‘He is a phenomenal horse’: new venture for Hallmark IX
The hugely successful Hallmark IX, who has dominated showing’s cob circuit with Simon Reynolds for the last four years, will now be home-produced and partnered by his owner, Heather Clay.
“There’s no pressure on me and enjoyment will be the key word this term,” said Heather.
“We have just purchased a four-year-old lightweight replica of Brandy [Hallmark], who is as yet unnamed, to be shown by Simon Reynolds later in the season.”
Simon told H&H that the decision was made over the winter and paid tribute to the “once in a lifetime” horse.
“What he has done, no other horse has achieved,” said Simon. “He is a phenomenal horse.”
“Brandy” won title after title in maxi-cob and supreme classes.
“For a horse to win the supreme twice at the Great Yorkshire Show and the North of England — you have to take your hat off to him,” said Simon.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Hallmark was originally shown as a lightweight and dominated those classes before measuring out and contesting maxi-cob classes.
“He won the 2013 supreme title at Horse of the Year Show, judged by Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin,” said Simon.
“Who would have thought two dressage stars would pick a cob!”
Related articles:
- What you didn’t know about Hallmark IX
- ‘The look of an eagle’: how to show off a cob correctly in the ring
- Simon Reynolds: don’t loose your sparkle *H&H VIP*
By Welcome Flagmount, the pure-bred Irish draught has won around £15,000 over his career.
Before Hallmark was bought by Heather and Tom Clay, he was talent-spotted by Rosemary Hetherington at Dublin Show as a youngster and had major wins with Jack Cochrane.
“Every year when an owner sends you a horse of that calibre you are thankful,” added Simon.
Heather and the 12-year-old gelding have got off to a good start, winning an amateur class at the BSHA Northern Spring Show last week.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.