HOYS gets underway with top class national show jumping

SCOTLAND’S Scott Brash snatched victory from Nicola Pavitt in the seven-year-old final with his father Stan’s Beaujolais on the first day of the Diamond Jubilee Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Nicole, riding her mother Sandra’s Gemmaire Precious set the early standard with a fast clear from second draw in the nine-horse jump-off. Scott followed four horses later and cut as much as he could from the track to slip into the lead by 0.16sec.

“A lot of people overlook this horse, but he’s deceptively quick,” said Scott, who will jump Beaujolais in tonight’s Horse & Hound Foxhunter final.

Daniel Neilson and Chauvnist produced the only double clear in the Tri-Zone newcomers final to take the title. They won despite being first to go in the barrage.

“I didn’t think I had a chance because, although I was clear, I didn’t think I was fast enough,” said Dan.

But, with no other riders able to leave the course intact, Dan claimed the top spot.

The inaugural BSJA amateur classic final was taken by Gemma Hallett, who featured in H&H’s HOYS preview (2 October), and Wake Up.

This was Wake Up’s second show since the BSJA/Scope Festival at the beginning of September, where he twisted a muscle and had to take time off.

However, after finishing second in a 1.20m at Badgworth Arena last weekend, the pair was in winning form here.

Despite only riding Fun Fair six times previously, Steph Gunn steered Regan Willett’s 10-year-old pony to glory in the Squibb & Davies junior Foxhunter final.

This was Fun Fair’s third attempt at the title and the win comes as an early present for Steph, who celebrates her 15th birthday on Friday.

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