Joe, who was defending his Ripon Select Foods Puissance title at HOYS on Locomotion, and Rachel with London, Dublin and Bolesworth champion Easy Boy De Loubry Z, pushed each other every inch of the way. The climax of a thrilling night’s action in front of a capacity crowd at Birmingham NEC saw both riders sail over the famous red wall that had been raised to 2.20 metres. Prolific puissance winner Guy Williams took third aboard Cordessia Z after also reaching the final round, with Joe and Rachel sharing a crown that showcased everything about their fearless ability. The audience was gripped throughout – from 14 starters at 1.80m in round

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

At just six years of age, Florence Rendall rode not one but two ponies to victory and took the overall Annabel’s Deliciously British Mini Show Pony of the Year Championship. This talented little jockey rode five-year old Chestnut gelding, Elmswood Spring Parade, to first place in the Lead Rein Section and then topped it off to stand Champion. With a combined age of just 11, pony and rider did more than enough to catch the eye of judge Tim Wiggett, who said that the standard of riding from the young jockeys throughout the Championship had been ‘incredible’.  Elmswood Spring Parade, known as Simba, is produced at home by Florence’s mum

Anya Dewey-Clarke announced her ambition to ride at the Olympics after continuing a memorable Horse of the Year Show campaign at Birmingham NEC. The 10-year-old, from Brampton in Lincolnshire, won the Enablelink Ltd 128cm Championship with experienced campaigner Jim, and also finished third on Kilcreene Snapdragon. And that latest success came a day after winning the National Pony Society/Mole Valley Farmers 143cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year aboard Tullibards Silver Mine. Relishing being back in the Andrews Bowen International Arena, Anya and 17-year-old Jim were first to go in the jump-off, and their time of 25.60 seconds proved uncatchable. Douglas Breen, son of Irish international showjumper Shane Breen, pushed