HOYS six-bar spoils shared by John Whitaker and Shane Breen

HOYS six-bar winners John Whitaker and Shane Breen — Shane BREEN riding CATO BOY and John WHITAKER riding SHARID, winners of the Thistledown Investments Six Bar during the Horse of the Year Show held at the NEC in Birmingham in UK between 4 -8 th October 2023

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The roof of the NEC must have been tugging at its moorings this afternoon, as John Whitaker and Shane Breen both cleared 1.85m (6’1”) to win the Thistledown Investments HOYS six-bar.

After the field of 16 starters had been whittled down to Shane on Cato Boy and John on Sharid, the pair had the option to share first place or go again.

The cheers for both riders’ achievement were huge – but it was the response to the legendary John, who at 68 has been competing at HOYS for over half a century, that must have been heard miles away; the mighty cheer as he came in for his last round only surpassed by the explosion of applause when he cleared the final fence. The pair rode into the arena with their hands raised together, and took the trophy between them.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

‘It’s a privilege to ride with him’: HOYS roof raised as John Whitaker and Shane Breen win 1.85m six-bar

“I said ‘Why don’t we go again, for the craic?’” Shane said. “With a full house like that – the crowd loves it when you go in and have a go, and it’s lovely we both went in and jumped clear. Excellent sport.”

Both horses – HH Prince Torki bin Mohammed Al Saud’s 14-year-old who has jumped many a six-bar with John, and Nikki Rutter Giaponne’s nine-year-old who was making his debut in the class with Shane – made nothing of the huge verticals, popping down the line as if it was a grid at home.

“He’s a superstar, a legend” said Shane. “It’s an honour to ride with him.”

John added that the atmosphere during the HOYS six-bar today was “fantastic”.

“I don’t think it’s because of what I do, I think it’s because I’ve been around so long,” he quipped.

“It’s an unbelievable reception when you go in. It can wind Sharid up a bit – but it was just enough today.”

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