The World's Most Famous Horse Show Opens its Doors!
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) opened the doors of the new LG Arena today with a feast of equestrian entertainment. The exciting first day programme was packed with gripping showing and show jumping competition and spectacular equestrian displays. The Show will continue to thrill the masses at Birmingham’s NEC all week, culminating in a star studded celebrity Gala night this Sunday, for which limited tickets are still available.
The opening show jumping final at HOYS, the BSJA Amateur Classic class, saw a gripping battle between riders from all around the country. This is only the second year this Championship, which excludes the top 150 riders on the BSJA ranking list in order to focus on amateur riders, has featured at HOYS. It was a super result for the female contingent - with four of the top five places going to women. However none of the lady riders could beat Ian Wynne riding Don Douglas who took first place. The Chester based rider rode a stylish double clear in 35.98 seconds to scoop the top place. Emma Slater from Herefordshire only marginally missed out with a time of 36.39 to take second place with Lowmoor Darwin. Third place went to Ami Measor riding Belle Fluer who also completed a double clear in a quick time of 36.67.
Wanting to make a lasting impression at HOYS in her last season of pony classes, sixteen year-old rider Pippa Allen jumped a foot perfect double clear with Duncan Inglis’s Wicked II to be crowned Squibb Demolition National Pony Foxhunter Champion. Pippa has had an amazing career as a pony rider and is certainly one to watch for the future. Second place went to Natasha Dean riding Sequoia True Legacy and third place went to Georgie Roadnight riding Herbies Double Trouble.
All eyes were on Daniel Neilson in the Tri-Zone Senior Newcomers Championship, the reigning champion had qualified two horses for the class but unfortunately he wasn’t able to triumph this year. After a super quick jump-off, in a time of 42.12 seconds, first place went to Matthew Sampson from Sheffield riding his own V.Anubertha, having knocked Anthony Condon and Adelgonde-Z down to second place. Julie Andrews took third place after riding a tactical jump-off round on Oslo du pre Pleuri.
The start list for the HOYS 7 & 8 Year-Old Championship read like a who’s who of the elite British Show Jumping circuit. Last year’s Newcomers runner-up, twenty-nine year-old Nicky Boulter from Farnham in Surrey won the class with Super Trooper De Ness after two faultless rounds and a time of 37.76 seconds. The combination fought off stiff competition, including Daniel Neilson who also jumped a double clear on Iolanthe to achieve second place and Julie Andrews riding Canora who took third.
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Showjumping
