Lead rein SHP wins supreme pony title at HOYS

A lead rein show hunter pony defeated all his larger rivals on the final evening of Horse of the Year Show to give producer Peter Emerson his first-ever supreme pony title.

The five-year-old Charn Secret Legend, owned by Keren Fuge and ridden by daughter Abbie, eight, never turned a hair in the electric atmosphere, allowing Peter to show him freely on the end of the rein.

“In 40 years of showing lead reins, this is the first time Peter has been down the centre line himself,” said his wife, Claire. “He was threatening to retire after this, but somehow I don’t think he will now!”

A flowing course greeted the working hunter pony contenders, and no one fence caused trouble.

Scottish raider Caroline Brewster captured the Underwood title with her 158cm intermediate contender, Freckleton Maximus, who won the 153cm class in 2008. This pair also contest senior workers, but competition time has been limited this term due to Caroline’s medical studies.

Emily Ward, having her first and final HOYS ride on the 133cm worker, Noble Toreen Lass, stood reserve. The seven-year-old Irish-bred mare, supreme worker at BSPS this year, made nothing of the attractive course and won by a clear margin.

Emily, 11, is the step-daughter of worker specialist Kelly Ward, who commented: “For Emily to win is better than winning myself.”

Another Scottish rider, Ariadne Weir, made her long journey worthwhile when heading the 143cm division with the first clear of the class. Her pure bred Connemara, Ruby Slippers, was no stranger to the arena, having finished ninth in the native workers on the first day.

Elinor Strapp’s Connemara, the 153cm Dancing Hero, gave her a first HOYS win, but this, too, was bittersweet as the pony is now to be sold as a junior showjumper.

The Sandal BMW mini title went to the charming first ridden victors, Nicole Bowen and her five-year-old Copybush Moon Sprite, who now goes home with new owners, the Sheffield-based Marshall family.

Results

Underwood WHP (S Tanner, G Kyle) 133cm. 1, K Ward’s Noble Toreen Lass; 2, J Meyrick’s Crabbswood Nutmeg; 3, G Worrow’s Silver Fox. 143cm. 1, S Weir’s Ruby Slippers; 2, H Parkes’ Folly; 3, J Guy’s Goldie Couture. 153cm. 1, T Strapp’s Dancing Hero; 2, P Watson’s Barry; 3, S Larson’s Kaleidscope Callisto. intermediate. 1 & ch, A Brewster’s Freckleton Maximus; 2, J Skillman’s Carnsdale Vanity Fair; 3, E Collier’s Hearts on fire. Sandal BMW mini show pony (A Fowler) first ridden. 1 & ch, L Bowen’s Copybush Moon Sprite; 2 & res, D O’Neill’s Fofsway Flutter; 3, N Smith’s Fofsway Dominc. lead rein. 1, L Hillyard’s Hightopps Magic Wish; 2, J Lindley’s Lowlands Toy Soldier; 3, L Humphries’ Barkway Bridesmaid. sup pony (G & T Fletcher). Charn Secret Legend.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now