A chance encounter led to the winning combination of this year’s SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Swap rides
Sofia Scott, who is based at the Hood’s family yard in Norfolk, warmed up Bridgham for Oliver at a show last year and fell in love with him – the horse that is!
Luckily she had a horse Oliver liked the look of and they decided to swap rides. He is now competing her former Royal International amateur winning lightweight hunter, while Sofia has been focussing on Ladies classes with Bridgham, who is owned by Paul Rackham.
“Bridgham is my absolute favourite, he is such a sweetheart and tries to give 100 percent all the time,” she said. “He loves it, and has such a super temperament.”
Reserve champion
During his racing career under trainer Nigel Bloom, Bridgham ran in six point-to-points and was placed three times before he retired in 2009.
The elegant bay was a runner-up in the Racehorse to Riding Horse Championship in 2011 with Oliver, who competed him in Lightweight hunter classes.
Helen Newbold and Tycoons Reflection were reserve champions. Tycoon is a half brother to Helen’s former SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse Champion, Deep Reflection.
Absolute gentleman
“When the breeder emailed to ask if I would like him, I could not say no,” said Helen. “We have spent some time allowing him to get stronger but he is an absolute gentleman”.
The 10-year-old bay gelding ran seven times, and was trained by Henrietta Knight and, prior to that, Mick Channon. However, Helen says “he was too polite”.
He took the Champion Hunter title at his first show at Aintree last season and qualified for the Longines Royal International Horse Show as a light weight hunter, as well as the RoR final at Hickstead’s Derby meet.
Beautiful mover
Judges David Froggatt and Jayne Hall said the standard at HOYS was very high.
“They were all so beautifully behaved and well retrained, it was a real joy to judge,” said Jayne. “The top horses would not disgrace any open class, and when the lights went down and we watched our winner move so beautifully on the lap of honour we agreed we had got it right!”
Third place went to Barbers Shop, owned by the Queen and ridden by Katie Jerram.