Emily Ward and Wild Star HF shone brightly at Horse of the Year Show to secure a memorable victory in the Rees Family Cup international class.
Last to go of 11 combinations in the jump-off, Cheshire rider Emily went more than half a second quicker than Sandy McLean and Kolwa, landing an outstanding win.
Tears flowed as she entered HOYS’ Arena of Dreams for the presentation ceremony, with Sandy taking second place and third going to Jodie Hall McAteer on Key West.
It was Emily’s debut in the international classes at HOYS, and an occasion that she admitted created a lifetime memory.
“It is a bit of a blur,” Emily said. “We bred him at home ourselves, and we have such a good partnership and such a good knowledge of each other.
“He knew I was a bit nervous, and I trust him to go in and raise his game when it is pressure like that, and he did today. He is such an athlete, and I know he will try everything in his heart.
“It means so much to win here. It is a dream ever since you are young, and it really couldn’t be more special.
“We love a picture and a reel, and we will be watching that and looking at the pictures for months. This is like a big early Christmas present.”
The NAEC Stoneleigh Accumulator, where riders collect an increasing number of points for each fence jumped, went to rising British star Rachel Proudley.
Rachel, the reigning European Young Rider champion, made light of an early draw as the third starter in a field of 33.
She claimed the maximum score of 65 points on nine-year-old mare Guess Du Mont, which included 20 for clearing the closing Joker fence, and did it in a rapid time of 46.0 seconds.
Runner-up Sammie-Jo Coffin, riding Cornet of Follyfoot, was more than three seconds adrift, while Guy Williams finished third with Chacco’s Fleur PS.
“It is always tricky to go near the beginning of the class, but thankfully we managed to hold on,” Rachel said.
“She is a lovely mare, and she put in a great performance today. We are absolutely over the moon with her.
“We had a plan, we stuck to it, and thankfully it paid off. She was so careful in there.”
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.
