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‘If she said no I would have been royally screwed’: couple get engaged in the ring at HOYS

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • Lancashire-based show produced Amy Smith was delighted to finish ninth at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in the coloured ridden native/cob/traditional pony of the year final with blue roan stallion Gangster, but her day got even sweeter when her partner John Canavan got down on one knee in the TopSpec Arena and asked her to be his wife.

    After the final rosettes were presented, commentator Carey Knox asked John to step into the ring, much to Amy’s surprise.

    Then, John, holding the couple’s son, Lachlan James, presented Amy with a ring and proposed, much to the crowd’s approval. Amy was completely shocked:

    “I was not expecting that at all,” she said.

    “It had been on my mind for a while but I always said to Amy that I wanted to do it when she was least expecting it,” said John. “No one knew I was going to do it, apart from the stewards, and my parents, who I rang earlier this morning to let them know that I was going to do it. I told Amy’s sister, Vikki, about 20 minutes before!”

    “I was nervous,” added John. “If she said no I would have been royally screwed!”

    Amy has had a great run at HOYS this week, taking second in working hunter ranks with her own Laburnum Richard. Vikki has also brought home winnings for Team Smith, taking the New Forest class with Lovelyhill Folklore, who was also second in his working hunter final.

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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    H&H showing editor
    Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK.
    Alex Robinson

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