An equestrian centre has raised £1,500 to help find a cure for brain tumours, in support of showing producer Rory Gilsenan who is undergoing treatment for the condition.

Addington Equestrian Centre raised the funds at its pre-HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) working hunter show last Sunday (22 September), days after Rory underwent a second brain surgery.

The Bicester-based rider was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour a year ago at the age of 49 shortly after taking his first victory at HOYS.

His course of treatment involved surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy but the tumour returned and last Friday he underwent a second operation.

At Rory’s request, donations for the Milton Keynes-based charity Brain Tumour Research were collected at the Addington show, which he usually attends. Winners were also encouraged to donate their prize money, helping raise the £1,500 towards vital research.

“Rory is a very popular guy and everyone is hoping the surgery has gone well. Rory’s absence on Sunday was very much felt. We were all thinking about him,” said Addington manager Chris Parker.

Continues below…

‘Don’t be a pussy!’: watch Charlotte Dujardin and Rory Gilsenan go hedge-hopping

‘Two friends decided to forget about the world and just have fun with two horses’

Showman makes winning return after surgery on aggressive brain tumour

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Brain tumours are responsible for the deaths of more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease.

Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the central region, said: “We are very grateful to Addington Equestrian Centre for its support. Rory’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. Together, with the help of all our supporters, we will find a cure.”

Friends of Rory’s from the equestrian world have rallied to support the rider, with many using the hashtag #RootingforRory on social media to send their good wishes.

Rory’s wife Vanessa posted on Facebook on Friday that his operation had gone well and that he was up and “busy reading all your messages”.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Having recently attended the Northern Counties Ponies Association (NCPA) Pony of the Year show, I was particularly impressed with the format used to judge the golden ticket supreme.

Competitors had to have qualified at select shows over the summer organised by the NCPA’s 10 branches. They were then split into four sections according to type and went into a preliminary judging that adopted a regular class format.

The top three from each section continued to a second phase where four new judges were appointed. Each combination was given a mark out of 10 using an ice-skating mark system, where marks are displayed at the end of each performance. This made the championship far more spectator-friendly — and the eventual champion had to impress five judges to bag the £500 cash prize.

I think there would be great scope for this system to be used more widely, as there are benefits for exhibitors and spectators.

I’ve always been a great advocate of the skating mark system, for two reasons. Firstly, you tend to get a more accurate reflection of the performance given on the day, perhaps due to judges being more mindful when they have to hold up a mark for all to see. Secondly, the system allows and encourages riders to push the boundaries a little and they tend to deviate away from a “safe” performance and step it up a notch.

Unacceptable mistakes

With Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) just around the corner, many of us are busy stressing over our horses’ or ponies’ coats, making last-minute preparations and ensuring we are fit enough to endure all the walking involved on the big day. However, I’m disappointed to have seen several incidents this season where incorrect marks or administrative errors have resulted in a more than acceptable number of combinations having sought-after HOYS tickets taken away from them.

I appreciate that anyone can make a mistake and that the qualification isn’t technically awarded until verified by post, but I would like to think that in this day and age, we would have a far more robust system to ensure that these mistakes can’t happen.

I struggle to see how in cases where a pony has won by a considerable margin, these errors can go unnoticed during the presentations. This reinforces the sentiments of Stuart Hollings who rightly stated in his recent column that communication between two judges in the ring is vital.

If judges were to communicate better it would not only reduce the risk of these mistakes being made, but would go a long way to spare the heartache for all involved when such a situation arises. If both judges have marked a horse or pony down as the winner then surely if it was to be called out in second or third place due to an error then it could be rectified before the rosettes are even awarded.

Finally, good luck to all those heading to HOYS. It’s an achievement to get there and anything else is a bonus.

Ref Horse & Hound; 26 September 2019

Even if showing isn’t your discipline of choice, if you’re spectating at the world famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this week you’d be a fool to miss out of seeing the country’s best show horses and ponies (and riders) take to the stage at the biggest showing show there is.

Combinations have worked tirelessly all year in all weathers to qualify for their moment in the NEC spotlight, so why not settle down at one of the seats in either the International or Top Spec arenas, grab a catalogue and see if you can pick out this year’s winners?

You’ll have caught the showing bug before you know it…

1. The first section is called a go-round

While this portion of a class is not marked or scored on paper, the initial go-round is important so take note. The go-round is the first time the competitors get to make an impression on the judges. Horses will enter on the right rein. The judges will be looking for the animal which catches their eye the most. Of course, exactly what type the judges will be drawn to depends on which class you’re watching. For example, in the hunter ranks a horse a with a ground covering and forward yet rhythmical way of going will be favoured as opposed to the show pony first ridden class where you’d ideally want a pony going steady away and sweetly for the young jockey. The go-round is a good place to pick out your favourites so note down the back numbers of your choices so you can inspect them during their individual shows.

