Angel Tough Wins the Opening UNIBED Winter Grade B & C Qualifier at Aintree Equestrian
Monday 06 October 2025
Aintree Equestrian Centre was the host of the first of this season’s UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier at the AW Jenkinson Winter Classic Show.
Fifty-seven combinations came forward for this qualifying class, with the aim to secure one of two tickets to the final, held at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead next year. Such was the quality of the class that 19 went on to successfully navigate Nigel Jess’ 1.35m track with seven riders jumping double clear, and so the results would be decided by the clock.
It was Manchester-based Angel Tough, riding Emerson Tough’s seven-year-old Nicole IV, who proved to be the best on the day, racing through the finish in a time of 32.59 seconds.
Commenting on her win, Angel said “I thought the first round was big enough, but very technical – there were dog legs, jumps off the corners, one strides etc. But it was one of the most competitive jump-offs I think I’ve ever been in and up to height. I was first to go and just went as fast as I could. There was a good number in the jump-off, but it meant it was a long wait watching to see if anyone was going to catch our time.
“She’s only seven and we’re going to Horse of the Year Show next week, so this was really a warm-up class for that, but I’m delighted to get our ticket to Hickstead at the same time. I’m looking forward to taking her to HOYS to see what we can do, and then I think we might look at contending the Under 25 Qualifiers to try and get to London International Horse Show.
“She was bred by Castell Sport Horses; we bought her as a three-year-old, and she’s just such a lovely mare to be around in the stable and to ride. All my friends who are not so horsey come and ride her, but she will also jump the world for you if you ask,” added Angel.
Having only taken over the ride in June this year, Paul Sims claimed the second Royal International Horse Show ticket on the nine-year-old gelding, Leinster 1. Owned by Sarah Williams, the speedy pair finished just 0.05 seconds off the winning pace in a time of 32.64 seconds. Paul Barker slotted into third place with his own seven-year-old mare, Annie B III, finishing a further 2.56 seconds in arrears.
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic – 2 October 2025
1st – Angel Tough & Nicole IV – 0/0 – 32.59
2nd - Paul Sims & Leinster 1 – 0/0 – 32.64
3rd - Paul Barker & Annie B III– 0/0 - 35.20
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photogrpahy
