Image © Healy Racing
Nicole Lockhead Anderson secured her first title success when she was crowned p2p.ie champion lady rider following the conclusion of the season at Ballingarry and Tattersalls on Sunday.
Nicole Lockhead Anderson secured her first title success when she was crowned p2p.ie champion lady rider following the conclusion of the season at Ballingarry and Tattersalls on Sunday.
The Scottish native has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this season, as the accomplished showjumper, who originally hails from Aberdeen, Scotland, only made her Irish debut in the saddle aboard Dr Pep at Nenagh in March 2025, before riding her first winner on these shores.
A first winner followed earlier this season, when her boss, Sam Curling, gave her the leg up aboard Longhouse Star to land a winners-of-three at Rathcannon in November.
Her subsequent title success sees her emulate Aileen O’Sullivan as the latest female rider to secure title honours in the same season that she rode her first point-to-point winner, with Curling proving to be a major driving force behind her title triumph.
He supplied all bar two of her 13 winners this season, including four aboard Beau Walking, with that pair striking up a fruitful combination, winning at Ballyvodock and Comea within the space of seven days in early February, before further victories followed at Ballyragget and Lisronagh.
Paurick O’Connor and Michael Mangan were the two other handlers to supply her with victories this season aboard Magic Tricks and What Path respectably.
Away from the pointing fields, the 2026 season also proved to a notable one for Lockhead Anderson, as she achieved her first track success on her first ride inside the rails when she guided The Gradual Slope to land the Ladies National on Irish National weekend at Fairyhouse in early April.
The pair got up in the shadows of the post to deny Vaureal by just a head on the high-profile card.
With 13 winners this season, she matches Liz Lalor’s 13 in the 2018 campaign as the joint-winning-most tally for a female rider in the last decade, as she also achieved the notable feat of riding winners in all four regions, leaving her two clear of chief title rival Emily Costello, with the pair the only two female riders to ride more than two winners this season.
Nicole will be presented with her trophy at the 45th annual point-to-point awards, hosted by the QR Association, which takes place at Whites Hotel, Wexford, on Saturday, June 13th. Tickets can be purchased here.
