Producer nets first HOYS hunter weight accolade on heavyweight star
In the heavyweight show hunter of the year final at the 2021 Horse of the Year (HOYS), it was the turn of Matthew Ainsworth and Sue Hookham’s magnificent chestnut gelding Dublins Street Fighter (James) to ride the famous centre line after landing the red rosette.
The heavyweight class topped off a morning of hunter showing in the International Arena and will culminate in the show hunter of the year championship held during the floodlit evening performance.
The nine-year-old by Camiro De Haarz picked up his HOYS place at Midland Counties, where the duo also stood section reserve.
Freda Newton bought James the year before he was four-year-old champion in Dublin. He then went to James Munro and Russell Skelton, and was bought by Sue in March this year for Matthew to ride.
James’ 2021 tally includes wins at the Wiltshire Show and Royal Bath and West. He was also placed fourth at the Royal International Horse Show earlier in the term.
Matthew credits his mentor and former employer, the late Robert Oliver, for his role in Freda initially buying James.
Magnus Nicholson mirrored his 2019 result with his own grey gelding Bowland Lucky Slipper, achieving second on what was the Alice’s Diamond Slipper, 13-year-old’s final HOYS appearance.
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In third was another chestnut gelding, Robert Walker and Jill Day’s ultra-consistent contender Patrics Choice, while fourth place was clinched by William Hibbert riding Marlfield. William Morton achieved fifth with Sarah Tait’s Ringwood The Specialist.
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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.