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‘Winning again is the icing on the cake’: second HOYS title on the trot for small hunter

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • For the second year on the bounce, Claire Oliver took top honours in the Hamilton Tarmac small show hunter of the year championship at the Horse of the Year Show aboard her own chestnut Irish Draught Shanbally Legacy.

    The Pride Of Neath 11-year-old was bred by Joseph Egan out of Kilthomas Lass. Despite holding an impressive record, “Lego” has only been very lightly shown under-saddle. This term his results include winning at Royal Windsor, again for the second time, and picking up his HOYS ticket at the Hickstead Derby.

    “It was a perfect example of an old-fashioned small hunter,” said conformation judge Jane Hall, who judged alongside ride judge Katie Duxbury.

    After her win, an emotional Claire said: “He just loved it in that ring. He gave the judge the most amazing ride. Both judges just said to me ‘he’s a true small hunter; a miniature middleweight’.”

    At home Lego thrives off variety, and he partakes in hacking and jumping, and he also hunted last season.

    “I don’t overshow him,” explained Claire. “I just pick a few shows that I enjoy. He’s a real happy horse. We’ve had a wonderful partnership throughout the years, and to come back and win again is the icing on the cake.

    “We’ll show him again next season and try and win it [the HOYS championship] three times in a row!”

    Reserve champion to Shanbally Legacy went to Vicky Smith riding her own Irish Sport Horse, Irish Invention.

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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    H&H showing 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 since when she has cemented its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK.
    Alex Robinson

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