New sponsor announced for Cob of the Year Championship

Ronnie and Debbie Harrod, together with their daughter Polly Coles, are delighted to be extending their association with Horse of the Year Show by sponsoring the Cob of the Year Championship in 2020.

The Cob of the Year Championship was amongst the first showing classes at Horse of the Year Show at Harringay in 1949 when Rosemary Cooke’s ‘Knobby’ took the title. Since then, the championship has seen many big names take the title including international judge, and top showing producer, Robert Oliver.

In 2019, the championship saw an emotional win for the returning HOYS 2016 Supreme Champion, ‘Our Cashel Blue’, after having been diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Affectionately known as ‘Blue’ by owner Caroline Tyrell, the handsome coloured gelding made a triumphant comeback to the show with Allister Hood, claiming the Cob of the Year title.

The first and second placed Lightweight and Heavyweight Cob of the Year classes will feature in the Cob of the Year Championship and each will see new naming rights for 2020 to:

• The Harrod and Coles Family Lightweight Cob of the Year
• The Harrod and Coles Family Heavyweight Cob of the Year
• The Harrod and Coles Family Cob of the Year Championship

Debbie and Polly are no strangers to the showing scene, having owned and ridden many champion Hunters and Cobs over the years.

Debbie Harrod commented: “We are delighted to extend our family commitments within the showing world, having been involved since Polly was competing in pony classes from a young age. The Ridden Show Cob classes have always been one of my favourite sections, having admired the many champions over the years. It is an absolute privilege to be associated with one of the most famous horse shows in the world and we look forward to presenting this supreme accolade to the newly crowned Cob of the Year Champions in October.”

Horse of the Year Show Event Director Emma Williams commented: “We are thrilled that the Harrod and Coles family have extended their class sponsorship at the show to not only include the Catplant Group of Companies Ltd. Show Hunter of the Year Championship, but also the Harrod and Coles Family Cob of the Year Championship. The family’s sponsorship over the last five years has been greatly appreciated and we look forward to working with them once again this year.”

ENDS

For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2020, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk. Website: hoys.co.uk

Horse of the Year Show takes place from 7th-11th October 2020 at the Resorts World Arena, the NEC Birmingham bringing another year of breath-taking displays and unbeatable competition. The full timetable can be viewed on the website hoys.co.uk/timetable.

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