Talent Spotting

Runner-Up: Paul Hayler - based at Sarah Whitmore's yard in Edenbridge, Kent. Attended Mrs Morgan's Easter Course at Goodwood in 1986. Shortlisted with Mrs Silvia Raper's "Harlekin" for British Young Rider dressage team in 1987 riding L.V. Mays Transport Ltd's "Baby Duck". (Team were placed 5th at Cervia, Italy.) In 1988 Paul won 5 Prix St Georges classes with Baby Duck and he also won the Elementary Winter Dressage Championship on Mr R Armstrong's "Charvil Lad".

In third place was Carl Hester. Carl learnt to ride in 1983 whilst working at the Fortune Centre in Hampshire, and competed on their horses. In 1987 he was placed 2nd in the Taylor Woodrow Young Rider Open Championship riding Kate Masek's "Billy Can". In 1988 Carl had the ride on Lady Craddock's "Slightly Trendy" and was selected to go as a member of the British Young Rider Dressage Team to Lanaken in Belgium, but unfortunately broke his leg just before the team left and was unable to take part. In 1987 Carl returned to the Talent Spotting Final where he was assessed as the most improved rider from 1986. Late in 1989 he began riding Dr Wilfred Bechtolsheimer's horses and in 1992 he represented Great Britain at the Barcelona Olympics on Giorgione. Carl was awarded the Spillers Equestrian Personality of the Year in 1997. Carl is a sought after trainer and as early as 1994 his pupil, three day eventer, Vaughn Jefferis became individual gold medallist at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague. The New Zealand event team requested Carl's presence at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as their dressage trainer. His hard work and dedication towards others was recognised in the same year, when Carl won the Dressage Trainer of the Year award. Carl has been National Dressage Champion 5 times and represented Great Britain three times at the Olympic Games.

Other Finalists: Lisa Bickenson, Joanne Fielden, Helen Dean

Runner-Up: Claire Neilson - attended the Easter Course at the B.E.C. taken by Lady Joicey. Pony Club area dressage teams; affiliated dressage Novice and Elementary. Helped by Tricia Gardiner. She is now Mrs Botterell and is not competing at the moment as she has children of her own, but she did go on to compete internationally at big tour level.

Other Finalists: Jackie Lees, Karen Marsh, Lucy Jennings, Karen Boyle

Runner-Up: Rheit Jeremy Bird from Cornwall. Attended Easter Course at Ardingly taken by Mrs Inger Bryant. Originally a reserve candidate for the Talent Spotting Final, but got a place through one of the finalists opting to come to the Selection Trials. Rheit is helped by Annabel Scrimgeour. He has competed at Novice and Pony Club Dressage competitions.

Other Finalists: Nikki Parry, Lucy Bailey, Justine Crush, Sharon Edwards

Runner-Up: Sarah Taylor - from Colesbourne in Gloucestershire. She was shortlisted for the British Junior Event Team to go to Switzerland. She and her pony 'Fair Dinkum' took fourth place at the Windsor Junior National Event Championship in 1989. Sarah was also long-listed for the British Pony Dressage team in 1987 and 1988.

Other Finalists: Tiffany Bitmead, Polly Boys, Lesley McVittie, Ruth Roberts

Winner: Clive Halsall - from Preston in Lancashire. He attended the Course at Southern Equitation, taken by Jane Kidd. He has competed nationally up to Grand Prix level and internationally at Small Tour. Clive was 2nd in the Advanced Medium National Chamionships in 2001. In 2003 he competed at the Fry's CDI at Small Tour Level. In 2005 Clive qualified 3 horses for the National Championships at Novice, Elementary and Intermediaire II level. He is a List 2 Judge and a fully qualified instructor. Clive found that through the publicity of winning Talent Spotting Final and the help of his trainer at the time, Sarah Whitmore, he gained the opportunity to train abroad in Switzerland with Georg Wahl.

Runner-up: Victoria Nie - from Ewhurst in Surrey was short-listed twice for the Pony European Championship and has qualified for Young Rider Novice Championships. In 1989 she was 2nd in the Moneeka Fine Arts Derby.

