EQUINE NEWS

24th October 2005

HOYS Round Up

Cornwall enjoyed a great Horse of the Year Show, with more competitors qualifying for the prestigious event than ever before and receiving their fair share of top prizes. Fifteen year-old Grace Warmington made her debut appearance riding her Grey Connemara Rinsey Drumlin in the Simpson Refactories Mountain and Moorland, New Forest and Connemara section. Grace who is trained by Bridget Millington on a weekly basis, but increased her lessons to a daily lessons the week before, in preparation for the big event. Grace said;'I was really pleased with the way my pony behaved in the ring I could not have a sked any more of him'. Sadly Grace didn't make into the top eleven.

Sarah McCormack followed Grace into the arena in the second section of the ridden Mountain and Moorlands for the Fell, Highland and Dales. Riding Rosmarth Raindrop a black Fell on loan to her from Barbara Hall. Sarah had travelled up the day before with a close friend and M&M enthusiast and had many supporters in the audience. Grooming for Sarah was Alison Devonshire from Chyvounder, St Mawgan where Rainsdrop is kept. Both Alison and Sarah told Guardian Sport that they were just delighted to be taking part in such a huge event and were soaking up the atmosphere. It was a dream come true for Sarah who is a second chef at the Falcon Inn, St Mawgan. Raindrop took everything in her stride and even though she did not get in to the top eleven Sarah will cherish the Purple and Gold rosette that was presented to all finalists.

Grace was lucky enough to be able to watch her trainer Bridget Millington ride Amy-Anne Southerns Enduring Freedom in the Bardo Ladies Hunter of the Year, provisionally judged in the Caldene Arena with the top six going forward to the International Arena later in the day. Enduring Freedom, a relatively novice five year-old bay gelding standing at 16.2hh gave the judge a very mannerly ride and coped extremely well in front of the packed crowd. Bridget was rewarded by being called forward in the top six and later in front of an even bigger audience in the International Arena she was crowned reserve champion Ladies Hunter by judges Tim Lucas and Jane Phillips. Bridget is not a stranger to the Horse of the Year Show, but was delighted as Enduring Freedom was the only Horse she had taken this year.

On the second day of the show three Cornish friends were in competition with each other in the same class. Katey Saggers, Emma James and Kathryn Pitt all rode in the Warleigh & Garthstone Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year under judges Fiona Stewart and Emma Coates. With 21 riders in the class it was split into two sections before the riders trotted, cantered and galloped as a group. Kathryn and Emma were drawn in the same section and rode second. After the trot and canter, they were asked to gallop individually up the long side in front of the audience. One of the ponies took hold and found it difficult to pull up and ran straight into Kathryn and Springbok. Although unscathed apart from a dirty mark on Kathryns jodphurs the incident unsettled Springbok, who was tipped to be one who may be in the top line up, and he never really recovered. Emma rode her mothers dark bay five year-old Anothertime who just let the huge occasion get to her a little and spooked during her individual performance at the gallop. Katey Saggers riding Kay Broads grey Gelding Trefeinon Glen in the first section really rose to the occasion. Putting up a great performance and a good gallop they were called forward in the top eleven.

Prizes, given to nineth place were announced in reverse order and Katey had to endure the electric atmosphere of being left to the final three. not knowing if she was first or not. Sadly Katey was not called forward in first position which meant she was either tenth or eleventh.

The next three days of the show were just as exciting for Cornish connections. Friday saw Melanie Hennah start proceeding off in the International Arena riding her Chestnut 16.3hh Chestnut gelding Le Pointe D'or in the Cuddy Working Hunter of the year at 7am. The course was well up to height with a variety of flora and fauna covering the rustic fences simulating the hunting field. Out of the 36 riders forward only three managed to get round clear. Melanie rode a stylish round but did not go clear and unfortunately was not one of the nine called forward to take part in the final judging later on in the evening performance.

