Latest from Horse & Hound in Foxhunter

‘She was in a stable with two Shetlands’: companion foal becomes HOYS Foxhunter champion

Sarah Radford — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:00:59 +0000

A mare who was bought to be a companion foal has claimed one of the most coveted titles in showjumping, the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Redpost Equestrian senior Foxhunter championship in commanding style for rider James Ingham.

Seven-year-old Altesse 2 V Z finished third in Wednesday night’s (8 October) senior newcomers championship, then beat newcomers victors Pippa Goddard and PDV Constanza by 0.85sec for the following day’s historic title.

“It means everything to take this,” James said. “For years, we’ve bred our horses ourselves, or bought them as foals, as we can’t afford to buy them ready made, and to produce one from a foal and win that final is just unbelievable.”

James bought the hugely talented daughter of Aganix de Seigneur Z on a trip to Belgium.

“I just saw her in the corner of a stable, she was in there with two Shetland ponies, and I said ‘Oh, what’s that?’” he said.

“Aganix is now considered an incredible breeding stallion, but at the time he wasn’t well known, and the man just replied that she was by a young stallion. We had our first home-bred at home, who was due to be weaned, so I just bought her to pal up with him. We have a bit of an Only Fools and Horses theme going on, so we called them Cassandra and Rodney!”

“She’s the best horse I’ve ever had”

“She’s turned out to be the best horse I’ve ever had and probably the best I will ever have,” James said. “I can’t replace her, she’s amazing.”

The Foxhunter track was an exacting test; most of the 23 combinations forward had just the one or two rails, and only four secured the elusive clear round.

Pippa and the very fast and careful seven-year-old PDV Constanza set a lofty bar from first to go in the jump-off, before Leo Lamb posted a fluid clear 2.25sec slower to keep the pressure on, riding his mother Carron Nicol’s RRH Out Of The Blue.

James found all the extra inches to carve off almost another second, while last-in David Harland and Murchako Quatro tipped the blue vertical three from home to put themselves out of contention.

“I had my plan before I went in,” James said. “Joe Trunkfield, who I train with, said it was quick and the only places you could try to be quicker were by taking one less to the double and one less to the blue. Luckily I came off the corner to both of those with a forward shot and then just had to trust her to jump them. She was phenomenal.”

The mare finished 13th in her age final at the Lanaken young horse World Championships before HOYS and will now have a break.

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Celebrating 71 years of Foxhunter champions with the full roll of honour

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:02:14 +0000

The Foxhunter final at HOYS has a long and illustrious history. Here we look back at the special horses that have held the title...

The list of past Foxhunter winners is a dazzling one. The championship is named after Sir Harry Llewellyn’s famous showjumper, who jumped clear at the 1952 Olympic Games to help the team secure Britain’s only gold medal of the games. The national showjumping final has been held at HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) since its inception in 1954.

Each year the class features the very best of the country’s novice horses and remains a flagship title for producers of young horses. Looking down the list of previous winners (below), it’s easy to identify many horses that have gone on to major international success after winning the prestigious Foxhunter title — Hopscotch, Sultan V and Romanov II just to name a few.

William Funnell was the youngest rider to win a Foxhunter title at the age of 17 in 1984 with Once More and went on to win it in 2001 with Mondriaan and in 2012 with his home-bred Billy Balou.

The 2014 Foxhunter winner Jude Burgess says: “If you produce young horses, there are plenty of other classes you can go for, but this has always been the flagship for me and it’s got the tradition behind it — it’s top of the list and the one I’ve always wanted to win. But it’s a hard enough class just to qualify for, let alone finish at the top of the leaderboard.”

Foxhunter winners hall of fame

1954 Miss F. Stanbury – Dreamboat

1955 Miss B.P. Rose – Royal Lord

1956 J. Weaver – Andrew Cobb Esq

1957 Miss A. Barker – Lucky Sam

1958 A. John – Rambler IV

1959 Capt. P.T. Holland – Savernake

1960 D. Iggulden – Bawbee Of Edinbarnet

1961 D. Iggulden – The Barrhead Builder

1962 Douglas Bunn – Beethoven

1963 Miss A. Roger Smith – Rockwell

1964 Miss J. Nash – Lights Out

1965 Miss A. Ross – Topaz III

1966 David Broome – Top Of The Morning

1967 Mr G. Spiers – Miranda XIV

1968 Steve Hadley – Flying Wild

1969 winner: Caroline Bradley and Walky Talky

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1970 Paula Graham – Pennywort

1971 Harvey Smith – Mannering

1972 Miss L. Clower – Miss Tina

1973 Graham Fletcher – Hold Hard

1974 Harvey Smith – Olympic Star

1975 winner: Willie Sheret MBE and St Corry

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1976 P. Richardson – Ryehill

1977 winner: Miss Mallory Spens and Port Paddy

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1978 winner: Stuart Davidson and La Belle Femme

1979 Malcolm Pyrah – Saucy Brown

1980 winner: Derek Ricketts and Corals Morning Glory

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1981 winner: John Whitaker and Hopscotch

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1982 Geoff Goodwin – Café Noir

1983 Mennel Watson – Charlie Brummel

1984 winner: William Funnell and Once More

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1985 Liz Edgar – Everest Asher

1986 winner: Geoff Billington and Edisford Bridge

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1987 Emma-Jane Mac – Everest Oyster

1988 winner: Nick Skelton and Don Kelly

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1989 Nick Skelton – Cut Loose

1990 winner: Nigel Coupe and Balou

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1991 Michael Whitaker – Henderson O’Flynn

1992 winner: Malcolm Pyrah and Itziweeni

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1993 winner: John Popely and Fleurance

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1994 winner: Peter Murphy and Valentino R

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1995 winner: Michael Whitaker and Everest Ashley

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1996 winner: Duncan Inglis and Honnie

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1997 winner: John Renwick and Temple What A Flash

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1998 winner: Damian Charles and Carnival Spirit II

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1999 winner: John Popely and Luidam

