HOYS judges Elizabeth Morgan (conformation) and Ann Bigley (show) were kept busy sorting well filled mountain and moorland ridden ranks in Birmingham, with the title going to Dunedin Marksman, Anne Mitchell’s grey Highland stallion partnered by Matthew Lawrence in only their second season.
In reserve was Chris and Gareth Williams’s section D mare Sydenham Hebe, ridden by their daughter Alex.
“She’s qualified for three years running, and is also going to Olympia,” said Gareth. “She’s by Llanarth Lloyd George and we have her half-sister at home who came here in 2006.”
Joshua (7yrs) and Eleanor (10yrs) Blythe shared the spoils with Costone Cayti after heading the lead rein and first ridden respectively to take the mini title.
“Cayti belongs to our good friends John and Lynn Elliott, and she came to us when their daughter Millicent outgrew her,” said Sharon. “Julie Judge has been giving the children lessons and they’ve really come on.”
Grace Hampton was second in the lead rein with Cwmuynfell Fantasia, and held position to take reserve with her parents Jo and Rick Hampton’s six-year-old section A gelding.
Wendy Edgar’s MHB Apollo claimed his third miniature horse of the year title with Julian Quiney, having won on alternate years previously. He has previously taken two RIHS titles, and his daughter Apollo’s Joy won there two years ago.
“We’ve had an exciting few weeks as my wife Sam gave birth to our son, a month early at the BSPS Summer Championships,” said Julian, “we’ve decided to give him a middle name of Lincoln, as that’s where the championships were held.”
Brenda Thompson claimed reserve with Sir Timothy and Lady Bernadette King’s Scott Creek My Key To Fashion. Brenda also headed the youngstock section with her own Dayhill Travelling Technicolour.
