UK HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW RESULTS

Well, the British Horse of the Year Show kicked off at the NEC Arena in Birmingham today. This event, which will be held from 7-11 October this year, is what all showies in the UK aim to qualify for. Even picking up a HOYS ticket is tough- the county shows which hold qualifying classes attract huge numbers of competitors and you often have to beat 30-40 other combinations to qualify. The horses and ponies that win at HOYS are truly the cream of the crop. I will keep this blog up to date with results as and when I receive them.

Show Hunter Of The Year Championship
Champion - Finn McCool III (Guy Landau)

Reserve - Pride & Joy (Robert Walker)

Class 26a - Lightweight Show Hunter Of The Year
1st & Ch - Finn McCool (Guy Landau)

2nd - Suppose So (Robert Walker)

3rd - Shannon Beau (Lorraine Homer)

4th - Sutton Place (Charles Le Moignan)

5th - Azarax (Katie Jerram)

6th - Agherlows Sir Walter (Magnus Nicholson)

7th - Cracker (Louise Bell)

8th - Bryon Lodge (Lyndsey Kelbie)

9th - Jazz Band (Sue Simpson)

Class 26b - Middleweight Show Hunter Of The Year
1st & Res - Pride & Joy (Robert Walker)

2nd - Standing Ovation (Jayne Webber)

3rd - Lord Litchfiield (Justine Armstrong-Small)

4th - Magnifire (Sam Kitson)

5th - District Court (Kirstine Douglas)

6th - Woodfield Indo (Katie Jerram)

7th - Foxtrot Du Mesnil (Peter Bridle)

8th - The Star (Vanessa Ramm)

9th - Royal Hero (Leon King)

Class 26c - Heavyweight Show Hunter Of The Year (top 9)
1st - Loughkeen Dancing Lord (Robert Oliver)

2nd - Book Of Kells (David Tatlow)

3rd - Manton II (Robert Walker)

4th - Foxcourt All Talk (Jo Jenkins)

5th - Cabra West (Rory Gilsenan)

6th - Avalanche II (Kevin O'Connell)

7th - Mr Gibson (Sarah Jones)

8th - The Fieldmaster II (Irene Susca)

9th - Grand Tavern (Sam Kitson)

Class 28a New Forest & Connemara M&M Pony of the Year

1st) Lecarrow King (Sam Roberts)
2nd) Knockanroe Champ (Rosie Bloor)

3rd) Skellorn Harrison (Stuart Mason)

4th) Rebel's Ghost (Emma James)

5th) Mosstown Windy (Jessica Major)

6th) John's Cuckoo (Matthew Lawrence)

7th) Kingstown Barney (Alex Humble)

8th) Rosenanharley Ban Rion Laura (Jemma James)

9th) Misty Blue (Leanne Goodwin)

Runners up (final 11)- Loughfadda Best Man (Charlotte Band) and Oasklands Donatello (Stephanie Averis)

Class 28b Fell, Highland & Dales M&M Pony of the Year

1st) Dunedin Marksman (Matthew Lawrence)

2nd) Xander of Mendick (Georgina Burton)

3rd) Castle Hill Raven (Hayley Marie Reynolds)

4th) Thornville Jake (Michelle Offen)

5th) Waterside Ben II (Tracey Milward)

6th) Kilmannan Black Magic (Richard Telford)

7th) Kilmannan Black Wizard (Victoria Hesford)

8th) Darrenvale Warrior (Charlene Richardson)

9th) Sunglow Lady Paula (Sam Roberts)

Runners up (final 11)- Faradale Barney (Sarah Pinfield) and Kilmannan Black Velvet (Henry Hird)

Class 31a - SEIB Search For A Star Cobs (similar to NZ Rising Stars)
1st - Chinwaggfinn

2nd - Hot Property II

3rd - Traffic Cob

4th - Weeden's Earl Grey

5th - Rose Of Leamlara

Pull-In Order:

