Cavago Associated Championships: Coloured horses and ponies paint Onley gold

Coloured horses and ponies had their moment to shine at the Cavago Associated Championships, washing Onley Grounds Equestrian in an array of colour and stunning tests (25 October 2024).

Emma Jenkinson (pictured above) and Fleur C (Finest x Samaii) celebrated a well-deserved overall victory in the CHAPS Elementary with a score of 68.82% and also clinched the Medium Silver Champion title on 67.21%.

Despite a few uncharacteristic mistakes early in their tests, Emma was thrilled with Fleur’s overall performance, saying, “I was thinking I must not let Fleur down; she deserved to end the season with a championship title. It also made the 3am alarm clock all worth it!”

Competing at the Associated Championships for the first time, Emma - a full-time project manager and mother - balanced a tight schedule to get there, even flying to a friend’s wedding in Barbados the day after the tests! She described the atmosphere as unique: "It was a rather different warm-up, being surrounded by so many lovely, coloured horses and ponies in one place.”

Emma credits their success to the strong partnership they’ve built since 2022, when she returned to competing after having her daughter. “She’s the best dancing partner I’ve ever had. My mother bought Fleur as a youngster, and together, we’ve trained her up the levels with the help of my trainer Claire Moir,” explained Emma. “I am very excited for the future with this talented mare. We’ve formed a great partnership and she just has the kindest nature.”

12-year-old Theo Charnley and his seven-year-old rescue pony, RSPCA George, were quadruple winners at this year’s Championships after they took the CHAPS Prelim and Novice overall champion titles with outstanding scores of 72.67% and 68.96%. In addition, earlier in the week, this talented duo took the top spot in the TGCA Part-Bred and Prelim and Novice on 70.60% and 71.25%.

Theo’s proud dad, Paul Charnley, told us, “Theo was over the moon to win.” Having won the CHAPS Intro Associated Championships the previous year, the big step up to Novice in just a year did not phase this pair. “Theo just loved competing in the bigger classes against all of the adults, who were absolutely lovely with him and George,” explained Paul.

Despite their unbelievable success, Theo’s favourite moment of the Championship was as they were warming up next to the draught horses on Wednesday. “There is no other competition in the BD Calendar where you have draughts in one arena towering over little Theo and RSPCA George. You could almost feel the ground shake!” said Paul, perfectly summarising the unique experience of these Championships.

Nottinghamshire’s Emma Jablonski delivered an outstanding Medium performance, securing the top score of the CHAPS Championships with an impressive score of 72.72% aboard her talented seven-year-old gelding Multivision (Dream Boy x Negro).

“Mobi was fantastic!” said Emma, posting on Facebook. “He was a little nervous when we entered as it was a new venue, but he settled and let me ride him. I really feel like he’s maturing now and giving me a great feeling in the arena; his lateral work is getting a lot stronger and more supple. I’m so proud of him and very excited to get back to training his changes ready for next year.”

Emma went on to thank her support team, including her coach Amy Woodhead and her mum, who she explained she “literally couldn’t do this without.”

Rosie Taylor from West Yorkshire and her five-year-old gelding, Isyln Pablo (Friars Golden Glory x Twrog Brenin Aur), were crowned the CHAPS Intro overall champions on 67.07%. The pair also narrowly missed out on the British Native Pony Intro title, taking second overall on 68.26%.

Rosie, a newcomer to British Dressage, joined earlier this year after discovering the Associated Championships online, which she thought would be the perfect goal for her native ponies.

After buying Pablo as a ‘feral’ three-year-old and backing him herself, their success at the gelding's first stay-away show was even more meaningful for Rosie. “He exceeded all my expectations,” Rosie explained, “I already can’t wait for next year to test myself at the next level and to meet up with everyone I met this year again!”

Congratulations to all our competitors and their wonderful coloured horses and ponies. Thanks go to title sponsors Cavago and host venue Onley Grounds for supporting this unique event, which brings hundreds of riders and horse breeds together every year.

CHAPS Champions 

CHAPS Introductory
Rosie Taylor and Isyln Pablo (B)*, 67.07%    

CHAPS Preliminary
Nicky Crawshaw and Kimico L Fire (G), 68.71%    
Theo Charnley and RSPCA George (S)*, 72.67%
Katie Evans and Frankie VII (B), 68.79%    

CHAPS Novice
Alice Croft and Higglytown Hero (S), 67.60%    
Theo Charnley and RSPCA George (B)*, 68.96%    

CHAPS Elementary
Emma Jenkinson and Fleur C (G)*, 68.82%    
Julie Middleton Reid and Lady Jessicka (S), 66.99%    
Lorraine Simcox and Ozzy VII (B), 68.60%    

CHAPS Medium
Emma Jablonski and Multivision (G)*, 72.72%
Emma Jenkinson and Fleur C (S), 67.21%    
Bryley Llewlyn and Cwmtysswg Will (B), 66.32%

VIEW FULL RESULTS

Photos © KB Photography