20 HOYS stars you might have missed but definitely need to check out
With the 2018 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) behind us, it’s time to take a look back at some of the spellbinding combinations who wowed the judges and the crowds at the NEC.
For more photos of the showing winners and champions as well as full reports, don’t miss this week’s edition of Horse and Hound magazine.
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1.Danwood Llewellyn
The home-bred Welsh section C gelding was piloted by Linda Atkinson to give the stud their first HOYS victory. Linda admitted she doesn’t normally ride in the show ring but as her daughter Hannah was riding another pony, she was drafted in to take the ride on this exquisite seven-year-old, who also landed the reserve mountain and moorland (M&M) title.
2. Bart
The non-native horse winner, Bart, gave Cheshire-based school teacher Vicky Smith her second of two wins at this year’s end of season finale. The gelding scored an impressive 50/50 for his ride.
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3. Woodview Ianthe
While this was Ianthe’s third HOYS victory in the mini show pony ranks, it was a first for her jockey Maisie Binks.
4. Thistledown Velvet Touch
Last year’s Royal International mini M&M champion went onto stand second to the prolific Thistledown Van-Der-Vaart in the lead rein class before taking reserve in the championship with George Levett.
5. Carmens Novello
After taking the parr-bred pony class on the second day of the show, producer Lucy Glover had no idea that she would ride Charlotte Read’s five-year-old to land the 2018 Pony of the Year title on the final day under the lights of the International Arena. Novello is the first part-bred pony to take the overall accolade.
6. Mexican Summer
The consistent intermediate show hunter gave Miranda Wallace the first of two wins in the intermediate classes. She followed this win with the show riding type championship on the Jayne Ross-produced large Forgeland Hydepark.
7. Gateshead
Oli Hood rode the six-year-old gelding to claim the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse sash for Zoe Turner.
8. Silver Diamond
Magnus Nicholson was called out as cob champion on the Tennant’s six-year-old novice heavyweight.
9. Llanarth Prince Of Wales
The 15-year-old stallion, owned and bred by the Bigley family, stood second in the Cuddy horse class to Gill Day’s three-year-old hunter MHS Morning Master.
10. Stougjeshoeve Escuado
This Welsh section B stallion was second in the pony class to the eventual champion Crafton Blithe Spirit.
11. Bling Cobsby
The lightweight cob gave Vicky Smith another red rosette before taking her to reserve spot in the cob championship.
12. Tinkas Flash
Hannah Sloan and her intermediate working hunter — champion here last term — had to settle for reserve this time.
13. Treganick
A hotly contested middleweight hunter class was led by Claire Oliver and Susan Granger’s upstanding chestnut.
14. Litton Cerise
The 143cm show pony victor was ridden to the reserve champion award by Martha Jobling-Purser.
15. Pendley Muscadel
The small hack and Helen Baker trotted off with the reserve Hack of the Year sash.
16. Greenholme Emblem
Gwen Rae’s Fell pony stallion was victorious in the 133cm M&M working hunter pony final before dazzling under the spotlight to take the section title for his rider/producer Kirsty Aird, who also won the 143cm class on Woodbank Smokey Sam.
17. St Giles Morgana
Owned by JO & WH Whittaker, this six-year-old mare landed the coveted Shire of the Year trophy.
18. Diamonds Are Forever
Oli Hood and the unstoppable large riding horse took yet another championship sash under the NEC spotlight.
19. Horsemans Ace Card
Helen Cowley rode this fabulous gelding for owner Wendy Toomer Harlow to take the heavy horse ridden accolade.
20. Blackhill Imogen
Ruby Ward started an incredible week — which saw her take the 2018 working hunter pony of the year title — with a reserve in the M&M worker championship with this 2018 Hickstead champion.
(Photos by Peter Nixon and 1st Class)
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.