NAF Five Star Winter Championships 25: day five

The final day of the 2025 NAF Five Star Winter Championships provided a fitting close to the week, where 44 classes were won by dedicated, deserving winners. 

SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver  

Winner: Carmen Gammie and Lets Make An Opera M, 69.667% 

Carmen Gammie made it a win for Scotland in the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Silver, scoring 69.667% with her own Lets Make An Opera M.  

“I’m really excited,” Carmen said after her lap of honour in the NAF Five Star Arena,  “I wasn’t expecting to win at all so it’s just so exciting.” 

“It was all quite good,” she continued, reflecting on her winning ride, “today he was very consistent. I had one spook in one of my medium canters and he did do a flying change but the general feeling he gave throughout the whole test was really good. I was really pleased with him. I rode him in the Advanced Medium yesterday and he sort of held himself a little bit but today he felt like he really let go and I could ride him more.” 

It was a ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ Mary Poppins performance to entertain our judges in the first class on the final day, “the music is light and delicate and he springs along to it, I really enjoy riding to it as well!” 

“I train with Hannah Moody but remotely,” said Carmen, who lives in Abeerdeen, “we have online lessons all the time. But we actually went down for two days of training on the way here, which was really helpful. I sort of had my butt kicked on Monday and Tuesday! Which gave us a wee boost into the weekend, I’m really grateful for Hannah’s help.” 

Carmen and Opera are a partnership of four years, with the full time Chartered Accountant sourcing her dancing partner from Whitehill Stud as a five-year-old: “He had a really bad virus when he was seven, we actually thought we were going to lose him. He was off for four months and it took a long time to build him back up. I’m really grateful to have him, I could speak all day about how wonderful he is. He’s the best and I love him to pieces.” 

“He’s a proper character,” she added about the Guardian-S sired gelding’s charming character, “he’s always mugging people for sweets, he’ll play with zips, he’s got a lot of personality. He loves hacking and doing a bit of everything.” 

A 12-hour drive home and a few days off will follow before the pair aim to progress to Prix St Georges towards the end of the year. Carmen concluding by thanking her mum Elizabeth, “I couldn’t do it without her help.” 

2024 Baileys Novice Freestyle Silver winners Katie Warner and Active Nuvolari continue their successful journey through the levels with second place in this class, scoring 68.334%; Paula Lee and Deseado Santo go home with two Winters top ten placings, adding a podium third to their HorseLight Medium Silver seventh.  

Petplan Novice Bronze Under 21 Area Festival Championship 

Winner: Rosie Shaw and Kashira, 69.556%  

Nottinghamshire’s Rosie Shaw topped the leaderboard in the Petplan Novice Bronze U21 Championship, scoring 69.556% with Lisa Dove’s ten-year-old mare K Mlyn’s Kashira (Flying Dream x Cavalier).  

It was Rosie and Kashira’s first championship together. A morning arena walk helped set them up for success, but the 16-year-old admitted “it felt very nerve-wracking” after her winning test. “She was very strong today, but I think we both handled it very well.” One movement stood out in particular: “She loves a medium trot. I don’t even have to ask for them most of the time.” 

Rosie has had Kashira for two years. “The first six months were very rocky, mainly because of issues we’ve now solved, but she’s doing very well,” she explained. At home, Kashira is “exactly the same” as she is in the ring. “She’s very nice, although she can be grouchy sometimes, like any mare, but most of the time she’s very sweet. She really likes her best friend Squiggle.” 

Under the guidance of trainer Tessa Fielder, Rosie focused her preparation on gaining confidence in the test. “We basically just competed a lot of Novice 5s to get the test in my head. We’ve also been working on things she’s not very good at, like counter canter and walking. She’s got a very nice walk, she just doesn’t want to walk!” 

Looking ahead, Rosie hopes to be selected for Home Nations again. “We really enjoyed it last year, so I’d love to do it again and improve my scores.” 

Second and third went to two more Championship first timers. Sydney Kedge (17) claimed second with her Titan Gold-sired mare Luna X, just 0.167% behind the lead, whilst third place went to 12-year-old Amelia Dickens and her Domburg-sired gelding Ghabar Doncorleoni, who scored 69.056% to complete a tightly contested top three. 

