Simon Reynolds and Morrows Marksman (Credit: 1st Class Images)

It was hectic at the Stoneleigh Horse Show with the FUSO Eco Cob Championship classes, the Colosso Family Ladies Side Saddle Class, the Cuddy Working Hunter as well as the Show Hunter and Brereton Hack Championships.

The FUSCO Eco Cob Championship classes started off with the competitive Lightweight Cob Class. It was Vanessa Ramm’s Randalstown Designer Stubble who won the section and take overall reserve with Hayley Gill. The Heavyweight section and championship went to Simon Reynolds on Claire Trebble’s Morrows Marksman with Oliver Hood in second with Master of the House. “He always gives the judge a great ride, he has a lovely personality, has big movement and is an easy ride,” said Claire Trebble. The Maxi Cob ribbons went to Caroline Mackness’ Country Seat and Elizabeth Bury’s Lord Alexander.

Nine riders came forward from as far away as Co. Down and Edinburgh for the Colosso Family Side Saddle Class, under Judges John Maynard and Shelley Perham. It was Scotland’s Sofia Scott’s Bridgham who impressed the judges with Finn. The 13 year old Finn won the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse at Horse of the Year Show and his win today and qualification, subject to verification, will be his final appearance at the famous Show as Sofia said he will retire from showing.

Jean Walsh Wright riding Becconsall Regal Ruby (Credit: 1st Class Images)

In the Brereton Small Hack Class there was another seasoned HOYS attendee Jean Walsh Wright on her homebred mare, Becconsall Regal Ruby, who had also picked up the Intermediates subject to verification. Following her first in the hack class Jean was awarded champion with the reserve being awarded to Vanessa Windsor-Phillips on Wesswood Caste a Spell. The Large Hack went to Abigail Thorogood on Temple Garden with Scottshall Maximillion and rider Johanna Foster in second.

In the Catplant Group of Companies Ltd Show Hunter of the Year Championship, the Lightweight class was well-supported, so proved a tough task for judges Barbara Ashby-Jones and Lesley Whitehall. Carnsdale Capability Brown ridden and produced by Wayne Thorneycroft was pulled in first and remained there till finally placing, where they also took reserve. As the combination had already qualified at The Great Yorkshire show, the HOYS ticket, subject to verification, went to Gerry Merton’s Seabourne Silent Valley. Hannah Horton on Lucinda Freeman’s Big Ben took the Middleweights, although initially pulled in second by the judges, they got promoted after giving Judge Lesley Whitehall a lovely ride. Redemption Ground took the Heavyweights and Champion of the section with rider Leon King. Cheerio, as he is known at home, is having a successful Showing season having already collected ribbons at Lincoln, Royal International and Hickstead this summer.

Judge Kevan Baskeyfield and Ride judge Tracey Southern had their work cut out for them in the Sankey Family Arena with a record number of coloureds coming forward to each of the four classes sponsored by CHAPS UK. Winners of the Coloured Ridden Non Native Pony was Michaela Wood on Martin Wood’s La Jolie with Helen Shuttleworth in second on Flying Solo. The Coloured Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Pony Class went to Joanna Waterhouse riding Hilary Waterhouse’s Too Smart and Rosanna Hamilton and her horse Nantllesg Elwyn in second. Lynn Russell’s Cappa Sham took the Coloured Native Horse section with Flash the Cash taking the blue for Andrew Collins. Garry Ross a seasoned HOYS attendee won the Coloured Non Native Ridden Native/Cob/Traditional Horse Class aboard Paul Langrick’s Castle Franco.

Cuddy working hunter : Louise Bell and Catch the Beaver (Credit: 1st Class Images)

The Cuddy Working Hunter in the Polly Cole arena had two HOYS Tickets on offer. With only seven combinations going clear, first place was awarded to Louise Bell riding Clifford Percy’s stunning bay gelding, Catch the Beaver. “It was just his third workers and he jumped great and went really well for the judge” said Louise. Taking the second HOYS ticket subject to verification was 11-year-old chestnut gelding Lux O Neill ridden by Rory Gilsenan.

The British Show Pony Society Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony Classes were well supported, particularly the 143cm with over 40 entries. The Championship was awarded to the 122cm Class winner, Ruby Ward and Kyregate Peter Pan with reserve going to Aigas of Achnacarry winner of the 133cm Class ridden by Laura Marshall.