A Birthday Win for Polly Coles in the Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year

Out of the 15 Maxi Cobs forward to contest the Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year Championship, the final nod went to 10-year-old grey gelding Boheradurrow Fred ridden by Polly Coles. The horse and rider combination have enjoyed their first season together this year since Polly took over the ride from Katie Jerram-Hunnable, who finished third with the gelding in this championship last year at Horse of the Year Show.

“That was amazing,” said Polly. “He felt absolutely mega in there today.” Polly is well known on the showing circuit having been involved in the industry for most of her life, but this is her first win at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

“I finally got to do my first centre line at HOYS,” Polly said, referring to the iconic lap of honour moment which so many riders dream of. “I’ve been competing here since I was seven and I am 28 now,” said Polly who celebrates her 29th birthday this weekend.

“Nigel is really easy to do, he lives out all the time. I actually bought him to be my new masters horse, not with the intention of doing much showing with him but then we picked up our HOYS ticket and ended up here winning the championship. Next season I’d like to do some Workers with him and the Ladies Side Saddle.

“Getting into the supreme tomorrow hasn’t quite sunk in yet. To win a class at HOYS is big, but then to get straight into the supreme is quite an honour,” concluded Polly.

Reserve champion was Joanne Baker’s 12-year-old chestnut gelding, Chantilly Sandman ridden by Jayne Ross.

The Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year

Clinching the title in the Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year Championship was Bridget Edmondson’s six-year-old bay gelding, Briarhill Buddy Bolden ridden by Harriet Dennison. The elated winner could not hold back the tears as she was called forward to step up to the podium.

The young horse revelled in the atmosphere enjoying his first experience at Horse of the Year Show. Harriet has enjoyed previous wins in both the show hunter ponies and the show pony classes, but this is her first-time riding here in the intermediates.

“He’s such a baby and I’m so proud of him. He is such a star and has the best temperament. He handled himself like a little pro in there today,” said Harriet. Earlier in the week the pair also finished eighth in the Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year final here at Horse of the Year Show.

Standing reserve was Ellis Taverner-Burns riding Sarah Chandler’s 15-year-old bay gelding, The Politician.

The Intermediate Show Riding Type of the Year

Taking the spoils in the Intermediate Show Riding Type of the Year Championship was 18-year-old Abbie Kirkbride riding six-year-old gelding, Shildons Royal Affair. The young jockey admitted that she had pinched the ride on Alfie from her little sister Esther who was also competing at HOYS this week in the 148cm show pony final.

“That was absolutely brilliant. He was a really good boy. He’s really my little sister’s pony but I have pinched him to ride in the intermediates this year. I haven’t done many shows with him but he’s great. He just sits up and goes. What he lacks in size he makes up for with his big movement.”

Having joined the Kirkbride Family just six months ago, he has proved to make the perfect addition to the family and is kept and produced by Rachael Helliwell in Cumbria.

Runner up and taking the reserve champion title was six-year-old bay gelding, Ladies Man ridden by 18-year-old Poppy Carter.

The Simon Constable Equine Vets and Binley Arabian Caroline Sussex Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year

Judges Michaela Bowling and Mary Bancroft were treated to an impressive line up of 18 immaculately turned-out purebred Arabs in the Simon Constable Equine Vets and Binley Arabian Caroline Sussex Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year Championship.

Taking the title for 2022 was Clare Fitch’s AJA Giuliano ridden by David Froggatt. The 10-year-old grey gelding won the same title here at Horse of the Year Show with Clare in 2018 and was placed eighth in 2021. Having qualified four horses for the final at Horse of the Year Show, Clare chose to take the ride on one of her younger horses this year.

“I chose to ride the young horse, Hadiat Qayima who is only five because I knew Giuliano is more experienced. Then there is Mirv who was ridden by Louise Marriott for me, and they finished in fifth. Finally, there is the young stallion BHA Marenello here today as well.”

Clare had approached David just this morning about taking the ride. David said: “It was just fabulous. I have only ever sat on him once before years ago when I judged him. The atmosphere in there was just electric, I loved it.”

When asked what the secret is to her success of producing HOYS champions, Clare said: “It’s picking something which is true to type. If it has good conformation it is going to ride well and perform nicely. His owners the Robinsons are just lovely, and have he’s been with us since a yearling in-hand and he’s not going anywhere.”

Reserve champion was chestnut gelding Cipriana ridden by Jade Hateley, owned by Tracey Hateley.

ENDS

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2022, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk