Scottish showjumper Aimee Paxton reserved the best until last as she was crowned Pony Foxhunter champion at the Horse of the Year Show.
The 14-year-old, who is based in Edinburgh, guided stallion Las Vegas VI to victory with a show-stopping performance.
Last to go in an 11-strong jump-off, Aimee had it all to do, with Tabitha Kyle seemingly set to make another title entry in her impressive career portfolio.
But Aimee had other ideas, clocking 30.22 seconds to win by 75 hundredths of a second from Tabitha and Oakley III, with third place going to Poppy Deakin and Candi Girl Z.
“I knew that Tabitha would be very fast, but my pony also has a very big stride, so I knew I could take strides out,” Aimee said. “I knew it was possible, but I also knew I would have to do everything right.
“He jumped the newcomers and the leading pony showjumper yesterday, and last year he came here with my sister Sophie, so he has been in there before, but I haven’t.”
It was a composed, organised round by the talented teenager, and continued the Horse of the Year Show’s long and illustrious tradition of producing the very best in pony competitions.
“I was probably more nervous walking the course and watching everyone else, but once I was in the arena, it was fine. At the end, I couldn’t really stop crying.
“I started riding him in March this year. I knew he was capable of it, but to actually go and do it is something else. He is quite oblivious to everything – unless you put a mare in front of him!
“I can’t quite believe it. It’s going to take a while to sink in.”
* Audio interview with Aimee Paxton, winner of the Pony Foxhunter Championship at the Horse of the Year Show
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For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2022, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