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2000 winner: Robert Smith and Senator Marius Claudius

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2001 winner: William Funnell and Mondriaan

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2002 winner: Joe Clee and Unbelievable Darco

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2003 winner: Helen Tredwell and Opportunity B

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2004 winner: David McPherson and Lowen Herz

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2005 winner: Philip Spivey and Romanov II

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2006 winner: Laura Renwick and Limelight De Breve

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2007 winner: Simon Nicholson and Marcolas G

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2008 winner: Scott Brash and Sauron ML

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2009 winner: Bruce Menzies and Sultan V

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2010 winner: Laura Renwick and Parvati De Breve

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2011 winner: Guy Williams and Djakarta

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2012 winner: William Funnell and Billy Balou

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2013 winner: Simon Buckley and Wordsworth II

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2014 winner: Jude Burgess and Carvelo Z

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2015 winner: Robert Maguire and Anastasia Van Der Helle

2016 winner: Laura Pritchard and Horse Victorys Fayot

Laura Pritchard riding HORSE VICTORY"S FAYOT owned by Tracy Pritchard, winner of the Senior Foxhunter Championship during HOYS in the NEC in Warwickshire in the UK on 6th October 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2017 winner: Matthew Sampson and Ebolensky

EBOLENSKY owned by Rachael Evison ridden or exhibited by Matthew Sampson in the Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC near Birmingham, UK between 4th - 8th October 2017 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2018 winner: Oliver Tuff and Darino B

Oliver Tuff riding DARINO B for owner Justin Tuff, winner of the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championships at the Horse of The Year Show 2018 at the NEC near Birmingham in the UK between 2nd- 7th October 2018 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2019 winner: Simon Crippen and Premier Titanium

Simon Crippen riding PREMIER TITANIUM, winner of the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of The Year Show at the NEC in Birmingham in the UK between the 2nd - 6th October 2019 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2020 winner: Tim Davies and Nielson

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2021 winner: Lucy Townley and Billy Nikon

Lucy Townley riding BILLY NIKON, winner of the Equitop GLME Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 6 -10th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2022 winner: Rob Murphy and Chawton

Robert Murphy riding CHAWTON winners of the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 5 -9th October 2021 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2023 winner: Alanna Clutterbuck and Dirk IV

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2024 winner: Michaela Scott and Eddie G Z

Michaela Scott riding EDDIE G Z winner of the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Championship during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 9 - 13 th October 2024 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

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Let’s hear it for the chestnut mares: ‘Quirky and feisty’ Windsor winner follows in her sister’s footsteps

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:48:09 +0000

A year after Sally Goding completed back-to-back wins in Royal Windsor Horse Show’s 1.40m with home-bred Spring Willow, the West Sussex showjumper completed a victorious treble, this time riding the chestnut mare’s full-sister Red Head to land the opening class at this year’s show.

The stylish duo topped a mammoth 98-starter early morning Foxhunter first round class by nearly 2sec, with Sally conjuring a lightning quick clear from the seven-year-old by Luidam, out of Corland mare Seliana.

Like her full-sister Spring Willow, the year younger Red Head is described by her rider as “quirky and feisty”.

“She and Spring Willow are different in some ways, but their attitude is very similar too, they’re both very brave and they love the jumping – they’re very competitive and are always looking for the next fence, which makes it a lot easier,” said Sally.

“This is Red Head’s first ever time at Royal Windsor. I wanted to bring her last year for the experience but she wasn’t quite ready, so it was nice to bring her this year and for her to win it.

“She’s only just started going against the clock. She’s naturally got a big stride so I was quite confident in that respect, but I thought there would be some faster ones towards the end of the class. I have a habit of coming second so I was waiting for that!”

“Sassy” chestnut mare lifts the silverware

Royal Windsor-winning chestnut mare Red Head earned the name having been “sassy” since birth.

“She’s a feisty mare; the mum was a bit quirky and they have loads of siblings at home and they’re all a bit quirky,” said Sally, who was up at 4am to compete at the show, finishing with just four faults with Spring Willow in this year’s 1.40m.

“They all like to jump, but they have their own ways of doing things.

“Red Head went through a patch of being a bit lively during bad weather – she didn’t like storms – but we took her to Spain and she enjoyed herself there in the sunshine and hasn’t looked back. She doesn’t love the bad weather, so I’m happy it held off today.

“It’s really nice to keep winning here having bred them. Red Head isn’t naturally as quick as Willow and she’s still learning, so I never came here expecting to win, especially against so many people. So to win is lovely.”

Second place in Thursday’s Foxhunter class at Royal Windsor Horse Show went to Natasha Hewitt riding Jager Scais, with Adam Morgan third on Rolls Royce.

Enjoy the best of Royal Windsor with Horse & Hound

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5 of the best British-bred horses of all time

Polly Bryan — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 12:00:55 +0000

British breeding has surged in recent years, with more and more quality sport horses being proudly British-bred, and getting the recognition they deserve. H&H takes a look back at some of the best in history, from Milton to Desert Orchid.

Foxhunter

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1940-1959

By Erehwemos and out of Catcall

FOXHUNTER won Olympic bronze in 1948 and secured Great Britain’s only gold medal of the 1952 Games, with Harry Llewellyn. They remain the only partnership to have won the King George V Cup three times, and Foxhunter has put his name to the national showjumping competition at HOYS since 1954.

Priceless

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1973-2003

By Ben Faerie and out of Reckless

BRED in Somerset and ridden by Ginny Holgate (now Elliott), Priceless held both the world and European team and individual eventing titles concurrently, won Badminton and became the first horse to win Burghley twice. Throughout his career, he never incurred a single cross-country jumping penalty.

Milton

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1977-1999

By Marius and out of Aston Answer

MILTON and John Whitaker claimed almost every domestic and international title, including European team gold medals in 1987 and 1980, plus European individual gold in 1989. Milton was the first horse outside of racing to earn more than £1million in prize money.

