Louise McDonald and Fanta-Astic Fly to Victory at Codham Park

The NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier at Codham Park Equestrian Centre attracted a competitive field of 58 rider combinations at the weekend, all eager to secure qualification success as they tackled Lisa Kelly’s demanding course. 

The technical track proved influential throughout the opening rounds, with only 10 combinations managing to produce the all-important double clears to progress through to the jump-off. 

Leading the way when it mattered most was Louise McDonald aboard her own Fanta-Astic, with the pair producing a superb clear round against the clock in 36.71 seconds to secure victory. 

Hot on her heels was Olivia James riding Hamberlins Vistocor, who also jumped clear and stopped the clock just fractions behind in 36.83 seconds to take second place. Third place went to Kiera Higgins aboard Calcourt Mustard, who completed the podium with another faultless performance in a time of 42.30 seconds. 

The focus now turns towards the Summer Bronze League semi-finals later this summer, where riders will continue their quest for qualification to the prestigious final at the Horse of the Year Show in October. 

“I got Fanta in 2020 when I came off ponies. He is 16 and my only horse. I am enjoying having some fun with him.  I was really pleased to win the qualifier as the jump-off for those qualifiers are always fast. To be honest, we haven’t been to a show since January. Our first show back was Dorset Showground for the other NAF Bronze League qualifier last weekend, then we managed to qualify at Codham, which is great. 

“I have only been to that show one time before,  last year, when we jumped the NAF Bronze League qualifier but had two fences down. Fanta has quite a lot of points on his record, so he is out of the National classes to get double clears for, so we wanted to try and qualify for this.  The course was good, there wasn’t really anywhere you could put turns in, so I just had to go for it and hope for the best that the fences would stay up. There were only three triple clears in the end out of ten through to the jump off. I was drawn early in the jump-off, so I had to set the time, and luckily it was enough. I would really like to have a go at doing some International shows with Fanta in the future and hopefully qualify for HOYS at the semi-finals.” Louise said.    

NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier 

Codham Park Equestrian Centre, Sunday 10 May 2026 

1st – Louise McDonald & Fanta-Astic – 0/0/0 36.71 

2nd – Olivia James & Hamberlins Vistocor – 0/0/0 36.83 

3rd – Kiera Higgins & Calcourt Mustard – 0/0/0 42.30 

NB Results pending official grading   

Image: Henry Beckingsale Photography