NAF Shining Stars - Where are they now?
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced in 2011 when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is open to Junior Academy members who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability during their time at their British Showjumping Academy. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
In this exclusive British Showjumping e-newsletter interview, we spoke to some riders who previously won this accolade and found out where these Shining Stars are now.
Jasmine Punter – January 2012
Jasmine was nominated by former lead coach of the Wiltshire Academy, Nicky Florence, as she was always keen to improve her skills and knowledge, attending nearly all the Junior Academy coaching sessions.
“I remember at the time feeling a great sense of pride in receiving recognition through the Academy,” revealed Jasmine. “What I enjoyed most was the access to organised training with accredited coaches. This made it more accessible and affordable. From the training sessions, I also made great friends and connections.”
Following her time in the Junior Academy, Jasmine was selected as part of British Showjumping’s Gold Development Programme, going on to achieve consistent results at both National and International 1.30m level as well as qualifying for and placing at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS): “I’d just made the step up on to horses at the time and it gave me the confidence to keep working towards bigger things and apply for other British Showjumping programmes to continue what I had already learnt,” commented Jasmine.
“Although from an equestrian background, the world of showjumping was completely new to me when I joined in my later pony years. It can be daunting joining a new affiliation and learning about all of the classes and rules. The Junior Academy was a great source of education and a useful way to find my feet on the affiliated circuit.”
Jasmine still rides in her own time, but now also owns her own business as an Equestrian Event Photographer: “It was a great pleasure to be asked by British Showjumping to cover their National Academy Championships at Stoneleigh a couple of years ago. The Championships have such a vibrant atmosphere and a wonderful team spirit – it is definitely something to aim towards for those of Academy age, I only wish it was around when I was in the academy! Not only is it a fun show with a great atmosphere, but getting to ride as part of a team is a great opportunity and an important skill to develop.
“I would highly recommend young riders getting involved with their local academy. It a great opportunity to further your education in showjumping, but also enables some great contacts to be made, whether that’s with a trainer, friends or a future connection.”
Jessica Howard – June 2012
Jessica was nominated by Mia Palles-Clark, former lead coach for the Northamptonshire and Cambridge Junior Academy for being a friendly and bright member of the Academy, training hard and for her determination to do well on all her ponies.
“I remember as a 10-year-old with huge dreams that the NAF Shining Star Award was a big goal early in my career so to win it felt like a huge wave of emotions,” remarked Jessica. “I was excited and grateful to see where and what opportunities would come my way with this award.
“Learning how to work with team members and having people constantly around you to learn from, I realised that asking for help is the biggest step to progressing in the sport and nothing to be ashamed of. Being part of the academy also led me to meet some of my forever friends.”
Following on from winning the NAF Shining Star Award, Jessica won the 2016 Pony Discovery Final, 2018 Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Final and 2018 Pony 1.15m Members Cup Final. More recently she was selected as part of British Equestrian’s Young Professional’s Programme for 2023/24 and is competing Internationally up to 3* Grand Prix level with the hope to step up to 4* this year.
“The Junior Academy helped me understand that everyone’s timelines are different and if you keep working hard you don’t miss opportunities meant for you, that I needed to stay consistent in training and patience is key,” commented Jessica.
“My time at the Junior Academy holds some of the greatest memories and I will always remember where I came from. A big thank you to the lady who started me off into the big equestrian world and now a dear friend, Mia Palles-Clark. Mia believed in me as much as my parents did and the bond we had as student and trainer was so special, it definitely helped me reach goals I didn’t think was possible.”
Alena Hughes – June 2014
Alena was nominated for the NAF Shining Star Award by Selina Cawkwell, former Lead Coach for the South Yorkshire Academy for her development and commitment that she showed during her time at the Academy despite having only come off lead-rein the previous August.
Joining her local British Showjumping Academy at seven years old, Alena successfully qualified for The Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show within a year, and credits NAF and British Showjumping for devising an accessible programme in the NAF 5* Award Programme to assist in learning the basis of the sport.
Following on from winning the NAF Shining Star Award, Alena was crowned the Winter Children on Horses Champion in 2018 and 2019 as well as representing Great Britain on the Children on Horses Nations Cup team in Opglabbeek in 2019.
More recently Alena was accepted onto the Podium Potential Pathway programme, run by British Equestrian where she has access to vital training and support: “I am currently just bringing my horses back into work after they returned from a successful trip in Spain winning several CSI3* classes as well as having their winter break ready for the season ahead.”
When asked how important she think the British Showjumping Junior Academies are to young riders, Alena commented: “I personally think this is a vital programme to any young competitor to further their knowledge or for someone new to British Showjumping. Training is key, and you should never stop learning.
“The programme is a great introduction to British Showjumping, learning whilst having fun. Working alongside your chosen British Showjumping coach at a pace to suit each person, you are given the skills to care for your pony or horse, stable management, rules and regulations, correct conduct and sportsmanship together with improving your showjumping skills.”
Tatiane Mauree – January 2019
Tatiane was nominated by former Oxfordshire and Berkshire Lead Coach, Sharon Quant for always being supportive and kind to others and her pony; no matter how the class has gone, she always left the ring smiling.
“I felt so honoured to have won the NAF Shining Star Award; I felt like my dedication and efforts were being recognised. It was such a privilege,” said Tatiane.
“I was very fortunate to have Sharon Quant as my coach. She was so passionate about training both in the arena and outside it. She organised many training sessions on Professional Management of the Competition Horse, which were paramount to my development and future success.”
Following on from winning the NAF Shining Star Award, Tatiane finished second in the Pony Showjumper Final at HOYS and won the National 148cm class at Liverpool International Horse Show: “It [winning the NAF Shining Star Award] gave me so much more confidence. This is still a highlight of my riding career and I remember strongly how much it meant to me.”
More recently Tatiane was part of the pony team that claimed Gold at the 2019 Nations Cup Final in Opglabbeek, won the 2020 Pony Grand Prix in Wierden and has also been selected as part of British Equestrian’s Young Professional’s Programme for 2023/24.
“Being part of my Junior Academy has, without a doubt, been hugely instrumental,” commented Tatiane. “It gave me a great sense of belonging and the access to a support network which I have been able to rely on and have guided me especially in early stages of higher-level competition. Coming from a family with no showjumping background it could have been easy to feel lost in the rules and classes.”
Tatiane still competes her horses on the International circuit alongside her job in publishing as well as being a UKCC Level 2 Coach. She also holds multiple community roles including Pony Club Youth Committee, the British Showjumping Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and is a member of Cool Ridings which promotes and supports riders of diverse heritage within equestrian sports.
“I am indebted to the strong professional support around me, which has changed the trajectory of my career including Joe Stockdale, Alan Fazakerley and Sharon Quant. I have been fortunate to ride for several people, and I fully believe the Academy built my confidence to be able to continue to ride seriously and equipped me with the skills to take my riding forward in a professional capacity.
“The Academy and NAF Shining Star Award have given me access to information and equestrian education I would not otherwise have had, and I am always grateful for Sharon’s passion to inspire all young riders as well as her continued support to this day. I am so thankful to British Showjumping for supporting the Junior Academies and making training accessible and affordable to everyone - it makes a big difference.”
British Showjumping Academies aim to provide progressive coaching rather than one-off training sessions, using experienced British Showjumping Coaches, to significantly improve the riding skills and horse knowledge of the membership in a fun and enjoyable environment. To find your nearest Academy click here