1 - Chinwaggfinn

2 - Hot Property

3 - Donny Brook

4 - Traffic Cob

5 - Weeden's Earl Grey

6 - Miss PartyPants

7 - Rose Of Leamlara

8 - Finius Fog

9 - Ardenteggle Boy

10 - Fergus IV

Class 31b - SEIB Search For A Star Riding Club Show Horse
1st - Innish Verdel

2nd - Mr Mick

3rd - Lambrigg Spotlight

4th - Glenavy

5th - All That Jazz

(Retired - Indian Opposition - pulled first but didn't stand for presentation)

Pull-In Order:

1 - Mr Mick

2 - Mister Julius

3 - Indian Opposition

4 - Glenavy

5 - Sandro Isabella

6 - All That Jazz

7 - Innish Verdel

8 - Clogherboy Lucky Boy

9 - Daid O'Diamonds

10 - Lambrigg Spotlight

Class 29a - Stallions Miniature Horse Of The Year
1st & Champion - MHB Apollo

2nd - Dukes Country Colours

3rd - Spotlights Rough Diamond

4th - LTDS Wildcard

5th - Dukes Twist Of Colours(Placed to fifth)

Class 29b - Mares/Geldings Miniature Horse Of The Year
1st & Reserve - Scott Creek My Key To Fashion

2nd - Strike A Little Star

3rd - Alamos Daisy

4th - Lewingales Electra

5th - Conundrum La Bella Milan

Class 29c - Youngstock Miniature Horse Of The Year
1st - Dayhill Travelling Technicolour

2nd - Hailstone Ready To Rumble

3rd - Ujenik Bantam's Little Princess

4th - Scott Creek Call Girl Dot Com

5th - Aesthete Lavender BlueChampionship

Champion MHB Apollo, Reserve Scott Creek My Key To Fashion

IS THERE A FUTURE HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW CHAMPION HIDING IN YOUR PADDOCK?

One talent that many of our top show horse and pony producers seem to possess is the ability to turn something seemingly average into the next show ring superstar. They are able to spot that 'diamond in the rough' and after months of correct conditioning, training, trimming and polishing, they manage to take it to the top of the line-up at some of the country's most prestigious shows.

Seeing a horse or pony's potential can be a tricky business when you're just starting out. When a horse is young, or is out of work, mooching around at the back of some field, it can be hard to imagine what they could look like one day. On top of that, you are often competing against other buyers- whether they are looking for themselves or are professional trainers searching on behalf of a client. Everyone is keen to find that 'undiscovered future champion.'

It can even be difficult to see the potential in your own horse if you are new to showing and are unaware of all the tricks and techniques you can use to get your animal looking his absolute best (not just good- we're talking HOYS standard, movie-star gorgeous!)

The first thing you need to do is make sure you know as much as possible about how a horse should be put together. No amount of mud or lack of condition can cover up correct conformation. Looking at lots and lots of different horses, preferably with someone experienced by your side will help with this. It's also worth investing in a good book on conformation (I recommend this one- I have a copy next to my bed and open it at a random page at least every other night! lol)

Secondly, you need to know your types inside out. If you want to do well in the ring, there is no point buying a horse that is not a specific 'type', no matter how good the conformation. Something that the judge looks at and can't really decide whether it is a hack or a hunter will never reach the dizzy heights of showing. Voluteering as a steward is a great way to learn what is required from each class.

Remember, when looking at a possible show horse, whether it is in your own paddock or you are thinking about buying, there are things that can be improved. Muscle can be built up in certain places with correct work, clever trimming can make a big difference (for example, if your horse is light of bone do NOT go crazy with the clippers down the backs of the legs!) and tack can also make a horse look much better (even the biggest, plainest head in the world can be made to look handsome with a good quality but substantial bridle with a flat, wide browband).

Amazingly, action can also be improved upon. A horse or pony that is untrained, unbalanced or is being presented on deep, unsuitable going will often look like it can't move properly. Legs will be going in all directions and the overall picture will be horrendous. This is why you must always have a horse trotted up in front of you and also observe it moving at liberty in the field.

There are probably dozens of could-be show horses and ponies languishing in paddocks around the country. So, go have another look at your hairy thoroughbred outside or take a second look at that scruffy, doesn't-look-like-anything pony on TradeMe. You never know....underneath all that fluff, it could be the next HOYS champion!

