Family celebrates HOYS win and new arrival
A double celebration was held by a horsey family last week.
Showing owner Clare Davies saw her pony win at his first visit to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and also welcomed a new family member.
Harvey’s Magic Moment, owned by Clare, took the M&M ridden New Forest pony of the year title at HOYS on 7 October.
The following morning, her daughter Melissa Thorley gave birth to a boy at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Clare told H&H that the week had been “awesome”.
“I was a bit lost for words,” she said. “It has not really sunk in yet.”
Clare has had the 11-year-old pony, by Oke Dene Red Alert, since he was three.
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He was ridden by Clare and Melissa until March, when he went on loan to his current rider Abigail Staff.
“Melissa was going to come and watch him [at HOYS], but her waters broke on Tuesday evening (6 October),” said Clare.
As Birmingham’s NEC is less than an hour from her house, Clare went to watch Harvey win his class.
Then at 8.42am on 8 October, she became a grandmother for the first time to Henry Robert Adams, who weighed in at 6lb 10oz.
Clare said that Melissa and Henry are both doing well.
Harvey and Abigail have had a successful first season together.
The pair qualified for HOYS at the Royal Norfolk Show (2 July) and also won another HOYS qualifier at Stoneleigh Horse Show (15 August).
They have also picked up placings at the Three Counties Show, Lincoln County Show and the British Show Pony Society Summer Championships.
The combination now plan to compete at some Olympia qualifiers.
“Harvey is quite a character, but lovely to have around,” said Clare. “You can do anything with him.”
She added that producing Harvey is a “team effort” with the help of Abigail’s parents.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.