EVENTING | SEASON OPENER | POPLAR PARK HORSE TRIALS 2026
There is something about the first event of the season. The smell of the ground, the sound of hooves on turf, and the low hum of anticipation that settles over a showground like a familiar old friend. After a long winter – my own included, head-down with a young horse and the endless cycle of arena schooling – Poplar Park Horse Trials arrived this weekend like a reminder of exactly why we all do this.
For many in the British eventing world, Poplar Park is more than just the first event on the British Eventing calendar. Nestled in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, it is a touchstone – the moment the season truly begins. And this year, the field was, to put it plainly, spectacular. Olympians, World Champions, European Champions, and the horses who carried them into history were out in the coastal fog of Suffolk, quietly getting on with the job.
For me, returning here carried an extra layer. Suffolk is where I grew up and where I first learned to ride. Standing at the ropes watching some of the best horse-and-rider combinations in the world reminded me – viscerally – of just how much I love this sport. How unlike anything else it is. And, frankly, it put a rocket under me. Time to put the big girl pants on, get on with it, and take some inspiration from the extraordinary riding I saw this weekend.
Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen Head the Top Sections
Oliver Townend won both sections he entered – 5* ride COOLEY ROSALENT and 4* campaigner DROMGURRIHY GOLD both topping their classes. A clean sweep to open the account.
Tom McEwen also won in the Open Intermediate with Paris Olympic ride JL DUBLIN – steady, purposeful, and straight to the top. After event one, Tom and Oliver are tied joint first in the British Eventing stats centre on two wins each.
Intermediate: Tom Woodward and MY LADY RV
In the Intermediate class, Tom Woodward delivered a well-deserved win aboard MY LADY RV – a mare he has campaigned patiently and carefully since her first BE100 in 2023. With the loyal support of Team Joey throughout their journey, this result feels like a true partnership win.
Open Novice: Will Rawlin, Samantha Lissington, and the Power of Patient Development
The Open Novice sections delivered two winners whose results tell lovely stories of careful, long-term horsemanship.
Will Rawlin took the honours with CASTA DIVA, owned by the WRE Partnership. Like Tom Woodward’s mare, Casta Diva has been developed up through the levels with Will since her BE100 debut in 2023. There is something deeply satisfying about watching a combination grow together – and Will’s win reflects exactly that commitment.
Samantha Lissington won the second section with COOLEY CORPELLO, having taken over the 2* ride mid-2025 from Francesca Swallow. The supportive Jeanne and Mark Swallow remain the owner’s.
Saturday and Sunday Novice: Phoebe Buckley and Christina Wiseman
Phoebe Buckley claimed the Saturday Novice section riding PROCLAIM LIBERTY, owned by Mrs Sarah Page – a tidy win to start the season.
Sunday’s Novice section saw a result that deserves its own moment. Christina Wiseman won with her own EVITA PAOLA – the pair’s first win at the level – completing within the time and adding only a single showjumping pole to a dressage score of 32.5. What makes this result particularly special is the history: Christina and Evita Paola first competed together in 2017, and their very first event together was, fittingly, also Poplar Park.
Open U18 Novice: Ella Howard Continues Her Remarkable Rise
The Open U18 Novice was won by Ella Howard, the current Junior European Champion, riding Edward Howard’s DELAUNEY. The pair first ran at Poplar Park in the BE100 in 2024 and have improved steadily each year – this weekend adding only a few time faults to their dressage score.
100 Open: McEwen and McNab – Finishing on Their Dressage
In the 100 Open, Tom McEwen and Kevin McNab both came out on top, finishing on their dressage scores with clean cross country and showjumping rounds.
100 Open U18: Florence Baron Makes Her Mark
Florence Baron (@florence.eventing) had a wonderful result in the 100 Open U18, riding her own MOANGARRIFF DUKE to finish on their dressage score of 30 with a double clear inside the time. It was the pair’s first completion at the level – and based on this showing, it will not be their last. They’re already entered at Oasby for the 100 Open.
100 Class: Tight Margins, Clean Scores, and a Touch of Enthusiasm
The 100 class provided some of the most compelling results of the weekend in terms of sheer closeness at the top.
Lisa Clarke-Spence won Section I on her own HEAVENS TOO FAR, finishing on their dressage score in a closely contested battle – just 0.8 of a mark separated first and second, where Tom Rowland also finished on his dressage score riding Mrs Serena White’s CALCOURT DIAMOND. In Section J, Pippa Krzywiec topped the standings on LIMITED EDITION (owned by Project Pony), adding just 0.8 to her dressage. She held off Alice Hallows who had the same dressage score – but picked up 2 time faults for going rather too fast. We’ve all been there.
90 Open: Eliza Bell nee Stoddart Kicks Off a New Partnership
Eliza Bell nee Stoddart won the 90 Open on FOURFIELDS ARDAGH SKYFALL, owned by Miss Ottilie Willis – the pair’s first event together. A winning start to what is clearly a promising combination.