Petplan Novice Silver Under 21 Area Festival Championship 

Winners: Talitha Jordan and Cripsy Bilbo Baggins & Verity Matthews with Bunbury Peppermill, 69.056% 

Spectators were seeing double in the Novice Silver U21 Championship where two young winners took to the top step of the podium together. Scoring 69.056%, Talitha Jordon with her own Cripsy Bilbo Baggins and Verity Matthews with Millie Gibbons’ Bunbury Peppermill shared the title.  

“It’s amazing,” said 12-year-old Verity about what it feels like to win, “I wasn’t expecting it after he had done a change in his canter! I was just happy to be here really.” 

Speaking about her test, Verity added, “I went in to go around the outside and I couldn’t stop really! I took a breath and he eventually calmed down in the test, his canter felt amazing today.”  

Verity described her winning Welsh Section B pony as ‘spicy’, laughing as she described his competition habits, “he’s amazing at home but as soon as he gets to a show he’s on it! There’s no waiting around, you have to trot on when you get in the ring!”  

Verity trains with Warwickshire-based Louise Bell, “she’s amazing,” the young rider praised about her local mentor.  

“I was so pleased with my pony,” said Worcestershire-based Talitha Jordan (16), also reflecting on her feelings, “he felt like he had a great time when he was in the test so it didn’t matter about the result, I was just pleased he’d done well.”  

“I was pleased with his canter work and the environment wasn’t a problem, he’s eased into it very nicely and I was so happy.”  

The young rider concluded by thanking those who’ve helped her achieve a win today, “I’m with Serena and David Pincus at Sheepcote Equestrian, it’s been amazing! Their support has been fantastic and I’m so grateful, Bo trained with the West Midlands Dressage Group previously and they’ve definitely helped bring him on to where he is today.” 

Third place went to Millie Kemsley with Madeleine Weightman’s Nova starlight, with the elegant Indian Rock-sired mare earning 68%, well-presented by her young rider.  

Petplan Preliminary Silver Area Festival Championship 

Winner: Duncan Morgan and Neptunus-Utopia, 71.746%  

Duncan Morgan and Neptunus-Utopia topped the top of the scoresheets in the Petplan Preliminary Silver Area Festival Championship. 

Speaking of the test today, “I felt that she warmed up really well, she was nicely in front of my leg. The test started well but she got a bit nervous so later on in the test became quite hard work as I had to use my leg quite hard, but we made it through!” 

Neptunus-Utopia, also known as Bella at home and has been with Duncan since a 3-year-old. It was first time lucky for Duncan today as he tells us, “it’s her first ever stay away and she’s taken it all in really well. When I schooled her here yesterday afternoon I thought she might be a bit all over the place but she was very good. Bella is described as “having her quirky ways, she used to be rather wild and scary to handle.  

Duncan trains with Lindsey, who he was quick to praise, “I think a lot of that is down to Lindsey giving us lessons, she’s been really good at managing to maintain her focus and on track which has really paid off. She’s very sensitive about things but in general, as her schooling has developed she’s become much better on the ground.”  

Having only recently become a member of British Dressage, the future looks bright for the combination, “when we started dressage, we just went out to get some tests and build up a record. But it’s been exciting to have the experience going to the Area Festival and now to the Championships.” 

The duo is aiming to get their Novice qualification for the Summer Area Festival Championships and hoping to be back at the Winter Championships next year stepping up to Elementary. “It’s nice to have the championships along the way to put it into perspective how much you’re coming along because day-to-day, you forget to look back at how far you’ve come.” Duncan concludes.   

Laura Borrell and Navarone earned second place with 70.714%, followed by Rachelle Harrison and Billy Dell with 70.079%.  

Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold  

Winner: Dannie Morgan and Vive La Reinne VH, 74.722%  

Dannie Morgan continued his excellent week at Addington with title number three, this time with Kristina Rausing’s Vive La Reine returning to the winner’s circle in the Nupafeed Advanced Medium Freestyle Gold.  

