The last weekend of Equiyd National Amateur Second Rounds gets underway at Forest Edge
Tuesday 20 October 2026
Competitors headed to Forest Edge Arena for one of the final rounds of Equiyd National Amateur Second Round competitions over the weekend. With valuable qualifying places on offer for the Championship, to be held at Aintree Equestrian Centre in November, the competition was set to be an exciting one.
The four second rounds ran across two days of great competition with challenging but equally rideable courses designed by Colin Ellison.
Kayla Perry tops the podium in the 85cm.
A total of eight competitors came forward in the 85cm Equiyd National Amateur Second Round qualifier and from the eight a total of two combinations jumped clear rounds in round one to make their way through to the jump-off.
Although there were only two to jump off it was a closely fought race, but it was Kayla Perry riding Anna-Marie Perry’s Argentinium Silver who produced the only double clear of the class in a time of 39.63 seconds, to take the win in the first qualifier of the day. Vicky Fisher was hot on their heels onboard her own Fat Amy, who scorched round in a fast time of 34.75 seconds but sadly at the expense of the penultimate fence, leaving them to claim second place.
Lucy Standen shines in the 95cm
The 95cm attracted four combinations, where again two of which progressed to the jump-off. It was another competitive jump off round, with both combinations achieving the sort after double clears, but victory went to Lucy Standen riding Lindsay Standen’s Hadidja Courcelle. The winning combination were not taking any chances, securing their clear in a speedy time of 38.26 seconds, which could not be caught by Tia Bideau riding Adrian Bideau’s Stakkatol Blue Sterling. They posted their clear round a time of 41.18 seconds to take second place.
1.05m victory for Martha Oakley
A small, but equally determined field of five turned out for the 1.05m Equiyd National Amateur Second Round qualifier. The first round mirrored that of both the 85cm & 95cm qualifier with two double clears making their way through to the jump off.
With double clears meaning qualification the two horse and rider combinations were careful to leave all of the poles in place during the jump off. However, it was Martha Oakley with her own Lyme Park Kitri who managed to stop the clock in 43.68 seconds, almost two seconds ahead of her only rival in round two. Summer Barber also jumped double clear riding Laura Barber’s Like Lightening and crossed the line in 45.30 seconds to take second place.
1.10m win for Sophia Taylor
Following the weekends trend of there being two combinations through to the deciding jump-off the 1.10m Equiyd National Amateur Second Round qualifier was no exception. In the final qualifier of the weekend three competitors contested the class, but only one horse and rider combination reached the ultimate goal of jumping double clear to help secure both their qualifying spot as well as the win.
It was Sophia Taylor and Anna Golding’s Baumes Otto who emerged triumphant jumping the only double clear of the competition in the time of 44.85 seconds. Just missing out on the win, second place again went to Tia Bideau this time riding Adrian Bideau’s Millfield Tantalise, with just one pole lowered at the very start of the round, they stopped the clock on four faults in 48.43 seconds.
All roads lead to Aintree
With the Second Round qualifiers now complete at Forest Edge Arena, the focus turns firmly towards the Equiyd National Amateur Championships at Aintree in November.
For those who have secured their place, the countdown is officially on. With national titles on the line, competitors will now have their sights set on producing their very best performances when they return to the arena at Aintree.
Congratulations to all the riders who competed at Forest Edge Arena and to those who have progressed through to the Championships. We look forward to seeing you at Aintree in November!
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results
Images: Shelley G Photography
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