It was perfect top marks for Carol Bardo and Mandy Hughes’s seven-year-old cob The Humdinger, when he headed the CHAPS coloureds with a perfect score, under Jayne Webber.
“I said earlier in the season that it would be difficult to improve on perfection,” said Jayne, “but he’s just proved he can.”
The Humdinger had taken both cob and coloured titles at the RIHS earlier this year, and Mandy Hughes is looking forward to riding him later in the show as Jayne has another cob ride.
Although Shybonts Broadways Dazzling Moments headed the non-native ponies, it was the second placed Brookfarm Heaven Scent that came forward to take reserve. Clare Merrigan-Martin and Glen Martin’s seven-year-old mare is partnered by Samantha Elliott, and have only had four outings together.
“I think this was meant to be,” said producer James Hunton,” as we didn’t think we’d get here after we had a blow-out and were then delayed behind a accident, so we didn’t arrive until half way through our warm-up session.”
Caroline Trigg’s Arab gelding Elustarius ended his ridden career by taking the title partnered by Frances Atkinson, only a couple of weeks after lifting the supreme British Arabian championship for the second time. The pair have won major titles and the eleven-year-old is making a career move into private driving.
Toni Le’vell’s OAS Vendetta and Malcolm Rankine stood second to Elustarius and held place to claim reserve. The homebred seven-year-old qualified at the Northern Arabian horse show and has only had a few outings with Toni’s daughter Kiri Thorogood.
“Kiri got stage fright,” said Toni, “and Malcolm who had judged him earlier in the year, offered to ride him here for us.”
Susan George, honorary president of HOYS, headed the stallions with Egatist ridden by Abi Thorogood, whilst Peter Whitlow’s Maiad finished her first and only season unbeaten in her class when heading the mares.
Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show and don’t miss H&H’s 17-page special report on sale Thursday 15 October, 09