Desert Orchid

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1979-2006

By Grey Mirage and out of Flower Child

BRED in Leicestershire by James Burridge out of his hunter Flower Child, “Dessie” exceeded all his breeder’s expectations, winning 34 races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase four times.

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King William

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1983–2002

By Nickel King and out of unknown

AT the point of his death, Mary King’s prolific and much-loved eventer held the record for the most British Eventing points amassed (1,926). He was instrumental in Mary’s career, giving her her first Badminton win in 1992.

Don’t miss this week’s 48-page breeding special (6 April 2017), where we find out whether breeding really pays the bills

Foxhunter glory for On The Fringe and Nina Carberry

Amy Mathieson — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 11:23:20 +0000

Nina Carberry took the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase aboard On The Fringe, trained by Enda Bolger at the Cheltenham Festival yesterday (Friday 13 March).

Nina was thrilled to be back in the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure in the green and gold silks of JP McManus, and it was fifth Festival win for the Irish rider.

“He was properly right today. Last year there was something wrong with him and he finished very tired. I always knew he’d be able to stay and I was disappointed last year, but Enda had him spot-on,” she said after the race.

“Today he was so impressive and he showed us what he was like.”

Ten-year-old On The Fringe finished third in the race last year and fourth in 2011, one year after he had landed Punchestown’s Champion Hunters’ Chase as a five-year-old, a race he also won last year.

Nina was aboard another Enda Bolger trained horse, Quantitiveeasing on Wednesday (11 March), when the runner was taken out by another horse and brushed past photographer Patrick McCann, breaking the photographer’s leg.

The win today made up for that disappointment in the cross-country chase for the trainer.

“JT McNamara [who was paralysed in a fall at the Festival two years ago] used to ride the horse and Nina did a great job today,” said Enda. “You don’t give riders that good instructions, you just say go out and enjoy yourself and if it happens it happens, if it doesn’t there’s another day.

“He’s a brilliant jumper. Hopefully it will be Aintree next for the Fox Hunters’ Chase — that track will suit him. He’s on the top of his game and the little drop of rain we’ve had didn’t hurt him, but he likes good ground.”

In second was 50-1 shot Following Dreams, ridden by Sam Drinkwater, while favourite Paint The Clouds, trained by Thursday’s World Hurdle winner Warren Greatrex and ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen were third.

Following Dreams, who is trained near Ludlow by Alistair Ralph, was due to to be ridden by Tom Weston until he suffered two punctured lungs in a fall on Thursday (12 March) so Sam stepped in.

“That was amazing,” said Alistair. “Tom was due to ride, but Sam did a great job and was cool, calm and collected. He motored down the hill, and while he found one too good he ran so well for a 50/1 shot. He’s still a novice, so the John Corbet Cup at Stratford would be a logical target.”

The Weston family and the Injured Jockeys Fund on Friday (13 March) confirmed that Tom is in the intensive care unit at Southmead hospital in Bristol and is in a stable condition.

Jude Burgess is the new Foxhunter champion

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 20:31:05 +0000

Jude Burgess and the seven-year-old gelding Carvelo Z were crowned the new Horse & Hound Foxhunter champions at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on Thursday (9 October).

This year’s final proved to be one of the strongest ever with a quality field of eight battling it out against the clock in a bid to win this prestigious title.

But it was the Kent rider Jude who triumphed by nearly 1sec from last-drawn Geoff Luckett with another seven-year-old Cavant, with Nicole Pavitt third on Contessa IV.

“I thought I had a good chance but I expect a lot of people here tonight fancied their chances, too,” said Jude, who found this son of Carthago Z as a three-year-old at Brightwells Auction.

“He’s a quick horse and super-careful, quick in a jump-off, so you’ve just got to hope for a bit of luck on the day and everything came off.

“I knew Nicole and Geoff were coming after me and they’re very quick riders so I knew I had to go in to the lead and put enough pressure on those too.”

Geoff was left rueing the fact he didn’t take out a stride to the final oxer from last draw.

“It was hero or zero and the Foxhunter is the one you want to win,” said the runner-up rider, who has only been riding Patricia Squibb’s quality Dutch Warmblood for a couple of months.

Don’t miss the full report and interview with the winning rider as part of the bumper special HOYS report in next week’s Horse & Hound (out 16 October).

5 to watch in the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final [H&H VIP]

Horse & Hound — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 08:55:25 +0000

Thursday night of Horse of the Year Show (9 October 2014) revolves around the H&H Foxhunter championship — it’s the place to spot future equine superstars as the current crop of novices battle it out for one of the most prestigious titles in the country. So which of this year’s 24 finalists might we see in the winner’s enclosure?

1. Aiming for the hat-trick

Essex-based Laura Renwick is no stranger to the Foxhunter final and has claimed the title twice — in 2006 with Limelight De Breve and in 2010 on Parvati De Breve. She looks to have an ideal contender this year in the seven-year-old Belgian-bred Heliodor Hybris, by Diamant De Semilly out of Carpe Diem Luka (Cannonball), who has been primed with this class in mind. The pair won a tough qualifier at Bury Farm in June and, with plenty of international experience under their belts since, including a raft of rosettes in the prestigious young horse classes, the powerful chestnut looks to have all the credentials to win this competitive championship. “He is a big horse with a good brain and attitude and this was always our aim,” says Laura.

2. The speed merchant

With the speedy Guy Williams on board — winner of the title in 2011 on Djakarta, who is now jumping in Canada with Andrea Strain — the eight-year-old Gorre (Toulon/Ferre) looks set to be ably guided into the ribbons in what tends to be a notoriously speedy jump-off to decide the Foxhunter champion. They may not have been in partnership very long — Mark Williams produced the gelding, who was ridden to 1.30m by his son James, before Guy’s stable jockey Pippa Goddard first took over the reins — but Guy passes on his winning determination to all his rides so Valerie Whitfield’s rising star could be in the shake-up. “He’s green but careful and has plenty of blood,” says Guy.

