Pearly King takes the honours in the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship

Any win at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is an incredible achievement, but when you ride your own horse that you have owned since a two-year-old, that’s something particularly special. This was the story for Sarah Carey who partnered her own Pearly King to victory in the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship on day two of the Show.

Having won the David Stennett Ltd. Large Hack of the Year earlier on in the day, Pearly King now holds his third Hack Champion title at HOYS, having been Reserve Champion twice and also Supreme Horse of the Year. This is Sarah’s first HOYS win with the 12-year-old who is by the prolific sire Kilvington Scoundrel.

“This means the world to me,” said Sarah. “He has a ‘look at me’ appearance and a will to win. He walks in and says ‘I’m here to win’ – and he gave me the most fantastic ride in there.”

Pearly King will now go home for a couple of days to relax in the field before coming back to contest the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship on Sunday evening. “He’s out all day at home, he goes hacking and lives a life of riley really,” said Sarah who only takes him out to a handful of shows a year.

It was the winner of the Brereton Small Hack of the Year, Pendley Muscadel, who took the Reserve title. Owned by Anna Stevens, the Chestnut gelding is just five years old and in his second season with rider Helen Baker.

Ends

Image credit: 1st Class Images

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