Julia Helm and Lucy Gilbertson topped the winner’s podium as the 2024 Horse of the Year Show got underway at the NEC Birmingham.
A stellar cast of showjumpers have assembled across national and international classes, including triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher, his fellow Olympian John Whitaker and last year’s HOYS Leading Showjumper of the Year Jodie Hall McAteer.
First to take centre-stage in the Andrews Bowen International Arena were riders from Kent to Cumbria who had qualified to contest the NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Championship.
The Bronze Championship saw just three combinations make the jump-off from 14 starters, and it proved a special occasion for Warwick-based Julia Helm, who won the title 10 years after she triumphed in its inaugural staging aboard Helms Rossio’s mother Helms Tolu.
Their jump-off time of 34.80 seconds delivered a winning margin of 31 hundredths of a second from runners-up Stacy Willsone and CSF Olympic Lady, with Richard Nichol in third aboard Avalon V.
“It really feels so special,” Julia said. “I won the inaugural bronze final, and then 10 years later to win in the 75th anniversary year is absolutely fantastic. Helms Rossio’s mum was the horse I won on 10 years ago, and his dad was placed second the following year.
“He has actually got quite a short, choppy stride, but he just keeps moving. It was about doing a nice flowing round. I felt we could have gone quicker, but in the end it turned out to be enough.”
The Silver Championship saw Hertfordshire-based Lucy Gilbertson and grey mare Hip Girl become the first combination to win it two years in succession.
Third to go in a seven-horse jump-off, their time of 33.34 seconds proved too quick for the remaining starters, with Holly Johnstone and Carquois Du Ceve finishing second and Samantha Jimmison completing the top three on Mourinho.
“I am really proud,” Lucy said. “I think the pressure was off because it felt like I had done it once so I felt more relaxed that I could just go and enjoy it this time.
“I was quite early to go in the jump-off, so it was about going as fast as I could and hope the poles stay up. This is a great show and she is an incredible horse that has really made my dreams come true.”
See the interview with Lucy after her win in the NAF Five Star Silver League Championship below, and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to hear from our other competitors throughout the week!
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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