2. There are usually two judges (and a heap of stewards)

It can be hard to separate the judges and the stewards in the middle of the ring, as all will be dressed in super-smart attire. Once you’ve eyed up who’s officiating, you’ll notice that once the competitors are lined up after the go-round, one judge will remain in front of the line ready to assess performance and the other will head off to another part of the ring to inspect conformation. The stewards are there to ensure the class runs smoothly, to take down the judges marks and basically to keep the show on the road. These individuals will usually be on the go from the very first class in the ring just after dawn until the curtain comes down after the last lap of honour in the early evening.

3. Riders will then do a show, or the ride judge will ride each horse

In pony classes, each jockey will be required to perform a show for the judge. At HOYS, this is usually a short set show with certain requirements each combination will need to perform. After each performance (signalled by the salute of the rider), the judge will award a mark out of 50, in secret to the steward who will be in charge of noting down each mark on a sheet. At the end of the class this score will be added together with the score awarded during the conformation section. And ta dah, the pairing with the most points wins! The horse classes get a slightly treatment; each rider will be asked to dismount from their horse and the ride judge will jump on and take each one for a spin around the arena.

4. The conformation section

The rider will remove the saddle from their horse and then present him to the judge in-hand, ensuring he is stood up correctly with his feet square. On the judge’s request the horse will be led away at walk and then turned and trotted directly back. The judge will then award another 50/50 mark for each horse’s conformation.

5. The prize-giving

HOYS has a unique placing structure which adds to the tension of the prize giving. When the class is complete, the highest placed 11 combinations will be pulled forward in no particular order using back numbers to form a new line. The rest of the unplaced competitors leave the ring. The commentator then reveals the top nine placings in reverse order, counting down all the way to the winner who will be asked to come and stand in-between flowery pillars for the presentation. To be placed at HOYS is a huge achievement for all riders, owners and breeders and to win is the ultimate dream. Showing competitors dedicate their whole lives to the cause so remember what you’re witnessing and expect a lot of tears!

Continued below…

6. The iconic lap of honour

You’ll have the victory lap theme tune stuck in your head for the next week. The HOYS lap of honour sees the competitors head out in trot or canter before the winner completes their own ring of the arena before leaving down the centre line. Some choose to trot out and others opt for a gallop. Make sure to join in with the clapping.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday and don’t miss the full HOYS report in the 10 October issue

This year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) (2-6 October 2019) at Birmingham’s NEC will mark the show’s 71st anniversary, featuring top-class showjumping, showing, dressage, driving — as well as an array of equestrian displays.

The show will be live streamed on the British Equestrian Sport TV website at the following times:

Wednesday 2 October

7.15am — Bronze League Championship & Silver League Championship
4.20pm — Showjumping masterclass with the Fletchers
6.25pm — Senior Newcomers Championship
9.20pm —Talent Seekers including seven-year-old Championship

Thursday 3 October

12.50pm — Pony Newcomers Championship
3.35pm — Dressage masterclass
6.10pm — Dressage Future Elite Championship
8.10pm — Pony Club Mounted Games — Prince Philip Cup
9.25pm —Senior Foxhunter Championship

Friday 4 October

11.40am — International showjumping: two-phase special
2.30pm — International showjumping: one round
5.45pm — Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year
8.35pm — Pony Club Mounted Games — Prince Philip Cup
9.30pm — International showjumping: take your own line

Saturday 5 October

10am — Grade C Championship
12pm — International showjumping: the accumulator
2.45pm — TBC
5.25pm — International showjumping with jump-off
7.30pm — Melie Philippot: My Little Sister
8.30pm — Lorenzo: The Flying Frenchman
9.30pm —International showjumping: puissance

Sunday 6 October

9.55am — 128cm Championship
11.20am — 138cm Championship
1pm — International showjumping: five fence challenge
4.30pm — International showjumping: Leading Speed Horse of the Year
8.50pm — International showjumping: Leading Showjumper of the Year
10.30pm — Show finale

You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the show on the Horse & Hound website and by following @horseandhound on Twitter and Horse & Hound on Facebook.

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS 2019), held at the N.E.C in Birmingham welcomes some 1,600 horses and ponies, 1,500 competitors and 65,000 spectators and is a true spectacle for all things horsey.

Showjumping fans can look forward to the popular puissance and top international and national championship classes, as well as the prestigious leading showjumper of the year. For dressage divas, British riders will showcase their up-and-coming grand prix horses in the future elite championship.

Continued below…

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There’s also lots of shopping to be done and some great displays to marvel at which include Mélie Philippot’s ‘My Little Sister’ routine, Lorenzo ‘The Flying Frenchman’, as well as the crowd-pleasing scurry driving and the Prince Philip Cup mounted games in previous years.

Don’t miss our full HOYS report in the 10 October 2019 issue of Horse & Hound magazine, where we’ll look at the action across the disciplines in full detail

Currently in its 17th year, the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse series continues to grow in popularity.

The classes provide former racecourse stars with the opportunity to change careers and have their chance to shine in an different kind of spotlight.

