🎬 That’s a wrap! What a fantastic week we had hosting the British Dressage Petplan Winter Area Festival at Solihull Riding Club.
From 4–8 February 2026, we welcomed competitors and supporters for five days of outstanding dressage competition. The rain certainly made an appearance throughout the week, but it didn’t dampen the atmosphere – riders, spectators and volunteers alike kept smiling and made it a truly memorable event.
We’re also delighted to share some exciting news: our contract to host the Area Festival has been renewed for another three years. We’re incredibly proud to continue working with British Dressage to deliver such a prestigious event and look forward to building on the success of this year’s festival.
A huge thank you goes to our judges, stewards and volunteers, whose dedication and hard work keep the show running smoothly. Events of this scale simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible team behind the scenes.
Despite the winter weather, Solihull Riding Club looked beautiful throughout the week, with elegant floral decorations by Jane Richmond adding a welcoming touch to the showground. Our grounds team also deserve special recognition – the arenas, surfaces and facilities were presented to a truly championship standard, and their efforts ensured competitors could perform at their best.
What Our Competitors Said
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our riders and spectators had to say:
“A massive thank you to the team for a wonderful Area Festival yesterday. Your team ensured that we all had smiles on our faces regardless of the relentless rain!”
“Running a big show like this is a massive effort, but the impression at Solihull is always of a team happy working together to achieve this.”
“True championship feel.”
“The surfaces, arena decorations and staff were all exceptional.”
Feedback like this means the world to our team and makes all the hard work worthwhile.
A huge thank you to all of the wonderful businesses and supporters who helped make the event possible:
- Classic Dressage – prizes for our winners
- TopSpec – prizes for our winners
- Equi‑Jewel By Emily – prizes for our winners
- Aspen Cooling Ltd – prizes for our winners
- 608 Equine and Farm Vets – sponsors of the SRC rosettes (1st–10th)
- Hunters Lodge Equestrian – who kindly gifted both Prelim winners a £100 voucher towards bespoke Gallors boots
- TopShots Photography – photographer capturing the very best
- Heaven Sends – faux flowers arena decor
đźš— Highest Score of the Week
A special thank you to Listers Land Rover Solihull, who generously offered a weekend in a Defender for the highest percentage score of the festival.
Congratulations to Freddie Spicer who achieved an impressive 75.87%, earning the top score of the week. What a fantastic achievement! 🥳
🏆 2026 Area Festival Winners
Congratulations to all our competitors, and especially to this year’s class winners:
- Advanced Medium Bronze – Heather Urquhart & Crafty Wizard
- Advanced Medium Silver – Beth Miller & Ramanos
- Inter I Bronze – Hannah MacMillian & Brookeborough Lad
- Inter I Silver – Annabel Abell & Sheepcote Lets Go
- Medium Bronze – Carolyn Gospel & Deludo
- Medium Silver – Claire Marston & Solitaire II
- Prix St Georges Bronze – Hannah Macmillan & Brookeborough Lad
- Prix St Georges Silver – Amelia Vanhegan-Harris & Holme Grove Bernini
- Elementary Bronze – Lissy Fell & Parker IV
- Elementary Silver – Irma Sutton & Sazzaro Ballante
- Novice Bronze Section A – Zoe Chipman & Ferdia Iaidir
- Novice Bronze Section B – Danielle Annable & Penstrumbly Maid Me Smile
- Novice Silver – Holly Powell & Otis V
- Prelim Bronze – Freddie Spicer & Cityview Moving On
- Prelim Silver – Laura Dimelow & What a Liberty