3. Keeping the flag flying for British-breds

Helen Tredwell is another rider who knows what it takes to produce a Foxhunter champion. She won in 2003 with the great mare Opportunity B, who went on to huge success and produced her first foal earlier this year. British-bred horses have had a phenomenal record in the past couple of years with Billy Balou (William Funnell) and Wordsworth II (Simon Buckley) taking top honours. Stella Furnival’s Unbelievable Darco/Animo eight-year-old Sebastian VII came to Helen at the start of the season and the pair qualified as runners-up at Addington.

4. The slick producer

The Shropshire-based Irishman Anthony Condon has built a solid reputation as a producer of young horses — just look at the success of Molly Malone V, now under the saddle of Bertram Allen, at the World Equestrian Games last month — and he looks to have a potential champion in Balzac, with whom he won the Hand EC qualifier. Kat Taylor’s KWPN eight-year-old by Oklund was originally produced by Dave Quigley, but went to 27-year-old Anthony, former stable jockey to Billy Twomey, and has been campaigning second rounds this summer.

5. Coming to the final with HOYS form

The nine-year-old Heartbreaker/Calvados gelding A Brightwood Ursa Major has decent HOYS form, having finished sixth in last year’s grade C championship and, with Team GBR rider Holly Gillott, 25, this pair will start as one of the favourites. Holly took over the ride from Alex Bratt at the start of last year. “He’s been chucked in the deep end ever since I’ve ridden him; he was only in newcomers but I needed another horse to run with Dougie [Douglas],” says Holly, who has rocketed the gelding into grade A status with good international results. “He’s coping with bigger classes but still getting the mileage. Luckily he’s honest, careful and always does his best — next year he’ll come into his own.”

Read the full Horse of the Year Show preview in this week’s Horse & Hound magazine (2 October 2014)

Watch HOYS on TV

Meet HOYS Foxhunter champion William Funnell

Horse & Hound — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:50:18 +0000

William Funnell made history on Thursday night at HOYS when he became the first rider to win three Horse & Hound Foxhunter finals. William was riding the home-bred Billy Balou, the gelding his wife Pippa rode to victory in last year’s HOYS newcomers championship.

Name: William Funnell

Age: 46

Lives: Surrey

Horsey relatives: my wife Pippa is an international event rider

Job: showjumper

Dream job: it would be farming. I love to be outdoors and there must be animals involved, so that would be the perfect job for me

Do you have any hobbies? I like watching all sports, but I don’t really have the time to do anything but ride. I did take up golf, but that’s a frustrating game if you don’t play regularly

What’s on your IPod? I love all types of music, so it’s everything from the latest pop to classical. One of my current favourites is Lana Del Rey

Tell us about Billy Balou: I think he’ll be a very good horse indeed. He was born in a year when we bred five really promising ones and two of those are already going well in new homes abroad. They were all by Cevin Z, who jumped in the Foxhunter final himself and seems to be producing the goods. Hopefully, this will encourage people to send him some good mares next season. Cevin’s late owner, Heather McPherson, would have been been so proud on Thursday night

Dream ride: it’s got to be Nick’s Big Star. He’s the best horse in the world and has everything: a careful, explosive jump and unlimited scope. He’s a stallion I could envisage using on my mares in the future

Are you and Pippa a good team? I think the fact that we’ve shared the ride on Billy Balou shows just how much of a team we are. The people at lecture/demonstrations always love it when we have disagreements about how to do something, but it’s all just teasing really

Don’t miss our full report on all the action from Horse of the Year Show in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 11 October, 2012

William Funnell claims Foxhunter title for the third time

Horse & Hound — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:00:21 +0000

History was made at Horse of the Year Show yesterday (4 October) when William Funnell claimed the Foxhunter Championship for a record third time.

William was riding Carol Toliver’s eight-year-old Billy Balou, who last year took the EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers Championship, making him the first horse to win both titles.

“It’s important to realise how much of a team effort it has been to win this,” said William, who bred Billy Balou under his and Donal Barnwell’s Billy Stud banner.

“Right from breeding the horses through to producing and competing them, there are a lot of people involved and all of them play their part.”

William was the youngest rider to win a Foxhunter title at the age of 17 in 1984 with Once More, and in 2001 he won it again with Mondriaan.

Yesterday, William also took the Xerox Special Event Services Cup with Billy Angelo.

“It’s a great position to be in having good international horses as well as nice ones coming up,” he said.

Scott Brash claimed his first international victory since winning team gold in Greenwich, taking the Sky Sports Trophy on Liz MacTaggart’s Bon Ami.

“It’s a privilege to jump in front of this home crowd,” said Scott.

“It’s a fantastic show for us British riders, the atmosphere here is incredible and the spectators always give you such a warm welcome. It’s great to be able to repay their support.”

HOYS runs until Sunday 7 October.

Stay up to date with the latest news from the show with our live updates

Don’t miss our full report on all the action from Horse of the Year Show in next Thursday’s magazine, on sale 11 October, 2012

Meet Scope Festival Foxhunter Masters winner Nicole Pavitt

Horse & Hound — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:58:46 +0000

Nicole Pavitt is in flying form at Scope, securing a brilliant win in the Horse & Hound Foxhunter Masters riding her mother Sandra’s Festiena Van Texelhof (Bentley).

“As she tends to rise to the occasion, she much prefers a jump-off and was really on song tonight,” said Nicole, who has produced the Bentley Van De Heffinck seven-year-old through the grades.

“She didn’t make her reserve at the Brightwell High Performance Sales (Addington) as a three-year-old, so her owner Koen De Waele, whose father Joe bred her, asked me to take her on,” she explained.

After backing Bentley, Nicole soon recognised her potential and the Pavitt family bought her.

“She always had a lovely attitude and she rode away as nice as you please. When we started jumping her, she was way over the top and jumped everything too big at first, but she soon settled down. We have brought her on slowly and are delighted with her progress,” added Nicole.

The 24-year-old has a simple keep-fit routine at home in Copthorne, West Sussex.