The racehorse to riding horse competition is open to all with an ex-racehorse, professional or amateur. Qualifiers are held throughout the showing season and the finalists come together for the championship held at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The 2019 finalists are:

Amalric and Sara Thorman

Clonard Lad and Paul Langrick

Desert Joe and Rebecca Court

Golden Bird and Richard Telford

Grandeur and Jo Bates

Hero Worship and Abigail Sole

Lough Inch and Lizzie Harris

Mr Oosh and Lynne Russell

Mumford and Collette McGoldrick

Qulinton and Thea Geake

Singing Hinnie and Katie Jerram-Hunnable

Valentine Jak and Donna Bamonte

We look back at the past 10 winners of the popular championship, but who will take the crown this year?

Don’t miss the 2019 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final held at the HOYS on Wednesday 2 October in the International Arena.

2009 – Jayne Ross and Amanda Bowlby’s Ironman Muldoon 

2010 – Sonya Fitch-Peyton and T Billington’s Blue Java

2011 – Katie Jerram and JM Jerram’s Night Prayers

2012 – Vicky Smart and Rogers Revenge

2013 – Helen Newbold and Jason Newbold’s Deep Reflection

2014 – Faye Hesketh and Flaygray

2015 – Sofia Scott and Paul Racham’s Bridgham

2016 – Allister Hood and The Jackpot’s Jack the Giant

2017 – Rebecca Court and Ann Leftley’s Beware Chalk Pit

2018 – Oliver Hood and Zoe Turner’s Gateshead

Continued below…

Heading to HOYS: meet the hard working home-producer who battles against the odds to realise her dreams

‘Twelve months ago I collapsed at the yard and stopped breathing...’

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A host of seasoned combinations took to the International Arena at the 2019 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) today (2 October) to compete for the coveted crown of Cuddy working hunter horse of the year. The star-studded field included several previous Royal International Horse Show and HOYS winners, and the 39 entries provided a total of 12 clear rounds.

The up to-height-track consisted of 12 sizeable rustic obstacles — which were provided by Cheshire Show Services — and included two double combinations.

Each presented their own challenges and this year saw the introduction of two new obstacles, including a spooky thatched cottage and a windmill filler.

Course builder David Cole made use of the space with a flowing course, which provided competitors the chance to advance on style marks.

But do you think you could take on this championship challenge yourself? Let’s walk the course and find out…

Fence 1

This green oxer was a nice introduction for the horses and thankfully only two rounds were over before they had really started. This included Boherdeal Royale (Rosemary King) who also went on to knock the second fence before retiring at the fifth fence after a refusal which unseated Rosemary

Fence 2

This inviting white gate proved relatively un-problematic as only two horses knocked the second fence of the course

Fence 3

Bright flowers spooked very few but the line from the side of the arena didn’t suit every horse and a few pairings had it down

Fence 4

Action at this neat rustic upright was also limited and most of the horses cleared this fence.

Fence 5

The water tray — while made more inviting by the placement of greenery at the bottom — was the bogey fence of the course. There were typically a couple of stops here but they tended to come from horses who looked a little spooked by the atmosphere. Katy Green had an unlucky fall into the bottom of the tray from her own The Prof, who proceeded to take a spin solo around the arena. It was then a quick change out of soggy jods for Katy who had kicked off the clear rounds with her first-to-jump Vulcanite.

Fence 6

Another airy oxer which saw zero faults.

Fence 7

While seemingly a simple upright with small fillers, this three-pole fence was knocked by a couple of horses who perhaps weren’t quite focusing when turning onto the short side of the arena.

Fence 8AB

Riders had to quickly sit their horses up on the approach to the first double of the course. With three strides between the A and B elements, neither of the fences were fault-free but the narrow gated style found on the entrance caught more out than the three rail oxer behind.

Fence 9

This offset wall provided the most chatter during the course walk. The designers choice for leaving it open in a disjointed fashion required some navigation. Most took the middle part of the wall head on between the trees, but a few decided to nip over the inside section. A couple of horses, including 2018 champion Atlantic Slim, were not keen and slammed the breaks on while a small handful also knocked it down.

Fence 10AB

The second and final combination was this one-stride double which saw only a couple of faulters.

Fence 11

The pillars of straw acted as a guide into this penultimate fence, which was set off the corner. While arguably one of the most striking fences on the course, it was well received and only two pairs rolled this one.

Fence 12

This oxer completed the course. Riders could choose one of three options. The crowd were gutted for the Mel Hannah and her super-consistent gelding Anchorman, who rolled the top pole with the lightest of touch after an otherwise flawless round.

The stunning grey gelding Grandeur got his centre line moment when he was crowned top of the 2019 SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse (R2R) final on the first day of competition at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The 10-year-old, who is owned by Yvonne Jacques, was ridden as usual by his producer Jo Bates.

Grandeur was trained by Jeremy Noseda and won an impressive £591,223 in prize money during his career. He raced a total of 10 times on the flat.

His foray into showing has been a successful one and he has also been placed at HOYS as an open hack with Jo. The duo has previous placed third and eighth in the SEIB R2R final in 2017 and 2018 respectively before securing the top placing today.

Lizzie Harris and her own 12-year-old Lough Inch took second. The gelding was making his debut at the NEC but Lizzie herself took the runner up position in the SEIB R2R final last season with Wild West.

