Posted: 5th October 2018 | Back to news feed
Jessica Howard takes the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Champion title
Jessica Howard produced a nerveless performance to win the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship on day two of Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham. Almost half of the 24 starters jumped clear, setting up a jump-off that did not disappoint in terms of its intensity and exhilarating speed.
Despite being last to go in the jump-off, Bedfordshire-based Jessica, riding Tinkas Gentleman Jim, kept her composure to clip almost half a second off the previous leader's time set by Lily Freeman-Attwood on Capability Brown.
Credit: 1st Class Images
Courtney Young and Sky VI finished third, with Tatiane Mauree and Horseabout Zizu taking fourth and Lila Bremner, daughter of comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner, securing fifth spot aboard Lapislazuli.
Reflecting on her victory, Bedfordshire-based Jessica said: "It took a while to qualify, but we got there in the end. It's insane to win it. It’s just totally unreal. If someone had told me last year that I would win this class this year, I would have laughed. I would have said 'no way'.
"We've had quite a journey together, but he has really come into his own and is really confident now; I am so happy with him. He always rises to the occasion. He is such a careful pony, and he looks after himself, and it has just been about getting him careful and confident at the same time. I am, without doubt, the happiest person you could imagine."
Happy Henry is ExcLOOsive Event Hire Small Show Hunter of the Year Champion
No longer the bridesmaid, last year’s third placed contender Bowland Dynamo was victorious in the ExcLOOsive Event Hire Small Show Hunter of the Year Championship on day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood is owned by Ros Croft and Magnus Nicholson has been riding him for the past two seasons.
‘Henry’, as he is known at home, is described as a very happy horse to have around. “He’s a really nice person,” said Magnus. “We do a bit of jumping at home, a bit of dressage and he goes on the gallops a lot.”
Henry’s contented nature reflected the combination’s preparation ahead of their class. “We’ve been really relaxed with him,” said Magnus. “I got on half an hour before and we just walked and trotted round. He really enjoys his showing.”
The bay gelding has certainly made his presence known over the last two seasons, winning 13 times out of 17, including a win at the Great Yorkshire Show this year. Magnus hasn’t yet thought about contesting the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year on Sunday with Henry, but he has plenty on his mind in the meantime with another five horses to compete tomorrow and Saturday!
Second place went to Susan Farrow’s Irish Sport Horse Banview Sirocco. The six-year-old was ridden by Martin Skelton in the ring and qualified at Bucks County Show. The Small Show Hunter of the Year is one of the oldest classes here at HOYS, with the first class taking place back in 1954.
credit: 1st Class Images
Badger has an ace up his sleeve in the Philip Judge International British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year Championship
There were lots of happy tears out in the collecting ring following the result of the Philip Judge International British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year Championship on day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). It was eight-year-old Shire gelding Horsmans Ace Card who was the judge’s pick, ridden by Helen Cowley.
Owned by Wendy Toomer Harlow, ‘Badger’, as he is known at home, has been with Nigel Fuller for the past two months in preparation for HOYS. The eight-year-old has qualified for all three years of this Championship and was second and fifth in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
“We’re an amateur team,” said Helen, “so to get here is a dream come true.” Nigel is a full-time hairdresser, while Helen works as a fashion stylist in London. “I look up to the professionals, watch them in the ring and try and absorb everything they do, but it just goes to show that amateurs can do it too,” said Helen. “He was completely balanced in there; he’s like riding a hunter,” explained Helen, who describes the HOYS champion as a ‘smile and wave ride’. “He’s also the best person to hang out with and likes to have his two hours’ sleep before he goes into the ring!” she laughed. “He’ll go back to bed now!”
The Championship highlights the ability of heavy horses to perform on a world class stage, showcasing their potential as a true show horse under saddle. All four of the eligible breeds were represented among today’s 10 finalists: the Shire, Clydesdale, Suffolk Punch and Percheron. It was a Clydesdale who took second place; Brian Bisset’s six-year-old Stobilee Zac with Isla Miller in the saddle.