“I have eighteen horses to ride and muck out, so that keeps me on my toes”

While Festiena Van Texelhof is a joy to ride in the ring, she does have her quirks.

“She hates having her ears touched, and we do have to be careful fastening the girth on the saddle and belly straps on rugs. I can get on her without any problem once, but I wouldn’t be getting off to open gates out hacking on my own,” admitted Nicole.

“Bentley is a very good doer and easily puts on weight, so we have to be careful with her feed. Workwise we do plenty of flat work to keep her fit and balanced, and she is turned out for a few hours a day to keep her relaxed” concluded Nicole, who first rode at the Scope Festival in the 10 years and under class, and won her first championship aged 14 , when My Gizmo triumphed in the 138cm Primary at Bingley Hall.

Scope Festival results

Shaw Farm Stud National tiny tots.-1 & 2, Coco Can & Tiger Tim (H Bishop); 3, Whinney Lass (A Aitken). Equiport National 5yo prelim.-1eq, 44 shared. BS National championship prelim.-1, Billy Grand (D Moseley); 2, Caritiar Z (P Miller); 3, Diaghilev (A Edwards). Whittaker Coachbuilders National snr riders.-1, Valentino XIV (N Proffitt); 2, Floryy (R Tillson); 3, Alexander II (A Barry). Blue Chip Feed Balancer pony newcomer masters.-1, Prospect Eddie (E Ward); 2 & 3, Another Twisted & Minison (R Hegarty). Horse & Hound Foxhunter masters.-1, Festiena Van Texelhof (N Pavitt); 2, Fleur IV (J Burgess); 3, Anyway II (R Whitaker). Sports Horse Classic Blue Riband prelim.-1, Mr Business (E Eynon); 2, Zamiro (J Lye); 3, Chesterfield Z (A Edwards). Graham Heath Construction National under 16 prelim.-1, Twilight Van Het Rietven (C Dawson); 2, Uragan O.I (W Fletcher); 3, Cast No Shadow (D Ward). Thermohomes Europe National 1.30m prelim.-1, Temple Ryefield (P Barker); 2, Satonamillion (Z Adams); 3, Vilka B (A Squires). Geoffrey Robinson Jubilee open pony prelim.-1eq, Ilar Max & Dafina K (E Ward) & Destavelars Misty (C Dawson). Independent Asset Management pony progressive prelim.-1, Charlie Boy II (A Pritchard); 2, Bay Friend (S Selby); 3, Rockfield Smoke Leo (M Poskitt). Graham Heath Construction National primary prelim.-1, The Jacaloupe (O Poole); 2, Midsummer Magic (K Waldock-Smith); 3, Alfie III (G Babes). Elite Stallions National 4yo prelim.-1, D Hollinwood Rusty Ryan (A Condo); 2, True Blue III (J Botham); 3, Zurichs White Gold (Z Adams). Smarter Training Group National 1.15m prelim.-1, Clio V (J Punter); 2, It’ll Be Me (K Shaw); 3, Marinello (E Slater).

Guy Williams wins Horse & Hound Foxhunter title at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:19:06 +0000

All year, Guy Williams has been bullish about his chances of winning the Horse & Hound Foxhunter with Djakarta, and on Thursday evening at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) he proved as good as his word.

In an absolute thriller of a jump-off, the Kent rider took an early advantage with Andrew Doswell’s ultra-speedy eight-year-old daughter of Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve.

“I half expected it — I knew if I rode well she’d win it,” said Guy. “She’s won nearly every class we’ve entered this year.”

Robert Maguire made a brave attempt from last draw with Beckham IV, a seven-year-old gelding by Indoctro, but was 2sec adrift for second. Daniel Moseley gave Billy Mexico a great ride for third place. This six-year-old stallion son of Cevin Z is definitely going places.

International classes

In the three international classes, Nick Skelton scored a winning double with Big Star in the Jump 4 Joy Trophy and Unique in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes.

“It was a nice course to get started on and Unique has come back fresh from a good break,” said Nick of Beverley Widdowson’s 10-year-old gelding.

This was Big Star’s first foray indoors this season and Nick set off on a schooling round, but soon changed his mind on the eight-year-old gelding he describes as a “machine”.

“He’s a fast horse anyway, but we got on a roll so I let him keep going,” he said.

Ellen Whitaker gave the home side another turn in the spotlight when she and Arena UK Lando III headed the Xerox Special Event Services Cup two-phase.

Despite some mighty bucks, the nine-year-old gelding sped round with Ellen, leaving Sam Hutton having to settle for the runner-up spot for the second time in one day — this time on Astral 57. Sam also finished second in the Grandstand Welcome Stakes riding For a Smile.

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show and enjoy over 20 pages of reports in next Thursday’s magazine

Producer of the legendary Foxhunter, Norman Holmes, dies

Horse & Hound — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:09:22 +0000

Norman Holmes – who produced Foxhunter, Britain’s famous Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper – died at his home in Thrussington, Leicestershire on 18 September. He was 94.

Mr Holmes, a devoted hunting man, bought Foxhunter as an unbroken four year-old in 1944 for £60 from his breeder and hunted him with the Quorn only a fortnight later.

He changed the horse’s name from Eelskin to Foxhunter, schooled him as a showjumper and went on to win top-level classes at county shows.

“He was very easy to break-in, had a kind eye and so much quality,” he said.

After noting the horse’s early successes, Sir Harry Llewellyn bought Foxhunter for £1,500 from Mr Holmes in 1947. The great horse became a legend as Harry Llewellyn’s partner in Britain’s team gold victory at the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Mr Holmes produced many more good horses, including the great show hunter, The Curate.

Towards the end of his life, he continued to follow the Quorn by car, until shortly before his death.

“Showjumping is of a much higher standard today,” he said in a recent interview. “But we haven’t won another gold since Foxhunter. I hope we manage it at the London Games.”

Norman’s wife Margaret predeceased him in January.

His funeral will take place in Thrussington on Tuesday 4 October.