Lough Inch was formerly in training with Jonjo O’Neill for whom he ran under hurdles without success before he went into Point to Pointing and won a total of 19 starts.

Taking third was Qulinton ridden by Thea Geake. The 15-year-old ran 60 times in national hunt races and won eight times, earning over £90,000 in prize money.

The other placings were:

4th Mumford and Collette McGoldrick
5th Clonard Lad and Paul Langrick
6th Golden Bird and Richard Telford
7th Singing Hinnie and Katie Jerram Hunnable
8th Mr Ooosh and Lynn Russell
9th Desert Joe and Rebecca Court

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. The full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report with all the action from the showing, showjumping and dressage classes will be in the 10 October issue. Catch up at horseandhound.co.uk during the week.

The youngest of 39 starting horses ended up defying the odds to not only jump a flawless clear round but also scoop the top accolade in the Cuddy working hunter of the year at the 2019 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The winning combination was event rider and producer Hayden Hankey with Irish sport horse Heads Up (Malvern), a five-year-old jointly owned by Hayden and Catherine Witt.

The gelding — who qualified for the final at the last qualifying opportunity of the year at the British Show Horse Association hunter championships just a few weeks ago — produced a stunning clear round which showed maturity and scope well beyond his years. He later returned to perform impeccably under the evening performance spotlight.

The combination has only been together for 12 months. After three summer show fixtures were cancelled due to bad weather this season, Hayden wanted Malvern to get some extra mileage on the clock. HOYS is only Malvern’s third show to date.

Taking the runner-up spot for the second year running was Louise Lyons with Paulette Cooper’s MJM Laszlo. The nine-year-old gelding, a former Royal International Horse Show champion, qualified at the Northern Ireland Festival in April.

David Cole’s rustic track provided 12 clear rounds from the starting line-up and just 10 combinations were invited back to the evening championship.

Also achieving success on the first day of the show was Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart and Lily Richardson who secured the mini Mountain and Moorland title and Francoise Babington and her own Seabourne Silent Valley who won the side-saddle ridden class.

A clutch of home-produced riders took to the stage at the world famous Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) to compete in the highly anticipated SEIB Search For A Star (SFAS) finals.

Seven class winners, including the victors of the brand new traditional cob section, then went head to head in the International Arena to contend for the overall championship sash.

Landing the 2019 title spots were the winners of the working classes, with the top working pony Linsford Ear To The Ground (Leo) and Lisa Sergeant standing above the leading working horse Rambo ridden by Pippa Tucker.

Lisa and Leo qualified for HOYS at the SEIB SFAS Osbaldeston qualifier and also compete in dressage and jumping.

Meet the other winners who also had their HOYS centre line moments…

SEIB SFAS hunter

Beautician Isabel Southworth and her five-year-old Bloomfield Imperial (Kayne) took the hunter accolade. Isabel has owned Kanye since January this year and aims to compete him in open hunters and workers in the future.

SEIB SFAS traditional cob

Nofold-based Kirsty Warnes clinched the brand new traditional cob class on her mother-in-law Angela Warnes’ Daffodil. The mare was bought locally from a gypsy cob dealer and on getting her home Kirsty discovered that she was in foal. The duo qualified at Bury Farm.

SEIB SFAS working horse

Pippa Tucker and her home bred gelding Rambo were victorious in the working horse class. The duo only started showing this year after previously competing in British Eventing, appearing in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup final at Badminton Horse Trials in 2017.

SEIB SFAS riding horse

Top of the riding horse final was Melin Moldavite (Harvey) and Maddie Bennett. Owned by Maddie’s mother, Emma Peel, Harvey has been with the family since he was a three-year-old.

SEIB SFAS hack

NHS worker Sarah Walker trotted to victory in the hack ranks with her own Dr Cookie Monster, who is by dressage stallion Dimaggio. The pair earned their HOYS qualification at Stretcholt EC in Somerset.

SEIB SFAS cob

Wuffstan Evensong and Emily Chambers were crowned cob champions, despite having only competed in a handful of shows before starting their SEIB SFAS journey earlier this year.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. The full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report with all the action from the showing, showjumping and dressage classes will be in the 10 October issue. Catch up at horseandhound.co.uk during the week.

A working hunter who stands at just 12.2hh came to the fore in the 2019 Ruckleigh School supreme pony of the year championship to give his young jockey her first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) supreme sash.

William Calder’s superstar grey mare Coco Bongo started her 2019 HOYS campaign on Friday by clearing an up-to-height 13hh working hunter pony track with rider Chloe Lemieux on route to securing a red rosette. The pair were then crowned working hunter pony champions before an immaculate and flowing show with two cracking gallops saw them scoop top billing in the supreme under judges Tim Price and Terry Court.

Chloe and 10-year-old Coco Bongo — who’s breeding is unknown — qualified for HOYS back in July at the Royal Highland show in Edinburgh.

Chloe and Coco Bongo add their supreme accolade to a tally which includes the Desert Orchid supreme at the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) summer championships. Chloe is also a member of the England International working hunter pony team.

