Jazz takes top spot in SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse

Racehorse to Riding Horse stalwart, First Fandango and Hannah Chisman were runners up.

Both the first and second placed horses in the class qualify for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse championship 2025. The Defender Burghley qualifier is the last chance of the season thoroughbred ex-racehorses and their riders’ have to earn this prestigious qualification.

Top judges, Philip Hilton (conformation) and Michaela Bowling and Jill Wormall (ride) put the eighteen horses in the class through their paces to decide the placings. Michaela said: “It was an excellent class and it was lovely to see so many well turned-out horses and riders. Our winner and runner up were our unanimous choice right from the walk in. The winner gave a me a lovely ride.”

Winning rider, Jo Jack said: “It was so nice to be asked to ride African Jazz today, it’s the first time I’ve ridden him and what a credit to his owner Abi for training him so beautifully that I could just jump on. It is the best ride I’ve had in this ring, the horse simply floated round and was beautiful to ride.”

Winning owner, Abi Sole said: “I’m delighted with today, since we took Jazz on I’ve not looked back. I’ve owned him for three years now, he came from Godolphin Lifetime Care.” Abi enjoyed tremendous success with another horse from Godolphin Lifetime Care, Hero Worship. She continued: “It was at Burghley a couple of years ago when Hero was still competing, I spoke to Godolphin Lifetime Care and said if they ever had another one similar to Hero I’d love to hear from them. A couple of months later they were in touch about Jazz. He had already done a bit of eventing and we all thought he could do well in the show ring. Jazz has been a dream ever since! He’s always placed out showing and has done well in dressage too. Jo rode him so well today.”

Taking second place and the remaining qualifying spot were former SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse reserve champions, Hannah Chisman and First Fandango. Hannah said: “He’s getting better with age! After First Fandango took the reserve title in this series last season I said we would give up the showing, but here we are and he is 18 now. He was foot perfect today – we’ve also qualified for the Cotswold Cup in eventing and the final is the week before HOYS so it will be our warm up! So far we are in 8th place out of 208 in the Cotswold Cup. We will give up the showing after HOYS this time but will keep eventing as he absolutely loves it. I work as a driver for trainer Tony Carroll which means I’m really busy over the winter and then have a bit of time to go to the shows in the summer.”

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse organiser, Nicolina MacKenzie said: “We are delighted to have been back at Defender Burghley again. It is such a privilege for these fabulous thoroughbreds and their riders to compete at this fantastic event with it’s unrivalled atmosphere.” The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class has been held in the main Defender Burghley Arena on the final day of the world famous Horse Trials since 2012.

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Photo – L to R Philip Hilton, First Fandango and Hannah Chisman, SEIB’s Chief Operating Officer Bipin Thaker, Michaela Bowling, African Jazz and Jo Jack and Jill Wormall. Credit Trevor Meeks

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Defender Burghley 2025

1st – African Jazz owned by Abigail Sole and ridden by Jo Jack

2nd – First Fandango owned and ridden by Hannah Chisman

3rd – Amroth Bay owned and ridden by Sophie Kington

4th – Marselan owned and ridden by Amii Hardie

5th – Silver Ticket owned and ridden by Jane Moore

6th – An Cathaoir owned and ridden by Victoria Bertorelli