Who will win the H&H Foxhunter final at HOYS?

Horse & Hound — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:23:13 +0000

H&H showjumping editor Jennifer Donald gives her tips for the H&H Foxhunter final at Horse of the Year Show:

1. Parvati de breve

7yo mare by Dollar De La Pierre

Rider: Laura Renwick, from Maldon, Essex

Owner: Mrs Julia Biddle

Laura seems to have a knack for producing Foxhunter finalists — she took the title with her brilliant mare Limelight De Breve in 2006 and was second with Oz De Breve last year.

This French-bred was second in the six-year-old championship at HOYS last year and won the seven- and eight- year-olds at Scope a month ago.

“She’s gained a lot of experience this year,” says Laura.

2. Waldermar

7yo gelding by Calvados

Rider: Stacey Babes, from Ayrshire

Owner: George Babes

Stacey will contest the amateur final and the seven- and eight-year-old championship here too, making the seven-hour journey from south-west Scotland worthwhile.

This combination were placed in the newcomers and grade C finals last year, so the NEC arena should not pose any problems.

The seven-year-old was bought in Sweden by Stacey’s father nearly three years ago and won the Royal Highland Star of the Future in June.

“He’s an amenable sort that thrives on the work,” says Stacey.

3. Wild Thing

7yo mare by Montrose

Rider: Anthony Condon, from Nantwich, Cheshire

Owner: Rachel Steels

Wild Thing first came to Billy Twomey’s yard as a five-year-old and then owner Rachel Steel rode her until coming back to the yard last Christmas.

Anthony, 23, who is stable jockey for Billy Twomey, took over the ride and they earned their HOYS ticket at the first Foxhunter qualifier of the season, but they’ve still had a busy year.

“She’s brilliant — she’ll be my best hope out of the two. I think she’s got a great chance,” says Anthony, who hails from Co Waterford.

For the full H&H Foxhunter form guide and HOYS showing preview, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (30 September, ’10)

For more info about HOYS, including how to book tickets, visit www.hoys.co.uk

Cheltenham warns Christie’s Foxhunter could be over-subscribed

Horse & Hound — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:08 +0000

Cheltenham Racecourse is expecting entries for the Christie’s Foxhunter to exceed the 24 allowed to run in the race and is warning trainers to check the elimination guidelines.

The guidelines state that priority will be given to horses that have run in steeplechases and hunter chases under rules.

And that horses that have qualified through point-to-points can run in a steeplechase or hunter chase up to and including Friday 12 March, to enhance the chances of them getting a place in the final field.

Cheltenham’s director of racing and clerk of the course, Simon Claisse, said: “We are particularly keen to stress the rules regarding elimination, as with a safety factor of 24 there is every chance that the field will have to be reduced to that number at the overnight stage.

“Trainers who have an entry which has qualified via the point-to-point route are strongly advised to run the horse in a race under rules to maximise the chances of being in the final field for the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase at the Festival.”

The race takes place on Friday 19 March. Entries close on 2 March.

Sultan V claims H&H Foxhunter title at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:16:02 +0000

Thursday at HOYS was Horse & Hound Foxhunter day – “the one all the riders want to win”. And what a quality final it turned out to be.

With some of the best young horses in the country lining up for the coveted title, the competition was always going to be fierce, but course-designer Kelvin Bywater set a suitably tough test for the 23 hopefuls.

Eight made it through to the jump-off – two of whom were British-bred. From third draw, Laura Renwick looked to have stamped her name on the Foxhunter trophy with a jet-propelled round on seven-year-old Oz De Breve. But, last to go, Sussex-based Bruce Menzies on the Old Lodge’s big, ground-covering Sultan V kept motoring to slice 0.15sec off Laura’s time.

“All year, this has been the aim with him,” said 35-year-old Bruce who has been riding this British-bred seven-year-old by Irco Mena for three years. “Even last year I thought he’d be the one to do it.”

The LG Arena played host to three international classes on Thursday. First blood went to Shane Breen on Dorada who took advantage of the chestnut gelding’s long stride and flowing rhythm to win the Grandstand Welcome Stakes.

Fellow Irishman Billy Twomey lifted the Sky Sports trophy with 14-year-old Caesar, holding off a Whitaker challenge from John (Utah Van Eperkom) in second and Ellen (CS Online) in third.

Speed was the name of the game in the one-round Tagg Cup but clear rounds were few and far between. With only three left to go, William Funnell held the lead with the quickest of the four clears on Kepi D’Elle.

However, with Guy Williams (Torinto Van De Middelstede) and Ellen Whitaker (Ocolado) waiting in the wings, his lead looked shaky and it was the former who snatched the £5,000 first prize. Never one to hang about, Canterbury-based Guy took one or two wider routes and yet still managed to knock 6sec off William’s round.

“It was an odd competition – the first few tried to go too fast but the course was too twisty to do that,” said Guy, who has his sights firmly fixed on winning Sunday’s grand prix. “I had a good draw and I knew that, worst case, I’d be second because I thought Ellen would beat me.”

Can it get any more exciting than this? With tension building towards Sunday’s finales, there is sure to be plenty more to come from another vintage HOYS.

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk, plus don’t miss H&H’s special 17-page report, on sale Thursday 15 October

Qualification for the Cheltenham Christie’s Foxhunter extended

Horse & Hound — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:09:44 +0000

THE British Horseracing Authority has extended the qualification period for the Cheltenham Christie’s Foxhunter by one week, to Monday, 2 March.

Because of the extreme weather conditions during early February, seven hunter chases and nine point-to-point fixtures were lost. The extra week gives an extra four hunter chase and 10 pointing qualification opportunities.

Cheltenham’s director of racing, Simon Claisse, said: “With so many fixtures being lost to snow and waterlogging in the last two or three weeks, there was a groundswell of support from the point-to-point community to extend the qualification period by a week.

“This should help to ensure that the best possible field lines up for the Christie’s Foxhunter Steeple Chase on Friday, March 13.”

