The Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter of the Year Championship, judged by JJ Kemp and Gregory Gerry, saw a double HOYS Champion crowned; Bridget and Meg Edmondson’s Briarhill Buddy Bolden (Buddy).
Fresh from his victory yesterday in The Ross Family Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year Hunter with Harriet Dennison, Buddy was victorious once again in this prestigious open Championship with Meg in the saddle. The eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse is by Kings Cornet out of Durida, and is produced by Rachel and Julie Helliwell.
An ecstatic Meg said: “What a horse! He went so well and he makes mine and Harriet’s job easy.”
When asked about their secret to success Meg said: “It’s those Cumbrian hills! He hacks out every day, he loves his field and only schools once or twice a week… he’s quite chilled.”
Reserve was Rosamund Lane’s Lenhalls Legacy ridden by William Morton.
Judges Kate Halliday and Vicky Lawrie brought forward their Large and Small winners as Champion and Reserve of the Epiony Riding Horse of the Year Championship. The Epiony Large Riding Horse of the Year, Calcourt Soli (Mouse), was crowned Champion. The six-year-old bay mare is owned by Lauren Mollard and ridden by Edward Young, and is still very much a novice.
“This is her first season out,” said Edward. “We got her early on and she blotted her coffee book a little the first few times out – she was a bit exuberant – but as the season went on she settled into her job.
“I was going to keep her as a novice, but I thought she was good enough to qualify for HOYS this year.”
Edward first competed at HOYS in 1974 and last won the Riding Horses in the 1990s on Legal Eagle.
The Vale Farms Yorkshire Ltd Small Riding Horse of the Year went Reserve, Times Square III, owned by Guy Mears and ridden by Danielle Heath.
The Binks Family Show Hunter Pony of the Year Championship judged by JJ Kemp and Chris Lawrie was an emotional affair as both Champion and Reserve were having their last rides on their ponies.
Lesley Parker’s Thistledown Sea Mariner (Mario) went Champion, bred by this year’s Leading Breeder Sandy Anderson. By Paddock Sahara out of Loveden Sea Pearl, the Welsh Section B is ridden by Katie Parker. The family has owned Mario for three years and they won here last year.
Lesley said: “He’s a wonderful pony who has taught Katie so much. He’s very kind and genuine.
“He’s beautifully produced by Sharn Linney and her wonderful team. We stay up in Edinburgh and Mario comes home to us in the winters when we do a bit of dressage on him.”
The judges stayed with the 133cm’s to find their Reserve Champion, Miranda Hughes’ 10-year-old Partbred Welsh, Warleigh Fantastic Light, ridden by daughter Evanthe. The pony has been lightly shown this year and is completely home produced.
“He’s a very kind, beautiful pony but he finds it very stressful in the ring, so he takes a lot of comfort from Evanthe”, said Miranda. “They have an amazing partnership.”
Winner of the 123cm section was another foot-perfect Thistledown pony, Jane Lindsay’s Thistledown Galaxy ridden by Jane’s son Rocco and produced by Team Holder.
Danielle Orme’s Excelcis Petrus took the 143cm section with Gracie Bewes in the saddle and the 153cm honours went to CSF Chantilly Galway Girl owned by Nicol Donaldson and ridden by Mia Donaldson
Ten horses and ponies came forward for the Coloured Horse and Pony of the Year Championship sponsored by CHAPS (UK). Judges Jessica Stalling and James Hunton decided on the Non-Native Pony winner as their overall Champion, Radlee Sudden Impact, owned by Abigail Konechny and ridden by Oscar Konechny. The nine-year-old Skewbald gelding is produced by Adam Forster and David Jinks.
Adam said: “As a combination they’ve hit it off from day one. The pony is very beautifully put together. He’s a lovely mover with a beautiful front and he just has that ‘look at me’ factor.
“Oscar is the ultimate showman… and a lot of people have said that the combination [of pony and rider] really seems to suit and the judges like it.”
Reserve Champion was Diane Stennett’s seven-year-old Piebald mare, KBF Lucia, who retained the Non-Native Horse title with Jayne Ross for the third year running, as well as the Reserve from last year.
Jayne said: “She produced the goods when it really mattered today… she just rises to the occasion, she’s ultra reliable and so special.”
This year saw the introduction of a new class sponsored by the Broom & Sleight Family; the Junior Ridden for riders under 18. It was Jenna Gresty’s Catdoll Daisy May ridden by Poppy Gresty who took the inaugural honours. This is Poppy’s first season with the six-year-old Piebald mare and at home they enjoy hacking out together.
Phillipa Kirby’s homebred Piebald stallion Monivea Black Magic took the Native/Cob/Traditional Pony ridden by daughter Isabella Kirby. The six-year-old won here last year with Phillipa and Isabella has been riding him since he was broken in. This is their second show season together and the pony is produced by Lucy Glover.
Janay Atherden and supercob Red Rock III owned by her and her mother Lisha Leeman, scored the hat trick winning the Native/Cob/Traditional Horse for the third year in a row. “I’ve never felt pressure and stress like it to retain his title but he just gets better and better every year,” said Janay.
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2024, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
