‘I’m in shock’: young rider beats the best in the business to lift first HOYS championship

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RADLEE-SUDDEN-IMPACT_HOYS_PN24_174643.jpg
RADLEE SUDDEN IMPACT, exhibited by Oscar Konechny winners of the Coloured Horse and Pony of the Year Championship sponsored by CHAPS (UK) 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)

At just 14 years old, Oscar Konechny proved he was a showman to watch as he guided his mother Abigail’s Radlee Sudden Impact to the top spot in the ridden coloured horse and pony of the year championship, sponsored by the Coloured Horse and Pony Society (CHAPS), at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). 

Judges Jessica Stalling (ride) and James Hunton (conformation) had a quality field of 10 contenders to assess. Oscar made full use of Bentley’s active paces, guiding him on the lightest of reins, Bentley staying forward with his ears on throughout. They sealed the deal with a championship-worthy gallop.

Alex Robinson
Alex Robinson
Former H&H showing editor and deputy features 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 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.