The pair beat a top quality field of supreme contenders which included previous pony of the year Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart and (Lily Richardson) and the 2019 Royal International Horse Show supreme pony Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz (India Till). Also in the line-up were two Team Jinks-produced ponies; intermediate show riding type champion Holmestones Tailor Made (Charlotte Elliott-Grooby) and riding pony of the year Stretcholt New Dimension (Charlotte Caulfield).

153cm winners Cashel Bay JJ and Susie Eddis took reserve in the working hunter pony championship.

Runner up for the 133cm title was Precious Gem and Lilliana Clarke, followed up by Captain Foley ridden by Mya Murphy.

Leading lady Jayne Ross ensured she is still known as the very best in the business as she scooped the Supreme Products supreme horse of the year honours for the seventh time in her career as a show horse producer.

Jayne reclaims the coveted supreme title after winning last season on her ladies’ ride Time 2 Reflect, who returned to the NEC in-hand this year to compete in the Cuddy in-hand final.

Her ride this year was Jill Marsden’s impeccable heavyweight hunter Twinshock Warrior who never missed a beat during the preliminary judging, where Jayne made use of his free paces and accelerating gallop.

Warrior is no stranger to the spotlight having won the hunter championship at the Royal International (RIHS) back in July as well as the reserve hunter of the year title last season, only standing behind Robert Walker and his prolific lightweight contender View Point.

After her hunter victory, Jayne confirmed: “After going reserve last year, it’s lovely to step up and win.”

Jayne and her team were on stellar form also week. She also landed the hack of the year championship with Miranda Wallaces’ 2018 intermediate champion Forgeland Hyde Park and both riding horse champion and reserve positions with Casino II and CSF Cummer Paradise, respectively. She was also called top of the small hunter championship with Kay Cambell’s Church Rock Cashel.

The star-studded supreme horse line-up included the 2019 RIHS Winston Churchill supreme Our Cashel Blue (Allister Hood) who scooped the cob of the year honours for the third time.

To celebrate the careers of the top showing horses for the past 17 years, we look back through the H&H picture archives at HOYS supreme horses of the year, including this year’s winner

Congratulations to Jayne Ross, who collected her seventh HOYS supreme horse of the year title in 2019, this time with Jill Marsden’s impeccable heavyweight hunter Twinshock Warrior who never missed a beat during the preliminary judging, where Jayne made use of his free paces and accelerating gallop.

About HOYS supreme horse of the year

HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) and the Royal International Horse Show are the two shows that all showing competitors aspire to qualify for. With qualifiers held around the country, only the best horses in the country collect an all-important ticket that allows them to compete in Birmingham.

Once a horse has qualified, their rider then has to produce them ready for the big day so they can beat the best horses in their class from around the country. Many horses struggle with the unique HOYS atmosphere and it’s a huge challenge for producers to have a horse sparkling in front of the judges without boiling over.

The lucky few who do win their class, and go on to be stand champion, will get the opportunity to go forwards to the prestigious overall championship to be crowned HOYS supreme horse of the year on Sunday.

HOYS supreme horse of the year hall of fame

To celebrate the careers of the top ponies in the show ring since HOYS introduced the supreme pony of the year title in 2003, we look back through the H&H picture archives at HOYS supreme ponies of the year, including this year’s winner

Congratulations to William Calder’s superstar grey mare Coco Bongo who won the 2019 supreme pony of the year title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The 10-year-old of unknown breeding started her 2019 HOYS campaign by clearing an up-to-height 13hh working hunter pony track with rider Chloe Lemieux on route to securing a red rosette. The pair were then crowned working hunter pony champions, before an immaculate and flowing show with two cracking gallops saw them scoop top billing in the supreme under judges Tim Price and Terry Court.

About HOYS supreme pony of the year

The supreme pony of the year was first crowned at HOYS in 2003. Until then the top ponies of the show went forward to the supreme horse of the year championship.

In 2014 the number of ponies forward for the supreme increased as all the mountain and moorland (M&M) champions became eligible (ridden pony, working hunter pony and mini pony), rather than only the M&M supreme pony of the year champion, as in previous years.

M&Ms have taken the supreme pony title on five occasions so far, starting with Welsh Section A Penwayn Ryan in 2003. He was ridden by Laura Collett, who has since gone on to become an successful five-star event rider and represented her country at championship level.

HOYS supreme pony of the year winners

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is unique. It’s the one every competitor really wants to win, as the results are the most remembered.

When I enjoyed my first taste of success there in 1972, it was a far cry from what exhibitors experience today with so many extra classes. The preliminary judging took place outside on a black cinders surface, on the site of the Wembley Conference Centre. The conformation phase was judged on the adjacent Wembley Stadium car park and the concrete would certainly test the soundness of the animals.

The top eight from each class went forward to the afternoon final judging and presentation inside the Empire Pool Arena. Then, the results were revealed in the privacy of the collecting ring as the competitors’ numbers were read out in the order you entered the ring, led by the winner.