The hunter chase fixtures are:

26 FEBRUARY, LUDLOW, Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy (Class 5), 3m
26 FEBRUARY, TAUNTON, Pontispool Equine Sports Centre (Class 5) (For Mitford-Slade Challenge Trophy), 2m 7f 110yd
27 FEBRUARY, NEWBURY, Paul Nicholls Racing Ltd (Class 6), 2m 6f 110yd
28 FEBRUARY, KELSO, Ship Inn, Dalkeith Open (Class 6), 2m 6f 110yd

For details of the point-to-point fixtures visit: www.pointtopoint.co.uk

Scott Brash wins Horse & Hound Foxhunter title at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:17:54 +0000

This year’s Horse of the Year Show has turned out to be Scott Brash’s event. The Scottish rider took the Horse & Hound Foxhunter title with Sauron ML the day after winning the seven-year-old final with Beaujolais.

“He’s so fast a loves jumping against the clock,” said Scott, who claimed the class after a 16-horse jump-off.

Ireland’s Billy Twomey gave Scott a run for his money, however, finishing just 0.17sec behind with Carron Nicola’s Blue Thunder.

Earlier in the day, Billy had recorded his own win, this time in the international classes, with another of Carron Nicol’s horses, Fantasia.

“I think he’s the best rider in Britain,” said Carron.

Eleven riders made the jump-off of the Sylvia Barnes memorial cup and Billy produced one of just two double clears in the class to take the top prize ahead of Britain’s Andrew Davies and Sir Graditz.

Sweden’s Linda Head claimed the evening’s speed class after pulling off an unbelievably tight approach to the third fence with the Swedish warmblood Touch.

“Touch came to me a year ago to be trained up, but he’s quickly becoming my first horse,” said Linda, who is visiting the Horse of the Year Show for the first time.

Guy Williams scored a win from the home side in the Thomas Bates and Son classic with Torinto Van Der Middelstede. The class was run as a two-phase and Guy beat Tim Stockdale (Lou Lou) by 0.44sec.

Stay in touch with all the news from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show, and don’t miss next week’s H&H for a special in-depth report on all the action

Horse of the Year Show: Horse & Hound Foxhunter Championship

Penny Richardson — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:27:45 +0000

“This is everyone’s dream. I just never ever believed it would happen to me,” said an emotional Simon Nicholson after winning this year’s Horse & Hound Foxhunter Championship on his own and Paul Coe’s British-bred stallion, Marcolas G.

This was one of the most popular victories in the long history of this class. The man from Shipton-on-Stour has been competing at HOYS for 29 years and his best result to date had been third place. But everything went right when it mattered.

Simon kept his cool throughout an immaculate jump-off round and forced all but one of his rivals into error.

Phillip Miller finished agonisingly close for second place on Charlotte Clarke’s Twister II, while Paul Barker, who had to contend with first draw of 12, finished third with a flying round but one pole down on Amira II.

Honours shared in HOYS Newcomers championship

Horse & Hound — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:51:12 +0000

Petplan Newcomers Championship

“He’s nicked the sash,” joked an indignant Laura Renwick after she and Ireland’s Anthony Condon enjoyed the first ever show jumping tie in the long history of HOYS.

You would have had to go a long way to see a better jump-off than the one the crowds enjoyed during the Petplan Newcomers Championship earlier today.

Laura, who is bidding to break another record by retaining her Horse & Hound Foxhunter title tomorrow night, produced a round on Beluga that looked impossible to beat.

But last-drawn Anthony set Sue Davies’s Ballade alight to the final fence and broke the beam in exactly the same time to share the honours. And Anthony wasn’t letting go of the winner’s sash.

“That makes up for last year,” he countered, referring to his narrow loss to Laura in the two-horse Foxhunter Championship jump-off.

Beluga, who is officially 15.3hh (but is closer to 15hh at the wither according to Laura), and Ballade are both six-year-olds by Heartbreaker.

Ballade will now have a holiday, while Beluga has three more finals to contest in Birmingham. “I’ve got my fingers crossed for tomorrow,” said Laura.

Result: 1eq, Beluga Ii (Laura Renwick) and Ballade (Anthony Condon); 3, Univeau (Phillip Miller).

Squibb & Davies Junior Foxhunter Championship

Emily West would be the first to admit that her previous visits to HOYS had not been over-successful. In fact, 24 faults was the best, with two eliminations for falling off also on her CV.

But it all came right for the Kent-based 15-year-old when she kept her cool from final draw of six to jump the sole double clear in the Squibb & Davies Junior Foxhunter Championship on her Belgian-bred mare Scharonie.

Emily also had the pleasure of proving trainers Tony and Nicole Pavitt wrong. When she first rode the mare at the Pony of the Year Show in April, no one thought she had found a winner.

“I was the only person who liked her — and she’s proved me right,” said Emily, who pushed pony European Champion Zoe Adams into second place on R Peroni.

Result: 1, Scharonie (Emily West); 2, R Peroni (Zoe Adams); 3, Funfair (Danielle Willett).

Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show, plus H&H’s full report on all the action in next Thursday’s magazine

Young rider championship and seven-year-old championship report

Horse & Hound Foxhunter

Suzanne Jones — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:08:56 +0000

Irishman Ivan Dalton gained his place in the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final after leading the field at the BSJA Area 15 show on Lucky De Blondel. Joining him at the NEC will be Paul Barker, who picked up his third ticket to this prestigious class, this time with Amadeus.

Eight reached the final jump-off, where Ivan Dalton set the pace on his first ride, Smokey, but the pair fell foul of the first fence. Louise Whitaker made the same mistake on Azucar.

Keith Shore coaxed Stranger to a third clear, but left the door open and Paul Barker immediately eased Amadeus into the lead. Keith Shore then lowered the back bar of an oxer with Huntingdon Squire.

Ivan Dalton made last draw count, pushing Lucky De Blondel to a convincing 3sec victory.

