Unexpected Christmas present leads to King crowned Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry of the Year Champion

Ten pairs of ponies across the large and small sections of the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry qualified over three days at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to battle it out to be crowned Scurry Supremo this Saturday night.

The final saw the fastest times of the week posted, but no one could catch Nelson King driving Gareth Roberts’ nippy pair of ponies, Omega Equine Darkhouse Fred & Barney. They completed the course in an eye-watering 40.59 seconds with Gareth as backstep.

Hot on their heels were Jemma Millman with Piglet & Roo, finishing in 40.86 seconds, and Alison Osborne with Osborne Refrigerators Chip and Dale on 41.00 seconds.

Nelson used to have a driving horse for pleasure but, until recently, had never driven scurry ponies.

Nelson’s scurry journey began when his wife bought him a pleasure drive with Gareth as a Christmas present. Gareth has competed at HOYS many times over the years and has won twice with this pair of ponies himself. Fred & Barney are now 24 years old.

Nelson said: “Gareth had me cantering in circles on my first attempt, with my wife with her head in her hands saying, ‘he doesn’t know what he’s doing!’

“A little while later we were at Suffolk Show scurrying ponies and the rest is history.”

Reflecting on his win, Nelson said: “We knew we could do it and knew we had the pace because we were quick last night but had a fault, so tonight it just had to be full concentration and really go for it.” Gareth added: “He’s a scurry driver now. He’s come on so much it’s unbelievable. He’s got the ponies but you’ve still got to do a good job.”