Tabitha Prothero and Galtee Francis Stand Alone at Hascombe Second Round

The STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Hascombe Equestrian saw 12 rider combinations come forward at the weekend to contest Nathan Farrell’s technical course. 

Riders faced a competitive challenge throughout the opening rounds, with seven combinations successfully producing the all-important double clears to secure their place in the jump-off. 

With the pressure mounting in the final phase, it was Tabitha Prothero riding Rhiannon Prothero’s Galtee Francis who rose to the occasion. Delivering a superb faultless performance against the clock, the pair stopped the timers in 32.54 seconds and, crucially, finished as the only treble clear of the day to secure victory. 

The win now sees the combination looking ahead to the British Showjumping National Championships in August, where they will take on the next stage of the championship journey. 

“Frank is an eight year old, 148cm, Connemara gelding from Ireland who is owned by my Grandmother and was sourced for us by PK Ponies. We got Frank for me to gain experience on a more novice pony, all of my previous ponies have been out & out school masters. We have had him for a little over a year now, he is an absolute pleasure to ride, an exciting jumping prospect for the future and the perfect younger pony for me. Frank is full to the brim with personality and a definite favourite on the yard, he is the most genuine, honest ride, he never gets offended. He was very green when he came to us so having the much needed help from Lauren Roach, Kerry Grimster, and the rest of the team at PK Ponies has been essential for my learning and Frank’s development. Me and my family are so grateful to them, he is really coming into his own now. 

“We have had some great rounds at POYS and Blue Chip, more recently we jumped triple clear at Dorset Showground where we qualified for the Pony Discovery final, we are so impressed with him, neither of us has jumped a second round before. We really wanted to aim at the STX-UK Pony British Novice Final as we felt he would be competitive. We have never been to Hascombe, it was a well built course, having gone clear in the first two rounds I was drawn last so we [me and my trainer] knew we would have an advantage and no one else jumped clear so we knew what we needed to do! 

“Frank was fantastic in all three rounds and he tried his heart out for me, we are so pleased. We are really looking forward to enjoying the summer season now we have the two qualifications for Nationals.  It’s always so enjoyable with Frank.” Tabitha said. 

STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round 

Hascombe Equestrian, Saturday 9 May 2026 

1st – Tabitha Prothero & Galtee Francis – 0/0/0 32.54 

2nd – Bethy Naylor-Davis & Star Queen – 0/0/4 29.73 

3rd – Olivia Archer & Monaghanstown Tower – 0/0/4 31.49 

NB: Results pending official grading. 

Image: LRG Photography