Graham Babes takes top spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Morris Equestrian Centre
Wednesday 19 November 2025
 c. Jamie Agnew Photography.jpg "Graham Babes takes top spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Morris Equestrian Centre")
Graham Babes secured top spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier held at Morris Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic Show, riding Stephanie Babes’ talented seven-year-old mare, Mea Culpa Biolley.
A total of thirty-eight combinations came forward to tackle course-designer John Bedford’s flowing but technical 1.10m track. Eighteen riders progressed to the second round, with fifteen making it through to what proved to be a competitive and tightly contested jump-off to secure a ticket to the final, which is held at Hickstead Showground.
With just six riders left to enter the area, Leo Lorimer set the first clear round of the jump-off, with Maestro IV, to take the provisional lead. His time, however, proved short-lived as a swift and accurate performance from Graham Babes saw him move straight to the top of the leaderboard, where he remained to secure the win. As the penultimate rider to go, Darren Smith also chased the clock hard but slotted into second place with a strong double-clear performance aboard Lady Cobra Cruise.
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
Morris Equestrian Centre
1st – Graham Babes & Mea Culpa Biolley – 0/0/0 45.70
2nd – Darren Smith & Lady Cobra Cruise – 0/0/0 48.95
3rd – Leo Lorimer & Maestro IV – 0/0/0 52.74
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Jamie Agnew Photography
 c. Majestic Photography.jpg "James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show")
