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‘He only started jumping 12 months ago’: former HOYS flat winner triumphs over fences

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • Sarah Parker and Sarah Weston’s two-time Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) open Dartmoor pony of the year winner Westown Wildfire (Milo) returned to reign over fences in the 2024 HOYS 122cm M&M working hunter pony of the year final.

    The eight-year-old first won at the NEC as a first-season five-year-old and he returned in 2023 to lead his class once again. The stallion, who is by Westown Fire Cracker out of Cayberry Sugar Plum, only started jumping last year.

    Sarah has ridden him for the duration of his career for his breeder Sarah.

    “He’s only been jumping for 12 months,” rider Sarah confirmed. “He did the BSPS summer champs last year after only jumping for two weeks and he won everything. We got a bit excited about him then and wondered if it could be his new career. Last winter he didn’t go home to cover and he stayed with me to jump.”

    Milo qualified for the 122cm M&M working hunter pony class at Royal International on his first attempt and he finished second at the final.

    “It’s such a big thing for him here [at HOYS] as he’s spooky,” said Sarah.

    Sarah’s most famed working hunter ride was the now retired Dartmoor Pumphill Buckthorn, a former winner of the HOYS M&M working hunter pony of the championship. When asked if both stallions possess similarities, Sarah said: “They have slightly different attitudes, but Milo definitely has a lot of jump in him.”

    The track in the 2024 HOYS 122cm M&M working hunter pony final was a meaty challenge. The course featured a sizeable 75th anniversary fence included to mark HOYS’ diamond celebrations.

    “That suits my ponies though; they like it bold,” Sarah said. “It’s a championship so we need a good track at this level. It splits us all up.”

    Sarah fondly credited her young sons for their schooling of Mylo ahead of HOYS: “My son Thomas rides him at home a lot, but my youngest Owen, who is still in lead-rein, was trotting him around on his pre-HOYS outing. He has to have the credit!”

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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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