NAF Silver and Bronze League Qualifiers Thrill at Pickering Grange and Bogenraith
Thursday 12 June 2025
It was a thrilling weekend of top-class competition as Pickering Grange and Bogenraith Equestrian played host to the latest rounds of the NAF Silver and Bronze League Direct Qualifiers. With riders across the country eyeing up a coveted place at the Horse of the Year Show final, the atmosphere was electric and the action didn’t disappoint.
Pickering Grange: Fierce Competition and Flying Rounds
At Pickering Grange, the weekend began with the NAF Bronze League Qualifier, where an impressive 76 combinations tackled Stuart Reeve Young’s challenging course. Seventeen riders made it through to the jump-off, and with six double clears, the pressure was on.
It was Stacey Sharon Cook who took command of the class, riding her own Gigant to victory in a blistering time of 41.75 seconds. Julia Whinn gave a strong chase with Croft Skyfall, but her time of 44.81 secured second place. Acacia Dew delivered a solid performance on Midnight Echo, owned by Candy Dew, to finish third with a clear in 45.70.
"Griff was absolutely incredible this weekend. I looked at the jump-off and thought it suited him quite well but I have to be a little more careful planning routes which involve a turn to the right as he only has one eye. He lost it in 2020 and but it has never really caused a problem, and most of the time you wouldn't know. He's 19 now, and has had two years out of the ring whilst I was pregnant with my little girl so it's taken a bit of time to get his fitness up as I want to look after him now hes a bit older.
"This is only our third show back so I definitely didn't expect to win but he pulled an absolute blinder; I was over the moon with how he jumped. This is our first time contending the Bronze League but we won the Silver League Final at HOYS back in 2019. I think we stand a good chance in the semi-finals but I don't want to put too much pressure on getting our ticket although it would be amazing to go back, albeit one eye less."
Sunday brought more excitement as 42 riders came forward for the NAF Silver League Qualifier. With 15 making it through to the jump-off and nine managing to go clear, it was a tightly fought battle.
Richard Barton emerged victorious aboard his own Christal Du Chene, posting an unbeatable time of 37.07 seconds. Hot on his heels was Victoria Wearing riding Quasar DL, owned by Dan Delsart, who finished in 38.44, followed closely by Jane Burton and Le Petit Diablotin in 39.13. It was a thrilling jump-off that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
"It was a really good competition, with a really well built course with lots for the horses to think about. The final jump-off was up to height, you had to ride very forward and it had lots of turns which suited us. Everyone went for it which made for an entertaining competition and it was great to watch.
"I'm a proper amateur, a lorry driver by trade and usually only have one horse in. She is a homebred and I bred her mum as well. I would say she is my princess but she is more of a diva and has a lot of attitude. We have taken our time with her so she has learnt to think for herself and is very good at sorting herself out. If there is ever a problem, it is always my riding and never her, she's a little star.
"This is only our third show since March, due to my bad back, and she has won three 1.20m classes in the past week - I think she would quite happy go round on her own if I let her. We don't have a big team around us, I have my parents who are in their 80's; my mum is my coach and my dad is the cameraman and chef but it is a real family effort.
"I won the very first year in 2014 and finished 6th in 2018 with Solitary Boy, another homebred, and then last year we finished 4th with Christal Du Chene. that is the beauty of having a homebred. When you put the work in you can make them what you want them to be and that's a really nice thing. The Bronze and Silver league is a great opportunity to reward consistency and give amateurs the chance to go to HOYS. I'm really proud of her and we're having lots of fun. I think that's all that really matters but I'm also looking forward to hopefully being back at HOYS again."
Pickering Grange – Saturday 7th June
NAF Bronze League Qualifier
1st – Stacey Sharon Cook & Gigant – 0/0/0 41.75 seconds
2nd – Julia Whinn & Croft Skyfall – 0/0/0 44.81 seconds
3rd – Acacia Dew & Midnight Echo II – 0/0/0 46.19 seconds
Pickering Grange – Sunday 8th June
NAF Silver League Qualifier
1st – Richard Barton & Christal Du Chene – 0/0/0 37.07 seconds
2nd – Victoria Wearing & Quasar DL – 0/0/0 38.44 seconds
3rd – Jane Burton & Le Petit Diablotin – 0/0/0 39.13 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Bogenraith Equestrian: Determined Rides and Dominant Performances
Further north at Bogenraith Equestrian, the NAF Bronze and Silver League action continued across another exciting weekend.
Saturday’s Bronze League Qualifier saw 22 starters take on Diane Johnston’s technical track. Eleven made it through to the jump-off, with five clear rounds. Cassi McDade produced a lightning-fast round aboard her own Quality Touch Z to claim first place in 40.49 seconds. Julie Greig showed exceptional consistency, taking both second and third – first with Lady Chacco (owned by William Stewart) in 44.77, then with her own Hudson Bay III in 46.91.
Sunday’s Silver League class drew 25 riders to contest Diane Johnston’s course. Only eight made it to the jump-off, and with just three clear rounds, the battle for the top spot was fierce.
It was Holly Johnstone who rose to the occasion with her own Carquois Du Ceve, taking the win in an impressive 37.21 seconds. Laura Hutt followed with a strong clear aboard Independence Day in 39.98, while Audrey Bernhard and Sir Rivero II rounded out the top three with a time of 41.90.
"It was our first trip up to this venue [Bogenraith Equestrian]. We have heard so many good things from friends that we decided to make the six-hour trip and it was such a wonderful show. They were so welcoming and accommodating, the tracks were well built and they just wanted to run the show as well as they could.
"This was only our second show back as my horses have been having a bit of a break and I wasn't planning to jump the Silver league qualifiers, I wasn't even trying to qualify for HOYS this year. I was a last-minute entry after I watched the Bronze League and its looked like a great class to jump.
"We had no expectations as to how he would go, I knew he would try his best no matter what but I was delighted to get the win. He has come back into work so much better then when he went on his break. He's always been competitive against the clock and going in he felt great and we really enjoyed it. The track was big enough and there was a decent number in the jump-off so it was definitely hard work against some quick riders but it paid off in the end.
"I came third in 2023 and then second in 2024, so I'm hoping we have the same luck in the semi-final as it would be lovely to go one better this year. I've had him eight years and he's been so consistent in that time, I would love to get him the title he deserves and for him to have that recognition. He's like a member of our family. We are lucky to have him at home so he's the first person I see in the morning and the last person I see at night. He is my absolute hero and I adore him so much. We bought him as a late five-year-old. He had done a small amount and was a bit green so we've just taken our time with him and he's got better and better over the years. I’ve jumped tracks with him that I could only have dreamt of jumping."
The road to HOYS is heating up, and we can’t wait to see what the next round brings!
Bogenraith Equestrian – Saturday 7th June
NAF Bronze League Qualifiers
1st – Cassi McDade & Quality Touch Z – 0/0/0 40.49 seconds
2nd – Julie Greig & Lady Chacco – 0/0/0 44.77 seconds
3rd – Julie Greig & Hudson Bay III – 0/0/0 46.91 seconds
Bogenraith Equestrian – Sunday 8th June
NAF Silver League Qualifiers
1st – Holly Johnstone & Carquois Du Ceve – 0/0/0 37.21 seconds
2nd – Laura Hutt & Independence Day – 0/0/0 39.98 seconds
3rd – Audrey Bernhard & Sir Rivero II – 0/0/0 41.90 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Images: Barry Barnard Photography, Juma Photography & Amid the Chaos Photography
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