Rivalry will be fierce in the New Forest and Connemara ridden class at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) next month as a husband and wife are set to go head-to-head.
Kerry and Alex Humble have qualified their own Kingstown Barney, who was bought on their honeymoon in Ireland in 2004, and Lockinge Village Siskin, bought from racehorse trainer and Connemara breeder Henrietta Knight, for the class.
“We both work full-time, as well as having two small children, proving that amateurs can get to HOYS,” said Mrs Humble, a solicitor. Her husband is a farrier.
Mrs Humble will ride Siskin and believes her husband has a better chance of winning as her pony can be a bit “mareish”.
“We have a bit of friendly banter in the ring, but whoever wins we’re happy — it’s a team effort,” said Mrs Humble, who is competing for the second time at HOYS.
“Alex show jumped at HOYS when he was 10, but fell off, so is hoping to do better this time.”
The Mountain and Moorland Pony of the Year, New Forest/Connemara class is at 7am on Wednesday, 7 October.
To book HOYS tickets, call the NEC Box Office on 0844 581 82 82 or visit www.hoys.co.uk
This news story was first published in H&H (24 September, 09)
