Rachel Proudley Tops GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Second Round at Stainsby Grange

Stainsby Grange hosted a competitive GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round at the weekend, with 56 rider and horse combinations coming forward to tackle a challenging course designed by Jason Abbs. 

With direct qualification for the Horse of the Year Show Final on offer, along with the chance for the top five riders to secure their place at the British Showjumping National Championships in August for the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Masters, there was plenty at stake throughout the class. 

The track proved demanding, with only 15 combinations managing to jump clear in both the opening rounds to progress to the deciding jump-off. As the competition intensified, it was Rachel Proudley who produced the standout performance aboard HK Horses HK Stakkata, delivering a smooth and accurate clear round in 39.91 seconds to take the win. 

“I’ve had a great show at Stainsby Grange this weekend, it’s our local venue, they put on really great show, everyone is so friendly and helpful. 

“Paloma is owned and came through the breeding plan at HK Horses, she’s just a great horse and was amazing in the class, jumping three clears. She put on a great performance, we were very happy with her. Toby Parsons at HK breaks the young horses and does a great job producing them until they are ready to step up, then they come to us. She’s eight now and jumped in Lanaken as a seven year old and is just stepping up to the bigger classes. There were a quite a few clears from first to second round, then they put it up quite a bit. My plan in the jump off was to have a quick enough round and get all my turns in. She’s a very fast horse anyway so I knew that her speed would take me and we would be there abouts if we left the jumps up, which she did. I love her she’s one of my favourites! 

“Our plan for her now is to go to Chepstow 2* this week and then hopefully, having just missed out qualifying in the Redpost Senior Foxhunter second round at Stainsby we can qualify for that final too. Paloma is still eligible for the HOYS Grade C and  Talentseekers so we will aim her at that too, it would be great to have her qualify for a few classes at HOYS if we can. I can’t thank HK Horses enough for giving me the opportunity to ride such a brilliant horse.” Rachel said. 

Finishing in second place was Josie O'Leary riding Tablinsky VD Laarse Heide Z, who also kept all the fences intact in the jump-off to stop the clock in 41.93 seconds. 

Third place went to Abbie Bevan and Nightfall I, who completed the podium after another faultless round in a time of 43.17 seconds. 

The class showcased the depth of talent within the Newcomers ranks, with riders balancing speed and precision as they chased valuable championship qualification. For Proudley, the victory means a coveted direct ticket to the Horse of the Year Show, while the remaining top five combinations will now turn their attention to the British Showjumping National Championships, where they will compete for honours in the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Masters later this summer. 

GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round 

Stainsby Grange, Saturday 25 April 2026 

1st – Rachel Proudley & HK Stakkata – 0/0/0 39.91 

2nd – Josie O’Leary & Tablinsky VD Laarse Heide Z – 0/0/0 41.93 

3rd – Abbie Bevan & Nightfall I – 0/0/0 43.17 

NB Results pending official grading 

Image: Digital Works Ltd