Premier Equine Youth Inter Regionals: North & East secures third consecutive win

At the Premier Equine BD Youth Inter Regionals, hosted by Arena UK (29 – 30 June 2024), the North & East region took team honours for an impressive third year running, with the Grand Palais team triumphing over North & West Los Angeles and their regional teammates, North & East Trocadero.

With a bumper entry from across the six BD regions, the weekend witnessed great camaraderie and competitive spirit as 36 teams battled it out for team and individual accolades at the Lincolnshire venue. Overnight leaders Grand Palais, featuring Anna Burns (San Isidro), Grace Smith (Matty Menlo), Lexie Howe (Rosewater Rockstar) and Delilah Esberger-Hancock (Stan Three), took control with a further four high-scoring rounds in their respective squad tests to seal the win on a team total of 558.00, giving them victory by 6.8 points.

North & West Los Angeles were noble in defeat, with Freya Ainscough (Showstar), Jazz McClarty Mapp (Murisca), Oliver Gould (Miami Alana) and Verity Matthews (Bunbury Peppermill) taking second spot on the team podium on a score of 551.20. North & East’s Trocadero team claimed the final step of the podium for a game performance by Hannah Macmillan (Brookeborough Lad), Holly Scott (Lincoln LDS), Freya Percival (Happy Vemma) and Caitlin Evans-Simpson (Thorngate Crusador). 

Individual winners

The winning team’s Anna Burns (24) was also the A Squad Individual victor, repeating her win from 2023. Anna, who rides for Moody Dressage and won last year aboard Lancelot BS, this year piloted Becky Moody’s British-bred five-year-old mare, San Isidro (Danone I x Special D), to a total of 193.20 to finish in front of fellow North & East rider Josh Mellor with OSF Ferrari (187.00). 

Winner of the D Squad Individual, for riders up to the age of 11, was South & West’s Ever Sinfield Day with her nine-year-old Connemara gelding, Benmore’s Pot Luck (Blue Smokie x Glencarrig Prince); while the C Squad Individual honours went to Verity Matthews (11) and her 12-year-old gelding, Bunbury Peppermill (185.40), of the second-placed North & West Los Angeles team.

The C+ Squad Individual title, for riders aged 15 and over, was secured by Freya Percival and her 12-year-old KWPN mare Happy Vemma (Johnson x Kennedy) for North & East (189.20), with the B Squad Individual claimed by Izzy Ineson (18), also for North & East, partnered by Maria McDiarmid’s 10-year-old Dutch-bred Jack Morka (Davino VOD x Jetset D). The B+ Squad Individual title was won by North & East’s Lily Crisp (21) aboard owner-breeder Samantha Brown’s Caesar 171-sired LE Chiffre, aka Peanut. Lily and the prolific British team pony, now 17, won with an overall score of 186.00.

“What a weekend for the North and East,” commented BD North & East Development Officer, Jo Byrne. “Whilst celebrating our team winning the Para Home Nations, our Youth riders began contesting the Youth Inter Regionals. A North and East win to complete the double, along with third, fourth and sixth place in the top ten and multiple individual wins and placings, was a fantastic achievement by our riders.

“This success is a credit to our BD Youth Coaches developing the depth of talent across the region, our BD Youth Reps Charlotte Clark and Jess Carr, and the hugely supportive parents who are committed to the BD Youth Programme,” continued Jo. “Arena UK was a brilliant location for this championship and huge thanks go to Lauren Fogg and her team for the wonderful facilities and organisation.”

Thanks go to Premier Equine, title sponsor of the BD Youth Inter Regionals, who also provided rosettes and prizes, and to the team at Arena UK for hosting a hugely successful event. Congratulations go to all riders who won, were placed and took part in the Youth Inter Regionals, as well as the teams behind the scenes. 

Results – top five

Team competition
1. North & East Grand Palais, 558.00
2. North & West Los Angeles, 551.20
3. North & East Trocadero, 548.90
4. North & East Eiffel Tower, 543.50
5. South & West Quacker Ducks, 542.90

D Squad Individual
1. Ever Sinfield Day and Benmore’s Pot Luck, 193.00 (South & West)
2. Lucy Whiteford and Rookery Bertie, 183.90 (Scotland)
3. Amelia Dovey and Jilly, 183.80 (North & West)
4. Ellie Davis and Fenmere Dominic, 183.50 (South & West)
5. Olivia Staples and Felinmor Buddy, 183.20 (South & East)

C Squad Individual
1. Verity Matthews and Bunbury Peppermill, 185.40 (North & West)
2. Hollie Davies and Magheracloone By Chunk, 182.60 (North & West)
3. Nina Gribben and Keelogues Beauty, 181.80 (Scotland)
4. Lexie Howe and Rosewater Rockstar, 180.30 (North & East)
5. Olivia Luscombe and Rosewater Chamonix, 179.70 (South & West)

C+ Squad Individual
1. Freya Percival and Happy Vemma, 189.20 (North & East)
2. Oliver Gould and Miami Alana, 186.90 (North & West)
3. Hope Spatcher and Morrigan Eirikr, 185.50 (North & East)
4. Grace Smith and Matty Menlo, 184.50 (North & East)
=5. Georgie Morgan and Jacodis Bos Barclay, 179.70 (North & West)
=5. Millie McLardie and Loughmelvin Alys May, 179.70 (Wales)

B Squad Individual
1. Izzy Ineson and Jack Morka, 187.60 (North & East)
2. Bryley Llewelyn and Cwmtyysswg Will, 186.80 (Wales)
3. Lauren Bone and Foxholm Eternal Flame, 180.90 (North & East)
4. Molly Powell and Diego, 180.20 (South & East)
5. Harriet Drewery and Oosting Amigo, 179.90 (North & East)

B+ Squad Individual
1. Lily Crisp and LE Chiffre, 186.00 (North & East)
2. Sophie Isaacs and Donaigo Ace, 184.90 (North & East)
3. Pippa Reec and Ilar Vincent, 184.30 (South & East)
4. Lucy Wilson and Fairytale IV, 182.70 (North & East)
5. Holly Scott and Lincoln LDS, 174.50 (North & East)

A Squad Individual
1. Anna Burns and San Isidro, 193.20 (North & East)
2. Josh Mellor and OSF Ferrari, 187.00 (North & East)
3. Hannah Macmillan and Brookeborough Lad, 176.00 (North & East)
4. Madison Eagle and Royalty, 173.20 (South & East)

FULL RESULTS

Photo © ATG Photography