Once again this year saw a huge number of wins for TopSpec fed horses and ponies at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.
It was a hugely successful show for Robert Walker; Vantage Point, owned by Jill Day, won the Lightweight Hunter of the Year before being crowned Champion Hunter of the Year, whilst Rockefeller owned by Joanne Singfield headed the line up in the Heavyweight Hunter of the Year.
It was an emotional sight when Robert and Starry Night, owned by Camilla Neame, took the Maxi Cob of the Year before Robert dismounted to mark the retirement of this uniquely successful cob.
Victoria Hesford also had a fantastic show with Whalton Forgery, owned by Clare Twiston-Davies, claiming the Champion Hack of the Year, and Randalstown Musketeer, owned by Clare Twiston-Davies, securing the Champion Cob of the Year award. Victoria also produced the Ridden (Welsh D) of the Year, Ringside Game Over.
Rotherwood Rainmaker, owned by Katy Carter and Marge Cartlidge, and ridden by Poppy Carter ended their partnership on a high with a win for the Katy Carter Show Team in the 128cm Children’s Riding Pony of the Year. Ellis Taverner-Burns and Scalacre Eclipse, also owned by Katy and her mum Marge, headed the 133cm Show Hunter Pony.
Llanarth Fair Play, owned by Elizabeth Edwards and produced by Katy Carter, was crowned Champion Intermediate Show Riding Type of the Year ridden by Kayleigh Catton.
Clare Curry and Noble Star, owned by Adrian Curry, took the Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year, whilst Cate Kerr and Cadlanvalley Super Ted, owned by Lisa Kerr and produced by Craig Elenor, won the Lead Rein Show Hunter Pony of the Year.
Sadhbh O’Connor and Valentine Dignity, owned by Aoife O’Connor and produced by Rachael Helliwell, stood Champion Show Hunter Pony.
Laura’s Pride secured top section marks and a win in the Intermediate WHP of the Year, ridden and owned by Victoria Leavesley, whilst Shirley Dennison’s Rotherwood Another Peep headed the 148cm Children’s Riding Pony of the Year, ridden by Harriet Dennison.
The Part Bred Ridden of the Year title went to Myles Cooper and Moluccas Bengal Beauty, owned by Mike Cooper and produced by Stanley Grange Show Team.
Sue-Helen Shuttleworth and Flying Solo headed the line up in the Coloured Ridden Non-Native Pony of the Year, whilst her ride Boston also secured the top spot in the Coloured Ridden Native Cob, Traditional Pony of the Year.
In the M&M sections Townend Schubert ridden and owned by Becky Penny won the M&M Ridden (Fell/Dales) of the Year, whilst Alex Williams and Ringside Game Over, owned by Christine Williams and produced by Victoria Hesford, took the M&M Ridden (Welsh D) of the Year.
The M&M Ridden (Sec B) of the Year went to Katy Marriott-Payne and Cadlanvalley Sandpiper, owned by Mr A J Anderson and Mrs K E Scott.
Doylan Chilli Pepper, ridden by Mollie Mae Jeffrey and owned by Mrs Carol Barker won the 122cm M&M WHP of the Year, before Stephanie Wheway’s Peasedown Mr Muddle took the 143cm M&M WHP of the Year.
Ardbear Spirit, ridden by Jo Callwood and owned by Barbara Bagshaw triumphed in the M&M WHP of the Year exceeding 143cm.
Over in the showjumping arena, Robert Murphy took the honours in the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year with Rainbows Mocha, owned by Julie Adam – a title that his father, Peter, won exactly 30 years earlier.
What a wonderful show!