Having qualified at BE events across the country, some of the best grassroots riders gathered to contend the NAF Five Star BE80 championships at the stunning West Yorkshire estate of Bramham, where the team had pulled out all the stops to give this event a truly championship feel. With beautifully dressed fences and brilliantly designed courses over foot-perfect going, competitors couldn’t have asked for more.
A sub-30 dressage score and super double clear was enough to propel Rachel Littlewood and Fiancee to victory and be crowned the NAF Five Star BE80 National Champion at Braham International Horse Trials.
After sitting in second place overnight following a 29.9 dressage score, Rachel and her 12-year-old Belgian gelding Fiancee pulled out all the stops on jumping day to land two fabulous clear rounds that saw them take the top honours.
“I’ve owned Fiancee since a four-year-old but we only started eventing two seasons ago,” said Rachel from Leicestershire who qualified at Chillington Hall last year. “It’s been a fantastic experience here at Bramham, and I’ve absolutely loved it. She’s not a dressage horse, so I felt very sick on the first day, but I was so proud when she was sat in second overnight. I was also really nervous about the show jumping because she is not the most careful horse, but she was a good girl and held it all together.
“The cross-country course was absolutely amazing. We had one hairy moment at fence nine where she chipped in a stride and we got really close to it – everyone in the audience gasped – but we got round the rest in one piece. I came here with zero expectations of even being in the top 10, so to win is just a lifetime achievement, and I’m so proud. It’s been an emotional few days, so I can now breathe and enjoy the rest of it!”
It was tight for second and third place with runner-up Beth Jones and Fantasy Chilli also finishing on their dressage score for a final total of 32.3, while third place went to Deborah Burrell and Imperial Tangle for their double clear on 32.6.
A big thank you from British Eventing to all competitors who took part for their support and contribution to making it a championship to remember. We would also like to express our thanks to the team at Bramham who have worked hard to deliver a top-class event for our members. And of course, huge thanks to our valued sponsor NAF who have so generously supported the championship for the third year.
“We’ve had another fantastic year here at the NAF Five Star BE80 Championships, and are really proud to support grassroots riders through British Eventing,” said NAF’s UK Sponsorship and Events Manager Eloise Chugg-Martin. “It’s been great to see so many happy, positive riders throughout the week. Congratulations to all the riders, and we look forward to seeing them, or the next generation, next year.”
Full results available here.
For more details of how you can qualify for the 2025 NAF Five Star BE80 Championships at Bramham, click here.
Images courtesy of 1st Class Images.