Sophie Paxton Rides her 'Horse of a Lifetime' to a Win in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Second Round at Bogenraith Equestrian Centre
Friday 04 July 2025
.JPG "Sophie Paxton Rides her 'Horse of a Lifetime' to a Win in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Second Round at Bogenraith Equestrian Centre")
The Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Seconds Rounds continued this week at Bogenraith Equestrian Centre, where Sophie Paxton took top honours riding her own Glasgow Z.
Thirty-one combinations came forward over course designer Shaun Sands' 1.30m track and the competition was fierce, with the field reduced to five for the jump-off. Jumping from mid draw, Sophie and the 11-year-old gelding, who stands at a massive 17.2 hh, were deceivingly quick as they navigated their way around the shortened track in a time of 35.89 seconds that could not be beaten.
Ronnie Lee Jones jumped into second place with Alex Bishop’s Ultimo N Z, 0.89 seconds off the winning pace, whilst Stephen Lohoard picked up third with his own Luna II, a further 1.21 seconds in arrears.
Commenting on her win with her ‘horse of a lifetime’, Sophie said: “It feels amazing to not only jump classes like this but to win as well, he is quite special. I knew there were some quick riders in the jump-off, but I could only do what I could do, and I don’t go fast that often, but it all paid off today.
“I’ve ridden him for two years and bought him off Sandy McLean a year and a half ago. He had only jumped a handful of 1.30m classes before then, and he is quite a sensitive horse so takes his belief from his rider. We have just clicked, and he has answered every question that I have asked of him. He continues to make every dream of mine come true and we have made it here together by believing in each other. I feel so proud of where we have come from to where we are now.”
“I’ve been to HOYS twice before, once on ponies and once last year in the Silver League Final but I’ve not managed a clear round yet but maybe this will be our year. It’s the final everyone wants to jump and it’s so special to have him with me there to do it and hopefully we can do the same in the Talent Seeker Qualifier,” added Sophie.
Bogenraith Equestrian Centre – Thursday, 3 July 2025
Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Second Round
1st – Sophie Paxton & Glasgow Z - 0/0/0 35.89 seconds
2nd – Ronnie Lee Jones & Ultimo N Z - 0/0/0 36.70 seconds
3rd – Stephen Lohoar & Luna II - 0/0/0 37.91 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Juma Photography
.jpg "Second Queen’s title for James Whitaker")
