An incredible podium sweep for Joe Trunkfield in HOYS International Wild Card Qualifier inc. National 1.40m Championship at the British Showjumping National Championships – Day One
Wednesday 05 August 2026
The British Showjumping National Championships returned in fine style at Stoneleigh Park where Championship Arena 1 saw Joe Trunkfield successfully defend his Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card Qualifier incorporating the National 1.40m Championship title. On board the ten year old gelding, British bred by Anne Bedford Cashallco who is owned by Srikumar Balasubramaniyam, Joe’s long term owner. Joe also completed an impressive one-two-three, taking second with Lauren McLeod's Maymar Loma and third with her Starbux.
Joe said: “They are just a super bunch of horses really. Cashallco - his owner Sri and his children, both 15 years old - came the other day, rode him had a pop round and a riding lesson on him, he does it all with a smile on his face.” He continued: “He is a real gentlemen of a horse and always tries so it’s nice to get a result. It’s a great result for the owners and the whole team”
Emma-Jo Slater continued the incredible form that saw her win four championships in 2025, adding two more titles to her collection on the opening day.
Leading from first to go in the 30-strong jump-off, Emma-Jo held on to victory in the final class of the day, the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Championship, aboard the "tiny but mighty" Kimba Showtime.
Emma-Jo said: “I was first to go in the jump-off and knew I had to go as fast as I can and hope it paid off. I thought I might get beaten by a bigger horse with a bigger stride, but they had to leave the jumps up, she was good.”
Earlier in the day, Emma-Jo also secured the National Grade B Championship with Kimba Luidun.
Emma said: “It’s great to be back here, last year I had a very successful championship.” She continued talking about Kimba Luidun, “We bred her, she is seven years old, and she’s qualified for the Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show this year, so she’s got a great future ahead of her.”
The National Grade C Championship went to Emma Sargeant and Joe Malone, a combination who also lifted the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Masters Championship title in 2025.
Describing her win, Emma said: “It’s always nice to win, he goes better against the clock when you dare him a bit.”
After lorry problems threatened her trip to Stoneleigh Park, Isobel Hudson was delighted to make the journey after borrowing another lorry, going on to win the National Senior Rider Championship following a 17-combination jump-off with Cooley Iron Man.
“It’s really nice to get this, because we’ve done a lot of near misses.” Following a pole in the Silver League Semi-Final, Isobel describes her plan in the jump-off: “I was actually quite cautious this time, I could have gone faster. I reined it in, and luckily it was just fast enough.” Describing Cooley, she said: “He’s an out-and-out jumper, a superstar, he really looks after me.”
Producing the only clear round of the Children on Horses Championship, Tabby Morgan Evans and Catoki IV took the title. Tabby also finished second with Zilveren's Swizzle Time BDA and third with Kesha From Second Life Z to complete a remarkable clean sweep of the podium.
Thanking Polly Gredley and Unex Competition Stables for letting her ride Toki, she describes him as “Mr Perfect, he's the best horse ever."
Tabby continued: "It's been a super day, and the horses have jumped great, so I'm really happy."
Hallie Rae Currie and 11-year-old Vegas Z rounded off the action in the Unibed - High Performance Equine Bedding Championship Arena 2 by winning the National Under 21 Championship.
Describing her biggest win to date, Hallie said: "It's unreal, I can't describe it. I've had her for just under six months, and she just tries her heart out every time. She's sassy on the ground, but as soon as you get on her, you could put anybody on her really – she's amazing."
For the full list of results visit: https://tinyurl.com/muhaac8x
Image: 1st Class Images
.jpg "Ben Maher races to a five-star win in Dinard")
 - Libby Law Photography.jpg "Sophia Rogers lands double gold at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies, adding the individual title to the Team Gold earned two days earlier with Neil 55")
