bay mare, Argentina. The 5 year old,
by Argento out of Woodlander Italia,
was bred by Robert to show jump, and
is on loan to Abigail while she matures.
The pair have done a one day event and
some jump cross and were successful in
the Amateur Riding Horse and stood
champion at the Festival of Hunting.
“We have done lots of hard work,
training and looking after her coat before
coming here. It is her first year showing
and she is quiet and safe, but I didn’t
expect this”, said a delighted Abigail, who
plans to give the mare a short break after
the show and may do some days hunting
with the Barlow this winter.
SEIB Search for a Star Show
Hack
Dowhills Daffi won the Hack section,
owned and ridden by Sophie Clark, 25,
from Bromsgrove. Sophie bought the
mare, by Strinesdale Mastermind out
of Millcroft Minadab, as a 6 month
old foal from Dowhills Stud and the
breeders were at HOYS to see the win.
“We went to see a 2 year old, but chose
a foal instead”, explained Sophie. Last
year was their first season competing
locally, and they enjoy hacking and
“doing normal things” at home. “I
wanted a show hack, and she has been
maturing while I have been at uni”,
said Sophie, who studied Sport and
Community Development at Sheffield
and is now working as a teaching
assistant at a Special Educational
Needs school. “HOYS is something I
have dreamed of for years and years. It
is amazing!” she said.
Riding Club Show Horse
The lovely grey gelding, Blitz, did not
put a foot wrong to win the Riding
Club Show Horse for delighted owner/
rider, Lucy May, from Burnley. Blitz
had previously been eventing but
an injury had put him out of action.
He was put out in a field for a year
before coming back into work and
Lucy bought the horse 18 months ago
to do some show jumping. The pair
compete most weekends in British
Showjumping classes at Myerscough
and Aintree and Lucy’s long term aim
is to do working hunter. “I am not
really a showing person, but I might be
now”, she laughed after the win. “Blitz
is a real family horse. He hacks and
schools and can turn to do whatever
we want. It’s a real family effort and
I am helped by my mum, who is at
home looking after my boys who are at
school”, said Lucy.
SEIB Search for a Star - Cob
Section
Louise Holliday rode her own The
Gambler to win the SEIB Search for a
Star Cob section in fine style. Louise
bought him 2 years ago as an unbroken
6 year old from a friend, Miley Cash,
in Ireland, and calls him “Dylan” at
home. The horse had been turned
out on a farm and had had very little
handling when he arrived. The pair
were 3rd in the Home Produced class
at the National Championships and
have done some local shows. “This has
been a fantastic experience. He was a
bit sharp last year but he has just got
better and better”, said Louise, who
works full time as a Clinical Nurse
Specialist and fits in looking after
Image left: The Gambler ridden by Louis
Holliday from Maisemore Cob. Image Credit ES
Photography
16
“Dylan” around her shifts. “He has
really come into himself this season. I
was so nervous going in there but he
held it together. The atmosphere was
absolutely electric!”