Lucy Bowden who has been staying with the Hollings show team in Lancashire all summer whilst showing her ponies rode Jackets Verity a dark bay 13 year-old mare owned by Kathryn Pitt in the Caldene Arena on Friday afternoon. In the Charlotte Morgan 148cms Childrens Riding Pony of the Year. Lucy put up a good performance and was rewarded by gaining a very credible sixth place. Lucy was lucky enough to qualify for two classes at HOYS with Jackets Verity and rode her in the Oggy Oggy Intermediate 153cms Show Riding Type sponsored by Cornish proprietor of the Oggy Oggy Pasty Company Brian Stanleick. Although Lucy put up a good individual performance she did not make in to the final eleven.

Saturday was a great day for Cornish exhibitors. Chris Yates, a BSPS judge and vice chairman of the Cornish BSPS Area 13A had the pleasure of not only watching his daughter Natasha ride to fourth place in the Small Riding Horse of the Year on Manhatten III a bay six year-old gelding by Highland King. He was able to watch Joseph Thurston ride Crafton Waltz of the Toreador, which he jointly owns with Debbie Thomas to top spot in the 143cms Bewley Homes Show Hunter Pony of the Year. However, not without its thrills and spills. Nicholas Schofield from Devon was scheduled to ride the pony but, two days before Nick broke his leg on the gallops. Joseph very quickly stepped in but when he was doing his final lap of honour in the Caldene Arena the saddle slipped coming down the centre line. Joseph managed to stay on just until he had left the ring at the canter and tumbled off in the collecting ring, breaking his arm.

The pony had to contend the championship in the International Arena that evening and a further jockey had to be found. Johnathon Stevens was only too pleased to be asked to replace Joseph and rode Crafton Waltz of the Toreador very well giving him a great gallop in front of the cheering crowd. A huge cheer was heard when Johnathon was called forward as the Champion. However, Crafton Waltz of the Toreador had the last say whilst doing his lap of honour taking Johnathon around the Arena rather than Johnathon riding him.

With competitors from Cornwall riding every day of the show Sunday saw local farrier Andrew James ride H Childs grey gelding Carnsdale Quiz Master in the Topspec Intermediate Working Hunter of the Year in the Caldene Arena. The course was magnificent with ten up to height fences including a yellow wall, road closed gate, oxer, pig sty including pot sheep and the water tray which had running water in it. Andrew walked the course alone taking in every stride he needed to as he was first to jump he did not have the benefit of watching anyone else go round. Starting off very well Andrew got to the ninth fence all set to go clear, when the crowd let out an almighty cheer, clap and several whistles thinking Andrew had completed the course and obtained a clear round. But, Andrew still had fence ten to jump, a double oxer which sadly he had the last element down. This was such a shame as he was jumping so well, Carnsdale Quiz Master would not have been able to ignore the noise made it was so intense. Immediately after Andrew had completed his round the commentator had to remind the audiece that it was ten fence track. There were only two clear rounds in the entire class with several riders getting two or more fences down. Andrew gave a good individual show gaining sixth place overall.

Brian and Elizabeth Stanleick enjoyed watching their home bred, six year-old bay mare, Trevaylor Tiger Lily being ridden by Alexander Hollings in the BMW First Ridden Pony of theYear. A previous winner of the Lead Rein Pony of the Year at HOYS Tiger Lily put up a good performance to take sixth place.

The youngest rider from Cornwall and possibly the youngest rider of the whole show was four year-old Abigail Dymond from Bolventor. Abigail rode Cosford Charmaine in the BMW Lead Rein of the Year. Taking it all in her stride Abigail put up a very good individual performance for judge Robert Parker Jones even though her little pony gave an unexpected huge shake, wobbling Abigail before she was stood up in front of the judge. Abigail did not make it in to the placings but thoroughly enjoyed all the attention given to her by her family and supporters who went to watch her. After her class had finished she enjoyed watching all the attractions and displays n the International Arena including Jean-Francis Pignon with his amazing horses, Mary Ray and Ferdi Elberg with their fabulous dressage display, the mounted cames and scurry driving which she may go home and teach her lead rein ponies to do.