NAF Five Star Winter Championships 25: day two

Some of Britain’s brightest prospects delivered on day two in the NAF Arena, alongside newcomer success and returning winners. Read about a sunny, high-spirited second day at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, where the Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle was the feature class.

Prestige Novice Gold 

Winner: Dannie Morgan and Verity I, 77.581%  

Dannie Morgan achieved something that very few have done before, taking not only a win, but also second and third place in the Prestige Novice Gold on equally talented horses. It was Kristina Rausing’s Verity I to secure the top spot, scoring 77.581% from first to go in the 23-strong class. Elizabeth Frampton-Hobbs' Empathic followed in second with 74.409%, whilst another of Kristina Rausing’s young stars, Freya VII, placed third on 74.355%.  

“It’s been a special day,” said Dannie reflecting on the achievement, “I’m very fortunate to have some very talented young horses – each of them could’ve taken the win today. You never know how they’re going to be in that arena and none of them have been to a Championships before, but they were all stunning today, I couldn’t have asked for any more.” 

“It’s probably the best test she’s ever done,” he continued, speaking about the Vitalis-sired six-year-old Verity, “she’s usually the underdog out of the three, she can get a bit hot and I thought she’d be more a horse for the higher levels. She’s really stepped up this week, gained confidence and it’s nice to be at a stay away show where she’s really relaxed. I’m very proud of her.” 

Every horse is unique, something which Dannie reflected on adding: “They’re very different! Verity is sensitive and elegant, Empathic is smaller and more compact, he’s by Escamillo and has lovely swing through the body and then Freya has a gorgeous temperament, she’s lovely to train and so intelligent. I’m really excited, they all went as well as they could today – to do that at a championship is great.” 

“It’s my favourite show, I love bringing the young horses here and the atmosphere in the arena is great,” he concluded, before thanking those who cheered him on and played their part, “but it’s a bit effort to be able to get to this championships, I’ve got seven horses here, my grooms Megan and Lauren are superstars and Alex who’s holding the fort at home too. There’s also my owners who allow me to ride these talented horses and a thanks to my sponsors and friends too, they’ve been a great support to me. It’s nice to all be able to support each other.” 

Petplan Intermediate I Bronze 

Winner: Jade Clark and Jemimah HH, 70.637% 

It was a memorable day for Staffordshire’s Jade Clark as she and her homebred mare Jemimah HH (Lord Leatherdale x Sheepcote Compliment) danced to victory in the Petplan Intermediate I Bronze. The pair scored an impressive 70.637% to take the win ahead of two former Winter winners - Daisy Hills with Midtgaards Gijon on 69.559%, and Lucy Mills, who completed the podium with 69.118% aboard her elegant partner MSL Saltarello Hit. 

“I still can’t believe it really,” said Jade after her winning performance. “She actually won the Advanced Medium here back in 2023, but the step up to this level has been a real challenge. It’s taken a lot of hard work and patience to get here – it’s been hard, but it all just came together in the five minutes we were in the arena and it just paid off – I was really happy.” 

“She actually walked, which was a relief as she’s usually so keen to get on with the canter work!” laughed Jade, before reflecting on the partnership and connection she felt in the arena, “The more I did, the more I started to relax because I just felt she was with me.” 

The Petplan Area Festivals have played a key role in the duo’s progression, giving them the experience and confidence to work up the levels. “The Petplans are great for that,” explained Jade. “The qualifier I did back in February had loads of atmosphere and I made a few mistakes, but I came here determined to put that to the back of my mind. I think she’s just had more exposure to those environments now, and today we both took a deep breath and went for it.” 

Having bred and produced the 11-year-old mare herself, the result carried extra meaning for Jade. “She was such a cheeky young horse – I used to have to ride her first thing in the morning, otherwise I’d spend the whole day worrying whether I’d survive the ride!” she laughed, “but she’s unbelievably talented, and I feel so lucky to have her. I’ll never be able to buy another like her.” 

