Georgia makes triumphant Hickstead return in SEIB Winter Novice Championship Final
Wednesday 22 July 2026
Georgia Cooper-Hall got the Agria Royal International Horse Show’s national finals off to a storming start when she took an assured 2.64sec win in the SEIB BS Winter Novice Championship.
It was Georgia’s third young horse title this year with Liam Hall’s six-year-old mare Ukira Van De Helle (United Way x Cormint), who was bought directly from Belgium’s Van De Helle stud last year.
Five of the seven combinations to reach the jump off produced a double clear, with 18-year-old Georgia stealing the advantage from Melissa Garry and Supermoon 13 with a bold run to the last.
“She is so fast, I know that when she gets in a jump off, she has a really good chance,” said Georgia, who has also been victorious in the six-year-old finals at Northcote and South View.
“She is really quick off the ground and doesn’t spend much time in the air and she’s so careful. It doesn’t matter if you get her close, she can snap up fast and get her legs out of the way.”
Cheshire-based Georgia was making her first appearance at Hickstead since contesting the 138cm winter final five years ago, and the mare only made her debut on grass in the previous day's warm-up class.
“Hopefully we’ll qualify to come back next year,” Georgia said.
Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (22-26 July) are on sale now, and all the action from the show will be livestreamed via the host streaming partner ClipMyHorse.TV.
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
