Yesterday’s show hunter pony champion, Crystal Vision, crowned a superb week at Horse of the Year Show by taking the HOYS supreme pony of the year title ahead of seven high-class finalists.
The charismatic chestnut 122cm victor never turned a hair in the electric atmosphere and neither did 11-year-old jockey Harriet Dennison. The pair produced a stunning performance to charm not only judges John and Betty Peacock, but also a packed house.
“It was magic,” said Harriet.
Alice McCullagh jumped a peach of a round over a tricky course with the Parkes family’s 153cm Underwood working hunter pony contender, Sannan Valley Bounce, posting one of only three clears.
Reserve went to the intermediate victors, Emmie Collier and Hearts on Fire, a seven-year-old who won individual gold at the working hunter pony international in Cavan.
The workers was not without controversy though, since the Parkes family maintained that 143cm class winner, James Robinson with his hunting pony Fair and Square, had had fence five down. An appeal was made against James’s clear round, but it was turned down, leaving James to take the class ahead of Lucinda Parkes riding Folly II.
The 133cm section was headed by a delighted George Holder, 12, with the delightful Rossdale Sandpiper. The 14-year-old dun jumped an enthusiastic round for George, who was making his HOYS debut after only one season in showing.
The Emmerson team claimed its second successive Sandal BMW mini show pony of the year title with Abbie Farmer, six. Last year, Charn Secret Legend took the honours on the lead rein but this time, it was the five-year-old novice, Woodview Ianthe, produced by Sarah Emmerson, who headed a 23-strong first ridden class and then retained all her manners to land the title.
Don’t miss our HOYS special issue, including over 20 pages of reports, analysis and comment, in Thursday’s magazine (13 October, 2011)
Sunday showing results
Supreme pony (Mr & Mrs J Peacock).– S Dennison’s Crystal Vision. Underwood WHP (N Oliver, C Pearsall) 133cm.– 1, A Holder’s Rossdale Sandpiper; 2, A Boyle’s My Blue Eyed Boy; 3, J Meyrick’s Crabbswood Nutmeg. 143cm.– 1, M Wilson’s Fair And Square; 2, H Parkes’ Folly; 3, M Sheridan’s Mocklershill Lucky Lad. 153cm.– 1 & ch, H Parkes’ Sannan Valley Bounce; 2, S Weir’s Otto; 3, D Worrow’s Dancing Hero. int.– 1 & res, E Collier’s Hearts On Fire; 2, M Bowling’s Charlie GB; 3, J Shaw’s Carnsdale Top Gun. Sandal BMW FR (Mrs S Critchley).– 1 & ch, K Fuge’s Woodview Ianthe; 2, K Carter’s Megland Jaunty; 3, S McDowall’s Woodview Fantasia. LR.– 1 & res, V Claark & R Lucas’ Barkway Magic Moment; 2, S Cooper’s Deanhills Fascination; 3, J Stuart’s Cherrytop Imperial Starlight.
