Lark Hill, owned and ridden by Pippa Moon, was crowned Ladies Hunter of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
The class, which is among the most prestigious of the HOYS showing classes, commanded an impressive line-up of horses, all of which had been placed first or second at qualifying Ladies Hunter classes throughout the season. But it was Lark Hill, a striking 16.2hh grey gelding who took first prize, ahead of Advance Party, ridden by Katie Jerram.
Dressed in traditional hunting habit and mounted side-saddle, the contenders for the Ladies Hunter of the Year made a dashing spectacle in the international arena at the Birmingham NEC.
After watching the 19 combinations show off their paces around the ring, the judges wasted no time before calling Advance Party, a seven-year-old 16.2hh grey gelding by Big Sink Hope in as runner-up and nine-year-old Lark Hill as Ladies Hunter of the Year.
Hunter championships
Middleweight hunter champion Imperator was pulled forwards to take the prestigious HOYS hunter championships under David Tatlow, ahead of the lightweight winner Luke Sharpe.
Imperator impressed the judges David Walters and Stewart Stevens in the middleweights to take top spot ahead of Carol Bardo’s Low Moor Edward, ridden by Jayne Webber. In the lightweights Jayne rode Luke Sharpe into top spot ahead of Sara Branch’s Imperial Soverign, ridden by Robert Walker. The Heavyweight class was won by the Jerram’s with Nobel Clover.
