H&H readers vote Hello Sanctos horse of the year

H&H readers have crowned top British showjumper Hello Sanctos the horse of the year.

As part of the H&H reader issue (out today, Thursday, 12 December) we asked you which equine star you felt deserved the accolade.

And with 30% of the vote Scott Brash’s loyal partner Hello Sanctos secured the top spot — and his place on the H&H cover.

The 13-year-old gelding helped Scott jump into the history books by claiming the showjumping Rolex Grand Slam and a €1million prize-fund this year.

Hello Sanctos, who is owned by Lord and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham, produced the solo clear round under Scott in the grand slam’s third leg at Spruce Meadows, having triumphed in the first two legs at Aachen and Geneva.

In the runner up position for the horse of the year title was Valegro, who won 24% of votes.

This year the world and Olympic dressage champion retained both his World Cup crown in Las Vegas and the European Championship title in Aachen. He and Charlotte Dujardin have maintained their position at the top of the FEI rankings for the fourth consecutive year.

In third was Chilli Morning with 13%.

Christopher Stone’s chestnut became the first stallion to win Badminton when he won under William Fox-Pitt back in May. The 15-year-old was then given the rest of the year off competing, with the aim of having him on top form for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Alongside these equine stars H&H readers shared their experiences.

“For this year’s reader issue, we asked you to send us your stories from 2015 — and were bombarded with the highs and lows of your equestrian year,” said features editor Madeleine Pitt.

“From the £1 Irish gelding that helped one reader get back in the saddle and competing following a major operation, to the tough Dales ponies who navigated a 100mile journey, we were wowed by your determination and ambition.

“This issue is dedicated to you — whether you had a personal first, beat the odds or caught a special moment on camera.”

Find out who was crowned rising star of the year, rider or trainer of the year and what you classed as the biggest controversy in the equestrian world this year in the new issue of H&H, out today (17 December).

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