Goodear, Dovey, Gray, Graham Win Youth Titles at 2026 British Dressage Championships

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2026 British Dressage Championships

Pony rider Amelia Goodear, children rider Amelia Dovey, junior rider Abigal Gray, and young rider Myles Graham became the winners of the youth titles at the 2026 British Dressage Championships at Somerford Park on 10 - 13 September 2026.

Only one test counted to determine the new British Youth Champions unlike in other European countries in which two or three rounds are included in their National Championships.

Pony Riders: Amelia Goodear

2026 European Championships team member Amelia Goodear took the win in the Pony Championships, winning aboard Claire Goodear’s Furioso van het Enkershof with 69.619%. Despite initially being chosen as reserve, Amelia went on to compete at the European Championships after a withdrawal, and ended up being the sole British rider to qualify for the Freestyle on the final day. However, reflecting on their performance today, Amelia simply said, “I’m feeling incredible, he was so perfect today, and I’m really pleased with him.”

Reflecting on their test, Amelia described that “Our test was incredible”, going on to talk about her highlights: "In our simple changes and half passes were really good, which we’ve been practicing at home, so I think he really shone through and showed all the hard work we’ve been doing. At some points he lacked a little ‘oomph’ but I was so pleased that he came back to me and gave me more when I asked him to.”

Amelia and Fury have been partners for many years, and talked to us about the journey that she and the now 11-year-old gelding have been on: “We bought Fury as a four-year-old and we’ve trained him all the way up with help from my trainer Sonia Baines. He’s now 11 and he did his first high profile last year, and he did his first CDI last year as well and he’s just been incredible. He’s just gorgeous, he loves to be the centre of attention of everything. He loves the big atmospheres and everyone looking and clapping at him. Sometimes he finds it a bit overwhelming with spooky things but generally with crowds, he likes the attention of everyone looking at him.”

Reflecting on their incredible 2026 season, Amelia recounted some of her top highlights, including winning at the May Hickstead CDI, the European Championships in June, and the teammates that she has met along the way, “It was just incredible, the camp, the team was just so supportive, and he behaved himself so beautifully. Now coming here to win this, it’s been absolutely amazing.”

Looking forward to 2027, Amelia and Fury have big plans. Amelia stated that following a bit of downtime and a holiday following their busy season, “We might bring him out towards end of this year or start of next year to hopefully qualify him again for the Europeans and do some CDI’s. We might go abroad in the Spring, we would just love to have lots of fun on him next year.”

Fellow European’ teammate Ella Fraser finished in second place on 69.429% aboard Rebecca Fraser’s Brouwershavens’s Viceroy, and Lacey Owen-Morgan completed the top three lineup aboard Lily Cawley’s Sulaatik’s Vingino on a score of 67.428%.

Children: Amelia Dovey

Amelia Dovey and Hannah Dovey’s Sheepcote Jackson (Johnson x Don Primero) took the win in the British Dressage Under 21 Children on Horses Championship with 77.925%. In front of judges Susie Cumine (B), Sue Carson (B) and Pam Bushell (C), Amelia and Jackson earned 84.250% for the rider mark, and 71.600% for their technical performance. “Today Jackson felt amazing”, Amelia explained to us, “We did have a few eights, and a highlight for me was definitely that we didn’t get below a seven at all for all of our movements. We did good leg yields, including we got an eight for those, and my medium trots with my loop as well.

“At home he is normally a bit lazy, and he can be a bit behind the leg in the warmup, but when he goes into the arena he is just amazing. In the test, he goes in and loves showing off. He loves the prize giving as well.”

At the Europeans, Amelia was the highest placed British rider in the individual competition, and came within touching distance of the medals to finish fourth with 77.27% in the individual test. As part of the team, alongside Sebastian Houlston, Isabelle Stuart and Stella McComb, they brought home British Dressage’s first ever Children on Horses team medal. The quartet finished in third place, and Amelia explained to us that since the Europeans, they have just been at home. “Jackson had a little holiday, and has done lots of hacking and just chipping away at home with training.

