14.09.27

A Fairytale Finish for JC

What was meant to be one final outing before retirement turned into the perfect ending for Lynda and JC, as the pair were crowned National Champions at the National Driving Championships at Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club. 

At 22 years old, JC was competing for the final time before retirement, but he clearly wasn’t quite ready to bow out quietly.

Lynda said:

“We went to the National Driving Championships to say goodbye to everyone as it was JC’s last competition and he has now retired at 22. But he wanted to say more than goodbye, and we ended up National Champions!”

The result brings an incredible competitive career to a close, and Lynda was quick to recognise the people who have been part of their journey.

“We couldn’t have done this on our own. Thank you to Fred and Beryl Pendlebury for all their support over the years, Helen Squires for backstepping and keeping me grounded, Sam for all her work in the background, and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for their continued support.”

There was one more special touch to the weekend, with George Bowman Senior there to see JC’s final competition.

“To top the win, the legend that is George Bowman Senior was there to watch – and without him I would never have had this amazing horse.”

National Champions in his final competition, at the age of 22. What a way for JC to sign off.

Congratulations to Lynda and the whole team & a very happy retirement to JC

Double National Championship Qualification

There will be double Manx representation at this year's British Dressage National Championships, with James Mister and Breesha Byers both securing places at the prestigious championships following strong performances at the Summer Regionals.

Twelve-year-old Breesha and Caperann Karl finished third in the Novice Silver Regional Championship with 69.14%, earning the combination a wildcard place at the Nationals. It's a particularly impressive achievement for the young rider, who has trained with James since 2022.

James will also make the trip after finishing third in the Elementary Silver Regional Championship with Graigueaverne Forester on 69.75%, with their score also earning a wildcard invitation.

That means coach and pupil will both be competing at the same National Championships — a pretty special achievement for them both, and another fantastic example of Manx riders making their mark beyond the Island.

It has been a busy summer for Sydney Hampton-France and Conrhenny Hit The Jackpot, with the Manx combination continuing to make their mark in British Showjumping.

Their performances this season have earned them a confirmed qualification through British Showjumping, while the pair are also currently sitting inside the national Bronze Pony/Rider Combination League.

And their success hasn't been confined to the showjumping arena. Back home, Syd and Conrhenny Hit The Jackpot added another title to their summer when they took the Ridden Pony Championship at the Southern District Agricultural Show.

It's a lovely example of a Manx-bred pony and young Island rider enjoying success both at home and further afield.

From an Island Qualifier to Equifest Champion

What started with a win here on the Isle of Man turned into a pretty special summer for Caitlyn Graham and Maam Valley Champ.

At the EVNPA May Show, Caitlyn won the Working Hunter Equifest qualifying class before going on to take the Working Hunter Championship and ultimately the Supreme Championship of the show.

That result secured their place at Equifest – where they didn't just go to take part.

Caitlyn and Maam Valley Champ won the very class they had qualified for on the Island, before going on to be crowned Equifest Working Hunter Champions and earning their place in the overall Supreme Championship.

From winning an Island qualifier to standing Champion at Equifest, it's a fantastic achievement for Caitlyn – and a brilliant example of where opportunities to qualify here at home can lead.

Team Baldrine Take the Win at Eland Lodge

It was a brilliant weekend for Team Baldrine at the Eland Lodge Team ODE, with the Manx team taking the overall team win alongside some fantastic individual results.

The winning team of Lucy, Lexi, Lizzie and Abby put together strong performances across the competition, with the team's final result helped by an impressive win in the 90 section for Abby & Blue, who finished on their dressage score of just 25.3 after three faultless phases.

And there was another individual victory to celebrate too. Abby & Smurf, returning to eventing after a three-year career change, scored 33.8 in the dressage before producing the only performance in the 100 section to finish on the dressage score, securing another win.

Burghley Update 🇮🇲
6 September 2026

A fantastic weekend for Yasmin Ingham and Goliath du Loir at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials!

Tackling the famous Burghley cross-country course for the very first time – and with Gogo making his five-star debut – the pair jumped clear across country, picking up just time penalties to add to their dressage score of 32.7.

And today they rounded off a brilliant Burghley with a clear showjumping round, adding nothing further to their score and finishing on 46.7 to take a fantastic 6th place overall.

A top-six finish at Burghley is quite an achievement in itself, but to do it on Gogo’s very first five-star start makes it even more special.

