It was a magnificent day of celebration, marking the culmination of months of dedication, passion, and superb sportsmanship throughout the September and October league stages. Friends, family, and supporters gathered to cheer on the riders as they battled for both final-day honours and the ultimate league crowns.
The horse sections delivered plenty of reasons to celebrate, with Ben Rainey and the sensational Altona Sly Mist Bouncer producing a flawless performance. The crowd erupted as the pair won the 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse class on the day, securing the Champion Horse title for the finale. To add to their fairy-tale day, their incredible consistency over the autumn series was rewarded with the overall League Champion Horse title, the pair were adorned with a beautiful Champion Sash and took home a coveted trophy.
Equally deserving of the spotlight was Nathan McCausland and the brilliant Master Caledonia. After storming to victory in the 90cm class and placing third in the 1m section, they happily claimed the Reserve Champion Horse title for the day, beautifully mirroring their achievement as the overall League Reserve Champion Horse. The pair also displayed their sash and trophy as they celebrated on their lap of honour.
The celebrations continued with Lesley Jones, who enjoyed an extraordinarily successful day. She dominated the 1m horse class to take an incredible one-two finish with Leo and Christy, having already secured a fantastic win earlier in the afternoon in the 80cm class with Felix. Mandy Blakely and Kizzy also gave the crowd plenty to cheer about with a brilliant victory in the 70cm class, while Tracey Manson and Maverick kicked off the horse divisions in style with a win in the 60cm section.
The Working Hunter Pony classes brought immense joy and celebratory cheers to the Hagans Croft arena. Rachel O'Rourke and her wonderful pony, Prince, proved to be an absolute dream team. They captured the 50cm class and finished second in the 40cm class, proudly walking away with the day’s Champion Pony Rosette on the day.
There were also huge smiles for Rebecca Cowan and Teach Mór Dáire, who claimed the Reserve Champion Pony title for the day after an outstanding second-place finish in the 80cm class and a brilliant fifth-place spot in the 70cm class. Their superb efforts across the entire series were officially recognized as they stood as the League Reserve Champion Pony, the pair proudly wore their League sash and posed for photographs with their trophy.
The ultimate celebration for the pony league belonged to Chloe Rooney and Moorland Starling, who were crowned the overall League Champion Pony. Rooney was in unstoppable form throughout the finale, guiding Beans to a wonderful victory in the 90cm class and Fairyhill Markey to first place in the 80cm division. Again the pair celebrated their lap of honour with a fabulous gallop down the long side with their sash adorned!
Further final-day celebrations belonged to Sally O’Hare and Tinkerbell, who triumphed in the 40cm class, Elissa Cowan and Janala Mr Tom, who sparkled to win the 60cm class, and Chloe Rooney with Bently, taking the 70cm honors. Rounding out a truly memorable day of equestrian sport, Brisa Orr and Bright Blue Rose put on a spectacular show to confidently win the 1m pony class.
Every competitor walked away with well-deserved praise after a fantastic season at Hagans Croft, leaving everyone looking forward to the next chapters of this brilliant league in March and April 2027.
A championship of this scale would not be possible without the incredible backing of the equestrian community. Organisers extended a massive thank you to the league’s main sponsors, Ponease Equine Supplements and TopSpec Horse Feeds. Both companies provided very generous first-place prizes for every single class winner in the league, ensuring that the hard work and dedication of the overall champions was beautifully rewarded.
Hagans Croft would like to thank everyone who supported the final of Hagans Croft’s five-week Working Hunter League and NIF Qualifiers. This league is made possible by the following people’s help – judge Declan O'Neill and scribe and arena party Danni Froemling. Thanks also to Anna of Black Horse Photography for covering the event. All photographs can be viewed and purchased from the Black Horse Photography website.
Hagans Croft now prepares for their Winter Dressage League starting Saturday 14th November. Entries are via Its Plain Sailing - itsplainsailing.com/org/hce or you can also enter via the Hagans Croft App. Entries close each Friday at 12noon and times are posted Friday evening.
