Billy Colclough and Stephanie Gunn shine in the opening NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Qualifiers of 2025
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Fifteen-year-old Billy Colclough outpaced all his rivals to take a step towards qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the first NAF Five Star Bronze League Qualifier at Speetley Equestrian Centre with Kept Secret T.
Thirty-nine riders from a starting field of 59 posted initial clears over the 1.05m track, these further reduced in round two for a jump-off of 30 combinations. Not letting his youth hinder him even though he was jumping from the unfavourable first draw, Billy swiftly steered Georgina Burchmore-Eames’ Kept Secret T, around the course to take top spot in just under 40 seconds.
Billy, who finished 5th in the NAF Five Star Winter Bronze League Final at the Spring Championships in March has been getting to know the 10-year-old mare over the past year.
“Billy rode a super round, and Secret is a very good horse. They won the semi-final at Chard last year and we are looking forward to attending again this year to try and secure the ticket to HOYS. Billy is so grateful for Georgina to let him have the ride on such a talented horse,” commented Chris Colclough
Emily Simms rode her own 16-year-old mare into second place, 2.70 seconds off the teenager’s pace whilst Romey White piloted Dylan White’s 14-year old mare into third place.
Speetley Equestrian Centre – Saturday, 19 April, 2025
NAF Five Star Summer Bronze League Qualifier
Billy Colclough & Kept Secret T – 0/0/0 39.79
Emily Simms & Elassisi – 0/0/0 42.49
Romey White & Zevusina BZ – 0/0/0 45.74
NB: Results pending official grading.
Winner of the Nupafeed Senior Discovery Final in 2024, Stephanie Gunn dominated the first NAF Five Star Silver League qualifier at Speetley Equestrian Centre, taking the top two placings.
Twenty-three riders from the initial field of 42 jumped clear to advance to the final jump-off, Stephanie and Alice Ellison claiming two rides apiece. The three places on offer for the semi-final would come down to the clock at six combinations posted treble clears.
Leaving nothing to chance, Stephanie sliced her way around the shortened course, steering Quianti E into top spot as well as picking up second place with Leilaroos, both nine-year-old mares who have been produced by Stephanie through their jumping careers.
“I was really pleased with how both mares jumped,” said a delighted Stephanie. “We were quite early to jump, and I did everything I could although I didn’t expect to finish 1st and 2nd. I was happy with how they jumped regardless of where we finished, winning was just a bonus.
“Quianti is a homebred by the stallion I previously competed in the Silver League Final so it is nice for her to follow in his footsteps. She also had a foal last year, so I’m thrilled she is back jumping at this level again. We’ll try and do the same again in the semi-finals but I was just to have fun through the summer with them, maybe aim them at the Members Cup at National,” added Stephanie.
Alice Ellison steered Sacha Ellison’s Miss Montreal K into third place, 1.33 seconds off the winning pace.
Speetley Equestrian Centre – Sunday, 20 April, 2025
NAF Five Star Summer Silver League Qualifier
Stephanie Gunn & Quianti E – 0/0/0 40.57
Stephanie Gunn & Leilaroos – 0/0/0 41.54
Alice Ellison & Miss Montreal K – 0/0/0 41.90
NB: Results pending official grading.
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