Briar Snowfox and Lilly Richardson win HOYS Exmoor and Shetland title

The connections of one Shetland pony raised the roof when he was called forward to take the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds HOYS Shetland and Exmoor pony of the year title at the 2022 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The pony in question was Lucy Richardson’s grey gelding Briar Snowfox (Foxy), ridden here by 10-year-old Lilly Richardson.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

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.

‘He regularly visits the sweet shop’: Shetland scores HOYS open win with 10-year-old jockey

The eight-year-old is by Briar Piccolo out of Southley Mayflower, and he is a half-brother to the Richardson’s prolific mini contender Briar Snowman.

Yesterday, Foxy and Lilly finished sixth in the M&M first ridden final.

“My friend bought him off his breeder, Vivien Hampton, a couple of years ago, but her children weren’t interested in riding, so we took him on,” said Lucy, who bought him last season.

Lilly and Foxy landed their HOYS pass at the North of England summer show, but they’ve won various titles in both open and first ridden ranks during their partnership.

“We broke him ourselves and he does everything; lead rein, first ridden and opens, but he loves the latter,” said Lucy. “He loves galloping and he goes so well in the double bridle. At home he’s a true family pony; he hacks out and he regularly visits the sweet shop.”

Lilly has won HOYS twice on the lead rein and once as a first ridden competitor, but this marked her first open win. The jockey is enjoying a bumper HOYS 2022 as earlier in the day she landed second in the new M&M 122cm junior working hunter pony of the year final with Elberry Suilen.

“We have a great team behind us,” said Lucy. “At home the ponies all hack, jump and go out in the field. This is the first time we’ve won HOYS with a pony we’ve done from home, too, which has always been the dream.”

Lilly said: “It was a hard set show but Foxy is good at that sort of thing. I’m amazed. In the main arena, we’re going to really gallop.”

Elizabeth Etchells with Mary Rose Bryant’s Exmoor stallion Warrenmere Woodcock took second place.

You might also be interested in…

‘Things like this don’t happen to me’: young Dales stallion springs surprise HOYS victory

Walk the course the 2022 HOYS working hunter finalists had to jump

‘The partnership should flow together’: how to impress the 2022 HOYS ridden coloured judge

‘I’m delighted to carry on the family tradition’: Alice Homer scores 2022 HOYS worker crown