Petplan Intermediate I Silver 

Winner: Emily Coller and Flabbergasted II, 67.255% 

Partnership of nine years Emily Coller and Flabbergasted II have grown up together and flourished today in the Petplan Arena, riding to success in the Intermediate I Silver with a score of 67.22%.  

“She was really hot today! My trainer Sadie Smith gave me a really good warm up which really helped” Emily explained about her winning performance, “She’s pretty secure in the Inter I work so when she started the test I started to relax more as we went through it. As soon as I got to the canter I knew we’d be okay!” 

“I’ve ridden her all the way from Novice,” she continued, talking about her partnership with ‘Toti’, “I got her when I was 14 and she was six – so that’s pretty cool. She’s got a big personality – she's very loving, I can go in her stable and give her a scratch when she’s sleeping... she’ll pull her hay into her bed so she can sleep and eat and get scratches, that’s her ideal situation!” 

Emily was full of praise for her support team including her Equine Vet mum whose part to play is, “keeping her horses in tip top form”, as well as top lorry driver Brian, trainer Sadie and her home team including farrier Stephen Britten and Sophie the personal trainer.  

The Norfolk-based rider is a former BD Foundation and National Academy student and BDCC Level 2 Coach who runs her own business riding and training.  

Second place belonged to Jennifer Morris and Jumble, closely followed by Hannah Bailey and Rosewater Danny Boy.  

Petplan Elementary Bronze 

Winner: Emily Nicol and Adamo Cavaliere, 67.969% 

Taking the top spot in the Petplan Elementary Bronze was Emily Nicol and Adamo Cavaliere, scoring 67.969%, in front of judges Jane Lavington (E), Sharon Butterworth (C) and Clementina Mirylees (M).  

After catching up with Emily after her moment in the spotlight, “I was really pleased with her, she goes down the centre line and knows exactly where she is. She stays on side the entire time, which to be fair she always does.” 

“I played it quite safe, so there’s definitely a lot more in there for her to give but I was so happy with her.” 

Speaking on the highlights of the test, “she’s very good with her mediums, she’s just an easy horse to ride and everything is very controlled, so I think it’s quite difficult for me as a rider to mess things up unless I make a massive mistake. She goes, she’s quite an uphill horse and has a massive stride on her.” 

Emily was aiming for a good test and to give her a good experience, “I didn’t have a great week last week as I was really ill so I was just trying to get through life with a bunch of youngsters at home and then my old horses so I didn’t do a huge amount last week I’ll be completely honest so this is very unexpected.” 

Adamo Cavaliere was bought as a 4-year-old event horse where they evented together before moving to dressage, “she was incredibly weak when we first got her so she basically had the whole of her 5th year off. She was very Irish, very timid, didn’t really like anything being touched. It turned out when she got a bit stronger, she could really move so we decided to go down this route and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.” 

Emily is back at the Winter Championships in the Prestige Novice Silver Championships and beyond that, “I’d like to move her up to Medium soon and eventually something like Small Tour would be cool, she’s such a consistent horse and so trainable. 

Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Silver 

Winner: Amy Hose & Enrique, 70.88% 

2024 double title holders Amy Hose and Enrique return to the winter championship to claim another title, this time two levels higher than before, in the Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium. The duo secured the win with an impressive 70.88% from judges, Jane Howard (C), Nicky du Plessis (E) and Ann Bostock (M) in the glorious sunshine.  

Reflecting on her experience between the white boards today Amy told us, “he was brilliant today, he has actually been in really good form since he arrived on Tuesday. I just had a really nice time, he felt really with me and although I was dreading my serpentines, they are a bit of a nemesis for us, so as soon as I got there I was beaming all the way round after that.”  

Since their title win last year, the combination have stepped up to Advanced Medium, “we have been doing a lot of training, he has really allowed me to push forward with him. In the summer we did Medium in the gold section, but I have found the biggest jump was from the Elementary to Medium but his changes have come on really nicely.”  

