With the summer season well under way, one of the first county ‘biggies’ for the showing community to flock to in search of an early Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket and a jolly good day out was Devon.
Held over three days (17 — 19 May), the annual fixture saw some old faces return to reclaim their top spots, while some young jockeys also came to the fore.
Aimee Stunt secured part-bred Arab victory with the bay stallion.
8. Runnon Daisy May
308 - RUNNON DAISY MAY & Emma Edwards-Brady, Hack Breeding Champion
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
After standing Ottergayle supreme last season, this nine-year-old mare stepped back into the show ring to win the hack breeding title for Emma Edwards-Brady.
9. It’s The King’s Speech
51 - IT'S THE KINGS SPEECH & Ian Smeeth winners of the Middleweight Show Hunter class
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
It was a middleweight red for Ian Smeeth…
10. Royal Engagement
26 - ROYAL ENGAGEMENT & Claire Oliver
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
… but it was Claire Oliver and the second placed lightweight who took reserve in the hunter championship.
11. Blackertor Magneto
896 - BLACKERTOR MAGNETO & David Hodge, Standard Shetland Champion
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
The seasoned Shetland took the in-hand breed title.
Chantel Searle rode her own gelding to clinch the show hunter pony tricolours.
13. Strawberryfields Prime Spirt
1071 - STRAWBERRYFIELDS PRIME SPIRIT & Freyja Rafferty, Show Hunter Pony Lead Rein Champion
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
Freyja Rafferty was lead rein of hunter type winner.
14. Kiss N Tell
175 - KISS N TELL & Jamie Frost, Champion Sport Horse
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
Jamie Frost was at the head of the sports horse champion.
15. Paddock Marquis
697 - PADDOCK MARQUIS, Welsh Section B champion
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
The big moving stallion triumphed in the Welsh section B championship.
16. Anchorman
116 - ANCHORMAN & Mel Hennah, Cuddy Working Hunter winner
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
A HOYS ticket followed a cracking clear round for Mel Hennah and her working hunter winner.
17. Dunloughan
1143 - DUNLOUGHAN & Holly Simms, Champion Working Hunter Pony
(Image credit: www.hamishmitchellphotography.co)
Holly Simms and her dun gelding jumped their way to the 153cm class and the overall working hunter pony honours.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
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.
