Road to HOYS: NAF Five Star Semi-Finalists Shine at Northcote Stud and Chard Equestrian
Wednesday 30 July 2025
The journey to the Horse of the Year Show continued this weekend as competitors from across the country gathered for the highly anticipated NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Semi-Finals. Hosted at Chard Equestrian and Northcote Stud, the qualifiers showcased the determination, skill, and passion of grassroots showjumpers aiming to secure their place at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.
With coveted qualification spots on the line, riders in both leagues delivered thrilling performances under pressure, reflecting the depth of talent developing within British Showjumping’s league structure. Backed by title sponsor NAF, the series continues to offer invaluable opportunities for amateur riders to progress through the ranks on a national stage.
Gemma Butchers secured the top spot of the NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final at Chard Equestrian in Somerset with a super-quick, decisive jump-off round with her own Creevagh Crum.
Fifty-four hopefuls chased their dream of competing at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show and tackled course-designer Krissy Spiller’s 12-fence 1.05m track. Twenty-seven achieved their initial aim of a clear round with 16 advancing into the jump-off.
Gemma, who hails from Daventry in Northamptonshire, used a late draw to her advantage and negotiated the shortest route on the Irish-bred nine-year-old mare to secure victory by 2.06 seconds.
The pair qualified for the semi-final after finishing in fifth place at the direct qualifier held at Dorset Showground. This will be their first time competing at the Horse of the Year Show and Gemma is hoping her new show jacket will continue to bring her luck in the final.
Sharing the news of her win on Facebook, a delighted Gemma said: “I don’t think I’ll forget today for a long time. My most amazing girl jumping clear to not only get us a ticket to Horse of the Year show, but to win the class, what a queen she is. I have never even dared to dreamed this big before, and yes there was a lot of happy tears.
“Thank you to everyone who has got us here, encouraged us along the way, but most of all, my horse of a lifetime, as if I could ever deserve yet another one of those, Orla you are a superfreak and I love you! Bring on those famous big purple curtains.”
Fittingly, it was all about jumping and with eight treble clears, the clock would decide who would fill the seven HOYS qualifying places. Jassy Pike guided Paco Rabanne into second place with Michaela Russell slotting into third with Mr Overlord. Fourth place went the way of Mollie Diment riding Smarilla II whilst Shar Vincent picked up fifth place aboard Crystal Klar. Stacey Cook steered Gigant into sixth and the final qualifying spot went to Ellie Chirnside who rode Leighlin Douglas into seventh.
Chard Equestrian – Saturday, 26 July 2025
NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final
1st Gemma Butchers & Creevagh Crum – 0/0/0 – 31.86 seconds
2nd Jassy Pyke & Paco Rabanne – 0/0/0 – 33.92 seconds
3rd Michaela Russell & Mr Overlord – 0/0/0 – 34.46 seconds
4th Mollie Diment & Somarilla II – 0/0/0 – 34.76 seconds
5th Shari Vincent & Crystal Klar – 0/0/0 – 35.35 seconds
6th Stacey Cook & Gigant – 0/0/0 – 35.40 seconds
7th Ellie Chirnside & Leighlin Douglas – 0/0/0 – 36.69 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Mollie Smith secured her place at the Horse of the Year Show with victory in the NAF Five Star Silver League Semi-Final at Chard Equestrian riding her own Church Park Elite.
Twenty-eight of the original 48 starters posted initial clears over course-designer Krissy Spiller’s 11-fence 1.20m track. Over half were lost on the way in round two for 12 to come forward in the final jump-off and promise a hot and hard fight for the seven qualifying places on offer.
Somerset-based Mollie produced a cool and calculated round from mid-draw to pilot her 11-year-old mare to victory, edging the win by just 0.28 seconds. The pair qualified for the semi-final after finishing second in the regional league, and now, with their place secured, they’re set to make their debut appearance at the Horse of the Year Show.
Commenting on her victory on Facebook, Mollie said: “Oh Ellie I don’t even know what to say. We won the silver league semi-finals at Chard qualifying for us for HOYS 2025! Thank you to everyone who supports me and my ponies this is the dream I’ve always wished for”
Ed Eltham claimed second on Obrina HBC with Abbie Shackell taking third on Moet ahead of Emma Smith in fourth aboard ESH Good Friday. Victoria Harwood jumped Native Spirit into fifth, Alice Ellison claimed sixth with Miss Montreal K and Lauren Ross steered Irena G into the seventh and final HOYS qualifying position.
