Finn McCool crowned hunter champion at HOYS

Guy Landau and Finn McCool picked up the first horse championship of this Diamond Jubilee Horse of the Year Show.

Having already claimed the Great Yorkshire and hunter show titles in his 2008 seasonal tally, John Dunlop’s winning lightweight, who was reserve here last year, gave a brilliant gallop to add the Horse of the Year Show hunter tricolour.

“He’s a rare horse, and a real showman who enjoys his job. I left him alone to do his work, and he never missed a beat” said Guy.

Standing reserve was Robert Walker riding Jill Day’s winning middleweight Pride and Joy. Sporting the widest grin of the day was amateur rider Irene Susca, who topped the heavyweight division riding The Fieldmaster.

The South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB) Search for a Star competitions got underway in the new Caldene Arena, Alexie Kirby winning the opening cob section riding Tullys Brady. The Irish-bred 6-year-old chestnut gelding was bought 2 years ago, and is having a great debut season. “He’s taken everything in his stride. He has a nice pop too, so we may try some winter show jumping” said his delighted Lancashire rider.

Ciara McKibbin and Welton Archer topped the riding club show horse division. Bred by Sam Barr, the Welton Crackerjack 10-year-old was bought in 2005. Previously evented up to novice level, Welton Archer has proved a brilliant all rounder for Ciara. The pair are members of the Cambridgeshire Hunt Pony Club eventing, show jumping and dressage teams. “He’s eventing again at Tweseldown next weekend, and then I’ve promised him a well deserved rest” said Ciara.

It was double delight for the Pallatt Family in the miniature horse championship, as Ujeniks Extasys Cappucino and Ujeniks Extasys Phenomenon took the champion, and reserve awards. Both horses are home-bred, and headed their respective stallion, and young-stock classes before taking the spotlight in the international arena. By Little Kings Double Extasys out of Toy Horse Lady Canoodle, the champion Ujeniks Cappucino was also a winner here last year.

Horse showing results: Wednesday 8 October

Top Spec show hunter of the year (E Morley & S Somers) lightweight – 1 & ch, J Dunlop’s Finn McCool III; 2, A Smurfitt’s Bow River; 3, J Day’s Suppose So. Middleweight – 1 & res, J Day’s Pride & Joy; 2, Mr & Mrs Hall’s Imperator; 3, K Talbot’s Vivaldi III. Heavyweight – 1, I Susca’s The Fieldmaster; 2, B White’s Loughkeen Dancing Lord; 3, C Bardo’s Silverstream II.

HOYS miniature horse of the year (V Appell) stallion 3yrs & over – 1 & ch & 2, Pallatt Family’s Ujeniks Extasys Cappucino & Lucky Four Classy Dude; 3, W Edgar’s MHB Apollo. 3yrs & over mare & gelding – 1, Sir Timothy & Lady King’s Scott Creek My Key to Fashion; 2 & 3, Ujeniks Extasys Starlet & Ujenik Dare to Dream. Youngstock – 1 & res, Ujeniks Extasys Phenomenon & Ujeniks Extasys Forget Me Not.

South Essex Insurance Brokers Search for a Star (R Oliver, M Ramsay & C Oliver) cobs – 1, A & V Kirby’s Tullys Brady; 2, N Reeder’s Collier; 3, K Botting’s Bristol Blue. SEIB Riding Club show horse – 1, A McKibbin’s Welton Archer; 2, D Gowrie’s Seafield Harry; 3, S Dawson’s Mullagh Flower.

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