William Rekert and Corinio Z Secure Horse of the Year Show Ticket at GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round
Wednesday 01 July 2026
The race for qualification to the Horse of the Year Show continued at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre this weekend as 42 rider combinations came forward to contest the GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round.
Designed by Phil Ashworth, the track proved a true championship test, with riders needing to produce two faultless performances to secure a place in the jump-off. Just seven combinations successfully negotiated the first two rounds to earn their place in the final decider.
Setting a blistering pace in the jump-off, William Rekert partnered Kyle Williams' Corinio Z to an outstanding clear round in a winning time of 38.64 seconds, securing the coveted top spot and one of the two qualification places for the Horse of the Year Show Final this October.
Second place also produced a faultless performance, with Abbe Burchmore-Eames riding Camille Van Twelve Oaks Z stopping the clock in 42.71 seconds to also book their place at Horse of the Year Show.
Angela Thompson completed the podium aboard Pepzzo AJ, delivering another impressive clear round in a time of 42.90 seconds to finish third.
“Ronnie, has been a great horse for us. I own him with a good friend, Kyle Williams, who is Tom Williams’ nephew. He only did his first show a year ago, and since he’s got going, he has been really good. He was the 5 year old British Champion last year, the CSIYH1* 6 year old final winner earlier this year and then won the 6 year old final at Hickstead last week. To be honest, we aimed him at this qualifier at Bury Farm, having been the fastest four-fault at Felbridge in the first qualifier. He was very good at Hickstead, so this qualifier was our next aim, then we will be looking ahead to the National 6 Year Old Championship at Hickstead at the Young Horse Show.
“He’s a super little horse, having won so much in a year; he is super careful and really fast. He’s small but has plenty of stride, competitive but nice and easy at the same time. He’s been brilliant, really. We had two in to sell and we kept him. He’s a bit of a freak; he’s so fast and so careful for such a little horse- he’s only about 16hh, he’s got loads of stride and so much heart.
“I’ve got two qualified for this class now; maybe I’ll try for a third in the Talent Seekers!” William said.
As well as the prestigious Horse of the Year Show qualification on offer for the top two combinations, the competition also carried qualification for the British Showjumping National Championships, with the top five horses securing their place at the championships this August.
GFS Saddles Senior Newcomers Championship Second Round
Bury Farm Equestrian, Saturday 27 June 2026
1st – William Rekert & Corinio Z – 0/0/0 38.64
2nd – Abbe Burchmore-Eames & Camille Van Twelve Oaks Z – 0/0/0 42.71
3rd – Angela Thompson & Pepzzo AJ – 0/0/0 42.90
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results.
Image: SBM Photographic
