International showjumping at HOYS kicked off yesterday with an appropriately global line-up (8 October).
Leading Showjumper
The big class of the evening was the CanterBanter.co.uk Cup, which was won by Julien Epaillard – last year’s Leading Showjumper of the Year.
The French rider kicked off HOYS 2015 in fine style, winning the one-round speed class with Pigmalion Du Rozel in a time of 53.55sec.
“I took all the risks today, and the horse performed superbly,’ said Julien. “You need a horse with experience, especially in the first indoor event of the season, and my horse certainly knows his job.”
Colombia’s Daniel Bluman finished second on Conconcreto Apardi (55.16), while Irishman Billy Twomey and Diaghilev was third (55.22).
Foxhunter title
Earlier in the day, Sweden’s Angelie von Essen won the ReadySupp Cup, which was the opening international class. Angelie and West Falica pushed Billy Twomey and Tin Tin off the top spot by just 11 hundredths of a second.
Back on the national circuit, Robert Maguire won the coveted Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship.
Six made it through to the jump-off, including both of John Whitaker’s rides. However it was Wigan-based Robert who posted the winning time of 37.76sec with his eight-year-old mare Anastasia Van De Helle.
“I knew my time wasn’t too fast, and I knew I had John Whitaker behind me,” said Robert. “I would say that nine times out of 10 he would beat me, but he had a rail down.”
Douglas Duffin and Djoel were second, while fellow Scott Mark Turnbull was third riding Cartouch III.
‘So much fun’
In showing, Georgia Darlington and her 10-year-old mare Tynwydd Good Friday were crowned Champion in the Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year Championship.
“I feel amazing I have had such a good year on the pony,” said Georgia. “It was so much fun I just want to go and do it again.”
Later that evening the Topham Barnes Hack of the Year Championship took centre stage with Victoria Heysford and Whalton Forgery winning the title.
“I have had him since he was a yearling so I have watched him grow and he is my best friend, I adore him,” said Victoria.
The final showing championship of day two at HOYS, was the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden Championship, which was won by Sarah Parker and Welsh A Sarum Rembrandt.