Amy was joined by a massive support crew today, “I work for Martin Price Anmore Stud, we have some really exciting horses coming through, Jezz Palmer is our main rider and my trainer and he has been incredible to me. The whole team who have been supporting Jezz have also been supporting me, it is just amazing.”  

“I am just trying to take it all in at the moment, it feels surreal still” Amy and Enrique are back on Saturday for the Advanced Medium Freestyle. Looking ahead to the future, “I am soon to step up to Prix St Georges, it will be our first Prix St Georges, I am excited to give that a go.”  

Lyndal Yelavich and Asterix I finished runners up with a score of 68.75% and Emma Woolliscroft joined them on the podium riding Just Magic BH to a score of 68.56%.  

PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver  

Winner: Alexis Knight & Mila, 73.141% 

Alexis Knight and Mila produced a standout performance in the PDS Saddles Elementary Freestyle Silver, which saw them collect their first Championship title, concluding a magical winter season for the duo.  

“She won the regional which for me was a pinch me moment, so to go on and win here is the stuff dreams are made of. I have been trying to get this piece of ribbon for so many years, and finally! What an amazing couple of months we have had. I couldn’t be more proud of my little horse.”  

“I actually had time to enjoy the test,” the Hampshire-based rider reflected on her test, which notched up 73.141%, “It’s not often I get that luxury, so it’s so nice to have won on a test that felt lovely.”  

“She is quite a hot horse as you have just seen in the prize giving, so sometimes tests can be tricky with her. Today she just had her game face on and was totally with me. We had one mistake that would normally be costly but the quality of everything else was so good that we got away with it.” 

The bond between horse and rider was evident, as Alexis enthused: “We are totally in love with one another, she’s my heart horse and we adore each other - we are definitely a team. I’m a one-horse rider and she’s kept at home with me on my yard with a Shetland and a retired horse, we are definitely not a professional set up!”  

“She is just amazing, I could take her out tomorrow and hack her on the buckle with my kids and then she comes here and is such class, I am so proud of her and so lucky to have her.” 

Alexis has produced her winning ride from a four-year-old along with help from Lynne Wick, who lives in their home village, and Dannie Morgan who helped on the day too, “this is for Lynne and Dannie because they have put so many hours in to helping me.” 

Life away from horses for Alexis is very busy, with a full-time job that takes her travelling internationally she explained, “I have a really full on job so I am often away and I have a nine-month-old baby and a five-year-old daughter, so life is insane! I am often getting up at stupid o’clock to ride or late evenings.” All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support system Alexis has around her, “I have an amazing family, my kids are with my husband and mom and they help me chase these crazy dreams but it is so worth it for momements like this.”  

Judy Peploe’s Sapphire Blue sparkled for Alicia Prim, earning the duo 72.949% and second place, whilst Christine Daniels and Darbey Ramblin placed third with 70.705%.  

Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle Gold 

Winner: Matt Frost and Kerouac, 76.750% 

Matt Frost secured victory in the Magic Prix St Georges Freestyle Gold, scoring an impressive 76.750% with his own Kerouac (Sezuan x Sorrento). The pair topped the leaderboard ahead of Gracie Catling and Qwinton on 73.542%, with India Durman-Mills and Escade following closely on 73.042%. 

Reflecting on his performance, Matt was candid about how bouncing back from a challenging first day, which made the result all the more meaningful: “Yesterday I made three really big mistakes, and I was kicking myself all night. It was a learning day, but today I’ve got myself sorted and piloted better than yesterday.” 

Matt has built a strong partnership with Kerouac, allowing the gelding’s natural talent to shine, “I’ve never had a horse that is so exuberant. He’s a big moving horse and really elastic, but it’s not always easy – he’s so adjustable that it can be tricky to keep everything consistent. It’s a bit like Sky Television, with so many channels to flick between, but he tries so hard all the time, and that’s why I love him.” 

The freestyle test provided the perfect opportunity to showcase Kerouac’s dramatic flair, and Matt certainly embraced the moment. “I’m a very dramatic person, and he’s a very dramatic horse, so we have very dramatic music,” he laughed! “It just suits him so well. The floorplan is very flowy and free, and he was brilliant today.” 