Read this report in full, plus reports from other top show jumping shows around the country, in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound (26 July, ’07)

H&H Foxhunter at Scope UK

Margaret Shaw — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:39:20 +0000

Andrew Hamilton and Andrew Davies clinched their tickets to the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final, leading from the front at Scope UK’s summer fixture at South View Equestrian Centre.

Fourteen of the 74 starters went forward to the final round. With a high-class field following him, Andrew Davies and Wonderful Melody Van De Helle set a blistering pace and left all the fences standing. But Andrew Hamilton’s ride, Top Limit, answered every call to narrowly take the class.

No other combination could come close, but another chance at the BSJA Scope Festival went to Jamie Gornall (Corritina), David Clarkson (Conquistador II) and Vicky Bevan (Tino II) respectively.

Read this report in full, plus reports from other top show jumping venues around the country, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (26 July, ’07)

H&H Foxhunter semi-final

Horse & Hound — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:35:21 +0000

Two more contenders came to the fore in the Horse & Hound Foxhunter semi-final at Bicton, where Emily Davies (Granita II) and Andrew James (Libero Rafael) claimed the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) tickets.

Just seven of the 29 starters found the right answers to Phil Ashworth’s course for a place in round two.

A faultless round from Andrew James and Libero Rafael opened proceedings, but then clear rounds proved hard to come by. Gemma Paternoster (Hartley Manor Valentine), John Renwick (Baloubet Nice And Easy) and Anna Edwards (Unique) had one mistake apiece to capture their Festival tickets. Emily Davies, 18, and Granita II then produced a foot-perfect performance from final draw to claim the other HOYS place.

Read this report in full, plus reports from other top show jumping competitions around the country, in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound (12 July, ’07)

H&H Foxhunter at Arena UK

Horse & Hound — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:52:16 +0000

Geoff Luckett and Sinault claimed the Horse & Hound Foxhunter qualifier at Arena UK after setting an unassailable target.

Amanda Edwards took the second ticket with Cotton Candy in her first attempt at qualification this year. Claire Robertson had to settle for third place.

The Petplan Newcomers second round attracted 117 starters, with the Irish taking the two tickets to the Horse of the Year Show. Anthony Condon headed affairs with Sue Davies and Jeanette Chin’s Ballade, with Dave Quigley narrowly behind on Charles Britton’s Wandela Van Het Lambroek

William Whitaker took the £500 winner’s purse in the High Offley Stud 1.30m on Insultech Leonardo.

The first day’s Easibed 1.40m was claimed by Lee Williams and Linaro 18, while course-builder Di Boddy’s son Matt won Saturday’s accumulator on Peter Street.

Read this report in full, plus other show jumping reports from around the country, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (5 July, ’07)

First Horse & Hound Foxhunter tickets claimed

Penny Richardson — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:20:08 +0000

Allan Clutterbuck on Temple Bonte Lola and Simon Nicholson riding Marcolas G won the first two tickets to this year’s Horse & Hound Foxhunter Championship after a hard-fought competition at Unex Towerlands.

Claire Robertson finished third on her scopey chestnut Rhodos. Matt Sampson, 17, came close on the tiny Chianti Classico, as did Tim Gredley on Toklund and Ben Maher on Quainton Quirifino Z, but all missed out on their HOYS places this time.

Simon Nicholson went on to finish top in Sunday’s Petplan Newcomers semi-final to claim another qualification, this time with Abdullah Verdi. Second place went to Julian Mincher on Taureaux. Irishman Anthony Condon finished third on the lovely mare Ballade.

Read this report in full in Horse & Hound (14 June, ’07)

H&H Foxhunter tickets for Crippen and Renwick

Suzanne Jones — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:13:50 +0000

Simon Crippen and Laura Renwick netted the tickets to the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final at BSJA Area 38’s show at Newbury.

Tjelke L came to the fore for Simon, while Beluga has given Laura the chance to defend the title she took last year on Limelight De Breve. Rowan Willis narrowly missed out in third with Selina S.

Tina Fletcher won the Premier Prospects Grand Prix on Laura’s Choice to take home the £2,000 first prize. John Popely finished second on the Belgian-bred Tristan. John Crippen edged Just Jerry into third, repeating their Area Trial placing of the previous day.

Caroline Webley triumphed in the Premier Prospects Area Trial on Joan Willetts’s Barrister QC, ahead of Tina Fletcher (Overa) and John Crippen (Just Jerry). Caroline also headed the B and C with Barrister QC’s half-sister, Alibi III.

In an exciting ladies’ jump-off, Mandy Goosen and Little Tinka snatched the lead from Tina Fletcher on Laura’s Choice, but Caron Nicol then outpaced them both with Fantasia.

Read this report in full in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (28 June, ’07)

H&H continue Foxhunter sponsorship

Horse & Hound — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:54:54 +0000

Horse & Hound is to continue its sponsorship of the Foxhunter Championship Series. This year will mark the 12th time the magazine has supported this prestigious competition.

“The Foxhunter is a great sponsorship for Horse & Hound because it covers such a wide spread of regions and up-and-coming horses and riders,” says acting editor Kate Green. “Even better, it culminates in a prestigious final at the Horse of the Year Show where it’s so pleasing to find that riders really want to win the Horse & Hound Foxhunter final.”

Last year almost 2,000 competitors entered the first round of the Foxhunter Championship Series. The final at the 2005 Horse of the Year was watched at home by millions of viewers.

Jacky Knightley of the BSJA said: ”Horse & Hound have led the magazine industry with their in-depth coverage of countryside matters and equestrian sport. The Association is delighted with their continued involvement.”

Meanwhile, Petplan Equine has announced that will sponsor the BSJA’s senior newcomers championship during 2006.

Tickets are now available for the British Show Jumping Awards Ball, organised by Tim Stockdale. The black tie ball, held at the Birmingham Metropole on 31 January, will feature a live cabaret and the £70 tickets include a four-course dinner, auction, raffle and dancing to a band.

For more information or to reserve tickets please call the BSJA (tel: 02476 698806).

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