Red Funnel Supported Talents 2026

Kian Symmans is 15-year-old footballer. His biggest achievements include signing a contract with AFC Bournemouth Academy in 2024, playing in national and international tournaments in 2025, and training with the Under-17 Bournemouth Football Club team. He was also selected for the Hampshire Schools team and won the Hampshire Cup final. For 2026 Kian is excited to continue developing and achieving more in his sport.

As a fighter, Connor believes in showing up, putting in the work, and learning every day. With respect to every opponent and every round, knowing nothing is given in this sport. As the only professional MMA fighter on the Island he is proud to represent the Isle of Wight. His focus for 2026 is simple - improve, stay consistent, and finish the year on a high.

Thirteen year old Harry Oatley recently became the Hampshire Golf Championship Under 14's net and Overall net Winner in 2025. His goal for this year is continue at the top of this game, to win with the Hampshire Under 14 team and to get his handicap to low single figure.
 

Ash and James have been competing on the water together for over 12 years, more recently transitioning to the high-performance Hurricane 5.9SX Catamaran. In their debut at the National Championships in 2025, the pair delivered three podium finishes, earned Top Newcomer recognition, placed 2nd in the Pro-Am category, and finished fifth overall. Building on this momentum, their goal for the 2026 season is to achieve an overall podium finish.
 

Having owned Siberian Huskies for 29 years, Julie is passionate about the breed and showcasing these dogs as fit for function sled dogs with correct breed confirmation. Her biggest dream has been to breed a show champion who also can win UK sled dog race. Julie achieved this in 2025, from their second only litter they bred champion husky, Wightflight Einich, who leads a three dog race winning team with her sister Robin and their brother Finley. Julie and her Wightflight Team hope for more race wins in the winter working season this year, while concentrating on making Wightflight Einich into a showing champion.
 

Competing from BE90 classes up to at 5*, Sarah Holmes is the only rider to reach this level of eventing on the Island. For 2026 Sarah has her sights on international events at Blenheim, Burghley and Pau (France), providing she can compete and sustain the runs each horse needs to enable her to qualify at these levels. 

Esme Colley is an 11 year old British Dressage Youth rider. Esme has represented the South and West of England and the Isle of Wight for the last two years placing sixth and seventh at Inter County and Regional level. Esme has recently qualified for BD Area Festivals and will soon be taking part in the competition. Esme is hoping to continue her Dressage Youth rider journey this year,  being selected to represent the region at Home Nations later in the year.

Rubi Harper is a Junior Showjumper competing in the British Showjumping senior division with her horses, Maverick and Katrin Wan. Her achievements include fourth place at the British Showjumping Championships in the junior division with second and top-ten finishes at Pony of the Year 2025. Her ambition is to be selected for the Young Riders National Team.

Kelly Read is a Showjumper who has finished third in the Horse of the Year Show Bronze League Final. After a challenging 2025, her aim for 2026 is to make a strong consistent return to competition with the ultimate aim of qualifying for the Silver League Final.

From a young age, Vicky has always had a love for dressage. She trains with Olympic dressage rider Andrew Gould and Island dressage trainer Anita Niccols. Her biggest Dressage achievement was being chosen to ride for England as a young rider in the A squad. Her biggest dream would be to ride for GB as a Para Dressage competitor with her horse Buddy.

Laura Crew is a Dressage rider competing in British Dressage and internationally in Virtus Para Dressage as a classified autistic GB athlete. Her biggest achievement is becoming Virtus Double National Champion with a score of 80%, a personal best. Her 2026 goals are to compete at the Virtus Para European Championships and high profile shows at Prix St George level.

Pip is known for producing and showing ponies successfully for many years from the Isle of Wight. She has worked her way up the levels and has achieved wins and championships at the biggest shows in the country, most notably The Royal International Horse Show held at Hickstead and The Horse of the Year show at Birmingham NEC. For 2026 Pip hopes to compete with her top pony at The Royal Windsor Horse show in May and the dream would be to qualify and compete at the London International Horse Show in December.

Hayley has progressed from early junior team GB appearances to breeding and producing all her top competition horses. In 2025, she placed top ten in numerous major classes across the UK, competing against professional riders. In 2026 she’s set to ride a promising group of young horses alongside Cachento, her standout horse, targeting specialist competition classes.
 

Ian has been competing in sheepdog trials since 2014 and in that time has taken part in trials all over the UK this year qualifying and running in the English Nationals. He has also toured and competed in Scotland visiting the Western Isles and the Shetland Islands. In 2026 Ian hopes to qualify for the nationals again.

Since 2022  Cass has been invited by Pokémon International to compete at the 2023 World Championship in Japan and 2024 world championships in Hawaii. He competes throughout the year at the European championships in Spain, France,Italy, Sweden, Holland, Germany & UK. His best achievement todate is wining the Dutch regional in 2024 and ranked 14th in Europe & 43rd in the world. In 2026, Cass hopes to keep competing in many more tournaments worldwide.