These days, even though the early judging times and evening exercise slots are not ideal, we must look at the bigger picture and appreciate how lucky we are that this wonderful grand finale still takes place when other institutions, such as Thomas Cook, have fallen by the wayside in these uncertain times.

Set to test

Show ponies are a high priority of mine at HOYS. Performance judge Tom Barron was looking for accuracy in his set show that tested the jockeys and simultaneously entertained the spectators. It was incredulous that one simple element — a five-second halt from trot, half-way through the change of rein — could have so much influence on the outcome.

I thought some exhibits during the week, including several winners, were too plump. In fact, Tom’s co-judge Christine Pearsall told me that she deducted marks when the ponies were “too well covered”.

A special mention must be made of Rotherwood Rainmaker’s incredible record-breaking sixth HOYS 128cm win.

However, the championship fell to a new face on the circuit this season. Stretcholt New Dimension was simply outstanding, on only his seventh show ring appearance.

Shift in focus

Has the ridden part-bred pony class — which was introduced five years ago also to showcase part-bred natives — been high-jacked by part-bred Arab show ponies? Looking at the list of previous winners and including this year’s champion Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz, it would appear so.

Consequently, would it not be better to make this into a more familiar part-bred/Anglo-Arab class or section to include the larger height category, particularly with the demise of the Cherif championship final?

In my capacity as British Show Horse Association chairman, I had the pleasure of presenting the rosettes in the ladies’ show horse final won by Francoise Babington.

Apart from winning the HOYS working hunter pony championship with Young Dragonara back in 1996, Francoise also headed the 128cm show pony class twice (1989 and 1990) with Covenham Sensation. Interestingly, the 2019 working hunter victor Hayden Hankey won the show pony championship on Sensation a year later, becoming the second boy to take the title. Here’s to another 70 years!

Ref Horse & Hound; 10 October 2019

Now in its sixth year, the National Veteran championships, hosted by the Veteran Horse Society, saw strong class entries across the board. Competitors from around the country came in floods to celebrate their very own ‘golden oldies’.

The Veteran Horse Society was founded by Julianne Aston more than 20 years ago and is dedicated to all horses and ponies aged 15 and over.

The championship fixture has become the highlight of the veteran calendar, bringing together the hundreds of veteran horse owners and carers, for one weekend of the year.

Check out these highlights from the 2019 fixture…

1. Crowd favourite

The overall mountain and moorland supreme final was clinched by Gary Snaith and his beautiful 19-year-old Shetland mare Schivas Victoria.

2. Young talent

The equitation class for riders 15 years and under was won by Isobel Kinvig and Mrs Kinvig’s 19-year-old gelding Glengoole Lad. This was Lad’s third show back after a seven year break from the show ring.

3. A special guest

Team GB member and Veteran Horse Society member Lindsay Hancock delighted the crowds with a dressage to music performance with her team horse Barachiel. Lindsay’s student Blythe Senior joined her riding No Limit D, who is aged 24.

4. Dressed to the nines

The popular costume class saw the Fell pony Clarmount Bengeman, aged 21, and his owner Rebecca Rawlinson land the in-hand title.

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5. Picture perfect

Rose Sinclair-James and 17-year-old Half Irish were crowned overall ridden champions.

6. Team work

Laura Kenyon-Brodie and 22-year-old Maysong and Beth Hutchinson with 19-year-old Tamiros took victory in the pairs class.

7. A for effort

Strictly fancy dress-age winner was Claire Hazeldine and her 20-year-old Taking the Biscuit, while the best costume award went to Amelia Stevens and Glenives Princess Sylvia (above).

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. Check out the full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report in this week’s issue

As we say goodbye to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) for another year, it’s time to take a look back at some of the winning horses and ponies who wowed the judges and the crowds at the NEC.

For more photos and stories from the iconic show don’t miss this week’s edition of Horse and Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 10 October

Check out these 26 HOYS stars who shone brightly at the 2019 fixture…

1. Frederiksminde Volcano

Home-producer Victoria Casey had her first ever HOYS victory when she rode her own 10-year-old Connemara to win his breed class. The duo also placed eighth in the 143cm M&M working hunter pony final the following day.

2. Melindwr Lady Olwen

The six-year-old Shire mare was crowned ridden heavy horse of the year with Abigail Gresty at the helm.

3. Laburnum Richard

The popular 12-year-old Connemara took the overall M&M working hunter pony accolade for the second time in his career for his owner/rider Amy Smith.

4. Nantfforchog Blue Romance

Stand-in jockey Frankie Currell rode this six-year-old grey Welsh section A mare to glory in the open ridden M&M championship.

5. Casino II

After standing reserve twice, Diane Stennett’s small campaigner took the riding horse of the year championship for producer Jayne Ross.

6. Fellthorpe Esther Jane

Paul Bedford’s nine-year-old mare trotted to victory in the Shire horse of the year final.

7. Parkgate Royal Visit William

Robert Walker rode Rob Brookes’ nine-year-old small hack to win his class and take the section reserve.

8. Seabourne Silent Valley

Francoise Babington took the ladies’ side saddle honours on her own 10-year-old lightweight gelding.