“She was super,” Dannie said, commenting on ‘Delilah’s’ test which earned 74.722% in front of Cherry Elvin (H), Richard Baldwin (C) and Caroline Tupling (B). “She did the Advanced Medium yesterday, she’s a great mare. She’s been very successful for me and she’s a great talent.” 

“We showed quite a difficult floorplan and she shows a lot of quality. Over the year she’s developed in her strength and balance so it’s a great result for her and her owners, Karen and Kristina Rausing, who’ve been great supports of mine.” Dannie credited Tony Hobden at Equidance for his music, “It’s Call of Duty music, the trot work is really interesting, it’s got a really good beat to it so I love riding it. I basically say to Tony and Kelly just to do what they want!” 

“You just have to programme yourself about what the horse needs,” Dannie reflected on adapting to the different horses and different horses he’s presented throughout the week, “the two mares I’ve had today – Eva is a little pocket rocket, barely 16hh and Delilah is a big rangey mare – so they need to be ridden in quite different ways but you just have to try and adapt.”  

Dannie also earned second spot with his smaller star, Oh My VH, who creditably earned 71.945%. Emily Ormerod and FLS Samphire enjoyed their moment in the prize giving after scoring 71.834% for third.  

Magic Prix St Georges Silver  

Winner: Louise Gallavan and Faberge TF, 70.049%  

Buckinghamshire based rider, Louise Gallavan and Faberge TF claim the top spot in the Magic Prix St Georges Silver, after achieving a score of 70.049%. Jade Clark and Jemimah HH secured second place with 67.892%, closely followed by Nicole Turner and J'Eton Hit LDS with 67.500%.  

“I’ve had him since he was a couple of months old,” said Louise, “in his test today he felt completely on side with me and did everything I asked of him. He just loves his job, as soon as he’s in between the boards its ears pricked and ready to go. It was the best feeling ever.” 

“We try and keep him a bit sweet before,” she continued, talking about her championship preparation, “so I don’t take him to any normal shows for a few weeks before, so he really comes alive when in a good atmosphere. He’s a real showman so he really tries so show off!”  

“He was super easy to back and produce through the levels, the only thing was when he was younger he was very lazy, so it’s been about finding the right balance with him,” the rider laughed, reflecting on her long partnership with ‘Fabs’, who was bred by Lois Allard at Coady Bay Stud and was graded premium by Oldenburg as a foal, after Louise bought him at the age of two months. “He’s started training Grand Prix at home and he’s really enjoying it, I think he was bored at the lower levels!” 

The pair aim to contest Premier Leagues throughout the spring and summer, with the goal of competing internationally. 

“My mum has been an absolutely superstar the last couple of days, I couldn’t have done it without her,” Louise concluding, thanking those who supported her on the day and behind the scenes.  

Petplan Advanced Medium Bronze Area Festival Championship 

Winner: Emma Dunkley and Stanley Grange Heir Supreme, 67.456% 

Taking home the final Petplan title of the week was Wiltshire rider Emma Dunkley, who rode to a fantastic 67.456% on board her 13-year-old gelding Stanley Grange Heir Supreme – known at home as Harley. Just 0.444% split the top three, with wildcard qualifiers Cheryl Tuff and Ritter Sport second on 67.412% and Stephanie Rapley third on Jay-Jay 67.018%. 
 
“It feels fantastic,” said Emma, reacting to her win. “Everyone hopes to come here and do well, but I don’t think I believed we’d actually win – I’d hoped. To have done it is amazing.” 

Reflecting on her winning performance, Emma said consistency across the board proved to be key: “I saw a few tests where there were some lovely eights but then some fours as well. We were fairly balanced throughout, and I think that’s what did it for us in the end.” 

‘Harley’, previously based at a showing yard, has been with Emma for just over five years. “My friend Jo actually found him before me, which is amazing because she found my previous boy as well, who both of them have done really, really well for me.” she explained. “We've come up through the stages together and we've kind of taught each other really, me and Harley” 

Emma, who also won the Elementary Silver title in 2023, credits long-time trainer Lorna George for their success saying “She’s like my life coach. She’s been with us for the whole journey – I couldn’t do it without her.” 

