Horse of the Year Show: Hunters, Search for a Star, M&M, minatures

Ridden hunters

Robert Oliver took the Wyslych Family ridden hunter crown with Jethro Bloodstock’s Masterful. Having only his fourth outing of the season, the Bandmaster sired five-year-old gave both Robert, and Norman Allen superb rides to win the middleweight division.

“He’s got the lot, manners, movement and presence” said Robert.

Guy Landau stood reserve with John Dunlop’s winning lightweight Finn McCool.

Search for a Star

Sam Cook and her eight-year-old cob mare Calamity Jane got the South Essex Insurance Brokers Search for a Star series off to a great start in the Caldene Arena.

Prior to being re-homed with her Lancashire owner three years ago, Calamity Jane was rescued by Millfield Animal Sanctuary in an appalling state.

“She’s a real fun horse” said Sam.

The second finalist going through to Friday’s championship, was Mary Abraham’s Riding Club Show Horse winner, the eight-year-old home-bred Kipper.

Mountain and moorland

Charlotte Dent clinched the mini M&M championship riding Georgina Shuttleworth and Diana Leeming’s first ridden winner Waxwing Thumbs Up. Bought after Horse of the Year Show last October, and produced by Katy Carter, the five-year-old grey gelding is by Waxwing Hurricane out of Waxwing Pop Up. The lead rein victors, Holly Lynch and Roseisle Titchy-Witch stood reserve.

The Simpson Refractories M&M title went to Gemma Paxton riding the Menai Stud’s home-bred and produced Menai Sparkling Imperial. Champion at the Vale of Glamorgan, the eight-year-old stallion is by Menai Sparkling Image out of Menai Sparkling Lady. Taking the reserve was Kirstine Douglas riding the nine-year-old connemara Sydserff Lord of the Dance.

Minature horses

Somerset owner Wendy Edgar celebrated a unique double in the miniature horse championship. After taking first and second places in the four-year-old and over section, the stallions MHB Apollo and Kilcummer Alamo took the champion and reserve titles.

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