The climax to the 2010 Horse of the Year Show saw the twenty two leading riders jumping with their hearts on their sleeves. After a week of intense competition at the LG Arena at the NEC, Birmingham, Laura Renwick was crowned HOYS Leading Show Jumper of the Year after producing a superb double clear on Oz de Breve.
The class was a true representation of a Grand Prix, tough and posed a real test to the world class field with each and every competitor riding with determination and really pushing to take the prestigious title. Taking risks didn’t pay off for many including last year’s leading show jumper, Ellen Whitaker, who crashed through the last fence in round one.
After a shaky start to the week, wildcard Jo Pay and Goodman for Fun II jumped an impressive double clear to finish in third place. Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Kalico Bay made the 1m 60cm course look easy but were pipped to the post by Laura who was last to jump at the 2010 Show.
Feeling the need for speed? Dan Neilson was this afternoon, when he stormed round the twisty track in the Vinopolis Speed Horse of the Year to steal the title from Paul Barker who had taken the lead with a fast time earlier in the class.
It seemed certain that Paul’s time of 57.93 seconds could not be beaten particularly when the likes of speed merchants, Laura Renwick and Ellen Whitaker couldn’t produce the goods. Daniel was last to go with Chauvanist and they had nothing to lose so Dan with his foot to the floor and with Chauvanist up for the challenge; they produced a masterful round negotiating the twists and turns perfectly. Apparently Daniel’s father had his sights set on him being a footballer in the early days, luckily for the sport of equestrianism, Dan stuck with show jumping!
To kick off the afternoon performance, the very best young riders took centre stage in the Andrews Bowen International Arena for the Leading Pony Show Jumper of the Year class. Jessica Mendoza has been consistently achieving top results all season and was no stranger to the limelight when she won the class on the fantastic Tixylix.
Of the 22 strong field only four made through to the jump off, Laura Prichard on her second ride Bob Justice couldn’t manage to beat Jessica and finished with a double clear in a time of 37.93 seconds. Timothy Wilks finished in third place, he was first to go in both rounds, but was unfortunate to have a fence down in the jump off, this proved costly as his round was half a second faster than Jessica’s.
As ever the HOYS Grade C is a hotly contested competition showcasing our up and coming horses and is great platform for these horses to progress from.
Having finished 9th in this class last year, Nicky Boulter and Super Trooper de Ness jumped a superb double clear to take the title against a very strong field. Super Trooper de Ness is becoming a bit of a HOYS specialist having won the 7 & 8 Yr Old Championship here in 2009 and finished 2nd in the Tri-Zone Senior Newcomers in 2008.
A lovely prospect for the future, Nicky is bringing this horse up through the ranks and giving him the best possible chance of future international success. There were in fact four double clears but Nicky’s time of 32.79 seconds was just too quick for the rest of the field. Second place went to Mark Armstrong and Tenor F.M and third went to Jane Annett and Coco Loco.
The British Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle was a real highlight of this morning’s competition. A favourite with the audience was Steph Croxford with the charismatic Mr President, always a consistent performer, Mr President has a wonderful expression the whole way round and you are left in no doubt that he is enjoying every single second of it!
The eventual winner was Olympian and former HOYS Equestrian of the Year, Richard Davison who produced a fluid, beautifully executed test scoring over 75%. Richard was riding his 2012 prospect, Hiscox Artemis, this young horse proved he has all the ingredients of an elite dressage horse and was an absolute pleasure to watch in the Andrews Bowen International Arena this morning.
The NFU Countryside Pony Club Mounted Games Final had thrills, spills and many laugh out loud moments but most of all had some serious fighting spirit as all teams pushed for that final title.
Devon and Somerset pushed that little bit harder though and came out triumphant for the first time at the Horse of the Year Show. Emotions were running high, there were tears of joy from the team and helpers and the crowd went wild – obviously a very popular winner. Everyone worked so hard this week and there has been such a bond between the teams which has been evident in the stable area as well as in the arena.
Special mention has to go to the Orkney Pony Club as first timers at HOYS and with such a long distance to travel – they gave everything such a good shot and ended a very credible fourth. Devon and Somerset though as winners can definitely hold their heads high – first time winners and sure to be back for another shot at the title.
In the Osborne Refrigerators Hurry Scurry, Roelof Bril was joined by scurry team Alison Milman with Drayton Branston & Pickle and National Hunt jockey, Sam Thomas, to become the winning team in this unique novelty competition.
In the final day of showing at HOYS, there was definitely as intense an atmosphere as ever with the fight for the Supreme title in sight. The class that found last year’s supreme, The Blundell Family Riding Horse of the Year, started proceeding but The Philanderer was not to continue his reign. The Larges were won by Sirius II and Vanessa Ramm who went on to be Champion ahead of the second placed and Reserve Petition with Katie Jerram owned by HM The Queen.
In the Caldene arena, the ever popular Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the Year took place with a testing course fantastically designed by the HOYS coursebuilders. Freckleton Maximus came out triumphant in the Intermediate class and went on to take the Championship. Maximus has been a previous 15hh class winner and has now gone up the class and taken it all in his stride.
The Sandal BMW Mini Show Pony of the Year included, as always, some incredible quality ponies and the two first riddens shone in the Championship round to take Champion and Reserve. Champion was Nicole Bowen with Copybush Moon Sprite with reserve going to Fofsway Flutter and Holly O’Neil.
The Supreme Championship was the epitome of the best horse and ponies in the country – such a classic turnout of immaculately presented and perfectly ridden animals. The Supreme Horse of the Year went to Katie Jerram and Dunbeacon winner of the Mobile Phones 4 Business Ladies Hunter of the Year and Lightweight section of the TopSpec Show Hunter of the Year. Katie as ever did a foot perfect show, showing why she is one of the top show riders in the country. The Supreme Pony of the Year went to the smallest combination in the class Charn Secret Legend and Abbie Farmer winner of the Carrs BMW Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type of the Year.
