Alex Barr wins the Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Class Show
Friday 10 October 2025
.jpg "Alex Barr wins the Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Class Show")
The AW Jenkinson Winter Classic at Aintree International Equestrian Centre kicked off the winter showjumping season in spectacular fashion with the first Winter Grand Prix of the year. A total of 77 riders competed, combining entries with the U25 qualifier for the London International Horse Show after Storm Amy forced the cancellation of Saturday’s proceedings.
The 1.40m, 13-fence course, designed by Nigel Jess, proved both challenging and exciting, with 14 combinations advancing to the jump-off and five riders jumping double clear. In a thrilling finale, Scottish rider Alex Barr and his own ten-year-old gelding, Preben Van De Doornakkers, emerged victorious, delivering a flawless round in 32.78 seconds. Close behind, Emily Ward and Wild Star HF claimed second with zero faults in 33.20 seconds, while Sandy McLean and Kolwa secured third place, also double clear, in 33.46 seconds.
Speaking to Aintree after his victory, Alex said: “I felt positive. He’s a competitive horse, and usually quite fast, I just needed to make sure that I didn’t make any mistakes. He’s been in good form, and this is our first indoor show of the year, but he felt good. It was great to get a run in indoor because we’ll probably aim for a few international shows over the winter.”
Speaking about Aintree Equestrian Centre, Alex added: “It’s a fantastic facility especially in the winter months when weather is unpredictable as it has been this weekend but the facilities and amenities are fantastic and it’s a place we always come too.”
New this year, the Winter Grand Prix League introduces an exciting new competition format to the British Showjumping calendar. Running at the Winter Classics Series, the league offers riders and spectators an action-packed circuit culminating in a high-stakes final at the British Showjumping Winter Championships (formerly British Showjumping Spring Championships). To find out more about the league, visit: https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/lists/winter-grand-prix
Winter Grand Prix
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic
1st Alex Barr & Preben Van De Doornakkers – 0/0 – 32.78
2nd Emily Ward & Wild Star HF – 0/0 – 33.20
3rd Sandy McLean & Kolwa – 0/0 – 33.46
NB Results pending final grading
Forty-four combinations came forward in this qualifying class to contend for a place in the U25 British Championship Final at the 2025 London International Horse Show in December.
Nigel Jess’ 1.40m challenging track saw seven combinations feature in the jump-off but it was Scotland’s Sandy McLean who took two through to the jump off, came out on top with John Chadwick’s Kolwa in a time of 33.46 seconds. Madison Heath slotted Sarah Williams’ Guerlain de Hus into second place just less than a second off the winning pace whilst another Scottish rider, Fergal Holohan, piloted Fiona Holohan’s Karima II into third place.
U25 National Championship Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic
1st Sandy McLean & Kolwa 0/0 – 33.46
2nd Madison Heath & Guerlain de Hus – 0/0 34.43
3rd Fergal Holohan & Karima II – 0/4 40.52
NB Results pending final grading
The final day of competition at the Aintree Winter Classic saw a thrilling conclusion with the Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Aintree International Equestrian Centre. From a strong field of 36 starters, 11 combinations progressed to the first jump-off, with eight making it through to a decisive final jump-off.
In a highly competitive finish, Louie Cunningham and Nella VDL delivered a flawless performance, producing a triple clear in a lightning-fast time of 30.92 seconds to take first place. Close behind, Carmen Edwards, riding Liquorice Allsorts OS, also posted a triple clear in 31.13 seconds, securing second place. Both riders earned qualification for the Winter Novice Championship at the Royal International Horse Show, to be held at the prestigious Hickstead Showground later this year.
Rounding out the podium, Drew Walton and Horsedeals Prince Changes finished third, producing another double-clear performance in 31.59 seconds.
Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic
1st – Louie Cunningham & Nella VDL – 0/0/0 30.92
2nd – Carmen Edwards & Liquorice Allsorts OS – 0/0/0 31.13
3rd – Drew Walton & Horsedeals Prince Changes – 0.0.0 31.59
NB Results pending final grading
Competition remained fierce on the final day of the Aintree Winter Classic, as the Winter Grade C Championship Qualifier drew a strong field of 47 starters. A total of 11 combinations advanced to the jump-off, with five producing impressive double clears in the race for qualification to the Winter Grade C Final, set to take place at the British Showjumping Winter Championships next year.
It was Scotland’s Aimee Paxton who claimed victory aboard Chilli’s Duke, posting a superb clear in 31.55 seconds to top the leaderboard. Iwan Carpenter and Knickalough Poet secured second place with a smooth double clear in 33.50 seconds, while Jonathan Dixon, aboard D’avicci JL Z, completed the podium, finishing third in 35.31 seconds.
Winter Grade C Championship Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic
1st – Aimee Paxton & Chilli’s Duke – 0/0 31.55
2nd – Iwan Carpenter & Knickalough Poet – 0/0 33.50
3rd - Jonathan Dixon & D’avicci JL Z – 0/0 35.31
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photography
