DAY ONE - HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 2012
Wednesday 03 October 2012
Nicole Pavitt (24) from Crawley, West Sussex took the first of the senior showjumping titles of the week in the EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers class. After being the bridesmaid on three previous occasions, she gained a winner’s sash of her own on board Marclea Curbishley’s eight-year-old bay mare, Our Duchess.
The wait for the win was a long one, as she was drawn first to go on the bay mare.
“Going first doesn’t worry me as I like to set the standard,” said Nicole. “But, now I have done so well I have to admit that I actually went the wrong way. I forgot where I was going, so the tight turn I made was actually a mistake. Fortunately for me, she jumped it.”
Former HOYS 128cm and 138cm Champion Christie Pritchard (15) from Holyhead, Gwynedd won the first junior showjumping class of the week by claiming the Squibb Demolition Pony Foxhunter title with the ten-year-old bay stallion, Quickstar de Jochri, owned by Simon Roe.
Irish international showjumper Anthony Condon started off his week at Horse of the Year Show 2012 with a win in the inaugural Addington Manor Talent Seekers including 7 Year Old Championship with Olympic Lux. The jump-off of this new national final had the crowd on the edge of their seats as the 10 who had made the closing stages battled to be the first to claim the honours.
However, Anthony’s horse is no stranger to success having recently claimed the National Championship at the Plevin British Showjumping Scope Festival.
“He’s a fantastic animal who always gives 110%”, said Anthony, who’s eight-year-old horse is owned by his former boss, Irish Olympian Billy Twomey. “I am competing in the international classes here later on in the week, so this was great start. I’m aiming to jump him in the Leading Show Jumper of the Year on Sunday.”
Runner-up to Anthony was Holly Gillot riding Dougie Douglas, who gained a bonus of £1,000, kindly donated by Brightwells, for claiming the National 7 Year Old title as the highest placed horse of that age in the competition.
Complementing the show jumping competitions was the brand new Tim Stockdale lecture-demonstration. The popular feature inspired the fascinated audience, who gleaned hints and tips from this top equestrian.
The action continues throughout the week at Horse of the Year Show. The first of the international show jumping classes begin tomorrow, while the finals of the most highly regarded national showing and showjumping championships continue to be hosted. Each day spectators can look forward to a performance of this year’s exclusive new display The Final Charge by Atkinson Action Horses, the Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games and the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Racing, as well as the Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area and the famous HOYS Retail Village. The Classic Dressage Master Class with Richard Davison will take place on Friday. Limited tickets are still available for some performances.
For show information, including the full show timetable and timings, and to book, visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.
Limited numbers of tickets are still available for some performances.
1inbbkeu36fgo.jpg "Zara Nicholls Races to Top Spot in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Weston Lawns")
.jpg "Marcella Johnstone and Will Brown Reach for the Stars in the second NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Qualifiers")
7y6b55koibbj.jpg "Brian Thompson and Alex Hewett are winners in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Rounds")