90 Open U18: Tilly Vowles Finishes on Her Dressage
Tilly Vowles won the 90 Open U18 riding her own TYNAN MIST, finishing on their dressage score with a double clear. A composed and impressive performance from a young rider clearly in good form.
90 Class: Alice Smith, Caroline Bridge, and the Joy of Accumulated Partnership
Section one of the 90 class was won by Alice Smith on her own YUKON MAGIC, finishing on their dressage score. The pair have been competing together since 2022 and have noticeably found more pace over their recent runs – a lovely start to their 2026 season.
The other section went to Caroline Bridge on her own TRINITY O REALLY. Competing together since 2024, the pair boast an impressive seven top-5 finishes at the level in 2025. Consistent, reliable, and clearly going from strength to strength.
The Competition: How Did the Courses Ride?
A note on the numbers – and what they tell us about the course.
Intermediate Cross Country: 90% of combinations jumped clear. This is a high completion rate. It reflects the experienced field enjoying a controlled start to their spring campaigns. The main question on course was fence 8: a three-fence combination incorporating a step and a slanted brush on departure, which caught out some partnerships with runouts. In showjumping, 74% jumped clear.
Novice Cross Country: 77% of the field jumped clear. Only one combination went inside the time – Christina Wiseman and Evita Paola. They went on to win their section. The most influential fences were 9 (a larger step down after a gallop uphill), 13 (a skinny followed by a log jump into water), and 17 (an A/B double step down into the quarry). 69% jumped clear in the showjumping phase with no time faults issued.
100 Cross Country: 72% completed clear with 27 combinations going inside the time. Two combinations finished too fast – Alice Hallows on Ms Anna Soroko and Mr Robert Huxster’s THE BIZZNESS and Ada Marson on Mrs Jane Marson’s UP FOR A PARTY. Clearly full of beans after winter! The course’s most influential complex was fences 10 and 11 at the first water – the shaded approach causing some uncertainty for less-experienced horses. 72% clear in showjumping.
90 Cross Country: 68% completed clear with 26 going inside the time. Fence 7a (a shaded drop with an alternative available), fence 10 (the first water, approached down a chute), and fence 16 (a skinny brush with the water distracting horses on approach) accounted for most of the penalties. 67% jumped clear in the showjumping.
Overall, a thoughtful set of challenges from cross country designers Mr Joe Weller and Mr James Hardwick, and showjumping course designer Sue Peasley. The courses offered enough to test without punishing honest, well-prepared combinations.
Ones to Watch: Notable Combinations in Attendance
Beyond the results, Poplar Park drew a cast of combinations worth watching through the rest of the season.
Sarah Bullimore brought out CORIMIRO (owned by Mr Brett Bullimore, Mr Bruce Saint, and Christopher and Susan Gillespie) – recently featured in Horse & Hound – for what was clearly a steady educational outing for the exciting young horse.
Gemma Stevens was out with three of her string – Chilli King, Chilli Knight, and Flash Cooley.
Simon Greave, co-host of the Shut Up and Ride podcast, was there with four horses – including his Burghley 5* partner AUTOGRAF, getting some early runs on the board.
And in the sheer volume stakes: Kevin McNab completed on 10 horses, and Bubby Upton on 9 – two days of grit in the Suffolk coastal fog. Kevin now leads the British Eventing 2026 completions table with 10 runs, followed closely by Bubby on 9. Harry Meade also had a productive day with four of his top horses out, building fitness and confidence ahead of the spring 5*s.
Personal Shoutouts
Every event has its moments that mean a little more – the combinations you’re there specifically to watch, and whose results you feel in your chest.
Hugo Payne rode the co-owned NOBLE ENDEAVOUR through the novice with a lovely double clear to finish just outside the top 10. A confident, positive start – and a brilliant day shared with Hugo and co-owner Kathryn Payne in the Suffolk sunshine.
James Smith was out on his own CAPTAIN TOM in the 90 – their first event together. They finished with a super double clear, a result that absolutely deserved the celebration. Wonderful to see, and to catch up with James and extended family.
Rachel Bailey and her own TANEY completed the 90 with a double clear, kicking off their campaign to qualify for Badminton Grassroots. Taney, by all accounts, was absolutely delighted to be back out – and the enthusiasm was infectious.
After Event One: The Season Is Alive
One event in, and the 2026 British eventing season already has its first storylines. Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen tied at the summit. Kevin McNab with more completions than anyone. Promising young riders announcing themselves. Long-standing partnerships hitting new milestones. And a novice winner returning to the very field where their partnership began.
Poplar Park delivered, as it almost always does. The season is underway. And for this particular rider – newly inspired, properly motivated, and with a determined young horse to bring along – it cannot come fast enough.
See you out there, Olivia