HOYS Fell title 2021: Clare Fitch wins on Wildhoeve Okidok

Clare Fitch and Wildhoeve Okidoki win the Fell final of the year at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show — Clare Fitch and Wildhoeve Okidoki win the Fell final at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show.

(Image credit: Stephanie Bateman)

RUTH ROBERTS’ 12-year-old stallion Wildhoeve Okidoki performed a foot-perfect individual show to stand at the head of the line up of fabulous Fell ponies at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2021.

The Dutch-bred Fell by Klompjes Ivanhoe out of Uldale Black Misty was given a meticulous ride by Clare Fitch.

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Stephanie Bateman began her career working for Horse & Hound’s sister title HORSE magazine in 2009 after studying a BSc Equine Science degree at Hartpury university. After a few years working in-house for a national equestrian title, she went freelance in 2011, and now writes for a variety of print and online platforms, editing sections of national monthly magazines and contributing regular features and event reports to Horse & Hound. She juggles working with being a mummy and wife, and riding her coloured mare Matilda.

‘He loves going up the gallops’: change of routine proves key for top Fell at Horse of the Year Show 2021

“We’re absolutely over the moon,” said an emotional Clare. “He is such a character, I love him.”

Clare has had the ride on the stallion for four seasons after his previous owners the Millers sold him to Ruth in 2018. The pair gained their qualification at Stoneleigh Horse Show.

“He’s been to HOYS every year with us, so to finally win is brilliant,” said Clare. “He was amazing today.”

Clare puts the stallion’s success down to a change of routine.

“It’s taken him a while to settle, so we’ve changed his routine a little bit and it works for him now,” said Clare. “He goes out every day, but we’re keeping him out for longer, and I very rarely take him in the school.

“I do a lot of hacking with him and we are lucky that we are based close to racehorse trainer Thomas Symonds who allows us to use their gallops, which he loves – it keeps him fresh for showing.”

In second was Zoe Marsden’s Wellbrow Diplomat, ridden by Hayley Reynolds, while Rhea Shakespeare piloted Christina Clare’s Lunesdale Dixie into third place.

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