Harriet Hodge and Lethal Weapon are a force to be reckoned with in the Events Through a Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier at Northcote Stud
Wednesday 04 June 2025
Last Friday saw the fourth Events Through a Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier take place at Northcote Stud with riders hoping to secure a top spot and qualify for the Horse of the Year Show Final in October.
Seventy-three horse and rider combinations competed over two challenging rounds, with 15 riders advancing to the jump-off after riding clear within the time allowed.
The jump-off proved to be an exciting showdown, with the top four competitors separated by a mere 1.29 seconds. On this occasion it was seventeen-year-old Harriet Hodge who rode her way to victory. Riding Mark Hodge’s Lethal Weapon IV, the pair galloped to the last and stormed through the finish in an unbeatable time of 35.76 seconds.
Even though this pair are on good form at the moment, having secured their Senior Newcomers ticket last week at Vale View and winning the Under 18 Championship at Pony of the Year Show earlier in the year, Harriet wasn’t aiming for the win: “We only really entered to keep him ticking over and to jump a decent track, so I was over the moon when I realised that we had won.”
Declan Irvine and Duplicate II, owned jointly by Richard Duncan and Kirk Ritchie, came remarkably close to the winning time, finishing just 0.33 seconds behind Harriet and securing second place. Adrian Speight, aboard Tina Cumberland’s Lizzy D’Alme CZ slotted into third place, another 0.29 seconds in arrears whilst Holly Smith secured her eighth ticket to HOYS, piloting T J Hall Ltd’s No Limit D into fourth place and finishing as the highest place seven-year-old.
It was this combination's first attempt at a Foxhunter Second Round Qualifier, and they secured their ticket to HOYS first time of asking: “I didn’t think we stood a chance when you are jumping up against riders like Will and George Whitaker. It was probably one of the most highly competitive classes I’ve ever jumped and to win is just beyond my dreams. I was a bit gobsmacked, but Lewi jumped his heart out, I’m so proud.
“The course was quite technical, a decent height and the last fence caused a lot of problem so I wasn’t sure I could jump clear, but I was quite late to go so made sure I knew what we had to do.
“I’ve only had him nine months, so we are still a relatively new partnership, and it took a while to get to know him. He’s quite quirky and he can have a bit of an attitude but he's a lovely boy,” added Harriet.
Northcote Stud - Friday, 30 May 2025
Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker: Incorporating the 7-Year-Old Championship Qualifier
1st – Harriet Hodge & Lethal Weapon IV – 0/0 35.76 seconds
2nd – Declan Irvine & Duplicate II – 0/0 36.09 seconds
3rd – Adrian Speight & Lizzy D’Alme CZ – 0/0 36.30 seconds
4th – Hollie Smith & No Limit D – 0/0 37.05 seconds (Highest placed seven-year-old)
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: Majestic Photography
