Adam Morgan and Carrickview Clarissa Secure GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Final Ticket at Arena UK
Thursday 16 July 2026
The GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round at Arena UK attracted a competitive field of 68 rider combinations at the weekend, all hoping to secure qualification for the Championship Final. Nigel Jess set a testing track, with just seven combinations successfully negotiating the first two rounds to earn their place in a thrilling jump-off.
Leading the victory lap was Adam Morgan, who partnered Ruth Dowie's Carrickview Clarissa to a superb double clear. Producing the fastest jump-off round of the day, the pair crossed the finish line in 36.36 seconds to claim the top spot and book their place at the Championship Final.
Taking second place was Alex Thompson aboard Opinacolada, who also produced a faultless jump-off performance, stopping the clock in 46.80 seconds.
Rounding out the podium was Holly Smith riding CH Special Q. The combination looked set to challenge for victory with a quick jump-off time of 40.10 seconds, but an unfortunate four faults left them in third place.
The class showcased the high standard of competition within the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers series, with riders demonstrating both speed and precision in pursuit of qualification. Adam Morgan and Carrickview Clarissa's impressive performance proved unbeatable, earning them a deserved victory and a place in the Championship Final.
“I started riding Clarrisa in April this year, so she is a relatively new ride for me. I work for Ruth Dowie at Runningwell and she has been with Ruth since she was a young horse, Vicky Lovegrove rode her as a seven year old and did the Talent Seekers. Then she had a break and had a foal last year which was weaned off her in January. So, we took her on with not too much expectation, doing as much as we felt she was happy to do but she has been amazing. We did our first international at Chard in April and then Wellington where she achieved some top placings.
In regard to the second rounds, Clarissa is a perfect candidate for the Newcomers, she is very careful, consistent, and super quick against the clock. She has been unlucky in the other second rounds so it was good to win this one, she deserved the win and qualification, she’s always been so good. She tries so hard all the time, she’s a cool head and stays level in a jump off. I haven’t ridden many horses like that, she never gets frantic but can manoeuvre easily.
There wasn’t many clears into the last round, I had a good enough draw and I asked Ruth if I should just go for the clear, she wasn’t sure so I stuck to my plan to be smooth, there wasn’t many options other than taking a stride out to the last, which we did as she has such a big stride, we could flow on the nine strides and it worked. We would like to produce her to some bigger classes, I have jumped in a 1.45m recently. We are looking ahead to HOYS now and would like to aim at Oliva Nova later in the autumn and produce her beyond that. I am very grateful to Ruth and the team at Runningwell letting me ride her.”
GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round
Arena UK, Sunday 12 July 2026
1st – Adam Morgan & Carrickview Clarissa – 0/0/0 39.36
2nd – Alex Thompson & Opinacolada – 0/0/0 46.80
3rd – Holly Smith & CH Special Q – 0/0/4 40.10
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: ATG Photography
