The eventing stars of tomorrow

National pride

All eyes were on Osberton International in September 2021 for the BE National Young Horse Championships. These classes are a renowned platform for spotting Britain’s stars of tomorrow, with no less than three of our medal winners from this year’s European Championships having previously featured on the podium here.

BRITISH EVENTING 5YO CHAMPION
CATHMOR FUSION (pictured top) – British-bred gelding ridden by John-Paul Sheffield and owned by Vanessa Garfoot.

BRITISH EVENTING 6YO CHAMPION
RUBIN MOON SB – ridden by Jodie Amos and owned by Sara Brown.

BRITISH EVENTING 7YO CHAMPION
QUIDAM DE LUX – ridden by Stephen Heal and owned by the rider Gemma Borkowski.

THE BRITISH EVENTING 4YO SHOWCASE CHAMPION
MGH HILDARE HARLEQUIN – British-bred gelding ridden by Flora Harris and owned by Anna Sims-Hilditch.

Stephen Heal and 7YO winner Quidam De Lux. Photo: Adam Fanthorpe

World class

The ultimate accolade in the breeding of young event horses is success on the world stage. For more than three decades, the eventing community has gathered in Le Lion d’Angers each autumn to seek future equine superstars.

If results here can be seen as an indicator of success to come, then we should be hugely encouraged that six of the top seven places in 2021’s 7YO Championship were filled by British combinations.

WORLD BREEDING 6YO CHAMPION
LAGONA 4 – ridden and owned by Anna Lena Schaaf.

BEST OF THE BRITS
SBH BIG WALL (6TH) – ridden by Izzy Taylor and owned by Jane Timmis.

WORLD BREEDING 7YO CHAMPION
CUTE GIRL – ridden by Kevin McNab and owned by Scuderia 1918.

BEST OF THE BRITS
OUTBACK II (2ND) – ridden by Laura Collett and owned by Christopher Clementi, Diana Chappell and Yogi Breisner.

Homegrown

These championships provide the opportunity to showcase not only the talent that we are producing but also breeding. Competing a British-bred horse at Le Lion is rather special, as these two riders tell us.

PEPPER POLDARK – 6YO CHAMPIONSHIP (18TH)

“It’s lovely to showcase that we can breed top horses in this country. Pepper Poldark’s got all the scope and power and is a beautiful mover – he’s definitely one to watch.”

RIDER: CAROLINE HARRIS (OWNER/BREEDER: BECKY STONES, RIDGEWAY FARM STUD)

TEMPLAR JUNO – 7YO CHAMPIONSHIP (21ST)

“Templar Stud had a load of phenomenal yearlings, but Juno caught my eye. I am incredibly proud of her performance in Le Lion and really excited for the future.”

OWNER/RIDER: KATIE PRESTON (BREEDER: AMANDA ROLPHE, THE TEMPLAR STUD)