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Team Thompson

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Team Thompson Showjumping

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Annie Thompson

Brian Thompson

Rachel Timms

Gulliver Bear

The ALX Major Showjumping Championships at Arena UK brought together some of the country’s most talented combinations for a week of testing courses, electric crowds, and high-stakes competition. For Annie Thompson and her talented mare Julia B, the championship was a true test of partnership — showcasing moments of brilliance, lessons learned, and unwavering determination.

The week opened perfectly for Annie and Julia B in the 1.00 m class, where they produced a superb double clear to secure their qualification for the 1.00 m Grand Prix. It was a confident, rhythmic round, with Julia B jumping freely and Annie setting a balanced, forward pace from start to finish.

That early success gave the pair momentum — and demonstrated how well their preparation had paid off. It was the ideal way to start a long championship week.

Building on their strong opening, Annie and Julia B stepped up to the 1.05 m class on Day 2. The round was neat and composed, though a pole fell at fence 6, their only jumping fault of the round. Despite the slight setback, their overall performance remained sharp enough to qualify for the 1.05 m Grand Prix — proof of their growing consistency across multiple heights.

By Day 4, the courses had grown more technical, and the 1.10 m track demanded precision and bravery. Annie and Julia B answered the challenge well, maintaining rhythm and accuracy throughout. Unfortunately, a pole came down at fence 10, but once again the pair’s overall score was good enough to qualify for the 1.10 m Grand Prix.

Three qualifications in four days reflected impressive form and stamina — particularly in a field stacked with experienced combinations.

The Accumulator on Day 5 brought a different sort of challenge: a fast, crowd-pleasing format under bright lights and in front of a large audience. For many riders and horses, it’s an exhilarating but testing environment.

Annie and Julia B started well, but at fence 5, faced with the atmosphere and the crowd noise, Julia B hesitated, resulting in a refusal. Annie recovered quickly, completing the rest of the course positively, but the moment highlighted how much the environment can affect even well-seasoned partnerships.

Still, the round was a valuable learning experience — the kind of exposure that helps combinations mature and build confidence for the future.

The week concluded with the 1.10 m Grand Prix, a demanding course and a fitting finale to a long week. Annie and Julia B set off determinedly, clearing the opening lines with precision and confidence. But at fence 2, an early miscommunication led to a refusal.

After the restart, they regrouped and jumped the rest of the course clear, showing composure and heart. It wasn’t the ending they’d hoped for, but it proved the partnership’s resilience and ability to bounce back quickly — an essential quality in showjumping.

ALX Major Showjumping Championships 2025

From the start, the challenge was on. On Day 1, Annie and Julia B tackled two qualifying rounds: a 1.05 m class and a 1.10 m class. Unfortunately, both rounds came with a pole down — one in the 1.05, one in the 1.10. It was disappointing, but not disqualifying.

Importantly, despite those faults, the rounds were good enough to qualify them for both Grand Prix classes. Their jumping lines held up, their pace was sufficient, and their overall performance remained competitive. 

Day 2’s 1.05 m class looked set for a clean run. Annie & Julia B navigated the course admirably, flowing through combinations and clear lines right to near the end — only for the second-to-last fence to come down. It was heartbreaking: so close to a clear, but just a hair’s-width off.

While that one downed pole prevented a faultless round, it didn’t wipe out their momentum. The performance remained strong and kept them in contention for future classes.

Stepping up the height and pressure on Day 3, the 1.10 m class tested the pair more severely. Annie & Julia B had a valiant go — but two fences fell. Neither was catastrophic, but together they placed the round outside the clear zone.

Day 4 was the climax — two Grand Prix tests awaited. In the 105 Grand Prix, Annie & Julia B had a rough go: three “silly” poles came down. It wasn’t a run reflective of their ability, but sometimes in the pressure errors creep in.

Undeterred, they went on to the big 110 Grand Prix (the fences set at 1.15 m). That class, too, claimed its share: two poles came down in their round. Yet, those two faults still fell short of eliminating them from contention.

Remarkably, their effort was enough to secure 5th place overall in the 110 Grand Prix standings. In a field of strong amateurs, a top-5 finish after four days of ups and downs is nothing to scoff at.

