Juliette Mason’s seven-year-old grey gelding, Sea Warrior, topped off a first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) win for 16-year-old Isabella Mason with the sought after title of National Pony Society/Mole Valley Farmers Working Hunter Pony of the Year Champion on day three of the show. Having won the 153cm section earlier on this morning, a flawless performance in the Andrews Bowen International Arena clinched the overall honours for the Mason family.
The pair were acquainted two years ago and Isabella started jumping him last year.
“It was his novice season last year,” she said, “so this year he has really come to, and it’s all come together at the end of the season. I’m so proud of him.”
“He’s never been in an atmosphere like that [the Andrews Bowen International Arena]. He was really good and gave me a great feel in the gallop… He’s just got better and better today.”
They compete again tomorrow in the Shine Source Footwear UK Ltd Show Hunter Pony of the Year.
Second place in the same class stood overall Reserve Champion; Kelly Ward’s eight-year-old gelding, Noble Banksy, ridden by Ruby Ward, topping off a very successful season for the pair.
Ruby said: “It’s amazing! It was a complete shock; when you go in on a second [placed horse] you try to be optimistic, but you do think it’s all over, so it’s a great surprise!”
16-year-old Imogen Philp partnered her mother Petrina’s six-year-old Lenney McManus to jump the only clear and win the Intermediate section.
Another young rider to jump the only clear was 10-year-old Anya Dewey-Clarke, who got her busy weekend at HOYS off to a fantastic start, piloting her mother Anna’s 18-year-old Connemara, Tullibards Silver Mine (Monty), in the 143cm section. Monty and Anya are also competing in the CT Equine Collections 138cm Championship; one of four ponies she has qualified for tomorrow’s show jumping Championships.
“We’ve never done Workers with Monty before, so we really had to work on his flatwork”, said Anya, “but now to come here and win is just the best feeling ever.”
Irish Olympian Louise Lyons and her 11-year-old daughter Nancy made the long journey from Kilkenny, Ireland with their impressive string of five worker horses and ponies.
The mother-daughter duo were competing both seasoned and up-and-coming stars, and it was rising star, Dartans Seoda Ban, a five-year-old Palomino mare who brought home the goods in the 133cm section.
Louise said: “I knew the pony was good enough. I saw her as a four-year-old and showed a video to my sister… she said, ‘that will win HOYS one day’.
The SEIB Search for a Star Championship series gives amateur riders, and their horses and ponies, the chance to qualify for HOYS and benefit from a thoroughly supportive network in the process.
Overall Champion was the winner of the Show Cob class, Jane Hemmings riding her own The Boss 2. Jane has had the Irish Draught for two years, but incredibly this was only his fourth ever show and at just six years of age he performed with maturity well beyond his years to prove the collective favourite among judges Hannah Horton, Chris Hunnable and Katie Jerram Hunnable.
Speaking after the Championship, Jane said: “I just wanted to go and enjoy it today. I was more nervous than yesterday, but I loved it and he loved it too. I can’t believe it”.
Jane said the Irish Draught is “just like a big dog and loves a Jammy Dodger!” which he duly received as he exited the ring!
Search for a Star once again proved that dreams do come true, as Jane qualified 20 years ago but her horse went lame the week before, so she never got there. This year was the year to dust off her boots again and what a year it has proved to be.
Julie Flockhart and her own Westcounty Lady Guinevere stood Reserve. Julie had originally entered the bay mare as a Riding Horse, but was advised by the judges in her class earlier in the week to show him as a Hack.
The nine-year-old, known as Savannah, made the long journey down from Scotland.
“She’s the nicest mare and does so well to put up with me because I get so nervous… but she held my hand in there. I’ve had her since she was nearly four and I backed her myself, so that makes it even more special.”
The full list of class winners is as follows:
Traditional Cob: Marley VI owned by Nicola Clarke and ridden by Zoe Clarke
Working Show Horse: Heartthrob owned by Suzanne Gletcher and ridden by Caroline Champion
Working Show Pony: Jack in the Box II owned by Jo Ramage and ridden by Charlotte Ramage
Hack: Fridebi Timberland owned by Tammy Britton and ridden by Kai Wood
Hack (entered as Riding Horse): Westcountry Lady Guinevere owned and ridden by Julie Flockhart
Show Cob: The Boss 2 owned and ridden by Jane Hemmings
Show Hunter: Whistle owned by Jo Richardson and ridden by Alice Kent
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2025, please contact
Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
Image credit: 1st Class Images