Double celebrations in The British Show Pony Society Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship
Producer Kirsty Aird rode Fell pony Greenholme Emblem to victory in The British Show Pony Society Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship, having won the 133cm class section earlier in the day at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The eight-year-old stallion is owned by Gwen Rae and was bought by the Nicholwalls Fell Pony Stud from the Fell sales as a yearling.
“He’s the loveliest, kindest stallion. He’s so chilled and laid back, and he loves his job,” said Kirsty, who has been a HOYS regular since 2007 and has a busy week with rides in numerous classes, plus an appearance in the HOYS Live Zone in the Retail Village talking about careers in the industry. Speaking after the Championship, Kirsty said: “It’s a win to remember. I’ve done everything with him since a four-year-old so it’s just amazing, and it’s great for his owners at the Nicholwalls Stud.” As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, Kirsty also took the 143cm section with Cheryl Mackintosh’s Connemara gelding Woodbank Smokey Sam.
Overall Reserve Champion went to the winner of the 122cm section; Kelly Ward’s Welsh section A mare, Blackhill Imogen, ridden by Ruby Ward.
It was also a double celebration for the exceeding 143cm section winner. There were tears of joy for a first HOYS win for Stephanie Wheway’s New Forest mare Bisterne Diva, having been placed second before. To add to the excitement, the family had just watched Woodbank Smokey Sam take the 143cm win with Kirsty; a pony that they previously owned and also competed in workers.
The BSPS is the Premier Showing Society in the United Kingdom. The membership is divided into 24 franchised Areas around the country which organise regional shows, training days, points parties and social events. The Society offers three quality, well run Championship Shows each year; the Winter Championships, Summer Championships and Heritage Championships.
Oakley Hunt West take the Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Cup
The Pony Club team of Oakley Hunt West delivered the goods in a thrilling conclusion to win the inaugural Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Cup under the lights of the Andrews Bowen Arena at Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham.
Two days and three sessions of gripping competition ended with a run-off for top spot between Bedfordshire-based Oakley Hunt West and West Hants. It was the Oakley that finished on top in the deciding flag race, sparking scenes of celebration both among their team and supporters after a tie on 30 points with West Hants. West Hants had to settle for second, with North Warwickshire finishing third, Morpeth - making their first appearance at Horse of the Year Show since 1994 - taking fourth, Romney Marsh in fifth and sixth-placed Atherstone.
The teams will now set out to compete for the Thistledown Developments Pony Club Mounted Games Prince Philip Cup Final which culminates on Sunday evening.
Charlotte Dujardin makes it a hat-trick taking the Dressage Future Elite Championship title
Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin completed a Horse of the Year Show hat-trick when she won the Dressage Future Elite Championship in dominant fashion this evening in front of a packed out Horse of the Year Show crowd. Charlotte, riding Florentina VI, posted a score of 79.12% to secure a treble and produce further evidence of her enviable string of horses in the build-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
A high-class field also included her Great Britain colleague at the recent World Equestrian Games - Emile Faurie, and London 2012 team mate Laura Tomlinson. Second place went to Nicola Buchanan and Halfmoon Dark Magic, with Becky Moody and Eureko taking third.
The Dressage Future Elite Championship is aimed at promising horses aged between eight and 10, with all of them performing an Inter I freestyle test. Charlotte triumphed in front of a bumper audience at the Genting Arena in Birmingham's NEC, who roared their approval of one of world equestrian sport's biggest stars.
Reflecting on her victory, she said: "This is Florentina's first real big indoor show, so she has never really been in an atmosphere like this and I wasn't sure how she was going to cope with it, but she felt really good. I am really happy. "It's great to bring horses like her here and get them used to this environment and atmosphere. It's great to be able to do that and such a great experience for her."
It has been a busy schedule for the Gloucestershire-based rider in recent weeks, having claimed two bronze medals at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, then travelling straight to the LeMieux British Dressage National Championships in Warwickshire before arriving at Horse of the Year Show.