Weston Lawns Amateur Grand Prix Show

Annie Thompson & Julia B Represent Leicestershire & Rutland at 2025 Academy Championships

The 2025 British Showjumping Academy Championships, held at Stoneleigh Park from 11–13 August alongside the National Championships, brought together young and ambitious riders from across the country.  ￼ For the team representing Leicestershire & Rutland, Annie Thompson aboard Julia B turned in rounds full of promise, over the two days.

The championships opened with the Advanced Teams section at 1.10 m. Annie and Julia B delivered a faultless performance, producing a clear round in Round 1. It was a strong start for the duo and for their team, reinforcing hopes that they could be in contention for both individual and team honours.

Their calm, rhythmic approach stood out: the lines flowed, the distances felt secure, and Julia B seemed confident in her jumping. It was a reminder that a clean round under pressure sets the tone and gives momentum for the next day.

Day 2 proved more challenging. In the second round, an early fence came down, resulting in a scoreline of 0 / 4 / 0. It was an unfortunate error early in the course, one that disrupted rhythm and left them with work to do just to stay competitive.

Despite that, Annie and Julia B soldiered on. The rest of their round was clean, showcasing good recovery, scope, and composure under pressure. That late drop didn’t completely derail their standing, but it did impose a limitation on how high they could climb.

When the final tally was in, Annie & Julia B finished 10th individually. Given the early mishap, that was a respectable placing, and proof that the pair could still salvage a top-ten despite setbacks.

In the team competition, the Leicestershire & Rutland side rallied well. Their aggregate across all team members gave them a team score of 19 faults, which was enough for a 4th place team finish. It wasn’t quite on the podium, but it reflected solid contributions from all team members.


British Showjumping National Academy Championships

The British Showjumping National Championships is always a competitive few days away. Over three demanding days, Annie Thompson & her ride Julia B showed flashes of brilliance, near misses, and a commendable fightback.

The championships began with a 1.10 m class, and expectations were high. Annie and Julia B delivered a confident round, but unfortunately a single rail came crashing down. That dropped them from the clear class contenders, but it was by no means a disaster: they remained well placed. But the pair showed good rhythm, scope, and control — encouraging signs that they were in the mix.

On day two the course was slightly lower at 1.05 m, but designed as a championship class with technical combinations and forward lines finishing at 115. Annie and Julia B were clean in jumping, but picked up three time faults.

While the three time faults were frustrating, the fact they were clear over the fences is telling. It meant the pairing had the technique and ability under pressure. 

The final day saw the course drop to 1.00 m, but with all riders still pushing hard for a podium finish and National Championship honours. Once more, Annie & Julia B had a nearly perfect run — until the last part, when one pole fell. It was a cruel, small error after a very solid round.

Even with that single downed rail, their overall performance across the three days was enough for 2nd place. Their consistency, good jumping rounds, and battle through minor faults paid off. To finish so narrowly shy of first is a mark of both tenacity and high quality.

British Showjumping National Championships 2025 

What an amazing time Annie Thompson and Julia B had at Thoresby International, jumping the Pony Club Mini Major for their club, Belvoir Hunt. The atmosphere was intense, with a crowd forming all around the spacious arena. This Mini Major was set to an optimum time, meaning whichever pair had the least amount of jumping faults was closest to the set time would be the winner. They were later on to go in, and before them only being the one clear so far. They jumped round for a great clear and dropped them into 1st, then dropped back to 2nd towards the end to finish in the placings. Both of the pair got to join in for a lap of honour and a goodie bag that they had won with a plaque, hat, rosette, etc. 

Thoresby Triumph: Belvoir Hunt Duo Place in Mini Major

In the middle of April, the team headed off to Weston Lawns to stay at their Amateur Jamboree Show. They arrived just after midday on Friday, set to jump the 105 National Amateur Qualifier. In a built-up class producing few clears, they left on just the two poles, leaving them with 8 faults. Day two meant an early start to head off to Speetley Equestrian to contest in the Summer Bronze League Direct Qualifier, which would qualify them for the semi-finals for HOYS. In a big class, they jumped clear and into the 1st jump off. Unfortunately, a pole rolled coming into the last line, leaving them on four faults, so they were out of the final round. On Sunday, we elected to jump the 95 National Amateur Class just to roll two poles and elect to retire and save her for another day. Overnight to Monday brought lots of rain and carried through into the jumping. In the 105, they were unfortunately eliminated, so they decided to do a late entry into the 100. They were clear for jumping but just had 5 time since Annie didn't know the course very well after not being able to walk it earlier before the class. But still finishing a respectable 4th.

