Young riders living the dream at HOYS

Saturday’s competition at Horse of the Year Show started with three National Showjumping classes, which saw the youngest, smallest but gutsiest competitors take to centre stage.

HOYS debut

First up was the 128cm Championship which was won by 12-year-old Lily Grimwade riding Koda. This was Lily’s debut at HOYS, but she didn’t let the atmosphere phase her and was the only rider to go clear in the jump off.

Second place went to Madison Heath riding Red Alert III.

“I am really surprised and really happy,” said Lily who comes from Danbury in Essex. “He has bascially taught me how to ride and I love him so much.”

‘Phenomenal’

Nicole Lockhead Anderson from Aberdeen won the Stable Company 138cm Championship riding Sonas Barney. The pair was one of only two combinations to make it through to the jump off, and her fast time of 34.89sec saw her take the title in style.

The other clear came from Tegan Rowlands and Grey Palace (40.91sec) which placed them second.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Nicole. “It’s something that I have always wanted to win and it happened today.”

‘Dream come true’

Another rider competing at HOYS for the first time was Millie Dickinson, who won the Squibb Group Pony Foxhunter.

The prestigious class is a pony version of the famous Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship, and is open to riders aged 16 and under.

It has been Millie’s ambition to compete at HOYS for many years. Riding the 10-year-old gelding Claddagh Prince, she won the class just 0.02sec ahead of Cameron Rogan and Landlord 111 in second place.

“I still can’t really believe it, it’s just incredible and it’s basically a dream come true,” she said.