Non-stop Wins in January

It might well be a new year, but the momentum set at the start of the U.A.E. season has carried seamlessly into 2026. The first show of the year was none other than the long-awaited 5* President’s Cup show in Abu Dhabi, where our team enjoyed outstanding success. Our young horses set the tone, with ‘Z7 for T’ and Sandy McLean winning the CSIYH1* 7YO qualifier, whilst Katie Speller rode ‘BE Ballantine’ to victory and ‘Z7 Leela’ to 2^nd place in the CSIYH1* 6YO qualifier, before going on to take top honours in the CSIYH1* 6YO Final with ‘Z7 Leela’. ‘Z7 for T’ added another strong result with 2^ndplace in the CSIYH1* 7YO Final, while ‘BE Alcantara’ also secured a 2^nd place in the CSI2* 1.30m after a flawless double clear with Katie. 

‘Z7 Pink Panther’ enjoyed an excellent week in the CSI2* 1.40m classes, finishing in the top ten three times without a single pole down. In the opening CSI5* class, Sandy and ‘Calixte Heartbreaker Z’ finished 2^{nd, with Shane and ‘BP Arctic Blue’ in 6th}. ‘Calixte Heartbreaker Z’ went on to claim her first CSI5* victory in the 1.50m class with Sandy before making a strong Grand Prix debut the following day, jumping clear to finish 7^th.

The team’s success continued the following week in Al Forsan. In the CSIYH1* 6YO qualifier, ‘BE Ballantine’ secured 2^nd place and ‘Z7 Leela’ finished 6^th. ‘BE Golden’ claimed 5^th place in the CSIU25 1.45m, while ‘Opportunity’ produced a strong DC to finish 4^th in the 7YO class, with ‘Z7 for T’ also finishing in the top-10. 

The team remained on top at the Al Shira’aa Tour show. In the young horse classes, ‘Opportunity’ won a CSIYH1* 7YO class before finishing 2^nd in the following qualifier ahead of ‘Z7 for T’ in 3^rd, and later went on to win the CSIYH1* 7YO Final. Further podium finishes included 3^rd for ‘BE Ballantine’ in a 6YO class, 4^th for ‘Z7 for T’ in a 7YO class, and 5^thfor ‘BP Arctic Blue’ in the CSI4*-W 1.45m class. Katie and the ever-consistent ‘Z7 Pink Panther’ took top honours in the CSI2* Grand Prix, making this 8YOs’ Grand Prix debut one to remember. ‘Calixte Heartbreaker Z’ claimed another win in the CSI4* 1.50m, with the pairing continuing their strong form, securing 3^rd place with Sandy in the CSI-W4* Grand Prix. The standout highlight for this month was Shane and ‘BP Arctic Blue’ clinching victory in the CSI4*-W FEI Jumping World Cup Grand Prix with a stunning double clear in the gelding’s 4* Grand Prix debut. A special win made possible by our entire team around us! 

At home, January marked a period of change. Darcy’s time on ponies has come to an end, with ‘One Saharah’ now joining Dougie’s string. The partnership began positively, producing two double clears in their debut at Aintree in a Large Pony Premier. 

As January comes to a close, we thank our team, sponsors, and owners for their continued support; results like these would not be possible without you.