second placed Berkshire & Oxfordshire Pirates team. The pair crossing the finish with a double clear in 33.06 seconds.
Advanced Team
Dyfed Academy riders jumped for joy when they were announced as the winners of the Advanced Team competition. Catrin Davies (Centurian), Tilly Rees (Silver Serenade), Georgina Broome (Gustavo Belena) and Jennifer Simpson (Croft Lassina) earned themselves the title as they triumphed with a team score of 8 in 103.75 seconds.
Carian Scudamore, Team Manager for the Dyfed Academy, commented: “These girls worked so hard in the run up to this show and we are so proud of their commitment. They really deserved this win, it’s the first big one for several of them, and I couldn’t have asked of any more from them this week.”
The Berkshire & Oxfordshire Pirates team of Ella May Payne (La Bamba IV), Scarlett Stephens (N Corofina Texel), Sophie Farant (Cranny Chippy Lady) and Regan Weston (Carrowbawn Bay Lad) picked up second place, also with eight faults in a time of 107.77 seconds.
Rosie Walker (Contoki Star), Lola Luscher (Cracking Good Friday), Kate Barrett (Marley’s Clover), who represent the Norfolk Broads team took home third place for the second year in a row, with a team score of eight in 120.14 seconds.
British Showjumping extends its heartfelt thanks to UNIBED High Performance Equine Bedding for their continued sponsorship of the Academy Championship Show. Their ongoing support plays a vital role in providing young riders with opportunities to develop their skills, compete on a national stage, and create memories that last a lifetime. It is through partnerships like this that the future of British showjumping continues to thrive.
Images: Jasmine Punter Photography
