Abbie Bevan Secures Horse of the Year Show Qualification at Bogenraith GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round
Monday 06 July 2026
Riders headed to Bogenraith Equestrian last Thursday to contest the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round, where 34 horse-and-rider combinations took on Shaun Sands' technical track in the hope of securing qualification for this year's Horse of the Year Show.
The course proved a true test, with 12 combinations producing faultless performances over the opening two rounds to earn their place in a competitive jump-off.
Leading the way was Abbie Bevan, who delivered a superb round aboard Colin Bevan's Optima De Ness to stop the clock in an unbeatable 38.70 seconds and claim victory.
Second place went to Gabriel Hodgson riding Clarendon Nerokan, who also jumped a superb clear round in the jump-off, crossing the finish in 39.24 seconds.
Rachel Williamson completed the podium with Ragnar 2ND, producing another faultless performance to finish in 41.72 seconds.
As one of the qualifying competitions for the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship, Abbie Bevan and Gabriel Hodgson secured their coveted places at the Horse of the Year Show, taking place at the NEC Birmingham this October.
In addition to HOYS qualification, the top five placed horses also earned qualification for the Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships, rewarding another group of talented combinations with the opportunity to compete at one of the sport's premier domestic events.
“I have had Optima De Ness since she was a four year old and we’ve had quite a big journey. She was a little bit shy as a young horse and a bit tricky in the beginning but I have always had a massive soft spot for her, so to get the GFS Saddles Newcomers win and qualification was so, so special. We are all over the moon with her, she’s seven now and has grown into a lovely brave horse. She’s had a great season so far; she got her Talent Seekers qualification at Wales so it will been nice to have both classes to do.
“It was worth the eight-and-a-half-hour trip to Bogenraith; we have never been before, but it’s absolutely beautiful there. We had a really good draw, later on in the jump off, so I had a fairly good idea of what I needed to do in my head. We already have our ticket to the Masters at the Nationals; she’s been so consistent in that class, so I knew there was no point going for a treble clear. We had nothing to lose so gave it a good go, having jumped two good first rounds. She’s actually quite a quick mare and very economical, we all need a bit of luck sometimes and it worked out for us. We are so delighted!
“Our aim now is to have a go at the Redpost Equestrian Foxhunter second rounds and see if we can get anywhere near, she has gone through to the third round in a couple of qualifiers so far, then give her a short break before the Nationals. Then I really want to get to some indoor shows to prepare for HOYS.” Abbie said.
GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round
Bogenraith Equestrian, Thursday 2 July 2026
1st – Abbie Bevan & Optima De Ness – 0/0/0 38.70
2nd – Gabriel Hodgson & Clarendon Nerokan – 0/0/0 39.24
3rd – Rachel Williamson & Ragnar 2ND – 0/0/0 41.72
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: Equiscot Photography
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