9. Jackets Destiny

Emmy Parkhouse and her home-produced 143cm contender stood reserve for the riding pony title.

10. Cashel Bay JJ

The Connemara had his seventh HOYS win on route to standing reserve in the working hunter pony of the year championship with Susie Eddis.

11. Milford Fair Honeybee

A storming clear round secured this 13-year-old mare and her nine-year-old jockey Ila Wingrove the red rosette in the 133cm M&M working hunter pony class.

12. Our Cashel Blue

Allister Hood and Caroline Tyrrell’s legendary lightweight took the cob championship.

13. Del Boy V

The 15-year-old stallion owned by Michelle Cuerden bowed out from coloured showing as he landed the coloured supreme title under Vikki Smith.

14. Heronsmill Tiger Lily

Sally Mcmillan’s three-year-old riding pony filly was crowned Cuddy supreme in-hand champion after winning the pony section on her HOYS debut.

15. Coco Bongo

The 10-year-old 133cm working hunter pony winner went through the card with her rider Chloe Lemieux to take the section title before netting the 2019 supreme pony of the year award.

16. Heads Up

Hayden Hankey and the five-year-old novice gelding secured a win in the horse working hunter ranks.

17. Roquefort Papillion

Sophia Chambers piloted her own seven-year-old stallion to clinch the non-native plaited coloured pony class.

18. Bracklinn Dynamite

The Fell pony stallion landed his breed class on his HOYS debut with owner Brian Williams in the saddle

19. Woodfield Jovial Joker

The seven-year-old Connemara became the new 143cm M&M working hunter pony of the year for Mollie Mae Jeffrey.

20. Lord Alexander

The maxi cob tricolours went to Stephen Norris aboard Elizabeth Bury’s 10-year-old gelding.

21. Noble Queen Bee

The lovely eight-year-old mare won a competitive lightweight hunter class for rider Jasean Spraggett and owner Lucinda White.

22. Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso

Emma Boardman and her own Welsh section D won their class for the second consecutive year and went on to stand reserve M&M pony of the year.

23. Cadlanvalley Bentley

The nine-year-old stallion took the Welsh section B pony of the year title for owner/rider Nicole Wayman.

24. Carnsdale Wise Guy

Sam Walker and Jill Day’s five-year-old scooped the intermediate show hunter championship.

25. Silver Diamond

Magnus Nicholson got a winning tune out of this classy heavyweight cob for the second year running.

26. Stretcholt New Dimension

The five-year-old 138cm show pony — who was only contending his seventh ever show — took the riding pony of the year accolade with Charlotte Caulfield.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. The full 2019 Horse of the Year Show report with all the action from the showing, showjumping and dressage classes is available now in 10 October issue.

A pony who was bought unseen from a “shack” in a city centre allotment has won a prestigious title at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Lesley Cook’s nine-year-old gelding Okedene Justin won the ridden New Forest class last week under Hayley Reynolds, who bought him from a Facebook post six years ago.

Hayley told H&H Justin’s is a “real rags to riches story”.

“He was advertised as a project pony for £250,” she said, adding that the pictures of him “didn’t look great”, but that having seen a copy of his New Forest passport, she thought it worth “taking a punt”.

“I put down a £50 deposit and they gave me a postcode, but no other details on where he was – when I went to collect him, it was an allotment site in Leeds city centre.

“I rang them and said ‘is this right?’ but it was – he was there in a shack, behind all the allotments.”

The sellers told Hayley Justin had been left with them by a previous owner, and that they were just trying to recoup livery costs with the sale.

She took him home, had him castrated – which cost far more than his purchase price as he had a retained testicle – backed him and turned him away.

Lesley, who had previously shown horses, told H&H she had “pretty much given up on the idea of showing” after she lost her old showjumper, but then bought a young Dartmoor “for a bit of fun” – and was bitten by the bug again.

Credit: Poppy Fisher

She saw Justin advertised and bought him, and he came eighth at HOYS in 2018. This year, as she had been injured in an accident, she offered the ride to Hayley.

The pair qualified for HOYS at their only attempt, at the Derbyshire Festival, and then headed to the NEC Birmingham for their triumph on 2 October.

“It was quite emotional,” Lesley said. “He’s so pretty and he stands out so I did hope when he went in, but you never know. To come from what he did and win at HOYS – I’m over the moon.”

Hayley, who works full-time as a social worker, added: “He gave me such a lovely ride, and fulfilled what I’d always wanted to do.

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“I’d had a really bad year – I’d separated from my partner, and was homeless for a bit and I went into the arena thinking the only thing that could make this year better would be to win the class.

“Then when they called his name, I was in floods of tears. He really deserves the win.”

For the full report from all the action at HOYS, don’t miss this week’s H&H magazine, out 10 October.

A young handler made her in-hand class debut a winning one as she scooped the supreme accolade at the North West Championship show with her Welsh section A pony.

Six-year-old Honey Ohara led out her grey gelding Gilfac Zac to perfection to be called top of the 25-stong young handler class before landing the supreme accolade.

