Eventer wins Working Hunter finals at HOYS

Amy James has won the Cuddy Working Hunter of the Year title at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with an intermediate eventer.

Dream come true

This is the second year running Amy and Columbo Nimbus have won the title, although Amy said the 10-year-old is feeling far fitter this year having run in an intermediate just two weeks ago.

“He did showjump, but now I event ‘Cloudy’ most of the time,” Amy told H&C. “He has just gone up to intermediate and has jumped four double clears, so this is an added bonus. He just works for me and tries his hardest all the time. He’s a dream horse. And to win it not once, but twice, is an absolute dream come true.”

Bit scary

Amy, who is based in Pembrokeshire, said it was a “bit scary” watching the judge ride Cloudy as he can get excited, which has let him down in the past.

“With all the eventing, he’s only done a few shows this year and isn’t completely settled when being ridden by the judge,” she said. “But he was brilliant today. He knew what he was meant to do and was a lot calmer than last year.”

This could be Cloudy’s last year in working hunter classes as Amy hopes to go advanced with him, and possibly even make it to three-star level.

Finally done it

Earlier in the evening stallion Rendene Royal Charm was named as Cuddy Supreme In-hand Pony, handled by Craig Elenor. Owner Martin Wood said the feeling of winning was “unbelievable”.

“It’s probably one of the hardest things to win at HOYS,” he said. “Many great people have won it before and Craig has been trying for 22 years and has got it finally.

“The amount of work Craig and his team put in to get the horse to that standard – you’ve got to be proud of him. We’ve finally done it.”