{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

‘This is the second time I’ve sat on him’: stand-in rider reigns at HOYS with Shetland stallion

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • The 2024 HOYS Exmoor and Shetland pony of the year final kicked off proceedings at the 75th Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with top honours going to a stand-in jockey aboard a Shetland stallion.

    Aliya Khan’s seven-year-old Latijn V.D. Helling triumphed with seasoned Welsh pony and cob rider Libby Grota in the saddle. This was only the second time Libby, a five-time HOYS winner prior to today, had ridden on “Latz”.

    Britain win first home Nations Cup since 2010 | Friday round-up from Royal International Horse Show
    For the first time since 2010, Great Britain has triumphed on home soil after a Hickstead Nations Cup thriller at the Longines Royal International Horse Show on Friday (28 July). Horse & Hound’s Lucy Elder caught up with British team chef d'equipe Di Lampard, as well as rider Harry Charles, who also took home a share of the €50,000 bonus for his double clear. We also look at the other international showjumping and top showing action from the Longines main arena, with interviews and highlights from Britain’s Nicole Lockhead Anderson, Germany’s Richard Vogel, and supreme working hunter title winner Craig Kiddier. Actions footage courtesy of Hickstead and the FEI.
    0 seconds of 9 minutes, 9 secondsVolume 0%
    Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
    Next Up
    Meet Royal International hero Times Square III
    02:59
    00:00
    09:09
    09:09
    More Videos
    09:09
    Britain win first home Nations Cup since 2010 | Friday round-up from Royal International Horse Show
    02:59
    Meet Royal International hero Times Square III
    01:32
    Show Horse of the Year 2024
    01:08
    Meet Fell pony stallion Hardendale Ray
    09:28
    Shane Breen’s fourth Queen Elizabeth II Cup win | Royal International Saturday round-up
    01:07
    Sarah Parker: showing a Connemara
    02:20
    Jayne Ross ahead of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2017
    03:50
    Starry Night is crowned RIHS Maxi-Cob Champion
    10:37
    Robert Whitaker strikes gold in King George V at Hickstead | showing supreme champions crowned
    Close
     

    “I was in Greece when Aliya messaged me to ask if I would like to ride him here,” Libby said. “I’ve always admired him so I said why not. I rode him for the first time last night so today is only the second time I’ve ever sat on him. I can’t take any credit for this, it’s all down to Aliya’s hard work.”

    Libby added: “He’s really pingy for a Shetland. He’s powerful with a lovely trot. It’s been years since I’ve ridden a Shetland, a bit different to the Welsh ponies I usually ride.”

    Shetland breeder Claire Connor imported Latz from Holland as a youngster and Aliya has ridden him for the duration of his career. In 2022, he cemented his potential by standing supreme M&M at the Royal Highland. He was bred by the Lap Family, being by Caz V. Stal Nieuwemoed out of Rylanda V.D. Helling.

    Aliya, 20, rode him at HOYS in 2022 on his debut and she was presented with the opportunity to buy him last winter.

    “He lives at home with me now,” said Aliya, who currently juggles her team of ponies around studying. “He’s so easy to do and he’s got such a sweet character.”

    At this year’s HOYS, Aliya opted to ride Claire Connor’s HOYS debutante Jorenzo V.D Veldhoeve, a nine-year-old who qualified at the Royal Highland on his first attempt. He finished third, pipped by Jessica Talbot on the highest placed Exmoor, Julian Walters and David Hodge’s stallion Blackthorn Poldark.

    “He’s a baby and he’s not mine, so I always think it’s the right thing to ride my client’s ponies ahead of my own,” Aliya said. “It feels absolutely amazing to have achieved this with these two ponies.”

    You may also be interested in:

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2025 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

    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    Freelance equestrian journalist
    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.
    Alex Robinson

    You may like...