Chard Equestrian – Sunday, 27 July 2025
NAF Five Star Silver League Semi-Final
1st Mollie Smith & Church Park Elite – 0/0/0 – 31.83 seconds
2nd Ed Eltham & Ibrina HBC – 0/0/0 – 32.11 seconds
3rd Abbie Shackell & Moet – 0/0/0 – 32.54 seconds
4th Emma Smith & ESH Good Friday – 0/0/0 – 34.54 seconds
5th Victoria Harwood & Native Spirit – 0/0/0 – 34.56 seconds
6th Alice Ellison & Miss Montreal K – 0/0/0 - 37.09 seconds
7th Lauren Ross & Irena G – 0/0/4 – 30.52 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image: ESP Photographic (top)
Cassi McDade and her seasoned campaigner, Quality Touch Z, claimed victory in the NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final at Northcote Stud in Lancashire.
A total of 49 competitors came forward over course-designer Shaun Sands’ 1.05m track with 22 initially posting a clear round, these further reduced to 11 for the third and final round against the clock.
Second to go in the jump-off, Cassi and her own 12-year-old mare delivered a lightning-fast, fearless round to stop the clock 5.60 seconds ahead of their nearest rival. Their bold and accurate performance left the rest of the field chasing the time that could not be caught and securing a commanding and well-deserved win.
This win capped off a strong campaign for Cassi following victory in the NAF Bronze League direct qualifier at Bogenraith Equestrian Centre, a performance that set the tone for her successful qualification. Now with her ticket to HOYS secured, she’s aiming to make a memorable debut at the prestigious finals.
Speaking on social media after her win, Cassi said: “I Finally got my HOYS ticket today. I am delighted with Tinkerbell who jumped a treble clear today to win the Bronze League HOYS semi-final. She really is the best mare making dreams come true”
Danny Nicholson steered Jarley VL into second place with Bethany Hargraves slotting into third place ahead of Emily Morris and Serlait ML who took home fourth place. Katie Benbow claimed fifth place riding Latico, Emily Simms rode Elassisi into sixth whilst Lola Shotton claimed the final qualifying spot with Emmoru.
Northcote Stud – Saturday, 26 July 2025
NAF Five Star Bronze League Semi-Final
1st Cassi McDade & Quality Touch Z – 0/0/0 – 35.53 seconds
2nd Danny Nicholson & Jarley VL – 0/0/0 – 41.13 seconds
3rd Bethany Hargreaves & Ballintava Heart Throb– 0/0/0 – 44.59 seconds
4th Emily Morris & Searlait ML– 0/0/4 – 29.87 seconds
5th Katie Benbow & Latico – 0/0/4 – 31.31 seconds
6th Emily Simms & Elassisi – 0/0/4 – 33.29 seconds
7th Lola Shotton & Emmoru – 0/0/4 – 33.60 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
James Askew will make his return to the Horse of the Year Show for the second year in a row after winning the NAF Five Star Silver League Semi-Final at Northcote Stud in Lancashire with his own The Lieutenant.
A total of 29 competitors came forward to bid for the seven HOYS qualifying places on offer over course-designer Shaun Sands’ 1.20m track with 12 answering all the questions to make their way into round two. 11 posted double clears to access the jump-off.
Starting second in the jump-off, James and the 10-year-old gelding made the most of their established partnership and experience to navigate the quickest route around the shortened course to win with just 0.29 seconds to spare.
James’ qualification follows a consistent season in which he finished 8th in the Northern regional league standings. This marks a return to the prestigious finals, where he and The Lieutenant placed 11th last year. With that valuable experience under their belt, the pair are hoping to go even better this time around.
Morgan Henderson slipped SSH Leagh into second place with Joanne Carline and Mighty Mouse D’Ilena filling third spot ahead of Madelaine Archibald in fourth place on ESI Baltimore. Sophie Pentecost secured fifth place aboard Rave Hear, Henry Stott claimed sixth place on Kameron Van Het Lindehof and Stephanie Gunn will rid Quianti E in the final after taking the seventh and final qualifying place.
Northcote Stud – Sunday, 27 July 2025
NAF Five Star Silver League Semi-Final
1st James Askew & The Lieutenant – 0/0/0 – 43.69 seconds
2nd Morgan Henderson & SSH Leagh – 0/0/0 – 43.97 seconds
3rd Joanne Carlin & Mighty Mouse D’Ilena – 0/0/0 – 45.36 seconds
4th Madelaine Archibald & ESI Baltimore – 0/0/0 – 46.08 seconds
5th Sophie Pentecost & Rave Heart – 0/0/0 – 46.10 seconds
6th Henry Stott & Kameron Van Het Lindehof – 0/0/0 – 47.29 seconds
7th Stephanie Gunn & Quianti E – 0/0/4 – 42.00 seconds
NB: Qualifications pending official grading of results.
Image: Majestic Photography (bottom)
