UK Armed Forces Equestrian Association

We are so looking forward to the next installment of the UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championship Festival incorporating the Blue Lights Horse Show at Bury Farm. We're only 12 weeks out!
The schedule will be released shortly but there really is something for everyone!

Day 1 - A full programme of Showing classes, ridden and in-hand. Including RoR and Concours d'elegance with the Championships to be held in an evening Gala to include a very special guest! There will be low level dressage and SJ for warm up too.

Day 2 - Focus on the Team events including the Loriners Inter Service final leg which is Combined Training. The evening will showcase the spirit of teams with a fun 'team relay' and a swish ticketed dinner on the balcony.

Day 3 - The final The London International Horse Show Qualifier as well as some more advanced Dressage classes. Who will claim those all important points to get to LIHS and rub shoulders with the best in the World ??

If you are not a competitor at this event but still want to be involved we do still have some sponsorship opportunities. Your chance to give back to the UK Armed Forces and wider Emergency Service cohort by supporting our show. Please DM and we will put you in touch with our sponsorship officer.

Blue Lights Horse Show

NEW CHAIR!

Welcome to Colonel Stu Nasse who has assumed the Chair of the UK Armed Forces Equestrian Association this month. Col Stu is a self confessed "pony dad" with 3 children competing on the national Pony Showjunping circuit, including one who has earned her England flag. He is passionate about competition, and looks forward to enabling UK service personnel to represent at the highest level in each of their chosen disciplines.

Army Equitation
RAF Equitation
Royal Navy Equestrian Association

2024 UK Armed Forces Dressage Championships

Huge congratulations to Sgt Lauren Sing and her team who delivered an excellent Dressage Championships for our UKAF Equestrian Community. There were 59 class entries from Intro to Advanced Medium. With 37 riders; 16 from the RAF, 19 from the Army, 1 from the Royal Navy and the inclusion of the Emergency Services for the first time, meant we were pleased to welcome 1 Police rider. An impressive 136 tests were ridden over the weekend!

The competition is organised and run by EKKO Equestrian and held at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, and is a fantastic venue which runs smoothly and always welcomes the Armed Forces family which such kindness. Karen Watson and Alex Taylor from Omega Equine were incredibly generous and donated prizes that are so gratefully received by all riders. The Champion was awarded the trophy from Amanda Watson and The Equestrian Index for another year, and we are always grateful of their support to this competition. The trophy has moved between RAF and Army riders over the years and proudly remains with the winner for the next year.

Full results:

2024 UKAFDC Champion - Flt Lt Mandy Meikle riding Faeside Sir Derry, RAF with 12.942 points

2024 UKAFDC Reserve Champion - LCpl Lauren Sweetland riding Rolanda, Army with 9.481 points

Highest Score - Flt Lt Mandy Meikle riding Faeside Sir Derry, RAF with 81.774%

Intro
1st – Maj Harriet Chapman riding Meres Jumbo Jet, Army with 4.66 points
2nd – WO2 Isobel Mayhew riding Rathcoona Bobby, Army with 0.856 points

Prelim
1st – Sqn Ldr Elisabeth Hale riding Ballynash Merry Freddie, RAF with 4.591 points
2nd – 2Lt Brian Leung riding Jay, Army with 3.55 points

Novice
1st - Flt Lt Mandy Meikle riding Faeside Sir Derry, RAF with 12.942 points
2nd - LCpl Lauren Sweetland riding Rolanda, Army with 9.481 points

Elementary
1st - Flt Lt Mandy Meikle riding Faeside Sir Derry, RAF with 7.707 points
=2nd – Maj Rebecca Darke riding Edge of Night, Army with 2.384 points
=2nd – PC Kelly Gladstone riding Milwaukee Jazz, Police with 2.384 points

Medium
1st – AS1 Holly Brown riding Nipna King’s Ransom, RAF with 3.231 points
2nd – FS Mel Day riding Dolderwydd Maisie, RAF with 0.292 points

Advanced Medium
1st – LCpl Amelia Green riding Mr Chris, Army with -5.796 points

The Master of the Worshipful Company of Loriners signed this year's sponsorship Agreement with single Service Reps looking on. We are delighted that the relationship between the Loriners and UKAFEA remains as strong as ever and that they have taken the opportunity this year to recognise individual combinations performances as well as the Teams.

The first leg, Dressage, drew an excellent field of competitors; despite the Army claiming 2nd and 3rd spot individually; the RAF showed strength in depth and go into the lead of the Team competition.

1st - Flt Let Mandy Meikle with 73.52%
2nd - Maj Rebecca Darke with 72.04%
3rd - Tilly Grainger with 70.19%

The Worshipful Company of Loriners

Well done to all those who took part in the first leg of the London International Horse Show qualifying rounds. There were some great scores posted on the board with the top 5 all claiming the 5 point bonus for a double clear! It's all to play for at the Royal Tournament in June which hosts Leg 2!

