Joseph TRUNKFIELD riding LOCOMOTION winners of International Showjumping - Ripon Select Foods Puissance CSI3* - during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 9 - 13 th October 2024
Joe Trunkfield was the subject of a few comments for his horse’s white tendon boots at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – “but they’ll all want a pair now,” he joked, after he, the boots, and Locomotion cleared 2.15m (7’1”) to win the Ripon Select Foods puissance. “He’s an incredible horse,” said Joe, who added that it was only last week that he got the email to say he was in the class. “I nearly didn’t get in – I’m very glad I did!”
Nine-year-old Annabel Widdowson and 23-year-old Bunbury Conquest thrilled crowds at the NEC when they flew round the course to win the Enablelink 128cm championship. The tiny combination, last to go in the 13-strong jump-off, took more than half a second off the time set by Anya Dewey Clark and Jim, which had previously proved untouchable from second draw. “He’s just magical,” said Annabel. “He loves it in there, and I love the environment and all the people; it’s just fabulous.”
Annabel Widdowson riding BUNBURY CONQUEST winner of Enablelink Ltd 128cm Championship
NATIONAL - 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)
3. ‘They all ride good’ – John Whitaker on his family guard of honour
The Whitakers formed a guard of honour at HOYS as legend John was named the show’s 2024 equestrian of the year.
The award, which HOYS gives each year to someone who has made an “extraordinary contribution to the community and dedication to not only HOYS but to the heart of our sport – the horse”, was presented in the main arena on the first day of international showjumping.
John, 69, was joined by members of his family including brother Michael, 64, and John’s five-year-old great-niece Gracie-May, riding a Welsh pony.
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John Whitaker and granddaughter during his presentation, winner of Equestrian of the Year 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)
John, who has been competing at HOYS since 1971, said: “It’s good to have all the family here; it’s amazing there are so many of us, and they all ride good!
“I feel great on a horse; I might walk around like an old man but when I get on a horse, I feel like a young man. And I feel I can win, and that’s the main thing.”
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
