It was an Osborne takeover in the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship as Alison Osborne did the double going Champion with her small ponies Woody & Buzz and Reserve with her large pair Chip & Dale.
Ten pairs of ponies across the large and small sections qualified over three days at Horse of the Year show (HOYS) to battle it out in the ‘World Cup final’ of the world of Scurry driving on Saturday night.
No one could catch Woody & Buzz who had been unbeaten all week. The former 2024 Champions completed the course in 42.0 seconds, while Chip & Dale were hot on their teammates’ heels in 42.30 seconds.
The Saturday night crowd did not disappoint in helping to cheer the ponies on and the atmosphere in the Andrews Bowen International Arena was electric.
“They [the audience] made so much noise they were cheering on every pair of ponies,” said Alison. “They just love it.
“The first round this week they [Woody & Buzz] were so fast I had jelly legs! They give me absolutely everything.”
Alison has dominated the leader board all week, with a win in all bar one of the rounds. Jeff, who turned 90 this year, also had two pairs of ponies in the running; Ant & Dec and Zig & Zag. He unfortunately didn’t qualify for tonight’s final, but joined Alison on the back of her scurry cart for the presentation. In Jeff’s own words, it is of course a “family affair.”
“It takes a whole team,” added Alison. “If I didn’t have Craig and Hannah it wouldn’t be like this. Craig kept my wheels on the ground tonight… Hannah is always with them and helping with the training.
“It’s a hard week – one mistake and you could be out.”
Hot on Alison’s heels was Nigel Olliffe with his small pair, Barbie & Ken, finishing in 43.11 seconds. Nigel won round two with his large pair Fruit & Nut earlier in the week.
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2026, please contact:
Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
Tel: 02476 858205
Email: press@hoys.co.uk
Image: 1st Class Images