Kelsall Hill International played host to two The Howden Way Young Horse classes this weekend (25-26 April) with six- and seven-year-old titles on offer. These encouraging age classes give riders a platform in which to showcase their talented six- and seven-year-old event horses.
Kate Rocher-Smith rode KMS Dassett Envoy to victory in The Howden Way six-year-old class, adding nothing from the two jumping phases to finish on their 32 dressage score. Owned by Lesley Rocher, Alice Rocher and Dassett Eventing, the Irish gelding by Comiflo Plus Z out of KMS Chinchilla, improved on his last young horse run at Barbury Castle where he was second in the six-year-old class. He’s also had two top 20 finishes at novice level this season.
Kate said: “Less than a year ago, this horse could barely trot a circle and had the potential to be very hot and sharp. Our yard manager, Sita Gray, has done an incredible job taking him under her wing, and together we’ve worked extremely hard on his physical and mental development. He is now consistently achieving top placings, including a 1st and 2nd in his six-year-old classes. With continued careful production, he’s a very exciting prospect for the future.”
Ellie Townend and her own Liliana were runners-up, adding just a show jumping pole to their dressage score of 28 to finish on 32, while in third was Amie Walters and her own Upgrade D’Excellence who finished on their dressage of 32.8.
In the seven-year-old ranks, Fin Marsden finished in front riding SVS Zobolensky who added 20 penatlies and time faults to their 33.6 dressage to finish on 71.6. The Irish gelding by Cornet Obolensky out of SVS Miss Zigali has two top ten finishes at novice and a top 20 2* under his belt this season. The pair are also on The Howden Way Young Horse Talent Academy.
Fin said: “SVS Zobolensky was superb in all three phases at Kelsall. He adapted really well to the new movements stepping up to Intermediate level, and while we’re still working on keeping him relaxed in certain moments, he continues to improve every outing. Showjumping is definitely his strongest phase and he didn’t disappoint, jumping his biggest track to date with confidence. He also gained plenty from an educational cross-country round, and I certainly learnt a lot too. I’m incredibly grateful to The Howden Way for all the pre-season training support, as well as the increased prize pot helping riders continue to produce these exciting young horses.”
Runner up went to Kate Rocher-Smith and Dassett Eventing’s Edentrillick Dassett Muze who finished on 81.5.
The series, supported by The Howden Way, is an ideal opportunity for riders to expose their up-and-coming eventers to the atmosphere of bigger venues, while competing against other horses of the same age. The classes offer recognition for the highest performing horses in these classes.
The Young Horse classes take place throughout the spring and summer in some of BE’s most stunning venues with the 6-year-old classes running at novice level, and the 7-year-old classes running at intermediate level.
The top three in each class receive an additional £250, £150, £100 respectively on top of the prize money already generated and awarded by the prize money calculator.
For dates of the young horse classes this year, please click here
Alongside these classes, the performance of young horses competing with British Eventing is acknowledged within The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues which can be found here. There are four leagues which cover the ages of 5 years, 6 years, 7 years and then the ages of 8 & 9 combined. The leagues display the average of a horse’s three best finishing scores via a Power Based Average score which highlights the ability to repeatedly finish on a low score.
The 2026 Young Horse Championships will take place at Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire from 10–13 September.
For many combinations, the Young Horse classes also serve as preparation for the FEI World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers (15–18 October), which hosts:
Horses identified at the Cornbury House Young Horse Championships may be invited to attend The Howden Way Development Days. Selected combinations are then offered places within The Howden Way Young Horse Academy the following year.
Further information can be found at: www.thehowdenway.com/yha