Just some of the ribbons available for the lucky riders involved in the Loriners Inter Service Team dressage which gets underway today at the RAF Equitation Championships as well as for those competing in the first The London International Horse Show Showjumping Qualifier.

This also gives us an opportunity to thank The Worshipful Company of Loriners for their ongoing support to UK Armed Forces Equestrian Sport as they have introduced prize money to individual riders at each single Service Championship and enhanced prize money to individual winners at the UKAFEC. We are extremely grateful for their generosity.

It was great to meet Ann at Bury Farm last week to discuss the 2024 UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championship collaborating with the Blue Lights Horse Show.

It really will be a 'Festival' of all things equestrian; with Showing, Working Hunter, Showjumping, Dressage and Combined Training. We'll have the last qualifier for the The London International Horse Show Services Showjumping and the culmination of the The Worshipful Company of Loriners Competition. We've also got some great evening activities planned so make sure you get your leave booked now!

None of these events can take place without volunteers so if you don't have a horse available to compete why don't you come and be part of the event team. We're looking for:

A Social Media team (over the event)
Sponsorship Rep
Assistance with Prizegivings

And more - just send us a DM.

Blue Lights Horse Show
Army Equitation
RAF Equitation
Royal Navy Equestrian Association
Bury Farm Equestrian Village

Some of the UKAFEA team went visiting last week…can anyone guess where? Army EquitationRoyal Navy Equestrian AssociationRAF EquitationBlue Lights Horse Show

The UKAF Dressage Championships will take place in a couple of months at Weston Lawns. The organising committee have been working hard to make sure it is an excellent event for all and have secured these fabulous prizes from Omega Equine The team at Omega have long supported our various competitions and we can’t thank them enough for their ongoing recognition of our sport. Army Equitation RAF Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association

In case you haven't seen this doing the rounds, The Ministry of Defence's Joint Helicopter Command are liaising with The British Horse Society to understand the impact of low flying aircraft. Please take a moment to fill in the questionnaire.

https://forms.office.com/e/adyKzB3D3x

🤔 Your experiences and insights are invaluable in helping them enhance safety measures for horse riders across the UK. 🌍 Let's work together to make our rides safer and more enjoyable.

🙌 Together, we can create a safer environment for all horse riders! Thank you for being a part of this crucial initiative! 🌟

Fill | Equestrian Safety Survey The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), in collaboration with The British Horse Society are conducting an equestrian safety survey, to better understand the practices of horse riders, their use of high-visibility garments and their perceived risk of various horse-riding rela...

We are excited to announce that the UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championships 2024 will incorporate the Blue Lights Horse Show and the Police Sport UK National Equestrian Championships. This important collaboration means that we can look forward to welcoming more uniformed riders from the Emergency and Protective Services to the Championships to share in the wonderful Festival experience over a 3 day period, offering what we have before and much more….. including special Military, Police Sport UK and Emergency Services sections.



Ringfence the dates of 14 to 16 October in your diary. Information on the venue will follow through internal channels.

Police Sport UK Blue Lights Horse Show The Worshipful Company of Loriners Saddlers Company & Saddlers Hall Army Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association RAF Equitation BFBS TV Army Sport NAVYfit

🎄🐴𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Christmas, horses and an atmosphere to match, what's not to like? The penultimate military fixture of the year is always a goal for military riders to get to and it has been a journey this year. It has been a great show, and we are all very proud of all the combinations that made the qualification this year. Regardless of their final placing, it has been a fantastic achievement for all. We hope that all horse and rider combinations have a well deserved break over the Christmas stand-down period and wish them best of luck for next year’s campaign.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮:
🔹 The The London International Horse Show for hosting us as a showcase event
🔹 Worshipful Company Of Saddlers and The Worshipful Company of Loriners for their continued support of the Services Showjumping Class and UK Armed Forces Equestrian
🔹 All CoC's for releasing their SP for Sports despite the relentless pace of operational commitments in 2023.
🔹 Jon Knighton and BFBS TV for the livestream and bringing the show to our SP across the UK and those deployed overseas
🔹 Flo Carter Eventing for doing a wonderful job hosting us in the Live Zone
The final placing from 4th place onwards are:
4️⃣ LCpl Laura Charley (R Signals) and her own Carolies Leap
5️⃣ LH Robyn McFadden (Royal Navy) and own Red Hot Chilli Pepper
6️⃣ LBdr Megan Benney (RA) and her own RA Ruby’s Flight
7️⃣ Bdr Christie Farren (RHA) and her own Rosemount Hill
8️⃣ SSgt Louise Hoyle (AGC-AWS) and her own B’Dior Papillon
Royal Navy Equestrian Association NAVYfit Army Sport Army Equitation Army in London - HQ London District Jimmys in Sport Royal Corps of Signals Royal Artillery Royal Artillery Equestrian Team The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery Adjutant General's Corps The Royal Logistic Corps DATR Army Medical Services Mia Palles-Clark Showjumping

Fantastic to see Services Jumping featured on the British Equestrian social media! Well done to everyone and to our media team on the ground headed up by Brian Leung

