Exactly one year ago, British teenager Rachel Proudley’s name appeared on a puissance start list for the first time.
The then 19-year-old had been practising over shavings bales at home. She thought Easy Boy De Laubry Z had the scope and the bravery, but HOYS 2024 would be his first time over the big red wall too. Two unknowns united by trust in their abilities, and in each other.
“Last year was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Rachel, the reigning European young rider champion. “It was a great thrill to jump in my first puissance here, and I didn’t really know what to expect.
“It was his first one – we had only practised it once at home – so to get to the fourth round was brilliant.
“He is getting better and better. He jumped 2.20m at Bolesworth and 2.15m in Dublin, which was absolutely brilliant. He is exceptional at his job, and we can’t wait to see how he gets on this week.
“He means a lot to us. He is owned by Graham Ward, who is a lovely owner for us, and we’ve had him from a foal. In his spare time, he goes hunting with my dad, and he is such a chilled-out horse and does his job in the ring, so that’s all that counts.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“He has been hunting already this season, and to bring him here, he doesn’t need any special preparation at all. He knows his job, so hopefully we can do it in the ring.”
The pair return to where it all started for a second tilt at the HOYS puissance title tonight (11 October).
“It is always a thrill to go into a class like the puissance. It is an amazing atmosphere and gives you such a good buzz,” Rachel added.
“You always look forward to coming here, and to jump in front of a home crowd really means a lot. I am excited, and I am looking forward to hopefully getting it done. Fingers crossed, we have a good run.”
The 2025 HOYS Ripon Select Foods puissance starts at 9.25pm tonight. For information on how to watch, visit H&H’s guide
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