To find out more about this dressage league, please contact Gillian on 07849 106453 or go to the website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk
Working Hunter League & NIF Qualifiers - Saturday 7th November 2026
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
Working Hunter Horses Champion Horse: Ben Rainey, Altona Sly Mist Bouncer
Reserve Champion Horse: Nathan McCausland, Master Caledonia
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & 4 year old Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Tracey Manson, Maverick.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse
1. Mandy Blakely, Kizzy; 2. Claire Dobbin, Rollo; 3. Julie-Lee Radcliffe, Ballyrafeagh Prince; 4. Cherith Johnston, Socks.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Lesley Jones, Felix; 2. Sarah Moore, Jeannie; 3. Julie-Lee Radcliffe, Ballyrafeagh Prince; 4. Sophie Taggart, Izzie.
Class 4 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF
1. Ben Rainey, Altona Sly Mist Bouncer.
Class 5 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Nathan McCausland, Master Caledonia.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Lesley Jones, Leo; 2. Lesley Jones, Christy; 3. Nathan McCausland, Master Caledonia.
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
Champion Pony: Rachel O'Rourke, Prince
Reserve Champion Pony: Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire
Class 8 - 40cm Working Hunter Pony
1. Sally O'Hare, Tinkerbell; 2. Rachel O'Rourke, Prince.
Class 9 - 50cm Working Hunter Pony
1. Rachel O’Rourke, Prince; 2. Evie Ferris, Greenaun Cara.
Class 10 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M
1. Elissa Cowan, Janala Mr Tom; 2. Laoise Clancy, Home Alone Sparkles; 3. Evie Ferris, Greenaun Cara; 4. Sara O'Hare, Rollo.
Class 11 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M
1. Chloe Rooney, Bently; 2. Elissa Cowan, Janala Mr Tom; 3. Sara O'Hare, Rollo; 4. Robyn Ferris, Killea Lily; =5. Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire; =5. Laoise Clancy, Home Alone Sparkles.
Class 12 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M
1. Chloe Rooney, Fairyhill Markey; 2. Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire; 3. Lauren O'Rourke, Pippa; =4. Chloe Rooney, Moorland Starling; =4. Áine Clancy, Home Alone Archie.
Class 13 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M
1. Chloe Rooney, Beans; 2. Áine Clancy, Home Alone Archie; 3. Brisa Orr, Bright Blue Rose; 4. Jessica Scott, Leim Silver Star.
Class 14 - 1m Working Hunter Pony NIF 153cm
1. Brisa Orr, Bright Blue Rose.
Working Hunter League - September/October 2026
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
Working Hunter Horses League Champion Horse: Ben Rainey, Altona Sly Mist Bouncer
League Reserve Champion Horse: Nathan McCausland, Master Caledonia
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & 4 year old Working Hunter Horse NIF
No-one Qualified
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse
1. Claire Dobbin, Rollo.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Sophie Taggart, Izzie.
Class 4 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF
1. Ben Rainey, Altona Sly Mist Bouncer.
Class 5 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF
1. Nathan McCausland, Master Caledonia.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF
No-one Qualified
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
League Champion Pony: Chloe Rooney, Moorland Starling
League Reserve Champion Pony: Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire
Class 8 - 40cm Working Hunter Pony
1. Rachel O'Rourke, Prince; 2. Sally O’hare Tinkerbell.
Class 9 - 50cm Working Hunter Pony
1. Rachel O'Rourke, Prince; 2. Evie Ferris, Greenaun Cara.
Class 10 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M
1. Elissa Cowan, Janala Mr Tom; 2. Laoise Clancy, Alone Sparkles; 3. Penny O’hare, Gonzo.
Class 11 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M
1. Elissa Cowan, Janala Mr Tom; 2. Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire; 3. Laoise Clancy, Alone Sparkles; 4. Robyn Ferris, Killea Lily.
Class 12 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M
1. Sophia Campbell, Tulira Empress; 2. Chloe Rooney, Moorland Starling; 3. Rebecca Cowan, Teach Mór Dáire.
Class 13 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M
1. Chloe Rooney, Beans; 2. Jessica Scott, Leim Silver Star.
Class 14 - 1m Working Hunter Pony NIF 153cm
No One Qualified
5. League Champion Pony - Chloe Rooney, Moorland Starling
League Champion Pony - Chloe Rooney, Moorland Starling Photo: Black Horse Photography