"I have literally come home from WEG, went straight to the National Championships, and then to here. It has been non-stop, but WEG was fantastic. We weren't sure if we were going to bring home a medal, but it went better than we could have ever have thought. I have learnt so much from going to WEG. With me, dealing with different aspects of it with Valegro, there was so much pressure, and now it is about bringing on another horse. I have got a fantastic string of horses, and heading towards Tokyo I think I will have about four grand prix horses lined up, which is a great position to be in. It's fantastic."
credit: 1st Class Images
Pearly King takes the honours in the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship
Any win at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is an incredible achievement, but when you ride your own horse that you have owned since a two-year-old, that’s something particularly special. This was the story for Sarah Carey who partnered her own Pearly King to victory in the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship on day two of the Show.
Having won the David Stennett Ltd. Large Hack of the Year earlier on in the day, Pearly King now holds his third Hack Champion title at HOYS, having been Reserve Champion twice and also Supreme Horse of the Year. This is Sarah’s first HOYS win with the 12-year-old who is by the prolific sire Kilvington Scoundrel.
“This means the world to me,” said Sarah. “He has a ‘look at me’ appearance and a will to win. He walks in and says ‘I’m here to win’ - and he gave me the most fantastic ride in there.”
Pearly King will now go home for a couple of days to relax in the field before coming back to contest the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship on Sunday evening. “He’s out all day at home, he goes hacking and lives a life of riley really,” said Sarah who only takes him out to a handful of shows a year.
credit 1st Class Images
Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo shows us how it’s done in the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year
Welsh ponies dominated the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Championship on day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). This prestigious Championship is a culmination of nine class sections, which have been split over the last two days.
Although small in stature, Zoe Holmes’ Welsh section A, Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo held his own among a fantastically strong field of winners and second placed ponies from all sections. Wonderfully ridden by 11-year-old Isabella Sharifi, the pony was brimming with style and presence all the way round the ring. This was Isabella’s first time in an open class at HOYS, and the pair had no problem stepping up a gear after their fourth place in the Brineton/Kare Plus Mountain & Moorland First Ridden Pony of the Year yesterday. Sharn Linney who has produced the grey gelding for the past two years, said: “It’s amazing! They’ve started with a bang!”
Sharn now has two ponies in the Ruckleigh School Supreme Pony of the Year Championship on Sunday following Thistledown Van-der-Vaart’s win in the Brineton Colne Mountain & Moorland Mini Pony of the Year Championship yesterday. “They’re both amazing,” she said. “We can only hope they perform to their best, but we’ll be happy whatever the outcome.”
Oliver Tuff makes history to take the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship title
Oliver Tuff made history at Horse of the Year Show as he brought the second day of competition to a thrilling close. At just 15 years of age, he became the youngest ever winner of the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship, a class that was launched in 1954 and features previous winners such as David Broome, Harvey Smith, Nick Skelton and John Whitaker.
It was a fearless display by the Devon-based teenager on Darino B, a 10-year-old bay gelding that romped home in the jump-off, clocking a time of 37.91 seconds. There were plenty of experienced campaigners left in his wake amongst 22 starters, with second place going to Lucy Townley riding Billy Tennessee and Louise Saywell taking third aboard Cardino Z. But the night belonged to Oliver on a horse owned by his father Justin as he thrilled his audience with a performance that belied his tender years under the spotlight of the Andrews Bowen International Arena.
"It is phenomenal, I can't believe it," he said. "The horse was fantastic. I knew he would be quick everywhere in the jump-off, and when he qualified for Horse of the Year Show everyone gasped at his performance. I was fairly confident because I knew the horse was quick, careful and brave, and that he might just do it. It's amazing.
"I first rode here in 2015 and I competed here last year in a pony class and I had the last fence down in the jump-off, so I started riding horses and it has really paid off. All I want is to get to the very top, it's all you can wish for. I have some good owners, and hopefully I can get a few more."
Credit 1st Class Images
Horse of the Year Show continues through to Sunday with some fantastic opportunities to catch all the action. For more information please visit: www.hoys.co.uk
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