Billy Colclough and Kept Secret T Shine in Summer NAF Bronze League Qualifier at Willow Banks
Thursday 14 May 2026
The NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier at Willow Banks Equestrian Centre attracted a strong field of 37 rider combinations at the weekend, all looking to secure a coveted qualification spot as they tackled Piers Warmoth’s technical course.
With the track proving influential from the outset, only 15 combinations managed to jump the required double clears to progress to the jump-off, setting the stage for a competitive race against the clock.
Taking the victory was Billy Colclough aboard Georgina Bril’s Kept Secret T, who produced a superb clear round in the jump-off to stop the clock in an impressive 30.58 seconds and secure the top honours.
Stacey Cook claimed second place riding Gigant after another faultless performance in a time of 32.08 seconds, while Emily Buggy completed the podium positions aboard Malibu Van Het Heechhiem with a clear round in 32.23 seconds.
Attention will now turn towards the Summer Bronze League semi-finals later this summer, where riders will continue their bid to qualify for the prestigious final at the Horse of the Year Show in October.
“Billy had a very good weekend again at Willow Banks after winning the Novice second round there last week. He did qualify for the final at HOYS with Kept Secret T two years ago and then last year they won the qualifier at Speetley, but at the semi-final they had a pole in the last round, just missing out on qualifying. He’s been riding the mare, who is owned by Georgina Brill for three years now, she’s lovely to have around, you can do anything with her, she spends her time between us and Georgina at home, but Billy competes her.
“It was a very good course at Willow Banks, as the week before. Piers builds a great course and often comes down to Pickering Grange, which is one of our local shows, so we know his courses, Billy’s pretty good at adjusting around different courses. The mare will have a bit of a break now before the semi-finals, she’s not qualified for anything else so that’s her main aim. Billy has more horses which are jumping different qualifiers, and had three in that class with two going through to the jump off. His other ride, who has just come back in having had a foal, just had a pole in the jump off but she jumped really well.” Chris said, Billy’s dad.
NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier
Willow Banks EC, Saturday 9 May 2026
1st – Billy Colclough & Kept Secret T – 0/0/0 30.58
2nd – Stacey Cook & Gigant – 0/0/0 32.08
3rd – Emily Buggy & Malibu Van Het Heechhiem – 0/0/0 32.23
NB Results pending official grading