Other Finalists: Scott Rimmer, Susan Downes, Rebecca Gatrall, Phillipa Lester, Lucinda Underwood and Tessa Wooldridge

Runner-up: Sarah Wright - from Clitheroe, Lancs. Sarah competes in many equestrian activities including Dressage, Horse Trials, Showing, Show Jumping, and has had many wins at unaffiliated dressage competitions.

Other Finalists: Rebekah Abel Smith, Robbie Carpenter, Fox, Daniel Timson

Runner-up: Tiffany Barter - from Edenbridge, Kent. Took up serious dressage in 1991. Based with Sarah Whitmore at Hilders Farm. Member of the Young Rider European Team in 1994.

Other Finalists:- Rosamund Bowley, Kirsty Farren, Jaki Hulmes and Mark Townsend.

Runner-up: Adele Sisson - from North Weald, Essex. Participated in Pony Club Teams for Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. Attended AI in 1992. Trains with Mary Robins.

Other Finalists:- Joanne Barry, Jemma Bentley, Lucy Boyatt, Lucinda Hanaghan, Emma Hawley and Hannah Hilbery.

Runner-up: Jeanette Brakewell - from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. She was a member fo the Young Rider Three Day Event team and Pony Club Dressage teams. Jeanette decided to take eventing as her chosen career and in 1996 she came 7th at Braham CCI***, riding 'Over To You'. In 1997 she gained a Horse Trials Support Group Scholarship and competed at Blenheim CCI***, coming 7th. In 1998 she represented Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games riding 'Over To You'. Between 1999 and 2003, she was part of the Great Britain team at two European Championships, winning Gold on both occasions; the Olympic Games in Sydney, gaining a Silver medal and the World Equestrian Games winning individual silver and a team bronze. In 2005 Jeanette was a member of the Great Britain European team, where they gained a gold medal. She trains with John Bowen and Kenneth Clawson. The Talent Spotting Scheme gave Jeanette a huge boost to her career. She used the training grant she received on valuable lessons with Judy Harvey.

Other Finalists: Karen Andrew, Jennifer Balcombe, Eleanor Byrne and Esther Seeger.

Runner-up: Emma Morton - from Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire. Trains with Jane Bredin. Competes at Medium level with 5 year old horse, working towards Young Riders in 1996. Has competed in Pony Club Teams. Took part in the BYRDS Scheme in 1994/5.

Other Finalists: Ruth Friend, Kate Francis, Phillipa Germain and Kathleen Brakewell.

Runner-up: Lisa Maynard - Billericay, Essex. Trains with Sarah Cotton. Competed in RC & PC area teams.

Other Finalists: Erica Gerrard, Karen Edwards-Wilson, Olivia Walker and Kate Attlee,

Winner: Joanna Barry - from Stow-on-the-Wold, Glos. Originally from Edinburgh, moved to Glos in February 1996. Works full time for Carl Hester. Has been riding since the age of 4 and until 1993 competed only in showing .

Runner-up: Christopher Roper - from Wimborne, Dorset. Competes mainly showjumping and three day eventing.

Other Finalists: Daniel Watson, Abigail Sutton, Emily Hamblin & Lisa Kirkham.

Winner: Daryl Thickett - from Rotherham in South Yorkshire. Trained by Gill Liggins. Works full time for Ronnie Massarella, showjumping Chef d’Equipe.

Runner-ups: Pippa Fisher & Sorrell Klatzko were both very close runner-ups.

Other Finalists: Sarah Green, Jemima Manning and Kate Webb.

Runner-up: Emma Harlow - from Dore in Sheffield. Trains with Christopher White. Qualified with her 6 year old Danish horse for the Regional Championships in 1999.

Other Finalists: Victoria Scott, Eleanor Wardle, Andrew Campbell, Hayley Tennant.

Runner-up: Elder Klatzko from Ashford, Kent. Trains with Justine Crush. She rides her own horse at Novice/Elementary level.

Other Finalists: Rachel Rodger-Beesley, Richard Baldwin, Katie Bisson, Amy Knight

No Talent Spotting Final due to Foot & Mouth Outbreak