Diminutive HOYS first-timers claim SHP championship

Harriet Dennison and the charismatic 122cm victor, Crystal Vision, twinkled their way to the show hunter pony title to the cheers of a packed house at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

It was a first HOYS win for Harriet, 11, and also the Birmingham debut-making eight-year-old, who came from Fayre Oaks sale last year and is produced by Rachel Helliwell.

Reserve went to the home-produced combination of Olivia Bowen and her 133cm winner, Kelsington Material Girl, whose season kicked off in style with a win at Windsor. “This has realised our dream,” said Olivia’s mother, Rosanna.

Team Harvey continued its in-form week with a hat-trick of wins and another championship today.

The run began when Rebecca Harvey posted the first of her two victories, partnering the striking show hunter pony, Crafton Waltz of the Toreadors, to head a strong 143cm class. The 10-year-old South Suffolk champion has had a run of second placings this season, but put all that behind him here with a smooth, mannerly show. Sadly, though, it all got too much for him in the main arena finale.

Joseph Thurston continued the Harvey form, conjuring an immaculate performance from the attractive grey, Carnsdale Sir Lancelot, to head a strong 153cm section. The five-year-old, of unknown breeding, won four classes at the BSPS championships, where he also took the Blue Riband title.

Rebecca, 15, then claimed the intermediate title with a rousing gallop on the large show riding type victor, Foxy Formula. This horse also campaigns in riding horse ranks and was runner-up for the Knipe family in that category last year. Although Rebecca was champion here in 2008 — with Rhos Emblem — this result moved her to tears. “I just don’t believe it,” she said.

Reserve here went to the small class runner-up, Valentinos Royal Touch (Becky Edwards) after the class victor, Pendley Majestic — beautifully ridden by stand-in jockey Katie White — became a little unsettled in the championship.

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Saturday showing results

Oggy Oggy intermediate SRT (G Dunkley, S Thomas) sml.– 1, V White & D Thomas’ Pendley Majestic; 2 & res, L Edwards’ Valentinos Royal Touch; 3, L Johnston’s Aimbry Kymara. lge.– 1 & ch, M & R Cooper’s Foxy Formula; 2, Pattersons Horseboxes’ Lochill High Society; 3, A Winbourne’s Daldorn Racing Bow. SHP (Mrs J Dean, Ms J Higson) 122cm.– 1 & ch, S Dennison’s Crystal Vision; 2, S Manners’ Daukester Simon of Warleigh; 3, S Lobb & F Dymond’s Annandale Darcy. 133cm.– 1 & res, L Bowen’s Helsington Material Girl; 2, P Andrews’ Rhoden Master Frederick; 3, S Horne’s Parkhill Beckham. 143cm.– 1, Team Harvey’s Crafton Waltz of the Toreador; 2, V White & D Thomas’ Clemenstone Charleston; 3, L Stockley’s Chiddock Over The Limit. 153cm.– 1, J Thurston’s Carnsdale Sir Lancelot; 2, L Jackson’s Kilmiston Skyhawk; 3, A Baybutt’s Tom Thumb. Carrs BMW SHP LR.– 1, A Evans’ Netherfield Mr Rochester; 2, K Marshall’s Nantlais Gwerthfawr; 3, M Woodman’s Cosford Charabanc.

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