What are our sponsored riders hoping to achieve this year?
As we write this we’re well into the second half of February and there are signs creeping in that spring isn’t too far away. The evenings are noticeably lighter, the mornings don’t feel like stepping out into impenetrable gloom and we’re seeing entries for the first events of the season go in. Of course, it would lift the mood even more if the weather would behave and stop swinging between rain, cold and windy, so we have our fingers crossed for some sunshine soon…
Throughout all that our amazing stable of sponsored riders have been heading out in all weathers to get their horses ready for the season ahead. Their dedication is amazing and we can’t wait to see how they build on the successes of 2025 and what they can achieve. With that in mind, this month’s blog is checking in on each of our sponsored riders to find out what their goals are for this year. Let’s dive in and see what they say!
Sara Bowe
One of our super sponsored event riders, here’s what Sara Bowe is hoping to achieve this year:
“For 2026, my sights are firmly set on achieving Rinwood MJ's 5* qualification, a huge milestone and a very exciting target to be working towards - watch this space! He will be heading to Bramham CCI-L 4* and Scone Palace as part of our quest.
Captain Morgan GZ will head to Thoresby 2* with the aim to campaign him at Intermediate level with a 3* being the aim later in the season. My homebred Sea La Vie will hopefully step up to Novice and I have a superb bunch of young horses who will hopefully be following in her footsteps as the season progresses.”
We are very excited to support Sara and her exciting team throughout 2026…
Lucinda Atkinson
North Yorkshire based Lucinda, has an exciting year planned for her string of young horses…
“I am very fortunate to have some really exciting young horses. I don’t like to put too much pressure on them as young horses (and myself) however I do have high hopes for the team. Seven year old Lark De Triomphe will continue with her 2* campaign and it would be really nice to do the seven year old championships on her. My CCI-L 2* winner PRF Made In England will contest some intermediates and 3*’s and we do have the Blenheim 8 and 9 year olds in our sights but there will be no rush with her to get there.
I have two new rides for the season – 6 year old Cornhill Major Tom and four year old Donanyika neither of whom have evented before so there’s lots of training going on at the moment and both of these horses will be making their competition debuts later in the year. Six year old Sing Hallelujah PRF started his eventing season at the end of last year and we are excited to see where Hal could go this year.
I am thrilled to have Frankfort Pointllexi and Take A Bow who are both back from injury and they will both be contesting some intermediates and hopefully some 3*’s before the end of the year”.
As always, we will be cheering Lucinda and her team on – good luck!
Melissa Chapman
Our very own dressage supremo, Melissa Chapman talks us through her aims for this year…
“I have a lovely string of horses to ride this year for myself and owners. The aim is to keep developing their training and stepping up levels.
I currently have three horses working or competing at PSG/Inter 1 and the three will compete in the Premier League shows. Hopefully Romeo will also return to competing later this year at Grand Prix.
The young ones will concentrate on young horse classes and continuing to build and strengthen!
I’m also very lucky to have a great group of liveries who I train and I love watching their development and successes. It’s a real team here. My other clients also have big dreams this year. Whether it be eventing or in the dressage arena and I can’t wait to help them achieve their goals.”
As always, we will be cheering Mel and her training clients on every step of the way!
Holly Richardson
What does Holly Richardson want to achieve this year?
Our sponsored rider Holly Richardson had an incredible 2025, with a seriously impressive five-star debut for her ride Ballyneety Silver Service - Butler to his friends - at Burghley to finish in 14th place. Holly’s other five-star ride Bally Louis was back out competing at the end of the season in a 4* alongside Rock N Roll Star, so she’s got a serious string of advanced horses and exciting younger horses too. Here’s what she’s looking forward to this year:
"This year I am hoping to get the two big boys (Bally Louis and Ballyneety Silver Service to more 5*'s with the main aim being a certain "big B" in the Spring!!
The younger horses will all hopefully step up a level with last year's Burghley four year old finalists beginning their eventing careers. I will also be introducing some of the new babies to the young horse classes. I am very much looking forward to seeing where the season takes us with our exciting team!"
We can't wait to cheer Holly and her team on this year! Go Holly!
Jemima Stratton
What’s our sponsored rider Jemima dreaming about for her 2026 season?
“I have big goals this season… my 4* horse Global Exotic will hopefully be back from inury after a year and a half off, so the main aim for him is to stay happy and healthy! And if all goes well, I’d love to give the U25 world championships a crack.
I’d also love to aim my 8 year old Warrenstown V De Muse at Blenheim 8/9 year olds and really consolidate at intermediate and 3* level. With my other boys I am mainly aiming to consolidate at their current levels and improve the dressage scores throughout the season and then hopefully step up a level when they’re super confident.
On a personal level, I’m really working on building my business and hopefully building an exciting string of horses with lovely owners and looking to the future!”
We can’t wait to be supporting Jemima and her exciting string of horses and cheering her on every step of the way!
Remember, you can follow all our sponsored riders progress with our regular social media and newsletter updates, and we know they’d appreciate a follow too!