Julian Mincher and Double M Calista’s Girl Claim Ariat Senior British Novice Second Round Victory at Pyecombe
Thursday 07 May 2026
A competitive field of 48 rider combinations came forward to contest Keith Bristow’s technical track in the Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round at Pyecombe at the weekend, all hoping to secure their place at the British Showjumping National Championships this August.
With the course proving a true test, only 13 combinations managed to produce two clear rounds to progress through to the jump-off.
It was Julian Mincher who ultimately claimed the top spot aboard Double M Stud’s Double M Calista’s Girl. The pair produced a superb clear round in the decider, stopping the clock in an impressive 49.55 seconds to secure victory.
Second place went to Stephanie Brownbill riding Billy Canada, who also delivered a faultless jump-off performance in a time of 50.47 seconds.
Completing the top three was Abi Tickle aboard Patroclus, with another clear round in 51.11 seconds.
The leading combinations have now secured their coveted qualification to the final at the British Showjumping National Championships, where they will go forward to compete for the national title later this summer.
“We are a rider down with Tom [Pritchard] who works for me out with an injury, he would usually ride Calista’s Girl. It was a bit of a spontaneous decision for me to ride her, and I had to find a jacket that fits! I don’t ride much these days, it’s easier for me to be on ground at shows with so many horses in work. It was really nice for me to ride her, I competed her Mum, Calista, who was a prolific horse for me, I absolutely adored her, we had her until the day she passed away. I also competed her Dad so having ridden both parents and bred her myself it was nice to have a sit on her. I was really pleased with her, we only jumped a few cross poles on Thursday then I had a day to recover!
“I grew up on Keith Bristow’s courses, so I have always been a fan of his courses. Keith got it just about right, it was good, it’s not easy to build these second rounds as there’s always a mixed bag of horses and riders at that level. All our horses got better with each round which I always say is the sign of a good course designer, they all improved in each round. It is really good for the young horses to do these second rounds as they don’t get to jump three rounds very often, it’s a great education for them. This will be good preparation for the SEIB Winter Novice Final and UNIBED Winter B&C which the mare has also qualified for.
“She’ll probably have a bit of an easier time to be honest, jump some five year old classes and aim her at the Young Horse Show at Hickstead, which always sets them up well for Lanaken, there’s no rush with her. Tom will take the ride back when he is fit, I think the grooms prefer him, he’s much less high maintenance than I am, they will be putting me back into retirement!” Julian said.
Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round
Pyecombe Horse Show, Saturday 2 May 2026
1st – Julian Mincher & Double M Calista’s Girl – 0/0/0 49.55
2nd – Stephanie Brownbill & Billy Canada – 0/0/0 50.47
3rd – Abi Tickle & Patroclus – 0/0/0 51.11
NB Results pending official grading
Image: LRG Photography
