Adam Botham Books Horse of the Year Show Ticket at Bicton GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round

Fifty-five horse-and-rider combinations headed to Bicton last Friday to contest the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round, where Nigel Jess' technical course provided a true test for those hoping to secure qualification for this year's Horse of the Year Show. 

The challenging track saw just six combinations produce two immaculate clear rounds to progress to the jump-off, setting up an exciting race against the clock. 

It was Adam Botham who emerged victorious aboard Warwickshire Sport Horses' Nixon IV, delivering a superb faultless jump-off round in 39.95 seconds to take the win and secure qualification for the Horse of the Year Show. 

Claiming second place was Shane O'Meara with Miss Molly Malone VI, who also produced a stylish clear round to finish just behind the winner in 40.89 seconds, earning the second qualifying place for the prestigious championship at the NEC Birmingham this October. 

Alex Hempleman completed the podium aboard Billy Foster, producing another clear jump-off performance to stop the clock in 43.36 seconds. 

With their top-two finishes, Adam Botham and Nixon IV, alongside Shane O'Meara and Miss Molly Malone VI, have secured their places at the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship at the Horse of the Year Show this October. 

In addition, the top five placed horses from the class also earned qualification for the Masters at the British Showjumping National Championships, giving more combinations the opportunity to compete at one of the sport's premier domestic finals later this year. 

“I have had the ride on Nixon for around a year now, he is owned by Chris Dyson and Jake Rose. They bought him as a horse for Jake to ride and thought he had some good potential, so I took on the ride and it seems that he does have that potential, he jumped really well! He has picked up a Nationals ticket for the Redpost Foxhunter, he jumped treble clear in the qualifier and was forth so he will do another one of those to hopefully get a Foxhunter HOYS ticket too.  Then the plan is to educate him into being a Grand Prix horse in the end. He has the scope, it’s just stepping stones along the way. Nixon is eight now, but he was very green when I started riding him and for his age. 

“I was drawn first to go in the jump off after being drawn tenth in the first round and third in the second round. The whole course was built very well by Nigel Jess, with lots of eight, nine stride distances, it’s such a big arena at Bicton. Nixon isn’t the easiest horse to ride and doesn’t like to shorten at all so I just thought I am going to ride the course how I know it will suit the horse. So, we were going on seven and six where others were getting eight and seven and that was in the first round, never mind the jump off! I just rode him up, used his big canter and used my eye to go on distances I knew would suit him. It suited us so well at Bicton where I could just let him canter with it being such a lovely big arena, it gave him confidence.  We will have some work to do before HOYS!” Adam said. 

GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round 

Bicton, Friday 3 July 2026 

1st – Adam Botham & Nixon IV – 0/0/0 39.95 

2nd – Shane O’Meara & Miss Molly Malone VI – 0/0/0 40.89 

3rd – Alex Hempleman & Billy Foster – 0/0/0 43.36 

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

Image: ESP Photographic