HOYS winner Glynceirch Amlyn has died aged 14

Glynceirch Amlyn

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Top working hunter pony Glynceirch Amlyn had been put down aged 14 after developing a suspensory injury. The Welsh section C gelding, who was by Tyreos More Fury out of Glynceirch Abigail, had a prolific career as a working hunter pony under both Jodie Haywood and Izzy Sharifi.

In 2017 he won the 133cm mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter pony class at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with Jodie at the helm.

“I originally campaigned him as a flat pony before we discovered his talent for jumping,” said Jodie, who rode Amlyn to novice championships at the Midlands Welsh and National Welsh shows. “In 2015, we entered our first HOYS worker qualifier to ‘have a go’ and he ended up winning. He gave me my first ever HOYS ride and when he won the final in 2019 I was only riding there for the second time. We were the underdogs and it was utterly amazing. He was an incredible pony who made my dreams come true.”

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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.

‘He’s left a huge hole in our hearts’: farewell to pony who made dreams come true

Jodie first met Amlyn when he was bought by her friends the James family, as a weanling at the Welsh Pony and Cob society sales. Jodie bought him as a two-year-old.

The Sharifi family bought Glynceirch Amlyn from Jodie in 2019 after HOYS.

“We had the Covid year and Izzy spent the season getting to know him through hacking, cross-country and beach rides,” said Izzy’s father, Warren. “They went to HOYS and the RIHS together, too, and he really was the pony who helped get her to where she is today.

“He was a really, really lovely person. He would neigh at you every time you went near his stable. Then he’d put his head on your shoulder for a cuddle.”

Izzy added: “I absolutely adored him and I will miss him dearly.”

Amlyn joined the Spillman Penn family after HOYS in 2021.

“My daughter, Zippie, only had him a short while but he became her best friend,” said Tilly Spillman Penn. “We took him off the circuit for a while and he soon settled in and became the love of her life. He has left a huge hole in our hearts.”

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