A brilliant result for Yas, Gogo and the whole team – and another Manx flag flying proudly on one of the biggest stages in equestrian sport! 🇮🇲🇮🇲

With four horses in her string Gogo, Cory, Gigi and Louis have kept Yas busy this summer, the highlight so far was another international victory for Yasmin Ingham, who partnered Club Class, Louis, to win the NAF CCI2*-L at Hartpury International, finishing on their dressage score after faultless jumping performances across both phases.

Yasmin was also been named as one of Great Britain’s reserve riders for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships in Aachen.

Another fantastic week away for Manx rider Lola Bass, who enjoyed a brilliant run of results at the prestigious BSPS Championships at Arena UK, riding Carnsdale Be Charming.

The 19-year-old started her week by taking the 158cm Working Sports Pony title, before going on to win the 153cm Open Working Hunter Pony class and section championship.

But the highlight was still to come. Lola and Carnsdale Be Charming went on to win the Champion of Champions, producing the only clear round of the day to take the title.

There was more success with a third place in the Desert Orchid, while Lola also represented England as part of the team – another significant achievement for the Manx rider.

The pair went forward into both the Champion of Champions Supreme and the Supreme Worker, rounding off an incredibly successful and very busy week at one of the biggest fixtures in the working hunter pony calendar.

For Lola, it adds another impressive set of results to an already considerable record competing off-Island – and another great example of a Manx rider making her mark on the wider stage.

From Area Competitions to the Championships

It wasn't only Camp keeping Isle of Man Pony Club members busy this summer.  Riders have clocked up plenty of miles travelling off-Island to represent the Branch, with some fantastic performances along the way.

For a number of members, the Area 4 Show Jumping competition in June was their first experience of travelling to an Area competition.  Pony Club reported not only some great performances, but how lovely it was to see the riders supporting and cheering each other on across the classes – with parents, helpers and volunteers once again playing a big part in making the trip possible.

Next came Area Eventing at Kelsall, where riders faced a testing cross-country course and came home with a string of strong results and qualifications for both the National and Regional Championships.

There were section wins for Breesha Byers and Caperann Karl, Darcey Sutton and Greystone Pilgrim, Amalie Druggan and Tullabrick Bouncer, and Amelia Hotchkiss and King of Quality, while Sienna Curphey, Breesha Byers and Alice Teare also secured top-four placings.

Those Area performances meant there was plenty of Manx representation when Championship time arrived in August – and our riders certainly made the journey worthwhile.

Championship Success

At the Eventing Championships, Sienna Curphey and Breesha Byers both won their individual classes, while the 80cm team of Breesha Byers, Sienna Curphey, Amalie Druggan and Alice Teare finished fourth.

Breesha added a third place on her other pony, with Alice also finishing eighth in her section.

There was more Manx representation in the Show Jumping Regional Championships from Alice Teare, Lexie Looney, Sienna Curphey and Breesha Byers, while Harper Potts, Darcy Morgan Jones and Hetti Walker qualified to represent the Branch in the Mini Horse & Pony Care finals at the Pony Club National Championships.

And there was still more success to come, with the “Wild West Manxies” winning the 80cm team jumping - particularly lovely to see Branch and Centre members joining forces for this event.

From first-time Area competitors to riders returning home with Championship wins, it has been quite a summer for the Isle of Man Pony Club – and, just as importantly, a summer full of experience that those riders can take forward into whatever comes next.

Now based in the Cotswolds, Williamson is a former King William’s College and UCM student, and previously trained with Olympic rider Gareth Hughes.

Riding King D II, she topped the bronze division’s grade five introductory test with 72.628%.

The result marks her second national success with the horse, following their 2024 title.

Judges praised the pair for their bold, fluent work and strong harmony in the arena, with two awarding scores above 76%.

Speaking to Manx.News, Harriet said: “King is genuinely one in a million. He knows his job inside out and has given me an enormous amount of confidence. We have developed such a strong partnership over the last few years and I think that trust really shows when we go into the arena together.”

Alongside her para dressage campaign, Williamson is now planning to progress through the able-bodied levels with King, with the pair aiming to compete up to Advanced Medium.

She added: “Winning another national title is a huge milestone, but I still feel we’re only scratching the surface of what we can achieve. My ambition is to represent Great Britain internationally and to continue developing myself as a rider, both in the UK and overseas.”