A striking grey New Forest gelding shone bright as he landed the top spot in the 2024 HOYS New Forest pony of the year final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Beverley Bayes’ Ravenstone Fudge II and Stephanie Turner reigned in a quality field, adding this result to numerous county show wins and a second place achieved at the Royal International final in July.
Fudge, a 12-year-old by Furzey Lodge Zennica out of Hyde Alice, was bred by Pat Throne.
Prior to his show ring career, he was an eventing pony. He joined Stephanie three years ago.
“He’d got to his limit and he’d started to not enjoy the eventing,” Stephanie said. “He was sent to me by his previous owner to do a bit and sell on. She had a very good eye and she knew I’d like him; she was right as he is a very substantial pony. Fortunately, Beverley, who was in my yard, bought him. Beverley wanted something a bit different, and as he’s grey he definitely stands out from all the others.”
Fudge went to London International to represent his breed in the M&M supreme final last December. Stephanie has won in Arab ranks at HOYS and has picked up a second and third in the M&Ms in previous years.
“He’s a super pony and is so lovely,” said Stephanie, who runs her own yard. “You work so hard to get here and there’s so much hard graft behind the scenes that people don’t see.”
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Second place in the 2024 HOYS New Forest pony of the year final went to Georgia Love aboard her own stallion Burley Burberry, while third spot was picked up by Sam Roberts riding the Dibdin Family’s Pittswood Carmen.
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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.
