While showjumping takes centre stage in the evening performances, the Horse of the Year show is also synonymous with top-class showing.
Wide variety
Saturday’s show (10 October) saw a wide variety of champions crowned in both the Andrews Bowen International Arena and the Caldene Arena.
The first championship of the day was the Sandal BMW Intermediate Show Riding Type of the Year, which was won by Kayleigh Catton riding Llanarth Fair Play.
The combination won Sandal BMW 153cm Intermediate Show Riding Type earlier in the day, which qualified them for the championship.
‘Lost for words’
The next championship saw competitors shrink in size, as it was Britains Farm Toys Mini Show Pony of the Year Championship.
As well as the smallest in the show, the class included some of the HOYS youngest riders. The winner was Zara Sharpe riding Woodview Ianthe, who came forward from the First Ridden Pony category.
It was then back to the showing heavyweights, with the Virbac 3D Worming Cob of the Year Championship. This year the title went to Victoria Hesford and Randalstown Musketeer, which was her second win of the week.
“Dreams don’t happen like this, I am lost for words,” said Victoria. “He’s got so much character, so much charisma and he is a proper stamp of a cob.”
Pigs will fly
The last showing class of the day was the Kathleen Wood Children’s Riding Pony of the Year Championship, which went to an emotional Ellis Taverner-Burns riding Rhos Exception.
Ellis earned her spot in the championship by winning the 138cm Childrens Riding Pony of the Year.
Always popular with the evening crowd is the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry, which came to a thrilling conclusion. Piglet & Eeyore, driven by Jemma Millman, flew around the course to secure their win.