Billy Twomey wins HOYS Leading Showjumper of the Year
Sunday 13 October 2013
The final class at Horse of the Year Show , the Leading Showjumper of theYear Grand Prix, saw Ireland take the honours with Billy Twomey and Tinka’s Serenade. Ireland certainly dominated the class by taking 2nd place also in the form of Cian O’Connor and Cooper, the only other rider alongside Billy to achieve a double clear.
The competition which had seen twenty two riders come forward saw many fault at the final obstacle, a combination heading towards home. In addition to many faults being accrued at one of the three elements that made up the final obstacle, time also played a crucial role with only three managing to leave all obstacles standing within the time allowed of 72 seconds. The third rider was Julien Epaillard from France with Qarat de la Loge.
In a competition where six riders or all clears come forward for the jump-off, they were joined by three Brits; Ellen Whitaker and Arena UK Lando owned by Norman Oley along with Chloe Aston and Quiet Easy 4 owned by Quainton Stud, both of whom had left all fences untouched but incurred a time penalty by coming through the finish line just outside the time allowed alongside the fastest competitor on 4-faults who was Dan Neilson with Stacy Willsone’s Varo M.
Coming forward in reverse order and carrying their first round penalties through to the jump-off it was Dan Neilson who was the first to enter the arena. Deciding the best strategy would be to go for a fast clear, this is exactly what he did setting the standard in a time of 39.0 seconds. Ellen following him incurred three fences down and a total of 12-faults to add to her existing time penalty.
Chloe Aston from Hertfordshire, with a focus that belied her 19 years attacked the course with style and panache, however an unfortunate two fences lowered saw her finish on 9 faults in total. Julien Epaillard, the first of the three clears in the first round incurred 4 faults and a 3rd place finish.
Bringing the show to an end in a grand finale, the champions of HOYS 2013 entered the arena along with other notable champions. As part of the ceremony it was fantastic to see Nick Skelton on the prolific stallion Arko III owned by John, Pat & Lisa Hales with whom he had such incredible success winning more than £1million in prize money before his retirement to stud.
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