A 17-year-old from Leicestershire, who’s ridden horses for just seven years, is riding high after securing a place in the under 25s national British Dressage Championships.
Joshua Bailey, from Nailstone near Market Bosworth, has qualified for the championships after taking the eventing world by storm over the last few years, most recently finishing in the top 10 at the Harry Hall One Club ACE (Anyone Can Event) Championships – in his debut at the event.
After winning his Harry Hall One Club ACE Championship qualifier at Pickering Grange in Coalville, Joshua finished in seventh place out of more than 50 riders in the junior class. The championships, held by British Eventing at Aintree Equestrian Centre and sponsored by leading equestrian brand, Harry Hall, welcomes equestrians of all abilities, aged 10 and above, to take part in arena eventing.
Competing on his six-year-old horse, Noraalfee, Joshua’s success at the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships is just the latest in a long line of outstanding performances for the teen, who first jumped in the saddle after expressing an initial interest in the sport aged 10.
After his parents, Fiona and Richard, bought him his first horse in 2018 called Bughill Darcy, an 11-year-old Irish sports horse lovingly known as Bugsy, Joshua quickly rose up the eventing ranks, becoming National Arena Eventing Champion at the age of just 12, competing as the youngest rider in the competition.
Horse riding began as somewhat of an escape for Joshua, after he experienced a challenging time at secondary school. He channelled all this energy into horse riding, performing consistently well with Bugsy at various eventing competitions across the country, including the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships.
The Harry Hall One Club, of which Joshua is a member, is a supportive, inclusive community that provides practical solutions to real-life challenges for horse owners and riders through its comprehensive insurance, product and membership options.
Speaking about the event programme, Liz Hopper, managing director at Harry Hall, said: “At Harry Hall, we’re dedicated to making equestrianism a sport that is as accessible and affordable for as many people in the UK as possible. We do this through our One Club membership platform, which aims to provide a helping hand for horse owners and riders of all ages and abilities.
“This focus on opening up the pastime to as many equestrians as we can aligns perfectly with the values of the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships, which is open to riders across a range of age brackets and skill levels.”
By the end of the 2022/23 eventing season, Joshua and Bugsy, along with his second horse, Noraalfee, who he bought himself in 2022, had qualified for and won every single competition they entered, a testament to the commitment, dedication and time that Joshua has invested in both horses, with whom he has fantastic relationships.
When he bought Noraalfee one and a half years ago, the mare had never competed on grass or jumped a fence and Joshua worked with her tirelessly and independently to train her in the discipline of eventing – she can now jump fences 1.2 metres high.
Speaking about his success at the Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships, Joshua said: “Competing in the championships was one of the highlights of my riding career so far – it was a fantastic experience and to have come seventh out of the entire field in my first time taking part is something I’m really proud of.
“I’ve loved horse riding since the first time I got in the saddle. I realised quickly that the sport was my passion and getting my first horse, Bugsy, only amplified my love for competing. Bugsy is such a superstar, we have an incredible relationship and bond and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together so far. I’m now working with other riders and their horses to help them improve their riding skills, which is a real privilege.”
“My sights are now firmly set on competing for Team GB! I took one step closer to making this dream a reality recently, when I qualified for the under 25s British Dressage Championships, which will set me on the pathway to Team GB. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for myself, Bugsy and Noraalfee.”
The Harry Hall One Club ACE Championships provide a pathway into eventing for riders who may not feel ready to start competing across solid fences or in traditional eventing.
Liz continues: “The recent championships were a brilliant success and the feedback from the participants has been that it’s a fantastic competition and environment for riders of varying ages and abilities to have a go at arena style eventing. In addition, riders who have not qualified for the championships can attend the ‘have a go’ days, so it really is an inclusive event. We’re proud to play a part in such a special event and partner with British Eventing on the series and are looking forward to the qualifiers and championships for 2025.”
