Round-Up of the British Showjumping Spring Championships at Arena UK
Monday 24 March 2025
vg1kptn9pyhw.JPG "Round-Up of the British Showjumping Spring Championships at Arena UK")
The British Showjumping Spring Championships once again delivered an electrifying showcase of talent, precision, and horsemanship. Returning to Arena UK in Grantham for the third year, this prestigious event brought together rising stars and seasoned riders, all eager to conclude their indoor season in style.
Riders have spent the winter qualifying throughout the indoor season on the British Showjumping Winter Classic series and have travelled from across the county for their chance to shine under the spotlight as records were broken and first championship titles were secured.
Across five exciting days packed with competitive sports and high-calibre competition, riders and their horses demonstrated incredible skill as they tackled demanding courses designed to test precision, agility, and speed. Spectators were treated to breathtaking displays of athleticism, with nail-biting jump-offs, and inspirational performances that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Lily Chandler, who had been at the show since Tuesday said: “It’s one of my favourite shows to come to, with it being the last big indoor show of the year. It’s a great opportunity to get the horse ready for the summer season. Spring Champs is a really great show, with a great atmosphere.”
As we take a closer look at the standout moments, we celebrate the champions who rose to the occasion, the partnerships that flourished under pressure, and the unforgettable performances that made this year’s British Showjumping Spring Championships truly remarkable.
Emma Sargeant made full use of her late draw to capture the first title of the 2025 Championships with victory in the NAF Five Star Winter Silver Championship on Pat Morris’s Whisper’s Love.
Only six riders answered every question over the 12-fence 1.20m track to go forward into the jump-off, but it was hot and fast, with Emma answering every question correctly, slicing into corners and taking a stride out to the final vertical to land the win by 1.27 seconds.
“The jump-off really suited us, it was fast and flowing and she is so quick and careful, feisty but focused; she’s an out-and-out winner, a real fun horse and she jumped proper today,” added Emma.
Joe Trunkfield emerged triumphant on Usha Z in a battle for the Winter Seven-year-old title with Olympian Holly Smith.
Riders faced a 12-fence 1.25m track with 11 returning for the jump-off, David Coombs and Holly Smith touting two rides apiece. But it was Joe who found the shortest route, conquering the jump-off to relegate Holly’s early target on No Limit D by 0.74 seconds into second. Johnathan eased D’Avicii JL Z into third.
“She’s sensitive and hot but she goes in any ring and she took it all in her stride,” added Joe, who is quietly confident he has a good one on his hands.
Michael Potter claimed a well-earned victory in the Winter Five-year-old Championship with the talented Doris V Z (Dourkhan Hero Z x Etoulon VDL) – surprisingly by the name, he is actually a boy!
Four of the 17 starters returned for the jump-off with Michael cleanly guiding the young horse around the 1.10m track to well-deserved victory.
“[My wife] Zoe was riding him, but he came back quite sharp after a break and she decided I should wear him out a bit – I think I’ll lose the ride again, now.”
JP Sheffield finished second on Kravitz Z with Sam Ward taking third aboard I’m Special Energy.
In the concluding feature class of the day, Paul Sims lifted the Lesley McNaught Memorial Trophy, awarded in memory of the Olympic medallist who sadly passed away at the end of 2023, with victory in the Audevard Winter 1.35m Championship.
Course-designer Nigel Jess was set a difficult task as he had to cater for British team riders Michael Whitaker and Guy Williams as well as those less experienced, and he conjured up a 12-fence track that tested with technicalities.
In the exciting jump-off which was won or lost at the heartbreaker final fence, Paul guided Jankorado – winner of the Kelsall Hill Winter Classic Grand Prix in November smoothly around the course without breaking his stride. Risking a gallop to the final ‘Audevard’ oxer paid off as the big scope grey showed a clean pair of heels.
“It was his first show back since Aintree Winter Classic about six weeks ago and we thought this would be a nice class for him to do before the winter season – and he nailed it,” said Paul, who will be looking towards the international circuit this summer.
Abi Leadbetter made history with Hearts Cruise as the pair recorded their third consecutive victory in the NAF Five Star Winter Bronze Championship.
Twenty-two from a start list of 52 reached the jump-off over a 12-fence 1.05m course with the lead changing constantly as riders made ever more daring moves.
“I really didn’t think I’d win, I watched the first couple go and they were in the 32 second mark, as I entered the ring it was down to 29.50 seconds – how on earth was I going to beat that!” said Abi.
Nonetheless, the determined pair went all out for the win, securing victory by 0.73 seconds, pushing Lola Shotton on Emmoru and Tim Craggs with Carrickadawson Candy into second and third respectively.
Charlie Barker lifted the Winter Children on Horses Championship with Green Grass, 12 months after his father Paul won the Winter 1.35m title and the Lesley McNaught Memorial Trophy with the home-bred 13-year-old Luidam stallion.
The 10 starters were halved over the 12-fence 1.25m track, both Charlie and Honey Bowes claiming two chances apiece. Charlie supplied a fast time on his first ride, Strides Maureen, but at the expense of a pole while Honey took a brief lead on Lagrandessa W. But a determined Charlie returned with the experienced Green Grass –and sliced the corners to win by 0.34 seconds.
“He gives me a good feeling and he’s pretty easy for a stallion – I’m pinching the ride now,” said Charlie, 12, with a smile to his Dad.
An on-form Thomas Pritchard secured the Winter Six-year-old title with his final ride, Roland Wallace’s talented home-bred Princess SW.
Quality was in abundance here as sixteen of the 27 starters over the 12-fence 1.15m track joined the jump-off. Thomas saved the best until his third and final ride, trusting his mare to daringly tight turns at a pace, wiping 2.53 seconds off his own time. Emma Sargeant chased hard in the final draw but could only come in second with Coolmannon Star 1.86 seconds off the pace.
“She’s a winner and has won everything we’ve done with her,” said Thomas.
“This is only her fourth show back since [the World Young Horse Championships] Lanaken in September,” added Julian Mincher of Double M Stud and Thomas’s employer
In the final class of the Championship show, Maisy Williams’s super-charged round on Blossom’s Billy Heinz deservedly earned them the Winter Grade C Championship.
Twelve competitors contended the jump-off, with both Holly Smith and Thomas Pritchard claiming half the rides with three horses apiece.
Holly set a competitive standard from the opening draw on Une Copine Van Overis, but Maisy wiped almost four seconds from the time and could not be caught. Nonetheless, Thomas gave it a good try in the final draw, slotting Kornetta Zuberth SMH into second place.
Read the full write up for Saturday and Sunday’s exciting Championship finals on the News section of our website.
Image: Suzanne Jones
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