KBIS Insurance National Club Championships
Tuesday 12 August 2025
The sun shone on the popular KBIS British Equestrian Insurance National Club Finals, with several riders overjoyed as they claimed their biggest win to land a coveted rug and sash as their winning prize at the British Showjumping Club Championships.
James Bowes, from Cumbria, kickstarted the KBIS National Club Finals with a win in the 60cm Junior Final aboard Secret Fortunes. Twenty-two of the 30 starters advanced to the jump-off with 12 combinations producing a double clear, but it was Cumbria-based James who commanded the win. Riding tight lines, the pair slid into first place just 0.14 seconds ahead of second-placed Charlotte Self, riding Sarnau Spirit. Charlotte Goaman and Pride of Reenen took home third place, finishing a further 0.58 seconds off the pace.
The Junior 70cm title went the way of Gloucestershire’s Grace Cash and her ride Uncle Austin, and their first ever Club Championships.Twenty of the 39 starters advanced to the jump-off, with 13 jumping double clear to bid for the title. Grace left nothing to chance, steering the 15-year-old gelding to victory. Erin Birtwistle took second with Conrhenny Sparkling Surprise, 3.82 seconds off the winning pace, whilst Ruby Aspinall claimed third aboard Deg Erw Mercury, a further 0.43 seconds in arrears.
It was Dorset-based Ruby Thompson and Hot Spot Easter Surprise who took home the 80cm Junior, after the pair fought off their 12 jump-off rivals to take the win by 0.31 seconds. Twenty-eight starters came forward for this class, with five jumping the highly desired double clear. Ruby and her 19-year-old mare, who are a relatively new partnership, sailed their way around the shortened course to hail victorious. Amelia Bradshaw secured second place aboard Miami Goldsands, just 0.31 seconds behind the winning pair, whilst Maisie Weeks rode her way to third place with Ballindown Esther.
Gloucestershire’s Sophie Girdley and Quick Step Dancer sped to victory in the Junior 90cm Final with a flawless display of speed and accuracy. From a starting line-up of 17 combinations, seven advanced to the jump-off, but only two managed to produce double clears. Having only partnered Quick Step Dancer since March 2025, Sophie showed just how well the pair have clicked, guiding the talented mount to a faultless round in a winning time of 35.80 seconds. The runner-up spot went to Alice Bowes riding Dolly’s Pride, also delivering a double clear and stopping the clock at 41.02 seconds. Emily McDougall and Titanic VII looked quick with a jump-off time of 33.63 seconds, but an unfortunate four faults kept them in third place.
Sophie Girdley had a day to remember when she and Quick Step Dancer also picked up the Junior 1m title. Of the seven starters, three made it to the jump-off, and so it would be a race to the finish to decide the placings. Despite having only established a partnership earlier this year, Sophie expertly navigated her way around the course in the fastest time to take home top honours. Emily McDougall slotted into second place with Titanic VII, whilst Gabriella Mae rode into third place aboard Sixmilewater Cracker.
Cat Mayes, who made the journey from Carmarthenshire, kicked off the KBIS Insurance National Club Senior Championships in the Senior 60cm Final. Fourteen of the 20 starters made it through to the jump-off, where Cat gave it her all to guide her own Geronimo II to victory by 2.71 seconds. Winners of the 70cm Club Final back in 2022, Cat has since stepped her 23-year-old gelding down a height so he can continue enjoying his jumping. Lydia Thomas steered Wizard’s Puzzle into second place in a time of 33.29 seconds whilst Clare Blakey rode into third place with The Alchemyst II, just 0.41 seconds off the pace.
In the Senior 70cm final, Doncaster-based Lucy Walker whizzed around the jump-off to outpace her rivals by 2.28 seconds with Red Butterfly. Eighteen of the 30 starters returned for the jump-off with four successfully jumping double clear, but it was Lucy who seamlessly guided her 20-year-old mare around the course and into top spot. Winners of the 60cm Senior Final last year, Fiona Stephenson returned with Tyngwndwn Harriet to finish second in this final for the second year in a row. Jane Sinclair Smith took home third with The Rocket Man, 4.70 seconds in arrears.
In the Senior 80cm Final, Trudi Fearnley made the journey from Berkshire to claim victory aboard Feagh Fare Do. From a starting field of 25 combinations, 11 progressed to the jump-off, with just four managing to produce double clear performances but it was Trudi with her 16-year-old gelding who used all their experience competing together to take home top honours in a time of 34.12 seconds. This combination finished 3rd and 4th in the 80cm and 90cm finals at the 2024 championships and were determined to go one better this year. Abigail Kempster and Black Betty also delivered a flawless round to take second in 2.21 seconds off the pace, while third place went to Sophie Lew Garrity on Mother Dawn, who also jumped double clear a further 3.49 seconds in arrears.
Whiltshire-based Georgia Glass rode her way to victory in the Senior 90cm Final with Cloudy Store, finishing over eight seconds ahead of her competitors. A competitive field of 14 starters came forward with just four combinations making it through to the jump-off. Only two riders managed to keep a clean sheet in both rounds, making precision as important as speed in the battle for the top spots. Georgia claimed the win with Camilla Glass’ 19-year-old gelding, riding a lightning-fast double clear in 32.15 seconds. Rachel Rodden and Brendonhill Query also delivered a faultless performance to take second place in 40.25 seconds. Third place went to Louise Muir on Autumn Olympic, whose quick time of 35.84 seconds was marred by two fences down in the jump-off.
In the last class of the day, Rachel Rodden made the journey from Monmouthshire worthwhile when she secured the Senior 1m title for the second year in a row with Brendonhill Query.Of the five starters, two made it through to the jump-off, where there would be a head-to-head race for the title between Rachel and Ann James. Rachel just edged ahead into top spot by just over one second with the 17-year-old mare, with Ann riding Rebel best into second spot. Zoe Stanbury, who finished runner-up in this class in 2024, picked up third aboard J R Spot On as the fastest combination in the first round.
British Showjumping extends its thanks to KBIS British Equestrian Insurance for their continued and valued sponsorship of the National Club Championships. Their long-standing support helps provide riders of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to compete on a national stage, creating memorable experiences and celebrating the very best of grassroots showjumping.
Image: Jasmine Punter Photographer
