Here at GFS Saddles, we work closely with a small number of ambassadors who are genuine advocates of our products. Earlier this year, #TeamGFS Dressage rider Gracie Catling joined us for a guest blog, allowing our readers to get to know her and her lovely string of horses a little better.

Today, we are introducing you to the newest member of the #TeamGFS family, Sophie Payne. Sophie is a showjumper and content creator who has been a part of the team since May. We’re super excited for you to get to know her and her horse Harvey better, so grab a cup of tea and get comfy. Let’s dive straight in!

 

Q: For those who don’t know you yet, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your riding journey began? 

Sophie: I’m a 30-year-old Management Consultant from Surrey, navigating the 9–5 grind while trying to keep up with my horse obsession, squeeze in some fitness (occasionally), and win the never-ending battle with laundry. Oh, and I recently got married. Top of the priority list? Making sure my horse got an invite, obviously.

My equestrian love story started with my parents. My mum taught my dad to ride when they first got together, and their evenings were spent at the local stables – though the licensed bar might’ve had something to do with that! They spent their child-free years hunting across the Mendips, Team Chasing or just immersed in their equestrian community. Growing up, my mum still had her horse Fury, and she would often ride past the house on the way back to the stables and plonk me on the seat in front. I guess you could say I could ride before I could walk.   

Naturally, I became that horse girl at school – the one who’d rather muck out stables in sideways rain than go shopping. After my A-Levels, I went to Hartpury University to study Equine Business Management, which was basically a dream: a bunch of horse-mad girls in wellies, straw in our hair, and zero shame.

In my third year, I found Harvey; a 17.2hh Belgian Warmblood. My mum swore 16.3hh was the absolute max, and technically he was advertised as that… until his previous owner confessed she’d advertised him smaller so people wouldn’t be scared off. But she was right, he’s a total gentleman. Nicknamed “the big dog,” Harvey’s been with me for nine years this August and is still the yard’s resident superstar thanks to his big personality and even bigger cuddles.

Q: Harvey has a pretty inspiring story. What have been some of the biggest lessons or proudest moments you’ve had as a partnership?

Sophie: Over the past few years, Harvey’s been battling Equine Recurring Uveitis (ERU), a pesky eye condition we were managing pretty well. But last year, after a string of flare-ups, I decided it was time to look into a longer-term fix. We went ahead with a low-lew Gentamicin injection… and in true Harvey fashion, he had a rare reaction and lost sight in his right eye. Did that stop us? Not a chance! We were back out competing in no time. At our first show post-injection, he smashed it! Two double clears, a win in the 1.05m, and a third in the 1.10m. Legend.

Harvey and I have built a rock-solid partnership over our nine years together. He’s my wingman through sticky spots, and he trusts me not to ask him to do anything daft. Sadly, even though the injection seemed to be working, complications crept in earlier this year. A few weeks ago, I made the tough call to have the eye removed. We’re now waiting for the vet’s green light to get back in the saddle, but fingers crossed we’ll be flying over coloured poles again this autumn.

Looking back at everything we’ve achieved makes me beam with pride. My younger self would be gobsmacked at the journey we’ve had: the championships, the venues, the memories. Last year at the National Amateur Championships, we won the 1.10 warm-up class, and that lap of honour? I was grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole way round!

Q: What inspired you to start sharing your journey online?

Sophie: Five years ago, mid-pandemic chaos and all, I packed up and moved to Windsor, leaving behind my friends, family, and the familiar comforts of the West Country. I was ready for a fresh start and keen to meet new people… but thanks to lockdowns and social distancing, that plan was firmly on hold. So, I turned to the only place left to socialise: social media. And let’s be honest, it felt way less weird to follow local horse riders from a horse-themed account than from my personal one!

A few months before the big move, I launched The Horse Chapter, a nod to the new chapter in my life, relocating to a place I’d only visited a handful of times and stepping out on my own for the first time.

And guess what? It worked! While exploring Windsor Great Park (my local stomping ground), riders started recognising me and asking, “Are you The Horse Chapter?” cue instant conversation and budding friendships. One of the girls I met in the park even came to my wedding recently, which just goes to show how powerful a shared love of horses (and a cheeky Instagram account) can be.

Q: What differences have you noticed in Harvey since riding in your GFS tack?

Sophie: I spend a fair few hours out in the park, and let me tell you, the first thing I noticed was how ridiculously comfy the saddle is! I used to come back from rides questioning every underwear decision I’d ever made, but now? I take wrong turns on purpose just to squeeze in an extra 20 minutes. Bliss.

Even my instructor noticed the difference, my posture and position improved almost instantly, and Harvey’s loving it too. He feels loose, supple, and totally free whether we’re galloping through the park or popping over a fence. I was pretty set in my ways with my old saddle and didn’t realise how many little niggles I’d just learnt to live with… until GFS came along and showed me what I was missing. It’s been a game changer!

Q: If you had to choose one GFS product you couldn’t live without, which would it be and why?

Sophie: The saddle, oh, the saddle! As I said before, now that I’ve settled into the GFS Premier Event Saddle, there’s no going back. It’s like finding the perfect pair of jeans: supportive, comfy, and makes you feel like you could conquer the world (or at least a few fences). Fun fact: my mum’s last horse had a GFS saddle too, and it’s still tucked away in my parents’ shed 40+ years later. So not only are they comfy, but they’re also clearly built to last. Safe to say, I’m officially converted!

Q: How do you balance a full-time job, horse ownership and content creation?

Sophie: I’ll be honest, I don’t juggle it all quite as effortlessly as some! But I’m lucky that my job lets me work mostly from home, which means I dodge the daily commute and gain a few precious hours to spend in the saddle. That extra time has been a game-changer for keeping Harvey happy and getting my horse fix in.

Content creation started as a little side hobby, just a way to connect with fellow horse lovers. But after a few posts and videos went viral (still not over it!), it opened some exciting doors and gave me the chance to collaborate with brands I admire. I don’t get to create as much as I’d like (life, laundry, and a busy social calendar happen), but I’m working on it, and loving every minute when I do.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of 2025 and beyond?

 Sophie: With everything that’s happened recently with Harvey, my main goal is to get him back to competition fitness and flying over coloured poles again. I’ve got my sights set on the National Amateur Championships, I’ve already qualified directly for the 1.05m class, which is amazing! But it all depends on how many shows we can squeeze in beforehand. The courses are pretty technical, and with the Champs held at Aintree, it’s a bit of a trek… so we’ll see how things shape up!

On a personal note, I’ve still got one very exciting thing to look forward to…our honeymoon! We’re planning to head to Sri Lanka over Christmas and New Year, soaking up the culture and sunshine, before hopping over to the Maldives for a bit of scuba diving and serious relaxation. I can’t wait!

Thanks Sophie, we cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for The Horse Chapter!

 

Want to learn more about the game-changing saddle that Sophie rides in? Click here: www.gfssaddles.com/category/premier-range