Elated owners celebrate on the final afternoon of HOYS
Danni Radford’s Riding Horse, Ladies Man, was crowned Alan Marnie & Family Riding Horse of the Year Champion after being pulled in top of his class in the Small Riding Horse early this morning.
Clocking up another win in what has been a great week for Jayne Ross, the 10-year-old gelding has had a fantastic weekend standing Reserve in the Intermediate Show Hunter Championship yesterday with Poppy Carter, a Championship he has previously claimed in 2023.
George, as he is known at home, won the Small Riding Horse last year before going Reserve, so he’s gone one better this time out. Owner Danni said it was “nice not to be the bridesmaid this year”.
“I can’t believe what he’s done for us as a family, to breed one like him is unbelievable,” she said.
“He’s my first foal and probably my last… I bred him because I wanted a nice horse. I never thought he’d go on to do this! He’s one in a million. I’ll never get another one like him.”
A delighted Jayne said: “He’s a delight and just gives and gives… He loves an atmosphere and he’s an out and out showman… All in all, perfection.”The Large Riding Horse winner, six-year-old mare Mylens Limited Edition ridden by Martin Skelton, was Stephanie Barrington and Julie Templeton’s Reserve Champion. This mare is owned and bred by Sarah Milnes.Over in the TopSpec Arena,Sally Anne Cowley’s seven-year-old grey gelding, Wedgnock Song Of Morning, was Lucinda Elliott and John James’ De la Hey Family Partbred Pony of the Year Champion.
The gelding, by Litton Reflexion out of Whiteleaze Dawn Chorus, is the new ride of Lily Cowley-Bickenson. Unfortunately, Lily had a fall the week before HOYS and was unable to ride today. Elliee Stunt, who now produces the pony, stepped in to take the ride and the team are now very excited for his future. A delighted Lily said it was “an absolute dream” to watch her pony win at HOYS today.
Elliee said: “I’m over the moon. We haven’t had him for long and I really enjoyed riding him today.
“He’s one of my yard favourites… Really trainable and easy… We can’t wait to get him back out next year.”
Poppy Gresty clocked up her second Reserve Championship of the week, having taken the M&M Working Hunter title on her mother’s Welsh Section C, Seiont Watcyn, earlier in the week.
This time she piloted their other pony, eight-year-old Brookvale Lord Grantham, to Reserve. The partbred Welsh is by Llanarth Decision out of Brookvale Cushla.
A HOYS hat trick was recorded as Charlotte Leonard-Richard’s skewbald gelding, Scotts Olympic Dream, was crowned Miniature Horse of the Year Championship supported by the British Miniature Horse Society for the third consecutive year.
First winning here as a three-year-old, Dream, as he is known at home, has been a HOYS Champion three times and he is only five years old.
“It’s completely amazing to win it three times,” said Charlotte.
“He rises to the occasion – a little bit too much sometimes – but he just loves it. He lives up to his name.
“We try and qualify early on and then he has fun during the year. We just love the bones off of him.”
Three-year-old Standing Ovation Masterpiece, a spotted stallion owned and shown by Harriet Miller, was Reserve Champion.
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