Great Scott! Michaela wins B&C Final

Michaela Scott secured the win in the British Showjumping Winter Grades B & C Championship today at Hickstead, riding the scopey eight-year-old Eddie G Z.

Six made it through to the jump-off, but none could match Michaela’s time of 40.29sec. Runners-up Douglas Duffin and Millfield Chacolatte were the closest, crossing the finish in 42.85sec.

Michaela is a former stable jockey to the late Tim Stockdale, and now runs her own Foxhill Sport Horses in Northamptonshire. It wasn’t her first experience of an International Arena win, as she previously won the Winter Novice title here in 2018 with Stellar Skylight. She came close to making it a double with Eddie G Z 12 months ago but finished in second place, so she was relieved to go one better today.

“I was just beaten by the last rider to go last year, and it felt like it might be the same this time as I know Emma Crawford is really quick, she could have easily pipped me,” explained Michaela.

She describes Eddie G Z as ‘one of the best horses I’ve ridden’, and the pair have already picked up a qualifying ticket for the Foxhunter Final at HOYS. “I am not going to lie, when he was four I thought he was nice, but not as good as he turned out to be. Out of all of there horses I’ve ridden, he’s right up there. He’s pretty special, and hopefully he’ll keep proving it.”

Adam Taylor fulfilled a major goal for this season when he not only qualified Basingwerk Imagine to jump in the International Arena, but went home as SEIB BS Winter Novice champion.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Adam, who has previously competed in working hunter classes at the show, but was making his debut jumping in the main ring. “With him you just say ‘let’s go mate’ and he’s off. He’s a bit sharp and a bit tricky but I have always loved him, he is a real winner. We just took our time with him.” 

Playboy Van De Zoetewei stormed into the record books as the pony to have won the most Hickstead titles, when he headed the Coldstream Equestrian BS Winter 138cm Championship for an incredible fifth time.

Playboy won the title last year with Amy’s sister Lucy, after winning in 2018 and 2019 with Tabitha Kyle, and in 2022 with Tilly Bamford. “My sister was telling me just to let him go because he knows what he’s doing,” said Amy, who took over the ride seven months ago. 

Nine-year-old Anya Dewey-Clarke made her debut in the International Arena a memorable one when she won the Pro Ponies UK BS Winter 128cm Championship, riding Jim.

Only three combinations had left the fences standing in the first round and Anya was joined in the jump off by Annabel Widdowson, who made history last year as the youngest rider to ever take the title at eight years old.

Annabel’s chances of repeating the feat looked strong, as she had jumped clears on both last year’s champion, 23-year-old Bunbury Conquest, and 21-year-old Whinney Lass, but she couldn't better Anya's time of 37.71sec. “I absolutely love Jim, he is awesome,” said Anya, who has been riding the 16-year-old gelding for the past 18 months. 

The Oakley Coachbuilders BS Winter Grade JC Championship turned into a battle of the Emilys, when just two riders made it through to the jump off against the clock.

It was second-to-go Emily Irvine and her appaloosa mare Runard Lass who took the win when she produced the sole double clear, with Emily Gulliver and Lucky Choice claiming runner up after tallying eight faults.

For full results click here. 

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (24-28 July) can be bought online or at the gate. Watch the livestream at Hickstead.TV