The Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship is one of the most coveted titles in the showing world and tonight was the night ofCarolyn Campbell’s four-year-old British Riding Pony stallion, Seywoods Royal Dancer, shown by Simon Charlesworth.
Under a new format for this year, spectators were treated to an exceptional showcase of all 20 of the finest breeds and types for the final judging of this prestigious championship in the Andrews Bowen International Arena.
Many of the pony’s connections were here tonight to witness this momentous occasion, including his breeders James and Christine Hunton.
Seywoods Royal Dancer is by prominent British Riding Pony stallion Turberry Top Cat out of Colbeach Duet, who was Champion Partbred Arab at HOYS in 2014.
He has been with Simon since a three-year-old and was Reserve Champion in The Price last year. His full brother, Stanley Grange Crescendo, also stood Reserve Champion tonight in the Riding Pony of the Year.
“To qualify is amazing, to win is unbelievable,” said Simon. “I always thought he was good enough to win it, but you always need a bit of luck and today was our day.”
Tiger Feet II, a Sports Horse owned by breeder William Moran and shown by Tom Pearson, stood Reserve. This homebred and home-produced three-year-old is by Stanley Grange Regal Heights out of Tiger Trap. There was a surprise result in The Harrod and Coles Family Cob of the Year Championship as the second placed Heavyweight Cob, Carters Top Gun, ridden by Oliver Hood and owned by Catherine Dickens defended his title from last year.
Oliver said: “It’s fantastic to go Champion for the second year in a row.
“We were on a second [place], so I had nothing to lose and thought I’d go in there and enjoy it and here we are.
“He has been an amazing horse for the last few years – there’s not a lot he hasn’t won. For a big solid cob he’s so athletic. He’s very laid back at home but when you turn on the engine he’s an absolute Ferrari.”
Winner of the Heavyweight Bannview So Smart, owned by Valerie Hosegood, stood Reserve with Will Morton in the saddle.
Speaking after the class this morning, Will said: “He’s like a sports car to ride but so light on his feet.
“We were pulled in first last year but then dropped to third. He was on fire out there.”
Alison Tate’s Norman Commander topped the Lightweight, much to the pleasant surprise of Jayne Ross. The six-year-old has been brought on slowly and has only done a handful of shows in this novice season. Second in the Lightweight was Polly Coles’ Mythical Creature ridden by Brian Murphy.
Next it was time for the British Show Pony Society Children’s Riding Pony of the Year Championship and the 148cm winner Joanna Adams’ Tandridge State Affair to take the final showing crown of the evening.
This seven-year-old bay mare was ridden by 15-year-old Florence Duncalf whose winning streak was in full flow, having taken the Working Hunter Pony Championship on Star Smokey yesterday.
The mare has been produced by Harrison Taylor for the past 18 months and is still in her novice season.
“It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” Harrison said. “She was quite tricky [to begin with]… but everything has just clicked with her… She’ll come out again next year and try to do it all again.”
A delighted Florence said: “I just wanted to give her a nice time as she’s not been here before.
“For her to go in there and behave like she did as a novice is unbelievable, she was so good.”
Full brother to this evening’s Supreme In-Hand Champion stood Reserve Champion,
Victoria Harker’s eight-year-old Stanley Grange Crescendo (Benji), having won the 138cm with Lilly Ahern and defending the Reserve title from last year.
A teary Victoria said: “I’m just so proud of him… He is my absolute pride and joy at home and I was just so proud watching him trot out of that ring, and to do it two years in a row… Although he’s quirky, he’s such a kind person and he tries.”
Victoria has owned Benji since a five-year-old and this is Lilly’s first season with him. Lilly was absolutely over the moon with her centre line moment and said: “He felt like he floated round, he’s just mega.”
Kathleen Allen’s five-year-old Rowden Hollywood took the spoils in the 128cm ridden by her daughter Betsy May Allen.
The family have had the pony for 18 months and he is produced by Team Helliwell. This is his first appearance at HOYS and Betsy May’s first win.
Mum Kathleen said: “The hard work and commitment she puts in week in week out [makes it] so well deserved.”
ENDS
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Image: 1st Class Images