“She was the smallest in there by a long way,” said Honey’s mum Chloe, who produces their small team of ponies from their home in Rochdale.

While she is a super keen young horsewoman, Honey’s early years have certainly not been without difficulty. At age two she was diagnosed with hypoglycaemia and has been in and out of hospital ever since.

“This means she can’t tolerate a lot of food and often has to go on a drip,” explained Chloe. “I’ve nearly lost her twice.

“Last June, she was rushed to hospital and had to have a bolt put through her skull as she has chiari 1 malformation [where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal].”

“She is on daily medication but despite all this she is so dedicated to her ponies and she has so much enthusiasm. She does her ponies every single day unless she’s in hospital.

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“When she was in hospital last summer she kept telling the nurses to hurry up and get her out as she had a Horse of the Year Show qualifier to ride in. Three days after she was out, she rode in that very class. She is just incredible.”

At North West Champs, Honey also picked up two fourth places riding her lead rein hunter pony, before netting the top in-hand title with Zac in the evening performance.

“She declared a few weeks ago that she wanted to have a go at in-hand so she’s been practising non-stop,”  added Chloe. “The judge told her that she has never seen anyone run a pony out so straight. Honey now wants to compete at the Royal Welsh next.”

So it’s been a while since my last blog. In fact, I haven’t put anything out since The Royal International Horse Show, where I managed to vlog every day in what was the hottest few days in living history. Heat stroke and frizzy hair was certainly not the look I wanted to show to the public. Hopefully you enjoyed being able to see a bit of what goes on behind the scenes at shows like the Royal International and weren’t too distracted by how horrific I looked. I normally wouldn’t take a photo without a filter on, so having to make videos with my real face on show filled me with fear!

I had the most fantastic time at the Royal International despite the heat. We had five horses qualified, which was amazing considering this is my first year doing the horses full-time and not having to juggle an office job alongside producing my horses. The organisers were very kind and gave us the option of competing without our show jackets. But as all of us showing folk are stubborn and refuse to look anything less than perfect, we all sweated it out in our tweeds. It was bad enough for us competitors, but the poor judges who had to ride up to 40 horses in some classes must have really struggled.

A few highlights from the Royal International were watching my friend and owner Ailsa Duff ride her own The Baroness II in the coloured class. Their gallop was amazing, and I was lucky enough to have a turn on The Baroness II myself in the heavyweight cob class on the Sunday, when the weather had changed and we were back to the more familiar mud and rain. Another fantastic moment for me was seeing my friend and yard manager, Shelley Harrington, ride my small hunter Chriskells Otis in the small hunter class. Again, their gallop was fantastic to watch as they came flying up the hill. This was Shelley’s first season showing for me and she qualified Otis at her first show of the year. I love riding in the ring myself, but seeing the joy on my friends’ faces as they rode around those rings was priceless.

The ultimate highlight of the week for me was riding my gorgeous Broadshard Simplicity in the large riding horses. I had a great time catching up with friends in the ring, and when I was called forward into eighth place, I stood there like a stunned mullet, not quite believing what had happened! My first placing at the Royal International Horse Show! Saucy, as he is know at home, gave me the most amazing ride and went beautifully for the ride judge too. I was so pleased with how he went for both myself and the ridge judge, so being pulled forward into the placings was a real dream come true and took a few days to sink in. It might not have been first place, but I’ve dreamt of placing at a big show like the Royal International forever and it gave me the perfect excuse to buy the nice glassed framed photo!

Since the Royal International, it has been a summer of challenges and chasing Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) tickets for the team. I’ve said previously that I run a large livery yard and the main challenge is staffing such a big operation. If you are a man down, you have to pitch in yourself and then try and find the time to do all the other things like fixing fences, paperwork and working the horses.

We have also been busy setting up our new rug washing business, trying to get everything in place in time to be able to wash and reproof everyone’s rugs in time for winter.

With everything going on, I have been trying to schedule some sleep on a Tuesday and Thursday between 3am and 6am. I’ve also thought of buying the food that astronauts eat to save time on having to cook! I can’t complain — I’d rather be busy than sat around with nothing to do, but I am a bit jealous of the dogs snoring away while I sit and type this.

Continued below…

Dan Williams’ RIHS vlog: ‘the heat took its toll on me’

Dan reports back from a sweltering day at Hickstead

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The excitement continued this summer with the arrival of my beautiful foal, Marwyn John Boy. Baby John is by the prolific stallion, Avanti Amorous Archie and he is even better than I could have ever hoped for. Baby John is full of character and I am looking forward to showing him in hand next year as a yearling. He is so beautifully put together and is the biggest time waster! I could literally spend hours playing with him and he gives the best cuddles.

So it has been a busy few months and I have so many shows to report back on, some good, some bad, so keep an eye out for my next blog in the next week or two. Some of the feedback I have had from the judges this season will leave you stunned and now that the season is over, I can look back and laugh but at times. I had to dig deep to find the strength not to give the judges my own personal opinion.

Dan

For all the latest veterinary advice, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday