Natasha Gibbons and her own Penhaligon Soleilette Aimee rose to victory in the Petplan Advanced Medium Freestyle Bronze with a score of a huge 73.000% in front of judges Cherry Elvin (E), Steph Cooper (C) and Janet Surr (M). Speaking of her win here today, Natasha told us, “I’m over the moon, I’m really happy with her. She’s a superstar! It all went really well actually, I went a bit blank on keeping up with my music, but apart from that, her way of going was really good and she halted which is sometimes a bit hit and miss with Amy, when she comes in and decides if she wants to wait at the start!” “She’s quite reactive to the music, as soon as she hears it go, she’s like ‘right, I’m off’. Her changes were good, all her trot work was probably a highlight, it went really well, I was really pleased with her.” Natasha continued. The duo has progressed rapidly through the levels, winning Elementary at the 2024 Winter Area Festival Championships before taking victory at Medium the following year at the Summer Area Festival Championships. Speaking on the progression they have made, “She picked up the changes really quickly, she’s so clever, she’s like a sponge, once she’s got something, she’s pretty much got it.” Talking about their experience competing at Area Festivals, “It’s a very friendly atmosphere, it’s very welcoming, everyone smiles at you and everyone is in it for the same reasons.” Natasha’s music was created by Equidance, and she told us how it all came together, “Kelly was fabulous at choosing it. I wanted to go for something that was quite rocky and she was like ‘Amy is so elegant and dainty’, so she went for the violine led. My niece is obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters, so the trot music is ‘Golden’. You know when you hear something so many times and think, ‘That would be really good trot music’? That’s how we chose that one. Kelly chose the canter and the walk music, and it all came together!” Looking ahead, the duo already has their sights firmly set on the next stages of their journey, “She’s ready to go out and do an Advanced, then hopefully up to Prix St Georges,” Natasha said. Their ultimate goal is to step up to Prix St Georges and return to the Area Festival Championships next year.