Isabel Platts Premiers Fiona Bigwood's Pin Rock's Foxfire Blitz at 2026 CDI Wellington Heckfield

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2026 CDI Wellington Heckfield

British young professional Isabel Platts made a winning comeback to the international show scene after a 6-year hiatus from her CDI debut ride in 2020. Platts premiered Fiona Bigwood's former Grand Prix horse Pin Rock's Foxfire Blitz in the Under 25 division at the 2026 CDI Wellington Heckfield. She won both tests.

Wellington Riding organized its second international of 2026 on 8 - 11 October 2026 The Under 25 division was a rather small one with four combinations competing, but the winner stood out by claiming victory in her first international in six years and at a new level. Her horse is also a familiar face on the international show scene.

From Ponies to Professional Riding

The 22-year old Platts began her competitive career on ponies in February 2018. Aboard the chestnut mare Whalton Glad Rags (by Kilvington Scoundrel x Dexter The Fourth) she moved from elementary level to FEI pony level, riding down the CDI centerline for the first time at Keysoe in March 2020.

Platts did not return to the international stage, but was committed to dressage sport at national level. She transitioned to horses with the British cross bred PRE mare Eloise DF (by Cacique x Alvarez), first riding her at novice level in 2022 and continued to campaign her through 2023. She did not pursue junior riders' level.

"After ponies I worked," Isabel told Eurodressage. "I focused on working, mainly backing and producing horses for sale. I worked horses during the day and took my A levels remotely in the evening. It was hard to balance the two and very long days, but it enabled me to ride and continue my education. I took three A-levels and achieved straight A’s."

Pin Rock's Foxfire Blitz

In 2024 Fiona Bigwood's Pin Rock's Foxfire Blitz crossed her path. She was offered the horse and bought him sight unseen.

"I bought Foxy directly from Fiona and Mette. They actually came to me about him and I just said yes and the horse arrived the next day," Platts told Eurodressage. "I didn’t see him prior to purchase. The chance with such an experienced horse as foxy was an opportunity I couldn’t pass and I was willing to deal with whatever quirks came with that opportunity."

Blitz is now a 17-year old Finnish warmblood, sired by Fernet out of Rianne (by Caritas x Pele x Nimeton Ori), and bred by Tiina and Ira Ristimaki in Finland.

He was first shown by Saara Keihas, before Stella Hagelstam bought him in 2015 based on a Facebook ad. They debuted at the 2017 Finnish Championships in June 2017 and won. In the autumn of 2017 Bigwood acquired him from Hagelstam but it did not click. He was sent to a sales yard in Germany and a little later moved to Diederik van Silfhout's in The Netherlands, who competed him twice internationally, first in Herning in March 2020 (to 71% scores) and then again in May 2021 in Exloo to a 64,413% GP score.

A Match Made

The horse returned to the U.K. and found his match in Platts.

Isabel first showed him at national Advanced level in May 2024 and competed him at a few more national shows through December 2024. The CDI Wellington Heckfield this weekend was their return to showing and the international arena.

"I was nervous but genuinely just really grateful to be back out at a show like this and I tried to just stay focused until the test was done. He was pretty wild when I got him and I spent a lot of time training and building our partnership together," Platts admitted. "He was quite explosive when I first had him so this work I’m getting now is really rewarding as it’s taken a lot to get here."

Exceeding Expectations

For Isabel the CDI Wellington Heckfield exceeded all expectations.

"I felt a lot of pressure and excitement as it’s been a long time away from the international scene but the show really was a dream," said Isabel. "Foxy and I stayed focused and just went in with our own goals and aims and I feel we achieved them this show and now we will work to build on them."

Isabel and Blitz winning the U25 at the
2026 CDI Wellington Heckfield

She continued, "it felt really surreal - winning both days was more than I could have dreamed of. I’m really proud of him. I felt very emotional and to be honest didn’t quite believe it until later that evening."

Platts trains with Lewis Carrier and after her milestone win in Wellington she hopes to build on that experience.

"Of course would love to build from this competition now and look forward to maybe some more exciting shows next year," she stated.