Beth Vernon Clinches Top Spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Qualifier at Arena UK’s Winter Classic Show
Monday 01 December 2025
Arena UK played host to the latest SEIB Winter Novice Championship qualifier during its Winter Classic show last weekend. Riders faced a challenging 1.10m track crafted by the experienced course designers Mark McGowan and Heather Blackie. The class attracted 33 starters and delivered intense competition from the very start, with 20 combinations progressing to the first jump-off and 10 advancing to the second. In the end, only two riders managed to produce the all-important triple clears needed to secure qualification for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
Rising to the top was Beth Vernon, riding the talented five-year-old gelding R&A Cassius, jointly owned by Oliver Woodward and Holly Hammond. Beth, who took over the ride in September, delivered a cool and calculated performance. Third to go in the final jump-off, she maintained forward momentum throughout and executed a decisive tight turn to the last fence, stopping the clock in an unbeatable 36.08 seconds to secure the win and the first qualifying place.
Commenting after her win, Beth said: “It was a really well designed course, there was a nice number of riders through to each round and it didn’t feel too big. I was early to go and whilst I thought I had gone quick enough, there was some room for us to be beaten but those that came after us and were chasing the time had a couple of faults as the final round needed some riding.
“Ollie [Woodward] found him as a three year old and then backed and produced him with Holly, they’ve done a great job with him. He’s a bit of a nervous horse but really wants to trust you. I think we’re starting to build that bond and every question I’ve asked him, he’s answered. I think a lot of him; he’s got endless scope and could be an exciting Grand Prix horse for the future.”
Talking about the change in format of the qualifiers, Beth said: “I think the three round format is really working to help produce the younger horses as opposed to two rounds. It means we can set them up nicely for the summer season.”
Last to go, Stephanie Brownbill and Calcourt Verity gave a strong challenge, producing the only other triple clear of the class to finish second in 38.02 seconds, earning the second qualifying spot for Hickstead.
In third was Melissa Garry riding Supermoon 13, who posted one of the fastest rounds of the class but with a costly four faults, completing in 35.16 seconds to take the final podium position.
SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier
Arena UK
1st – Beth Vernon & R&A Cassius – 0/0/0 36.08
2nd – Stephanie Brownbill & Calcourt Verity – 0/0/0 38.02
3rd – Melissa Garry & Supermoon 13 – 0/0/4 35.16
NB Results pending final grading
Image: ATG Photography
 c. Jamie Agnew Photography.jpg "Graham Babes takes top spot in the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Morris Equestrian Centre")
