Youngster shines in Show Hunter at HOYS

The big championship classes keep on coming here at Horse of the Year Show, with the UK’s very best in showing having their moment in the spotlight.

Extravagant figures

Robert Walker won the Topspec Show Hunter of the Year with a stunning five-year-old he walked away from three years ago.

“I saw Ceasers Palace in Ireland at the Royal Dublin as two-year-old, where he won Supreme of Show,’” said Robert. “I liked him, but the guy was a bit extravagant with his figures so I left the show.

“Mrs Day, who owns him now, rang me from a lay-by in and said, ‘I’m not leaving Ireland without buying that horse’. So she made the call and bought him.”

Top horse

Ceasers Palace has won every qualifier this year and Robert estimates he has achieved a total of 12 wins and one placing, despite his young years.

“He’s quite some horse,” said Robert from Cheshire. “He was probably the most inexperienced horse in there, so to win Show Hunter of the Year is really something.

“I knew he was capable of winning, but he had to behave with the crowd and the spotlight. That’s what it takes to win a championship here. They not only have to be a top horse, they have to be settled in what they’re doing.”

Katie Jerrram was reserve champion with Gortlas Rinarinca.Robert and Ceasers Palace now go forward to the Ripon Select Foods Supreme Horse of the Year Championship on Sunday (12 October).

Amazing win

Other big classes at Birmingham’s NEC included the Guy Fawkes III Intermediate Show Hunter of the Year, which was won by Matthew Cooper riding Trudi Thornton.

Simon Reynolds took the title in the Leeman Family Maxi Cob of the Year riding Hallmark IX, whileZoe Martela-Nicoll won the Sandal BMW Intermediate Show Riding Type of the Year Championship with Fyrefly.

Stambrook Miss Belini was namedthe Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the Year, piloted by 12-year-oldJodie Creighton. It was the combinations last competition together, as the pony is going back to being a brood mare.

“It’s amazing to win here,” said Jodie, who came all the way from Randalstown, County Antrim. “I want to thank everyone for all their support in getting me here.”