Hollie Gerken claims her second HOYS title in the Equine Rescue Services 138cm with Another Barney
Saturday 07 October 2023
.jpg)
Hollie Gerken has enjoyed a tremendous Horse of the Year Show and captured her second major title in two days with the Equine Rescue Services 138cm Championship on Another Barney.
Only two days earlier, Hollie was crowned Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year with Ramiro High Society.
Twenty-three hopeful competitors tackled the 1.25m course but only three answered every question to qualify for the jump-off.
Portia Taylor-Wilson looked to be setting a serious target for the following two riders but the audience broke out with cheers as she approached the final fence and Whitethorn Smokey toppled the top rail of the vertical.
Hollie, who had claimed an amazing 10 qualifying HOYS places, also picked up second in the Pony Foxhunter and second and third place in the Pony Newcomers, looked cool and confident as she rode into the ring aboard the 9-year-old Another Barney, who finished second in this Final two years ago with Tabitha Kyle in the saddle.
She exuded assurance and self-possession as she executed smooth yet tight lines, posting a clear round and beating Portia’s time by 1.62 seconds. It proved to be the only double clear, last to go Alfie Diaper faulted on Go Fast D’Argan to finish third.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – 7 October, 2023
Equine Rescue Services 138cm Championship
1st Hollie Gerken & Another Barney – 0/0 - 33.04 seconds
2nd Portia Taylor-Wilson & Whitethorn Smokey – 0/4 - 34.66 seconds
3rd Alfie Diaper & Go Fast d’Argan – 0/12 - 41.27 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images