Ellen wins 'everything' at HOYS

By Justine Thompson

Event diary

12 October 2009 10:57

Show jumping golden girl Ellen Whitaker had a fabulous Horse of the Year Show – winning the famous Puissance event as well as the Speed Horse of the Year class for a record fourth time.

With her form improving with every class, she went on to take the top spot and 1st prize of £7,500 in the most prestigious class of the week - the HOYS Leading Show Jumper of the Year (Grand Prix).

Ellen produced a foot-perfect double clear on Equimax Ocolado, who is owned by her father Steven and Mrs Dawn Makin.

Second and third went to Olympic GB riders, Ben Maher and Nick Skelton. Ben and Wonder Boy II took second place and third went to Nick riding Carlo 273.

Earlier in the day, Ellen, 23, won the illustrious Speed Horse of the Year class for a record fourth time.

Her first win was in 2003, when she was only 17, riding Quinten II, before repeating the success in 2006 on Henri de Here. This year, her faithful 17-year-old horse Kanselier, whom she has had since he was 10, partnered her to victory.