Championships, Young Stars and a Very Special Arrival
There are certain months in any competition season that seem to capture everything a yard works towards. April was certainly one of those months for Anmore Dressage.
From standout performances at the BD Winter National Championships to exciting young horse success and the arrival of a beautiful new filly, the month brought a balance of achievement, promise, and those quieter moments that remind us why we do what we do.
Across every level, the common thread remained the same, quality horses, thoughtful production, and partnerships continuing to strengthen with every outing.
A Championship Week to Remember
The atmosphere at Addington Equestrian during the 2026 NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships was electric, and Anmore combinations rose to the occasion throughout the week.
Lucy Palmer and La Vida Loca, known at home simply as “Lily”, delivered one of the standout tests of the championships in the Advanced Medium Gold. Elegant, expressive, and increasingly confident in the changes, the pair secured 4th place on a score of 70.32%.
Co owned by Lucy and Penny Morgan, Lily continues to mature into an exciting horse for the higher levels, with PSG now firmly in sight. It was a performance that reflected not only the mare’s quality, but also the patience and consistency behind her development.
Elsewhere, Jezz Palmer enjoyed an exceptional championship with two very different horses, each showing enormous promise for the future.
Joker Caledonia Anmore, competing at his first championship, handled the occasion with maturity well beyond his years. The combination secured 4th place in the Prelim Gold before adding another top placing in the Novice Gold Freestyle, earning excellent comments from all three judges and leaving a lasting impression throughout the week.
Blackjack also returned to the championship arena in style. Producing two polished performances with Jezz, the partnership secured 3rd place in the Novice Gold Championship alongside another strong freestyle result before Blackjack returned home to his new owner, Hazel Bailey. A fitting conclusion to an exciting chapter for the horse and everyone involved in his journey.
Success Across the Team
One of the most rewarding aspects of the championships was seeing so many riders connected with Anmore enjoying success in their own right.
Client Amy Ward and her own MS Broadway M delivered a superb freestyle performance to claim the Novice Silver Freestyle National Title with an impressive 75.18%. The partnership continues to go from strength to strength, securing their second national title together with a test full of confidence and harmony.
There is also plenty to look forward to for Broadway this season, with Jezz Palmer set to campaign the mare in young horse classes alongside Amy continuing in the straight classes.
Another memorable moment came from Sofia Games and Bovary JBM. At her first ever National Championships, Sofia rode with composure and confidence to become Reserve National Champion in the Advanced Medium Silver Freestyle.
It was a result that felt particularly special for the whole team, and with their focus now turning towards Juniors, this combination undoubtedly has an exciting season ahead.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes became centre stage as competition groom Molly Ryan stepped into the arena with Tyga Fleur Caledonia Anmore. Having only been competing together for less than a year, the pair produced two lovely performances that reflected the quiet consistency of their work at home.
Moments like these often mean the most within a yard environment, seeing the people who dedicate so much time and care behind the scenes enjoying success of their own.
A Young Horse Turning Heads
The following week we then contested two lovely young horses to Addington Premier League.
Lucy Palmer’s own 5 year old mare Roulette continued to attract attention within the Young Horse classes, securing 2nd place in the International 5 Year Old class before adding another top result in the National qualifier.
Still early in her career, Roulette is already showing all the ingredients of a very special horse, natural quality, presence, and a trainable attitude that continues to develop with every outing.
Jezz went on to ride Selore Anmore qualifying for the 4yo semi-finals at Hartpury in July. Finishing in 2nd with 76.8%, a fantastic result for his first outing.
MS Broadway M, owned by Amy Ward also qualified for the world breeding selection trial with Jezz from the international class with 80.6%. We’re looking forward to the next phase at Wellington Riding Premier League.
Producing young horses is so rewarding, seeing each horse grow in confidence and ability, with patience and time. Performances like these are exciting not simply because of the results, but because of what they suggest for the future.
The Team Behind the Results
While the scoreboards may reflect the performances seen inside the arena, they only tell part of the story.
Behind every test is an enormous amount of preparation, teamwork, and belief. From early mornings and long days at competitions to the quiet consistency of work at home, these moments are always shared successes.
Special thanks go to Molly Ryan for the exceptional turnout and care of the horses throughout the championships, alongside our owners, clients, supporters, and wider team whose continued trust and commitment remain such an important part of Anmore Dressage.
Welcoming the Future
Amongst all the excitement of competition, April also brought one of the most special moments of all, the safe arrival of a beautiful filly out of Atterupgaards Dallara, by Jameson RS2.
Delivered safely with the support of Twemlows Stud Farm, she represents the next generation quietly waiting in the wings.
Moments like these provide a reminder that while championships are important, the future of the sport is always being shaped long before horses ever enter the arena.
Looking Ahead
As the summer season approaches, there is a real sense of momentum around the yard.
Young horses continue to progress through the levels, exciting partnerships are beginning to flourish, and the foundations laid over winter are now beginning to show in competition.
Most importantly, April has once again reinforced the values that continue to define Anmore Dressage, patience, correct training, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to producing horses with their long term future always in mind.