Congratulations Capt Lara Dixon, 1 Regiment RLC , on her horse own Topys V for securing their first title at the 2023 London International Horse Show . They are the Champions 🏆 for the Services Showjumping at the 2023 London International Horse Show. After a tightly contested two jumping rounds, Capt Lara Dixon held off the competition with a blistering 0.41s and 0.53s over 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
This was Capt Dixon’s first year back on the competitive riding scene and this has really rounded out her competition season alongside podium finishes at Royal Windsor Horse Show and Chepstow Spring Int’l. Capt Dixon is the Regimental Operations Officer at 1 Regt RLC and has balanced a busy operational year organising the regiment’s training and deployment schedule which included: pre-deployment training in Germany for OP CABRIT and Ex ALLIED SPIRIT in Georgia.
Well done and congratulations on this fantastic achievement - full results of all riders to follow.
The top 3 as follows:
🥇🏆 Capt Lara Dixon (RLC) and Topsy V
🥈 Cpl Holly Hall (RLC) and Quotender
🥉 Capt Mary Pearson (RAVC) and Je Taime Fandango
Thank you to the Worshipful Company Of Saddlers who have kindly supported UKAF Equestrian and this class. 🙏
Army Sport Army Equitation The Royal Logistic Corps Army Medical Services DATR RAF Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association
Prize giving 📷 by Peter Nixon and London International Horse Show

BFBS is live The London International Horse Show

https://www.youtube.com/live/UChfxmTmcwU?si=v9taZ0aZbWVUI6cv

Army Equitation Army Sport Royal Navy Equestrian Association NAVYfit RAF Equitation RAF Central Fund

📢A reminder go all our and our Single Services Associations that BFBS will be streaming this live on their YouTube channel tomorrow from 1020 hrs.
Catch all the action but do say hello and support our service personnel if you have made it into The London International Horse Show!
Army Equitation Army Sport RAF Equitation RAF Central Fund Royal Navy Equestrian Association NAVYfit

BFBS Sport to show Forces showjumping final live for the first time We're pleased to announce we will be bringing you live coverage of Forces showjumping's biggest event of the year

Royal Navy Equestrian Association NAVYfit
Royal Corps of Signals Jimmys in Sport Army Sport Army Equitation

Army Equitation RAF Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association

Less than 2 weeks to go and we're excited to share that BFBS will be livestreaming from The London International Horse Show!

Army Sport NAVYfit RAF Central Fund

For the first time EVER we will be broadcasting the Forces showjumping final LIVE.🙌

No matter where you are in the world you can watch all the action from the prestigious London International Horse Show on the Forces News YouTube channel. 🏇

More details here 👉 https://www.forces.net/sport/equestrian/bfbs-sport-show-forces-showjumping-final-live-first-time

📸 London Internationsl Horse Show

Tri-Service Representatives Visits Racesafe Equestrian and Country Direct 🇬🇧
UKAF Equestrian Championships sponsors invited representatives from all three services on a factory visit to see how their latest equestrian safety-wear is manufacturered and how they design a product that does not compromise on safety or comfort. - and it is all 🇬🇧 manufacturered by hand!
It was a fascinating to learn that it is surprisingly a (human)-resource intensive production process. Reps also learned some product history and some of the thinking and innovation behind the scenes.
Thank you Racesasfe and Michael Darley for inviting us!
Army Equitation RAF Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association

The survey about the future of the UK Armed Forces Equestrian Championships closes tonight. Use this link to have your say.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7WB3vlNZS0iuldChbfoJ5fPKkMPfckBNtAbOhh6UB4JUQjRINUFHVlg1VUxFTkkwTjU2WFhQTlZXTC4u&fbclid=IwAR0YZiyWLLvPsHdf0_l1LDqvLsgl8JvlvVOnSkZRtCfI_nU8PWCPoFq7ZQU

Please help us improve the 2024 UKAF Equestrian Championships! Have your say here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=7WB3vlNZS0iuldChbfoJ5fPKkMPfckBNtAbOhh6UB4JUQjRINUFHVlg1VUxFTkkwTjU2WFhQTlZXTC4u

Survey closes 20 Oct 23.

Fill | UK ARMED FORCES EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION (UKAFEA) QUESTIONNAIRE The UKAFEA exists to act as an enabler for sport delivery at the UKAF level and to provide governance around the organisation of Tri-Service equestrian competitive disciplines. In doing this it has run an annual Championship show for many years at different venues for military riders and associate c...

Fantastic to have coverage from BFBS for our show this week at Addington Equestrian. Well done to all those who took part.

Army Equitation RAF Equitation Royal Navy Equestrian Association

Who were the winners at Addington Manor for the UK Armed Forces equestrian championships? 🐎

Nearly 100 riders from all three services have been competing, with a mixture of experienced and novice riders on show.

Catch the days action here 👉 https://www.forces.net/sport/equestrian/army-top-riders-battle-uk-armed-forces-equestrian-title