HOYS Debutants Steal the Show on Day Two

Visitors to day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) were treated to a spectacle of heavy horses. Alongside the wonderful Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses for the 75th Anniversary, these magnificent breeds were also battling it out for some of the most sought-after titles in the showing world.

First up was The Barber Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year Championship where the two oldest horses took the spoils.

Harry and Hannah Bardsley’s 15-year-old Shire mare Moorfield Nancy was crowned Champion, giving the whole team, including rider Alice Pimbley, their first HOYS win.

Harry said: “I’ve known her [Nancy] since she was two hours old. This is our first time at HOYS and it absolutely means the world – it’s a dream come true.”

The mare has bred a few foals, one of which is now in Sweden. Alice took the ride on her last year, narrowly missing out on their HOYS ticket. Nancy is very lightly shown, attending just two shows this season before today.

“When she’s standing she looks very nice, but when you get going on her she’s just another level,” said Alice. “She rides like a Hack and the ride judge [JJ Kemp] said the ride was phenomenal.”

The mare also picked up the Best Shire Award, as conformation judge Captain James Anderson concluded that it was “a great class to judge…they’re all winners”.

Reserve Champion was Brian Bisset’s 12-year-old Clydesdale, Stobilee Zac, ridden in the ring by Isla Miller.

Over in the TopSpec Arena, David Cole’s Working Hunter track posed all the questions for competitors of the Jacksons of Yorkshire Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year. This prestigious Championship is now in its 32nd year and was won by Paris Olympian Laura Collett back in 2003.

Speaking part way through her busy morning of judging, ride judge Jessica Stalling said: “It’s a lovely full track, the course designer has done a phenomenal job and it is not making my job easy at all! It’s a pleasure to judge such quality horses and riders.” Judging the conformation was Chris Lawrie.

Their overall Champion was Cheryl Elcock’s Welsh Section C, Brynithon Poachers Gold, who was making her HOYS debut ridden by Cheryl’s son Oscar.

Ruby, as she is known at home, is a true hunting pony and entirely home produced. Cheryl bought her for Oscar as a fun pony and the mare had never been to a show before she came to the Elcock’s. Producing a bold clear and foot perfect show to win the 133cm Section, Ruby proved why she is described as “small but mighty”.

“She’s hunted every week over the last three winters and I think that’s what’s been the making of her,” said Cheryl.

“She’s our pony of a lifetime; Oscar would not be the rider he is today without her. This is beyond our wildest dreams.”

12-year-old Oscar first rode at HOYS in 2019 in the Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type of the Year and has placed twice in the Workers on different ponies since. He said: “the course was difficult today and I lost my rein in the middle of the double, but she always helps me out. She’s the best pony ever”.

Reserve Champion was the winner of the 143cm Section, Angela Hunt’s Lady Dublin of Corderry. The 11-year-old Connemara mare is by Gwennic De Goariva out of Aughaveen Aine, and has been ridden by Ruby Ward for the past three years.

After taking the Reserve, Ruby said: “It’s incredible, I’m so happy with her. She’s been great all season and it’s just a privilege to ride her.”

The pair finished third in this class at HOYS last year and have enjoyed wins at many of the major shows this year. Their HOYS prep has been relatively light with just a few indoor shows to get the mare used to the atmosphere after the outdoor season. They will return to the TopSpec Arena tomorrow to contest the National Pony Society/Mole Valley Farmers Working Hunter Pony class. This will be Ruby’s last year in plaited Workers.

Flying the flag once more for the older equines was Julie Millard’s 19-year-old Welsh Section A, Vennebos Pearly King, ridden by Mia-Bella Long who won the Junior 122cm Section. No stranger to the spotlight, this talented gelding won two years ago here at HOYS with a different rider.

Straight from watching her son Owen pilot their own Ysselhofs Hallmark to ninth in the Junior 122cm Section, there was no time to lose before Sarah Parker and Westown Wild Fire (Milo) put their best foot forward across the testing course to claim the 122cm Section.

Owned by Sarah Weston, the eight-year-old Dartmoor by Westown Fire Cracker stood Reserve Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year on the flat last year and Sarah has since brought him out over jumps. Accomplishing this prestigious title after just a few short months over jumps has solidified a new career for this impressive pony.

Reigning Exc 143cm Champion Dycott Welsh King reclaimed the title for Anna Chaplin and Ross Keys. Anna has owned the Welsh Section D stallion since a five-year-old and this is his eighth year at HOYS in the ribbons. Now aged 17, King is showing no signs of slowing down.

“This horse lives for two shows a year – Windsor and HOYS,” said Ross. “He just thrives off the crowd; he comes here and knows what he’s doing. He jumped a mega round.”

The afternoon proceedings concluded with the second round of competition between the heavy horses, as 12 elegant horses and carriages came forward for the Gogar Services Driven Heavy Horse of the Year Championship.

Judge Paul Mills had a difficult decision on his hands, as he asked the top three to perform one final go round. In the end, his winner was Hugh Ramsay’s Shire gelding Landcliffe Glassia driven by Elaine Ramsay.

The 11-year-old gelding was bred by William Bedford and is by Sladbrook Benefactor out of Martonian Princess. The Ramsay family bought him as a four-year-old and broke him to harness. He is driven in various formations including pairs, but also likes to be driven on his own as Elaine says, “he knows he’s going to get the full attention!” They have had a superb season together winning three HOYS qualifiers.

Reserve Champion was Llangwm Hill Monty  owned and driven by Kurt Manders.

ENDS  

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2024, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk