Leo Lamb Takes the UNIBED Winter Grade B & C Qualifier at Hartpury Winter Classic
Wednesday 24 December 2025
The final Winter Classic of the year took place at Hartpury University at the weekend, providing a fitting finale to a fantastic series and giving riders one last opportunity for this year to secure their place at Hickstead. The spotlight was firmly on the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B & C Qualifier, with combinations eager to claim their coveted ticket.
A strong field of 24 rider combinations came forward to take on Krissy Spiller’s challenging and technical course, which tested accuracy, rideability and nerve right to the final fence. The standard proved high, with 14 riders progressing through to the jump-off, and eight of those delivering impressive clear rounds against the clock.
Ultimately, it was Leo Lamb who claimed top honours, producing a polished double-clear round aboard Elisha Simmons’ Next Pinacolada to stop the clock in 31.64 seconds. Close behind, Jenna Palmer-Evans secured second place with another double clear on Ciasko Z, finishing in 32.09 seconds, while Tom Harrison completed the podium, guiding Oldtown Emerald Isle to third place in a close 32.10 seconds.
Talking about the win, Leo said: “I was blown away with how Pinacolada did. She’s such an exciting horse. She only came to me three days before the show and I had only jumped her once at home. But she is careful and really cool to ride. I didn’t plan to go for the win, but my other horse was sitting in third or fourth, so we had nothing to lose and it paid off.
“I had seen some videos of her being ridden and she had previously won a couple of 1.40m classes and seemed like a nice type to produce. She gives me such a great feeling over a fence; there is a lot of room for improvement, but I think she has all the talent and could be a very prolific winner in the future,” added Leo.
A competitive and exciting class rounded off the Winter Classic series in style, with Hartpury once again providing a superb stage for high-quality sport as riders now turn their attention towards the season ahead.
UNIBED - High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier
Hartpury University
1st – Leo Lamb & Next Pinacolada 0/0 31.64
2nd – Jenna Palmer-Evans & Ciasko Z 0/0 32.09
3rd – Tom Harrison & Oldtown Emerald Isle 0/0 32.10
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Jasmine Punter Photography
