Day two at Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham is the day for dressage enthusiasts. Inviting forward eight of the most promising young dressage horses of Great Britain, the Championship showcases an Intermediate I Freestyle to music for eligible horses aged between eight and ten years old. Under the experienced eyes of judges Stephen Clarke, Sandy Phillips and Andrew Gardner, spectators were treated to spectacular performances from some of Britain’s most successful dressage riders. But it was the queen of dressage, Charlotte Dujardin, who achieved the highest score of the night riding eight-year-old mare, Times Kismet. Having held the title for five consecutive years until

Dreams became reality for Katie Bradburne on day two at Horse of the Year Show as she added her name to the illustrious list of past winners for the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers Championship. One of those names includes her brother, Thomas Bradburne, who won the title in 2021 aged 14. With the first two riders in the jump off picking up four faults, it was neck and neck between Katie riding Shovern Inca and rival Hollie Gerken who had two horses through to the second round of the class. Being brave with her turns, Katie proved that she meant business. Accelerating down the long side she flew over the

Day two of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) opened with Claire Oliver clinching the Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year Championship for the second year running, aboard her very smart Irish Draught, Shanbally Legacy. The 11-year-old Chestnut gelding is by Pride of Meath out of Kilthomas Lass. An emotional Claire said: “He just loved it in there and gave the judge the most amazing ride. Both judges just said to me ‘he’s a true small hunter; a miniature middleweight’.” At home ‘Lego’ loves hacking and jumping and he also hunted last season. “I don’t overshow him,” explained Claire. “I just pick a few shows. He’s a real

The fiercely contested Senior Newcomers Championship has a new champion for 2023 at Horse of the Year Show, the NEC Birmingham. With eight combinations jumping clear and making their way through to the jump off, the riders queued up in an attempt to add their name to the history books. Louise Simpson was fourth to go in the jump off riding six-year-old bay gelding, Cornet of Follyfoot, owned by Sally Jobson-Scott who was sat in the audience. Having only ridden the horse twice before, Louise had taken on the ride at HOYS for her sister, Nicole Pavitt, who recently sustained an injury in a riding accident. The fresh combination didn’t

Visitors to the first day of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) were treated to a field of some of the best Workers from up and down the country in the Sport Horse Breeding of GB Working Hunter of the Year; a Championship that has been an integral part of HOYS since 1951. Course designer, David Cole, set a testing track across the Andrews Bowen International Arena, which posed plenty of questions. 39 starters produced just five clears over an inviting yet twiddly course, resulting in a fair few four-faulters. A total of 14 combinations were invited back on their jump and style marks for the second phase of the

Kicking off the proceedings on day one of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), held at the NEC in Birmingham, was the NAF Five Star Bronze & NAF Five Star Silver League Championships. In the jump off for the Bronze League final, Rachel Hall was third to go out of five combinations who had jumped clear in the class. Riding bay mare Renkum Balousina, the pressure was on to not only beat the clock, but to leave the fences standing. As the unbeatable duo dashed down to the finish, Rachel’s determination was clear as she took off a stride early to clear the last fence in a time of 32.59