The Ripon Select Foods Puissance once again lived up to its headline billing on a sold-out night of dramatic action at Horse of the Year Show.
And it ended with the imperious Rachel Proudley claiming a remarkable seventh successive puissance victory – and her second in a row at HOYS – as she shared top spot with Irish challenger Andrew Hodgins.
Rachel, riding her serial puissance winner Easy Boy De Laubry Z, and Andrew on Shanaclough Luichew, were the only combinations to reach round five, having arrived there by clearing 2.13 metres, with the final height rising to 2.18 metres, or seven feet and two inches.
They bowed out together in front of a crowd that packed the Andrews Bowen International Arena to its rafters, with Andrew knocking out part of the wall and Rachel falling from Easy Boy, leaving both riders in reflective mood.
“It is absolutely amazing to win seven successive puissances. You can’t even put it into words,” North Yorkshire-based Rachel said.
“I am so proud of Easy Boy. He put on another great performance, and okay, it was maybe not how we would have liked to have finished off, but that is the sport and that is how it goes.
“The horse is absolutely fine, and so am I. It is a tough class, but we are still very, very pleased with him and it is another great result.
“When we set off together on this journey, we were just practising at home jumping over shavings bales, and things have just got better and better. He is so brave, and I can trust him all the way. That atmosphere was something else, and it gives you some buzz when you enter that arena.”
Andrew’s first thoughts were for Rachel, stating: “She is a class act in any competition, but with that horse she is outstanding. The fact that she is okay is the most important thing.”
Assessing his share of the top prize, the Co Tipperary rider added: “My horse’s heart is completely in the right place. Sometimes he can be become too brave, but you couldn’t but love him. He gives you everything.
“I think I have slept about four hours in the last two days. I can’t sleep, and I don’t think I’m going to sleep tonight, When you actually get on the horse’s back and you get going and focus, that is the best thing.
“It is just about trying to keep as calm as possible, and trying to keep everything as controlled as you can. It is a bit more difficult at times than I would like it to be, but he is who he is, and I love the horse.”
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2026, please contact:
Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
Tel: 02476 858205
Email: press@hoys.co.uk
Image: 1st Class Images