Take a good look at the pictures throughout this post. Could any of these be your next ribbon-winning show horse or pony....................?

SHOULD BRITISH JUDGES BE INVITED TO HORSE OF THE YEAR NZ?

I follow the Showring Online forum, a message board which gives New Zealanders the opportunity to discuss everything from upcoming shows to which jacket to wear in a particular class.

Anyway, I was reading a thread about the new Show Riding Horse section and an interesting point was raised. Should British judges be invited to assess horses at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show? According to the poster:

'It is funny that we want to model our showing classes on what UK does, as there are many people out there that don't want UK judges to judge here!! They feel that we base ourselves on what happens in Australia, not the UK, so we should be getting Australian judges to judge at HOYS here. Interesting concept, when the English can judge conformation as good as anyone else and have less idea about any of our competitors.'

An interesting opinion isn't it? I can kind of see where they are coming from as there are certain key differences between the UK and NZ when it comes to the show ring. For example, turnout of both horse and rider is very different so I would certainly not expect a British judge to be able to properly judge a turnout class in New Zealand.

I am also of the opinion that hacks in Australia and New Zealand are streets ahead of the UK, as far as quality, type, conformation and performace go. So perhaps it wouldn't be particularly useful to fly a British judge in for those classes

However, I do think it would be a mistake to exclude British judges from the Show Pony classes. The classes are judged exactly the same in both countries (60% suitablity and safeness, 40% conformation and paces- check the British Show Pony Society rules out here). The only difference is that, in the UK, riders are asked for a freestyle individual performance whereas NZ judges usually insist on a set workout. Plus, although Show Pony breeding, presentation and performace in both NZ and Australia has come along in leaps and bounds, with ponies now even being exported from this side of the world to England (e.g. Willowcroft Regal Bronze), I still think an awful lot can be learned from the British judges. It would be a shame to shut NZ off from that valuable chance to further improve and learn.

I think that the hunter classes still have a looooong way to go in the Southern Hemisphere as well. I think the occasional visit from an iconic British hunter judge, such as Richard Ramsey, could be really useful in further improving the quality and performance of saddle hunters in this country.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the mattter. I do believe that we can learn from any other country that is breeding, producing and competing show horses and ponies, be it the UK, Australia, South Africa or any others that I have missed out! No country is going to show their horses in exactly the same way- just as no country is going to train/produce/present their dressage or eventing horses in the same way. But it doesn't mean that we can't pick up some valuable tips and advice from them to further improve the sport in our own country

BRITISH MEASURING SCANDAL HITS SHOW SCENE

I have been keeping an eye on this story over the past few months. It has really shaken up the UK showing scene and there will be a few no-shows at the Horse of the Year Show in October because of it.

Basically, a vet in Essex (my home county....ahem) has been accused of granting life height certificates to over-height show horses and ponies. So far this year, the Joint Measurement Board (JMB) has recalled 62 horses and ponies for remeasurement and word is that more are pending. Last year, a tiddly 20 were recalled.

The owners of 23 of the horses have chosen not to re-present their animals...this means that their height certificates are now invalid.

If these horses and ponies are indeed over height, think of the implications. This means that a large number of worthy competitiors may well have missed out on picking up their HOYS qualifying ticket. You know- that prize we truck our horses all over the country for. That ultimate goal that keeps us dragging ourselves out of bed at the crack of dawn, plaiting up in the dark and spending endless amounts of money on entry fees, sparkly browbands and special shampoos. And it's not like the situation can be rectified either. It would be an impossible task to track down every individual that entered a HOYS qualifying class and was second to a horse that was actually over-height. They have fundamentally been cheated out of their precious HOYS ticket.

Many of the animals recalled have been found to measure as much as 5.80cm over what their certificates stated. Are we supposed to believe that their owners were not aware that they were that much taller than the rules for their chosen class specified?

It's all very dodgy and a sad reflection on how some people regard the sport of showing (i.e. it's all about the ribbon, no matter what) It's good to see that over-height animals are finally being clamped down on though. Fingers crossed we start seeing a bit more honesty and fair-play in the show ring from now on.

Keep up with the story over at Horse & Hound