Second time lucky for winning combination in the British Show Horse Association Ladies Side Saddle Horse of the Year Championship

The Ladies Side Saddle class at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is always such a spectacle, and what a wonderful class to get the 71st Show underway!

It was smiles all round for the winning team who had faced such disappointment just one week ahead of last year’s Show.

Francoise Babington and her own Seabourne Silent Valley had to pull out from the 2018 final after the gelding knocked himself in the stable days before.

The 10-year-old Thoroughbred more than made up for it this time around with a sterling performance in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, giving both Francoise and ride judge Helen Hillard a foot-perfect ride.

This was Francoise’s first time back at HOYS since she competed in the Working Hunter Pony Championship back in 1996.

“He went beautifully for the judge with a nice gallop,” said Francoise. “It’s just the most fantastic thing for the whole team.”

This year is Francoise’s second season with the horse, who is based with the Hood Show team and regularly ridden by Francoise.

The pair will be back in the ring on Friday for the Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Lightweight Show Hunter of the Year and are now first in the line-up for Sunday night’s Supreme Products Supreme Horse of the Year Championship. Last year’s Supreme Horse of the Year was the Ladies Side Saddle winner – Time 2 Reflect ridden by Jayne Ross – so watch this space!

ENDS

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2019, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk