Katie Jerram and Dunbeacon claimed their second hunter win at Birmingham NEC’s Horse of the Year Show on Thursday.
Just a day after standing top of the lightweight hunter line up, Dunbeacon again combined movement, manners and presence to win the ladies hunter of the year title.
“Last time he was here he slipped over in the lorry park and I wasn’t sure how he would react this time, but he has been an absolute star” said Katie, who clinched a winning double on Thursday, when Golden Gunner headed the small hack class and stood reserve champion.
Claiming the hack championship was Michaela Wood riding Royal Angel, who stood top of the large division.
In this, their debut season, Michaela and her Wizard King gelding have successfully combined intermediate and hack classes.
“I came here thinking I would be happy just to take a rosette home, so to win in such good company was a real bonus” said Michaela.
Standards remained high in the SEIB Search for a Star finals, and three more finalists gained entry to today’s (Friday) championship.
Phillip Tuckwell won the working hunter section riding his homebred Baloo. The six-year-old gained some early education in Burghley young event horse classes, and he is also qualified for the open working hunter championship here.
Georgia Aungier rode Kintillo Faberge to win the show pony category. This five-year-old bay gelding maintained his good form from Edenbridge and Chertsey Shows where he gained three wins and championships.
Top show hunter pony was I’m Clover Too, ridden by Angharad Fisher. Lightly shown due to his rider’s exam commitments, the eight-year-old ended a run of seconds with his win here.
Sonya Fitch-Peyton won a high class SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final riding Tim Billington’s home bred Blue Java. The Bluegrass Prince nine-year-old ran 46 times on the flat, and recorded five wins and numerous places, before returning to his owner.
“He’s a better horse indoors, and he certainly rose to the occasion today,” said Sonya.
Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show, and don’t miss H&H’s special report, on sale Thursday 14 October
