Theo Wills from Somerset is the latest NAF Shining Star
Wednesday 24 September 2025
.jpg "Theo Wills from Somerset is the latest NAF Shining Star")
Theo Wills, from Blakeway, Somerset, has been awarded the latest NAF Shining Star accolade. Theo, a member of the British Showjumping Bristol and Somerset Academy, was nominated for the award by his coach, Jayne Smart.
Over the moon to discover he had been nominated for the NAF Shining Star Award, Theo said: “Finding out the news that I have won the Shining Star award has made me really happy, and I'm thankful to Jayne for nominating me.”
Thirteen-year-old Theo currently competes with two ponies: Asby Mills Turbo, whom he has had for 5 years and is known as Turbo Dave to his ever-growing fan club, and Bango, a five-year-old whom Theo is producing himself.
Talking fondly about his ponies, Theo said, “Dave is a 12-year-old Cob, and we have achieved loads together. We have been to Blue Chip Championships the last two years and placed in the top five in the PRB Horseboxes class this year. We were asked to represent Bristol and Somerset Academy at the Devon County Show this year, where I also rode in the Mini Major competition. I was paired up with a professional rider, and we finished second. The judge loved Dave! We love doing just for Schools competitions as well, where we got an individual ninth in the final.
“Bango has improved my riding as well. He is a trotter and really likes his jumping! We've just started competing in British Novice and Discovery classes. I also rode Bango at Just for Schools Championships, and we got a team third. He has just started getting placed out and about and getting rosettes, which makes me proud.”
Looking forward to the future, Theo has big aims for his ponies: “I would really like to ride at the Blue Chip Championships on Bango, and I would love to ride at Hickstead on both of my ponies. I also enjoy competing for the Academy teams, and I'm looking forward to jumping in the higher teams with Bango in the future.”
Jayne Smart, Bristol and Somerset Academy Lead Coach, said: “Theo is a very active member of our Academy. He comes to training no matter the weather and has a permanent smile on his face. He rides his experienced pony, Asby Mills Turbo, and is just starting to bring on his five-year-old, too. He is extremely competitive and very successful on Dave and represented our Academy at Devon County show in May and, as I knew he would, jumped a lovely speedy clear only to be just pipped into second place, winning the hearts of the crowd as he did so! Dave doesn’t look like your average winning machine, but Theo truly loves his pony, and they are a proper team – which is what the Academy is all about – and we are very proud to have him in ours!”
When asked what he most enjoys about being a member of the Bristol and Somerset Academy, Theo said: “I really enjoy the Academy sessions, and I feel like I am learning something new all the time.”
Lisa Field from NAF added: “Congratulations Theo on being awarded this month’s NAF Shining Star. His dedication, positive attitude, and obvious love for his ponies really shine through. It is wonderful to see such determination paired with genuine sportsmanship, and Theo is a great example of what the Academies are all about. We look forward to following his continued progress and successes in the future.”
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
For further information on NAF follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and rider stories or visit the NAF website at naf-equine.eu/uk
Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1
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