There was barely a dry eye in camp Walker when Sarah Walker was pulled forwards the winner of the middleweight hunter of the year class at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with Jill Day’s former HOYS reserve overall champion, Crystal Cove II (Fish).
“Everyone dreams of winning the hunters here, and now I’ve done it,” said Sarah. “It’s the big one isn’t? Rob rode him to the class last time. He just felt amazing.”
The win was all the more poignant as Sarah felt she may never ride again, let alone in the ring, just a year ago.
“After everything we’ve been though this last year, this just means so, so much,” she said
Sarah sustained serious injuries in August 2024 when her horse had a rotational fall as they were practising an extension ahead of the evening performance at the National Hunter Championships. Sarah was knocked unconscious by the fall, damaged ligaments in her back and shoulders, damaged her mouth and jaw and severed the main nerve in her chin, so she needed major surgery to repair the damage.
“I knew when I needed to get back riding, he was the only one I was going to ride. I know him so well and I know he will look after me,” she said. “It’s been a difficult journey. I still feel so nervous and if the ground is slippery – That’s why I wear my strapped hat now. It’s what I feel comfortable in after everything.
“I actually worked him in at HOYS last year even though I was far too weak really. It was too soon but I had open heart surgery twice as a child and have grown up doing things I’m not supposed to be able to.
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“I knew when I decided to come back to the ring, he was the only one I was going to ride. I just know him so well; I knew that he would look after me.”
Robert came fourth in the middleweight line-up with Greenhall Treasure Island, and the couple’s son Sam came third with Full Cry II.
Robert said: “I’m just delighted for Sarah. It was really wonderful to watch. People don’t realise how much she still struggles and how nervous she gets. And Fish deserves this. I always say he’s a 50/50 horse. He’s difficult to fault conformationally and when he goes well, which he did today…”
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Bethan joined Horse & Hound as showing editor in January 2025, after spending two years as Editor for Showing World. Having adored ponies since childhood, she started showing as a teenager and has enjoyed wins at major shows up and down the country, including Royal Highland, New Forest, and the Royal Welsh, as well as HOYS, RIHS and London. She is particularly passionate about Welsh breeds and is also a Welsh language commentator.
