Jamie O’Hara and Future Lass Shine at Frenches Farm
Tuesday 12 May 2026
The STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Frenches Farm provided exciting competition at the weekend as riders battled for qualification spots for the British Showjumping National Championships this August.
Course designer Toby Bancroft set a fantastic track that tested both accuracy and speed, with combinations needing to produce two faultless rounds to secure a place in the jump-off. The course proved influential throughout the class, with only five riders managing to achieve those all-important double clears.
Leading the way in the jump-off was Jamie O'Hara riding John O’Hara’s Future Lass. The pair produced a confident and speedy clear round, stopping the clock in 45.36 seconds to take top honours and secure their place at the final.
Second place went to Josh Evans aboard Off The Hook, who also delivered a polished clear round in a time of 49.35 seconds.
With qualification secured, Jamie and Future Lass will now set their sights on the STX-UK Pony British Novice Final at the British Showjumping National Championships in August, where the country’s top pony combinations will come together to contest the prestigious title.
“Lassie jumped so well for me in the STX-UK Pony British Novice second round, going clear in all three rounds and coming first by three seconds.” commented Jamie.
“Jamie got Lassie in December, we have taken it slowly with her, this is actually only their sixth show and the first second round we have been to. Lassie is Jamie’s [who started riding when he was 8] first owned pony and they get along really well, she’s nine and was with the last owner since she was three. Before we got Lassie, Jamie was riding in monthly group lessons at the riding school, he was so committed and proved he was serious, so we were happy to buy him a pony, we are not a horsey family at all. Jamie is a very kind rider, people often comment to us, which is so lovely, we are so very proud of him. He takes Lassie's welfare extremely seriously, he’s at the yard every evening after school doing the work himself, he likes to do the right thing by the pony, that’s his priority.
This was our first trip to Frenches Farm, every venue is a new one at the moment. Jamie said she felt great in the warm up and was taking him to the fences, he was very composed given his lack of competition experience, they jumped three great clears, we couldn’t have been happier when they went into the lead by three seconds.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get our last double clear for Pony Discovery, the pony had a slight cough, so don’t have any other second rounds to do this time. We will be stepping Lassie up slowly now and see how they get on, Jamie would love to qualify for HOYS if we can, although he turns 16 next November so we have a limited time.” Jamie’s Dad, John told us.
STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round
Frenches Farm, Sunday 10 May 2026
1st – Jamie O’Hara & Future Lass – 0/0/0 45.36
2nd – Josh Evans & Off The Hook – 0/0/0 49.35
NB Results pending official grading
Image: Frenches Farm
