Eleven-year-old showjumper Anya Dewey Clarke claimed victory in the children on horses final at the British Showjumping Winter Championships held at Arena UK in Lincolnshire from 18-22 March. Riding the 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Jewelino, she edged out competitors in a close jump-off. The win follows her successful transition from dominating 128cm pony classes in 2025.
Anya Dewey Clarke, an 11-year-old rider, has achieved instant success after moving up from 128cm ponies to horses. In 2025, she secured a full set of 128cm titles. Her latest triumph came at the British Showjumping Winter Championships at Arena UK, Lincs, where she topped the winter children-on-horses final aboard Jewelino, a 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding previously ridden by Michaela Whitaker and owned by Martin Wood Whitaker's father Martin Wood. Anya began partnering with Jewelino in January, amassing six victories in six shows. Last month, they made an international debut at the CSI1* in Gassin-St Tropez, winning three of four classes, including two 1.15m grands prix. Anya's mother, Anna, explained the partnership's origins: “I’ve known Michaela Whitaker for a while through showing – her daughter Gracie has got Anya’s old first ridden pony that she won at HOYS [Horse of the Year Show] and the Royal International on. She offered Anya the ride for a bit as she had never ridden a horse and we thought it would be a good experience – we didn’t really get him with the plan to do children on horses but they just gelled.” In the final, three riders reached the jump-off, all delivering clear rounds within less than one second of each other. Cheska Kirby placed second on Magic Chianti, and Charlie Barker took third on Acarno B. Anya reflected: “I mainly wanted a clear, not to try to go in to win, but I knew that he’s got a nice big stride – he’s fluent and covers the ground, so I just stayed forward. He’s a lovely horse.”
