Phoebe Sealey Secures National Championship Spot at Rectory Farm
Monday 18 May 2026
The Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round at Rectory Farm produced an exciting day of competition at the weekend, with 37 rider combinations stepping forward to take on Kevin Bull’s challenging track.
Riders were tested across the opening rounds, with only 22 combinations managing to keep all the poles in place and secure their place in the jump-off. As the competition intensified against the clock, it was Phoebe Sealey who emerged victorious riding her own Pauldary’s Co Jo.
Delivering a confident and speedy round, Phoebe crossed the timers clear in an impressive 43.76 seconds to take the top honours and secure qualification for the National Championships Final in August.
Second place went to Georgia Thorne riding Lilja, who also produced a polished clear round, stopping the clock in 47.49 seconds. Third place was claimed by Julia Helm aboard Helms Maxiposa after another strong performance in the competitive jump-off.
The class showcased plenty of exciting talent and competitive performances, with riders now looking ahead to the British Showjumping National Championships later this summer where the successful qualifiers will battle it out for championship honours.
“I am very pleased with Co Jo, I have had him two years in August, he was very green and hadn’t done anything. He is very well-bred, by Emerald and is very quirky and sharp… very quirky, but I think that’s what gives him the edge in the ring. I spent the first year just producing him at home and getting him stronger as he was very gangly and weak, so he has only been BS registered a year. I got all his Novice and Discovery double clears and then towards the end of the year I got his Newcomers too, he has been super. Since October last year he’s just gone from strength to strength, like it finally clicked. He has got all of the mileage under his belt now, which I think helped him get the win, he wouldn’t have been physically or mentally ready last year.
“It’s the first time we have been to Rectory, it’s a super venue, really nice! In fact, we are going to go back next weekend for a normal show. The course was kind which was good for the more inexperienced horses. There were quite a lot of clears through to the second round and jump off and because Co Jo is still learning he’s not that speedy yet, but he’s super careful so I can do any turn and trust him to be careful, he hates touching a fence. That’s where we made up the time doing all the turns.
“I would like to now qualify him for the Discovery as well if I can, because he has jumped some Newcomers and 1.15m’s the height won’t be a shock to him. Although he has the Newcomer double clears, we won’t aim him at those second rounds until next year, I don’t want to push him. I usually have horses with plenty of points so its lovely to be able to go up through the levels with Co Jo.” Phoebe said.
Ariat Senior British Novice Championship Second Round
Rectory Farm, Saturday 16 May 2026
1st – Phoebe Sealey & Pauldary’s Co Jo – 0/0/0 43.76
2nd – Georgia Thorne & Lilja – 0/0/0 47.49
3rd – Julia Helm & Helms Maxiposa – 0/0/0 48.71
NB Results pending official grading