Emma’s dressage journey began with her former horse Ted, who unexpectedly set her on this path. “I bought him just because I was kind of looking for something to do really. I'd always ridden horses but I'd never owned one. I thought we could just do general bits and pieces and then Lorna said I didn’t realise what I’d bought – he was great at dressage. We got to Advanced Medium before he retired, and then Harley took over.” 

“It's unbelievable, it really really is, it's all the early mornings and the late nights and I work full-time so my husband is brilliant and he helps me out” 

The Area Festivals hold a special place in Emma’s heart: “The Petplan Championships every year I've been competing in them. It's something to aspire to, something to achieve. Even the Aerie festivals, to come out and ride them actually is an achievement to get here and actually do this. It gives you a nice warm, fuzzy feeling.” 

Looking ahead, Prix St Georges is on the horizon, “I bought my tailcoat last year – I’ve not worn it yet, so it’s going on for my next lesson. That’s the plan.”  

Superflex Intermediate I Silver 

Winner: Alex Chick and Giovanni BM, 70.196% 

Alex Chick set the standard in the Superflex Intermediate I Silver Championship, with her own Giovanni BM rewarded 70.196% by Joyce Wood (E), Pam Bushell (C) and David Hamer (M).  

“It’s amazing,” said Alex, who hails from Nottinghamshire, “it’s really amazing, I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen or not today but he pulled it out the bag.”  

“I was really pleased with my trot work,” she said, reviewing her winning test in the closing stages of the NAF Five Star Championships, “it went beautifully. I thought how well it was going and then got to my canter work and had a mistake in my twos, I got him back but I wasn’t sure whether I’d blown it or now!”  

“I was really pleased to get the 70% but it was a bit of a waiting game stood by the lorry with my friends watching the rest of the scores came up, it was a relief when it was all over!”  

Speaking about her Apache-sired gelding ‘Gi’, bought from the Brightwells Sales at Addington as a five-year-old, Alex said “I’ve trained him ever since then, he’s been with me at various places that I’ve worked and we’ve just muddled through a bit together. He’s like my little baby, I love him to pieces and he’s my one and only.” 

“I couldn’t do it without my team, I’ve got my trainer who’s my best friend, my boyfriend, my other best friend, my mum, my mum’s friend! It makes it so worthwhile and makes the experience so much better when you’ve got a great team around you,” said Alex who trains with Toby Hewlett, Andrew Fletcher and Sonia Baines.  

Second place in the final Silver class of the week belonged to Louise Gallavan with Karen Gallavan’s Sandros Fire, who enjoyed a successful day in Sunday’s Small Tour classes, whilst Christine Cockerton completed the trio of top placed riders with her own Florence Christi.  

HorseLight Medium Gold  

Winner: Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 74.815% 

The Medium Gold always provides an exciting end to the Championships, and this year’s fixture, supported by HorseLight, delivered a high standard field of 25 combinations. The final title of the week was landed by Dannie Morgan with his own Fever Tree, scoring 74.815%. 

“I’ve had a really special week,” reflected Dannie, “and I’ve got a super talented team of horses. It’s great to come here and achieve this success with them and I’ve got a big team who’ve supported me. The guys at home, my grooms here, my owners, farriers, physios and my sponsors – there's a lot of people that work towards making this happen. I’m very grateful to them.”  

“He felt amazing,” he continued, summarising ‘Gordon’s’ final performance in the NAF Five Star Arena, “yesterday we had some silly mistakes, so I wanted to give him a nice ride in a good balance and make everything as clean as possible.” 

“I’ve always had a feeling that he was ‘my one’, and I’ve just got to up my game because the horse is amazing,” Dannie concluded about his partnership with Gordon.

Gracie Catling earned another second-place finish with Gaynor Morris’s specular Friesian mare Fraithwens Wytske fan ter Lune scoring 71.66%, whilst Scotland’s Robyn Smith rode into the third spot with her own Gentle Caledonia’s top test earning 71.574%.