Vikki and Vicky dominate the Coloured Horse and Pony of the Year Championship sponsored by CHAPS (UK)

A 15-year-old pony on his 10th year at Horse of the Year Show has finished his HOYS journey in style. Michelle Cuerden’s Piebald Stallion, Del Boy V (Derek), was ridden by Vikki Smith to land the Coloured Horse and Pony of the Year Championship sponsored by CHAPS (UK).

Del Boy V stood Reserve to The Humdinger, back in 2010, but this was Vikki’s first HOYS win. It was made all the sweeter as Derek is now going back to his owner Michelle to do veteran work.

“What a way to go out,” said Vikki. “He just loves the atmosphere in there.”

“The judges said he’s gone foot perfect all day.”

Rodney Trotter III, who was sired by Del Boy V, won this Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Pony class last year and stood Reserve Champion.

It’s been a good week for the Smith sisters, Vikki and Amy. They took second and first in the Thor Atkinson Steel Fabrications Ltd Mountain & Moorland Exc. 143cm Working Hunter Pony on Thursday.

Another Vicky Smith took the Reserve Championship with her Skewbald gelding, Bart. The pair held their nerve to retain the title of Coloured Ridden Non-Native Horse of the Year from 2018.

Vicky’s partner Alan Marnie bought Bart from Gillian Hickford at the start of 2018 and Gillian was at HOYS to watch Bart do it all over again.

“He’s a showman and loves a crowd,” said Vicky. “He went even better in the ring than last year.”

Plans are now in motion to see what else nine-year-old Bart could turn his hoof to, but with Vicky’s background in eventing and Bart’s “incredible jump”, Novice Workers could be on the cards.

Sophia Chambers rode her own Skewbald stallion, Roquefort Papillon (Mr Cash), to take the red rosette in the Coloured Ridden Non-Native Pony class. After finishing second last year with Springpond on the Razzle, Sophia was delighted with the win and it’s a great start to her new career as a showing producer.

Speaking after the class, Sophia said: “He’s absolutely one in a million. He deserves this more than any other horse I’ve ridden.”

“He’s very relaxed and loves his job. He lights up in the arena when he knows everyone is looking at him.”

The seven-year-old was bred by Kirsty Oliver, who was here at HOYS to watch.

Tracey Veale’s seven-year-old Skewbald gelding, Red Rock III (Red), clinched not only his first HOYS win, but Tracey’s too.

Tracey has had Red since he was a three-year-old and asked Victoria Hesford to ride him at the start of the year. Victoria has had a great season with him, culminating in the Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Horse win today, which Tracey said was “an amazing feeling.”

Red lives with Victoria throughout the season and goes home to Tracey over the winter where she enjoys hacking him out.

The Coloured Horse and Pony are still some of the most popular in terms of types of the equine population the UK.  CHAPS UK has over 21,000 coloured equines registered of all shapes and sizes. CHAPS UK caters for its members in many ways. For the showing enthusiast there are Regional Shows, an annual Championship Show, and ridden Horse of the Year Show Qualifiers.

The Coloured Horse and Pony classes were also supported by Sankey Property Maintenance, Harrisons Civil Engineering, NL Logistics and The Matthews Family.

For more information visit: http://www.chapsuk.com/

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

Coloured Horse and Pony of the Year Championship sponsored by CHAPS (UK), Vikki Smith riding Del Boy V © 1st Class Images