William Rekert Takes Top Spot at Weston Lawns in GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Second Round

Seventy-six rider combinations came forward at Weston Lawns at the weekend to contest the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round, all setting their sights on a coveted place at the next stage of the series. Under the technical eye of course designer Kevin Bull, competitors were asked to produce accurate, forward-thinking rounds over a track that demanded both rideability and careful execution. 

As the competition progressed, just 10 combinations managed to jump clear across the first two rounds and secure their place in a competitive jump-off, where the pressure was firmly on to deliver against the clock. 

It was ultimately William Rekert, riding Thomas William’s Flying Saucer O.S, who produced the standout performance of the day. Delivering a foot-perfect round, the combination stopped the clock in an impressive 39.02 seconds to take the win and maximum honours in the second round. 

Hot on their heels was James Ingham, riding Mithras Blue VDW Z, who also delivered a clear round, finishing in 4.78 seconds to secure second place. Third went to Alexandra Somerville Cotton, riding Merllyns Greenside Matrix, who produced another polished clear in 41.81 seconds. 

With qualification implications adding extra significance to the results, the top two horses secured their tickets to the Horse of the Year Show Championship, while the top five horses (excluding those already qualified) will now progress to the British Showjumping National Championships in August. 

“We only got Dude the week before and I have only ridden and jumped him a couple of times at home. My boss Tom William acquired him having seem him and liked him as a six year old. After jumping him at home I really liked him, and as we were going to Weston Lawns with other horses, we decided to take him and have a go at the second round, and it worked! I think the horse has done some six year old classes, he is a feisty little horse and loves the job. The name Dude really suits him, he’s a cheeky little monkey! 

“I think it’s probably the first time Dude has gone fast against the clock, the first turn was a bit of a surprise to him, but he got the hang of it quickly and just got better and better with every round. By the end of the jump off he was flying, he’s a very athletic horse, careful and brave, he’s lovely!   The courses were good, the second round knocked a few out and we got a great draw, last to go. It was a quick and careful jump off which suited him and it all went to plan. 

 “We are going to Hickstead this week to jump the seven year olds and would like to qualify for the seven year old at their Young Horse Show, then Lanaken if we can and maybe some Foxhunter second rounds & HOYS Grade C’s, there lots of options for him as a seven year old.” William said.  

GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round  

Weston Lawns, Saturday 13 June 2026 

1st – William Reckert & Flying Saucer O.S – 0/0/0 39.02 

2nd – James Ingham & Mithras Blue VDW Z – 0/0/0 40.78 

3rd – Alexandra Somerville Cotton & Merllyns Greenside Matrix – 0/0/0 41.81 

NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.    

Image: Weston Lawns