Clear Rounds and Close Calls: A Testing Tour at Weston and Speetley

On the hottest weekend of June, Annie Thompson and Julia B travelled out to Onley Grounds Equestrian on the Friday and Sunday to jump at their Amateur Show. On Friday, they jumped the 95 and 105 classes, where in the 95 they were double clear and 3rd, qualifying them for the Grand Prix on Sunday and then just a late fence in the 105 gave them another 3rd to qualify them for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Due to the heat on Saturday reaching 29C, we decided to leave that day out and instead travelled back on Sunday as planned. In the 95 Grand Prix, they jumped the all needed clear in the first round and then placed an unbeatable jump off to take the Grand Prix win. They came away with a sash, rug, rosette, bottle of fizz, treats and a goodie bag. Then in the 105 Grand Prix, an unfortunate few poles left them out of the jump off, but left them on a high of the weekend and smiles all round. 

Onley Highlights: Clear Rounds, Rosettes & a Grand Prix Title

On the 25th January, we headed out to Willow Banks Equestrian Centre to contend in yet another Blue Chip Championships Qualifier. This time, for the Seaver Diamond Championship, at a start height of 95, and the WB Equiline Star Championship, at a start height of 110. After an all the needed clear and inside the time in the first round of the Diamond Qualifier, it was time for a jump off. All horses were fast on their feet, leaving us in 6th overall with a double clear and qualifying. Then in the Star Qualifier. An unfortunate stop and pole at the first fence left us out of the qualifying, considering it was a single phase in which combinations had to jump double clear in the top 8 to qualify, with only two qualifying of the class anyway. 

Blue Chip Qualified

Julia B jumped all clear over the three days at Addington.
On the first day, she jumped clear in the 100 Open to start the weekend. Then they had their attempt on Saturday in the Diamond Championship Qualifier for Blue Chip, just to have an annoying 3-time faults in the first phase with a jump-off time that would've placed them 8th and in the qualifying places. The Final Dya was thankfully an earlier finish than last time, jumping at 4.30 pm in the 100 Open. They jumped a lovely double clear and placed again just outside the placings.

Addington Equestrian - January 3 day show

A very quiet November, with Annie having the month basically completely off for recovery and then a quick trip out to Pickering Grange for two classes there before Addington was quite unexpected, but we were so thankful for Julai B to be able to have been kept in work for us. 
We travelled out on Thursday before doing our first class on Friday. Just jumping the 100 open to start back off where they left off in October. We didn't know what to expect after having not the easiest of rounds the weekend before at only 90cm and 95cm. they pulled off a lovely round with a clear and just-out the placings.
Saturday came the 110cm Open which was entered the night before, jumping a class round for a late pole to roll at fence 10B, but still finishing 8th in their section.
Sunday, the final day was a late finish, jumping at nearly 8.30 pm in the 100 Open due to a late start. Just lost their nerve a bit on the line to 6 and had a refusal, but got around nicely overall to finish off.

Julia B is a striking bay mare known for her athleticism, careful technique, and consistent performances in the British Showjumping circuit. She competes confidently at heights up to 1.30, demonstrating both power and precision across technical courses.

In the ring, Julia B stands out for her excellent bascule, tight front end, and scopey jump. She maintains a focused, forward rhythm while staying light in the hand, making her a rider-friendly horse with genuine scope and rideability.

Off the course, Julia B is known to be a level-headed and trainable mare—keen to work and responsive to her rider. Her competition record reflects not just experience, but a willingness to perform and adapt to different venues and conditions. She’s equally comfortable in outdoor grass arenas and indoor tracks.

Whether competing at affiliated shows or schooling over grids, Julia B is the type of horse that gives her rider confidence at height and brings home consistent clear rounds.


Julia B

Addington Equestrian - December 3 day show

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