NAEC Stoneleigh Cup & The Accumulator’s 2024 Winners

Welshman Mark Edwards added another entry to his impressive Horse of the Year Show portfolio by winning the NAEC Stoneleigh Cup.

Riding Dillinger NE – a nine-year-old that Mark rates as probably the best horse he has had – achieved victory by 23 hundredths of a second from French challenger Julien Anquetin and Flamby Des Forets, with Rachel Proudley and Quality Street in third.

Mark won back-to-back international classes at HOYS in 2023, while he has also topped the winner’s podium in national classes, and that consistency again surfaced at Birmingham NEC.

“We have been on a great run of form here the past few years. It is a great venue with great support,” Mark said.

“He was really on form today, put the pressure on and we managed to stay on at the top. It was just my day today.

“He is only nine, so is only just stepping up. He has jumped a couple of Nations Cup clear rounds this year, and he has really stepped up up to the plate. We are really looking forward to his future.”

The day’s international action began with the ever-popular Accumulator, where points are collected for each fence jumped.

The maximum score is 65, which includes double points for clearing the final fence, with tied scores separated on time.

And it was Britain’s Jodie Hall McAteer who sped to to victory on Kimosa Van Het Kritrahof in a time of 41.31 seconds that at one stage in the competition had her more than five seconds clear of the field.

Ultimately, the biggest threat came from William Whitaker and Carlina d’Argouges after they clocked 42.29, while George Whitaker and Peanut took third.

“She is always competitive, so I knew if I rode her well enough that normally she would be clear and quick,” Jodie said.

“She has got a lot of experience now, she is an older horse and knows her job. She deserves to get a HOYS win on her CV at what is a special show for us British riders.”

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