“I would also like to say a massive thank you to my trainer, Katie Bailey, for everything she’s done for me this year. I couldn’t have done any of it without her.”

Sophia Parry finished behind Sophia with Morgan Haerr’s Floran with 76.175%, and Sebastian Houlston completed the top three with Charlotte Lutener’s Full Fusion BS on 74.825%.

Junior Riders: Abigail Gray

Abigail Gray and Jo Cooper’s Jack Diamond (Electron x Diamond) took the win in the British Dressage U21 Junior Championships, scoring 68.889% in front of Susie Cumine (E), Pam Bushell (C) and Sue Carson (M). This duo, who are still relatively new to each other, produced a brilliant test together, with Abigail explaining to us that, “He was really good, we didn’t have a clean test, and missed one of our changes. Our highlight was probably the extended trot, and we’re just getting to know each other a lot better too, which is good to see.”

This duo partnered together back in May, and Abigail has just finished her A-levels. She is now based at her trainer’s yard with Becky and Hannah Moody, and is planning to take a gap year to focus on her riding and gain more experience. When thinking about her aims for next year, Abigail explained that, “He’s quite a big horse, and I’m not really used to riding such a big mover, but we’re getting to know each other, and I’m really pleased with how it went today. It’s reflected how our training has gone over the past couple of months.”

In the prize giving, Abigail and ‘Legs’ got a bit excited, and Abigail laughed, saying that, “He’s normally quite a chilled guy, so I was a bit surprised in the prize giving when he was going a bit crazy! But it was quite fun to see a different side to him. I was kind of under control, but yeah… I stayed on! So that was really fun.”

Looking forward to next season, Abigail shared that she is hopes to campaign next year at Young Rider level, saying that, “We’ve started doing some of the Young Rider movements, so that’s our plan for next year.”

Sofia Games finished in second place with Katie Oliver-Games’ Bovary JBM on 68.283%, and Sophia Longworth completed the lineup with Ben McClumpha’s Harald on 67.576%.

Young Riders: Myles Graham

European Championships team member Myles Graham, claimed victory in the British Dressage U21 Championship on board Fred Astaire. Reflecting on the experience, Myles described it as “just amazing, we came here to give Freddie exposure to the wonderful atmosphere at Nationals, and he stepped up in that arena. He really showed me and the team what he’s made of. He gave me the best ride today. He gave me his all and he was amazing; he was a real pleasure to ride.”

Fred Astaire, known as Freddie at home, is owned by Dan Sherriff and Lyndsay Roberts, Myles commented, “I can’t thank the owners enough, they were an amazing support as per usual and I’m so grateful to be able to ride their boy.”

Speaking about their winning test, “the big highlights were a couple of our tempis and the pirouettes, our half passes, really every stride is a highlight.”

The duo has only been a partnership since November last year, and since then had been campaigning to go to Young Rider Europeans in Hungary, Myles told us, “Freddie tried his heart out there for me too. It was his first time abroad. Then we’ve come here and next step will be winter training ahead of next year.”

“He definitely grows to an atmosphere, He does enjoy competition a lot, The atmosphere here is really good, really buzzy so that gave me a good feel and Freddie stepped up into that arena, which is really good, that’s what you want from your horse.” Myles explained how he handles the different atmospheres at competitions.

At home, Freddie is described as “the sweetest, kindest soul.” Standing at an impressive 18hh, he truly is a gentle giant. “There’s no other way to describe him. He absolutely loves people and is a real people person.”

Looking ahead, the duo has their sights firmly set on the Young Rider Europeans in Germany next year. “Nothing is planned just yet, as we’re focusing on winter training and looking at where we can find that extra half mark to build on for next season. The main goal for next year will be the Young Rider Europeans in Germany and really stepping up the marks.”

Francesca Cawley and her own Dame Blanche, rose to the occasion to secure second place with 67.990%, while Mia Smith and Dutch Discovery owned by Ellen Smith, completed the top three scoring 66.666%.