Winter Classics Get Underway at Aintree
Thursday 08 October 2026
As the winter season gets underway, British Showjumping headed to Aintree for the first Winter Classic of the season, marking the start of the winter qualifiers and the race towards the Winter Championships at Arena UK.
The feature class of the weekend was the Winter Grand Prix, the first Grand Prix of the Winter Grand Prix League. Riders will be battling it out throughout the season for valuable points, with the league culminating at the Winter Championships, where the overall league winner will take home the prestigious title.
A total of 42 rider combinations came forward to contest Margaret Kendall’s course, with just nine producing clear rounds to secure their place in the jump-off. It was Joe Whitaker riding Dylan White’s Seaview Evolution who claimed the opening Winter Grand Prix victory, producing another clear round in a winning time of 34.30 seconds. Ryan Page and BP Skybound took second place with a clear in 35.06 seconds, while Charlotte Ash and Air Sandulay completed the podium in third with a time of 35.64 seconds.
The Winter Grade C Qualifier also attracted a strong field, with 41 combinations coming forward to take on the course. Nine riders successfully jumped clear in the first round to progress to the jump-off. Jackson Reed Stephenson riding Weston Lawns Stud’s Cicero’s Star took the win with a fast clear in 39.13 seconds. Harry Wainwright and Jewel of D’Arsouilles secured second place in 40.19 seconds, while Carla Bolam and Tessa II Van De Kruishoeve completed the top three with the final clear in 45.63 seconds.
The Under 25 Qualifier saw another 41 rider combinations come forward, with 10 producing clear first rounds to earn their place in the jump-off. It was Ella Dalton riding Michelle Burnett’s Ultimo N Z who came out on top, jumping clear in an impressive 33.97 seconds. Lauren Roach and Louisiana-S finished second with a clear in 34.71 seconds, while Chloe Templeton and Mizzella took third place in 36.78 seconds.
With the first Winter Classic now complete, the winter season is officially underway, and the competition for league points and qualification to the Winter Championships at Arena UK and the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead has begun. With plenty more qualifiers still to come, the race for the prestigious Winter Grand Prix League title is set to be an exciting one.
Images: Majestic Photography
