A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

November 12, 2026

British Team Chasing’s open and intermediate leagues once again delivered exciting competition, great support for our events plus plenty of friendly banter!

The league runs from the spring to the autumn season with the conclusion and prize giving at the final event of the autumn. Sadly, we were once again unable to go to our friends at the Essex and Suffolk due to the dry conditions, so the Kimblewick stepped in and hosted a fitting finale!

OPEN LEAGUE

This is generously sponsored by Your Protection Guaranteed and Goldsmiths Seeds. As well as winning points for 1-5th place in open classes, at events where there is no open, teams can gain ‘half points’ in the intermediate speed.

Team Ride Away 1 gained maximum points at no less than eight events, only losing out to their own intermediate team at the Wynnstay and to Eternal Optimists at Usk Valley.

In the spring, Charlotte Alexander and our sadly missed ‘poster horse’ Saphir de Rheu took up lead duties, with Susannah Stanning, Joe Stevenson, Susannah Stanning and Sophie Sheppard also in the squad.

Events got off to a dramatic start in the autumn with Susannah tasting the turf at the Belvoir and Roddy deputising on Pitch It Up thereafter, joined by Joe, James Sheppard and Lisette Davies, with Will Badlan, Seb Meade and Meisha Micklewright playing their part at the end of the season.

Wishful Thinkers finished strong with two second places at the end of the autumn, as well as at the National Championship whisking them up the leader board.

Beagling Rascals Hop Idols set out their stall early with a fantastic third place at the Championships from a new squad. They then proceeded to give Ride Away and the Wishfuls a run for their money through the autumn, on the podium at both Belvoir events and the Kimblewick.

Beaufort Boozers took fourth after a strong spring showing and are always competitive and fun to watch. League prizewinning regulars the Cupid Stunts and Fox Grant Dot Come filled fifth and sixth slots.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Sponsored by Stuart Nichols Waste Disposal Ltd, the intermediate league went to the wire as it usually does!

Team Ride Away 4 won five events over the spring and autumn season – including beating their own open team at the Wynnstay – but Fox Grant Thrusters were always on their heels, winning the Bicester and Kimblewick 2.0. They also took runner up slots at the Wynnstay, Kimblewick, Belvoir and Cotswold, eventually overhauling Ride Away by six points.

Fox Grant call on a large and talented squad but regulars include Yvonne Goss (team boss), Jamie Goss, Will Grant, Abi Byrd, Caroline Taylor, Alice Collins-Young, Fred White and Alex Knight.

Eternal Optimists also thrilled spectators with their ‘no guts, no glory’ style throughout the season – locals are probably still talking about their round at the Usk Valley. They won at the Worcestershire, Usk and Cotswold. Captain Simon Coady was variously joined by Jess Powell, Henry Chamberlain, Zack Mallaliueu, Alice Homer and Jade Lovell.

Fox Grant Thrusters Too and Team Ride Away 5 came fourth and fifth respectively.

Then it was a battle for the remaining places between more established and newer squads.

Beaglin’ Rascals Fox Off got their act together in style at the end of the autumn season, after being plagued by injuries earlier on, to take sixth place, with Northstar Feral Chasers taking 7th.

Regulars More Boring Gorings had a better spring than autumn with second at the Usk and Cottesmore Chasers had a good run in the spring for 8th and 9th respectively.

Finally Pheasant Pluckers, now making waves in opens again, clocked up spring points for 10th.

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AUTUMN - IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO RESEED YOUR PADDOCKS!

October 14, 2026

BTC sponsor Goldsmiths Seeds offers some great advice on helping your paddocks bounce back from the dry summer and offer useful turnout into next year. For details on their range check out www.goldsmithsseeds.com or give them a follow on Instagram @goldsmithsseeds AUTUMN: IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO RESEED YOUR PADDOCKS! Recovering from a dry summer? Autumn can offer the perfect conditions to give your paddocks a helping hand. WHY RESEED AFTER A DRY SUMMER? Extended dry weather can leave grass dormant, weaken existing plants and expose bare soil. Once the rain returns, some grass will recover naturally, but badly damaged or thin areas may need a little extra help. Reseeding or overseeding can help thicken the grass cover, improve the resilience of your pasture and reduce the amount of bare ground vulnerable to damage during wetter weather. Good ground cover helps protect the soil, supports sustainable grazing and can help reduce the development of muddy, worn areas. WHAT ARE THE OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR RESEEDING? 1. Soil temperature As a general guide, aim for a soil temperature of at least 8°C, with warmer soil helping seeds germinate more quickly. 2. Soil moisture Grass seed needs moisture to germinate and develop roots. Ideally, the soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged. 3. Suitable weather Mild conditions are preferable, with moderate daytime temperatures and reliable rainfall. The aim is to give the seed enough warmth and moisture to germinate and the young grass enough time to establish. 4. Good seed-to-soil contact Simply scattering seed over existing grass is unlikely to produce the best results. Preparing the surface and ensuring seed makes contact with the soil will improve the chances of successful germination. H OW TO PREPARE YOUR PADDOCK · Assess the damage: If the grass is still present but thin, overseeding may be sufficient. Severely damaged areas may need more thorough renovation. · Prepare the ground: Remove excess dead material, reduce competition from existing grass and address compaction where necessary. · Check your soil: A soil test can identify pH and nutrient deficiencies, helping you make informed decisions about any lime or fertiliser required. · Choose the right seed: Use a grass mixture specifically suited to horse paddocks, your soil type and your grazing requirements. · Sow carefully: Follow the seed supplier’s recommended sowing rate and method, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact. Rolling may help where appropriate, provided the ground is suitable. · Allow time to establish: Keep horses off newly seeded areas until the grass has developed a strong, well-rooted sward. This can take several weeks or longer, depending on the weather and growing conditions. CHOOSING THE RIGHT GRASS SEED FOR HORSES Not all grass seed mixtures are suitable for every horse paddock. Look for a horse specific mixture containing appropriate, persistent grasses that can tolerate grazing and hoof traffic. For horses that are good doers, overweight or prone to laminitis, seek advice on selecting a suitable lower-sugar, lower-energy mixture. Consider the soil type, drainage, intended use of the field and the horses grazing it before deciding which mixture to use. Goldsmiths Seeds Ltd offers a premium range of agricultural and amenity grass seeds, including a range of mixes tailored specifically for the equine market. Email us at sales@goldsmithsseeds.com with your specific requirements to get a bespoke recommendation. www.goldsmithsseeds.com