The Leicestershire-based rider had already made his mark through a strong third-place finish on Altesse 2 VN Z in the Senior Newcomers final. But the best was yet to come as the combination triumphed following a four horse jump-off that also featured Senior Newcomers winner Pippa Goddard. First contested at HOYS in 1954, the Foxhunter’s list of champions reads like a showjumping who’s who, including names such as David Broome, Harvey Smith, Graham Fletcher, John Whitaker, Nick Skelton and Scott Brash. And the sense of achievement was not lost on James, whose jump-off time of 31.96 seconds edged Pippa and PDV Constanza into second, while Leo Lamb and RRH Out

The exquisite Welsh Section C, Thistledown Superstar (Star), more than lived up to her name when she was crowned National Pony Society/Supreme Products Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year Champion on the second evening of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). This prestigious Championship is a culmination of 11 classes, which have filled the NEC with our beloved native breeds over the last two days.  The seven-year-old mare is owned by Leisa Woodward and produced by Sharn Linney. Sharn has produced many HOYS Champions, including multi-HOYS champion and Supreme Pony Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart, but this was her first HOYS centre line moment in the saddle.  A delighted Sharn said:

Becky Moody added another title to her career portfolio by winning the Dressage Future Elite Championship for a third time at Horse of the Year Show.Becky Moody wins the Dressage Future Elite at Horse of the Year Show. Becky, who helped Great Britain to Olympic team bronze at the Paris Games last year, recorded an emphatic success with the richly-promising eight-year-old Magic Dream JB. The penultimate combination to perform their Intermediate I Freestyle to music test from eight starters, a score of 78.333% underlined the partnership’s potential. The runner-up was Matt Frost with Kerouac on 75.500%, while Tom Goode and Margot took third place after scoring 73.542%. “I am super-delighted

A morning of strong competition culminated in the Jacksons of Yorkshire Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship on the second afternoon of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).  It was an emotional Championship win for Amy Canavan-Smith riding her own Clonfert Melody’s Boy (Dave) having won the 143cm section earlier in the day. The seven-year-old stallion by I Love you Melody has been with Amy since a foal, making the win particularly poignant.  “John [my husband] bought him for me as a Valentine’s present six years ago… and I knew he always had this win in him. I’m so proud of how far he’s come,” said

Hollie Gerken continued to make history at Horse of the Year Show as she delivered a successful title defence in the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship. Twelve months after completing an unprecedented HOYS hat-trick by winning the Newcomers, Leading Pony Showjumper and Foxhunter classes, Hollie once again produced the goods. She became only the third rider in 40 years to land back-to-back Newcomers crowns, emulating Matthew Sampson in 2005 and 2006 and Alex Gill, who did a 2013-14 double. Essex-based Hollie, though, was pushed all the way by Lola Thulborn and Fabreeker V, who finished just seven hundredths of a second behind her time of 26.20 aboard No Limit X.

William Rekert completed a thrilling opening day’s action at Horse of the Year Show with victory in the Events Through a Lens Talent Seekers, incorporating the seven-year-old Championship. Just a few hours after Pippa Goddard, who is based in the same Kent yard as William, won the Senior Newcomers Championship, there was further success for the Canterbury-based team. Six combinations made it through to the jump-off, and only 68 hundredths of a second covered the top three, with William guiding Fifty Shades of Grey home in a time of 32.20 seconds. Hot on his heels was British Olympian Holly Smith, who finished second aboard Nike van het Singraven and also took the