Over the years, Matt has been no stranger to the highs and lows of dressage and reflected on what it means to return to titles, “I’ve been doing this since I was six years old, and it’s something you can always get better at, but moments like this mean everything. I’m so lucky to do what I do, and moments like this are rare – it’s a credit to everyone who’s helped me get here.” 

The future looks bright for this duo, who return to two further classes at the Winters, “You can’t take anything for granted and you have to just keep going as best you can. I’ve got massive hopes for him, but I’m also enjoying today and tomorrow’s another day.” 

Petplan Elementary Silver 

Winner: Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee, 72.708%  

After taking the Novice Silver title in 2024, Natasha Gibbons and Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee returned to Addington to step up in level and earn another Championship rug. Scoring 72.708% in front of Emma Pewter (E), Les Smith (C) and Annette Scott (M), Natasha secured the Elementary Silver Area Festival title in front of  

“She’s very capable of doing it but we have no expectations of her,” said Natasha who didn’t expect to repeat her 2024 success in the slightest, “I’m just enjoying producing her!” 

“She's incredibly talented but has the potential to be hot, I’ve kept her really relaxed and chill, and rode on 50% today. But she was brilliant, she was a little shell-shocked about people on the bank and she was surprised about the sheep outside too... but as soon as she went down the centre line and turned left she knew her job.” 

It was almost a non-starter for Natasha who was poorly before the Area Festival at Parwood, but made a last-minute decision to trust her horse and give it a go, “she’s brilliant, as long as I steer her the right way she knows what to do. She’s so easy to train, she’s just done her first Medium – every time I ride her she feels more grown up.”  

Natasha trains with her mum Vicky Gibbons and has had a little help from Sara Jane Lanning too: “I’ve got a livery yard with 25 horses at home, I’ve got my son and my niece at home too and they’re three, life is manic so it’s a real team effort at home! It’s hard and it’s long days.” 

SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Gold 

Winner: Dannie Morgan and Fever Tree, 79.556% 

Dannie Morgan rode to a double on day two, winning the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Gold with his own Fever Tree dancing to a phenomenal 79.556%, the highest score on the second day of action in the NAF arena.  

“I think I say this every time but he really is the dream horse” Dannie said after his prize giving, where ‘Gordon’ collected his fifth title, adding to his unbeaten record at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships, “It’s amazing to have a horse that’s this talented, he has the best temperament and he’s so special. I’ve known him since a foal, friends of mine David Stone and Colin Hicks bred him, and it’s really special for them too.” 

Speaking about his Freestyle programme which earned nines for choreography and music, Dannie said: “At Medium I think it’s the first level where degree of difficulty comes in, I tried to show some good trot work and did steep half passes all the way across – that's a real highlight for him. I tried to make an interesting pattern with the half pass into simple changes in the canter. It’s just really fun to ride and I love the music, it’s from the film Dinosaurs that I used to watch with my brother when we were kids, I love it – thanks to Kelly and Tony at Equidance for helping me put it together.” 

“He’s seven this year and he’s starting to really understand what these stay away shows are about,” the Hampshire professional continued reflecting on ‘Gordon’s’ character, a horse whose only ever finished in the top three throughout his BD career, “he’s a legend in the arena and I can always rely on him.” Answering whether or not the pressure of riding a returning champion is something on his mind, Dannie concluded, “I know how good he is and he gives me confidence, I don’t really feel the pressure and if we have a mistake – we don’t have to prove anything because he’s already shown how great he is.” 

Dannie and Gordon return for two more tests at the Winters, the Black Country Saddles Advanced Medium Gold and the HorseLight Medium Gold.  

Completing the SPILLERS Medium Freestyle Gold podium were Gracie Catling and Fraithwens Wytske fan ter Lune, who were bridesmaids once again after another beautiful tests, followed by Katie Owens with Lauren Thorpe’s For Alondra in third.  

FULL RESULTS

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