Jake Saywell Claims Arena UK Winter Grand Prix Victory with Kabaya Lady
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Jake Saywell claimed top honours in the Winter Grand Prix, the feature class held on the penultimate day of competition at Arena UK’s second Winter Classic Show, following a closely fought jump-off.
Twenty combinations came forward for the opening round, with seven progressing to the jump-off. The quality of the field was highlighted by strong representation at the top level, including Joe Trunkfield and John Whitaker, both of whom qualified two horses for the deciding round.
Second to go in the jump-off, Joe Trunkfield and Corvette VH Reukenis Z set an early benchmark, producing a smooth and confident clear round to take the lead with a time of 38.53 seconds. The lead changed hands midway through the jump-off when Jake Saywell returned to the arena with Kabaya Lady, delivering a bold and efficient clear round to stop the clock in 38.02 seconds.
Leo Lamb followed with Las Palmas VG, chasing hard to challenge the leading time, but had to settle for third place after crossing the line in 39.48 seconds, also with a double clear.
Commenting on the victory, Jake said: “It was a really good class with a very strong field of riders, and the jump-off was just as competitive. With the likes of John and Michael Whitaker, Joe Trunkfield and Leo Lamb all in contention, it really could have gone either way.
“I thought it was a very good course – there were enough clears, but it was still big and technical enough and well designed for this time of year when a lot of horses are just coming back into work.
“I was really pleased with how she jumped. She’s just coming back to this level and building her fitness again, but she’s naturally fast and careful. She’s a very good mare and, at 11 years old, we’re hoping to have a strong year with her and step up to some bigger Grand Prix classes.
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to Arena UK for putting on classes like this. We’re very lucky and privileged to have a venue like this on our doorstep. The arenas and ground were excellent, they added matting on the way into the indoor, and the course-building was very well done. It’s not easy to keep shows like this going at this time of year, especially with the winter weather and so many riders heading abroad, so we’re really grateful they continue to provide these opportunities for us to keep jumping,” added Jake.
New this year, the Winter Grand Prix League introduces an exciting new competition format to the British Showjumping calendar. Running at the Winter Classics Series, the league offers riders and spectators an action-packed circuit culminating in a high-stakes final at the British Showjumping Winter Championships (formerly British Showjumping Spring Championships). Leading the way with two shows to go is Alex Barr and Preben Van De Doornakkers (36 points), with Emily Ward & Wild Star HF and Joe Trunkfield & Corvette VH Reukenis Z in joint second (21 points), followed by Jake Saywell & Kabaya Lady and Leo Lamb & Las Palmas VG in joint third (18 points). To find out more about the league, visit: https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/lists/winter-grand-prix
Winter Grand Prix
Arena UK
1st – Jake Saywell & Kabaya Lady – 0/0 38.02
2nd – Joe Trunkfield & Corvette VH Reukenis Z – 0/0 38.53
3rd – Leo Lamb & Las Palmas VG - 0/0 39.48
NB Results pending final grading
Image: ATG Photography
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