Triple-Clear Performances Secure Hickstead Qualification in SEIB Big Star Championship Qualifier
Monday 08 June 2026
Coombelands played host to the latest SEIB Big Star Championship Qualifier last week, where 43 rider and horse combinations came forward to tackle Ben Townley’s testing track in a bid to secure their place at the prestigious championship at Hickstead.
Townley’s course proved a fair but demanding challenge, with riders needing to deliver consistent performances across two rounds before earning their place in the jump-off. From the original field, 11 combinations successfully navigated both first-round tracks without fault to progress to the decisive final phase.
With Hickstead qualification on the line, the pressure was firmly on in the jump-off. Riders rose to the occasion, producing some excellent rounds as they chased those all-important qualifying spots. In a closely fought contest, seven combinations delivered the coveted triple-clear performance, finishing equal first and securing their tickets to the SEIB Big Star Championship at Hickstead later this season.
Lucy Townley & Billy Roundstone
Morgan Shirley & Warrior Delight
Sam Ward & I’m Special Energy
Alexander McLean & Houdini V
Katie Speller & Z7 Leela
Barry Drea & Okehurst Dragon
Liam Haynes & Convio PS
Riders contesting the SEIB Six-Year-Old Championship will also compete for the prestigious Big Star Trophy, awarded in honour of Nick Skelton’s legendary 2016 Olympic gold medal-winning partner Big Star.
Adding further excitement to the series, any horse jumping a treble clear in one of the four Big Star qualifiers held between May and July will automatically become eligible for the £1,000 Big Star Bonus, which will be awarded at the Final.
NB Results pending official grading
Image: LRG Photography
.jpg "Great Britain’s Team Audevard finish in seventh place with unlucky four fault rounds at the CSIO3* Longines EEF Series Nations Cup of Budapest")