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‘She tries her heart out for me’: rider takes HOYS title on last outing with special mare

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • One of the circuit’s most consistent plaited ponies lifted The Binks Family show hunter Pony of the year championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The Lucy Glover-produced Morning Sunflower was the picture of elegance in the TopSpec Arena to win with her 17-year-old rider Isabella O’Donnell.

    By Rosscon Sunrise out of Downderry Maisie Jane, the seven-year-old has always been destined for the NEC centre line.

    She has won the Royal International twice, as a four-year-old and in 2022.

    This term she has posted three HOYS qualifier wins from three starts, and she was also reserve supreme in the North of England £1000 supreme final, a title she won last season.

    “This is my last show on her so what a way to end,” said Isabella, who revealed that “Flo” has been sold to a new home as she is out of class. “I love her to pieces, she’s such a willing mare and she tries her heart out for me everytime.”

    Lucy spotted the mare during her four-year-old season when she was with Ashlea Brown.

    “She’s been an amazing pony for us,” said Lucy, for whom this was a first HOYS hunter pony championship win. “She’s the easiest pony in the world. You couldn’t wish for a better pony to have in your yard.”

    Another rider enjoying her final ride in the arena of dreams with her hunter pony was Zara Brookes, who finished reserve champion with her uber-consistent 153cm winner, Merrycorner Mister Bui.

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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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