On the final night in NEC’s re-vamped LG Arena, Jayne Webber and Carol Bardo’s The Philanderer wowed judges Rose Kelbie and Michael Mac to take the HOYS supreme horse of the year championship.
“He caught our eye from the start, and he maintained wonderful movement, and consistency throughout his transitions,” said Rose.
Earlier in the day, Jayne and The Philanderer had gone beautifully to clinch the riding horse title, and the Kilvington Scoundrel eight-year-old rose to the occasion yet again, to impress in the preliminary supreme show, and under the final spotlight.
“He was sheer perfection all the way through. That’s certainly one of the best rides he’s ever given me,” said Jayne, who also brought two other horses into the supreme ride off, champion coloured The Humdinger (Mandy Hughes championship ride), and champion cob The Keystone Cob (Gemma Lucas).
The evening was made all the more special for the team, as Carol Bardo, who had undergone an operation on her back earlier in the week, was at the ringside to see the supreme championship.
After standing top in the intermediate show hunter class earlier in the week, Yasmin Cuddy and Galtee Park gained their second victory of the week when heading the small riding horse line up. The pair went on to stand reserve to The Philanderer in the championship.
Michelle Baker and Noble Bing bowed out of intermediate classes in the best possible style by winning their final working hunter class. The Irish-bred gelding has notched up a huge list of wins this season, and he went on to take the working hunter pony tricolour.
The Shire Horse of the Year championship made a welcome return to Horse of the Year Show, and taking the 2009 title was John Wilkinson’s four-year-old mare Hainton Charlie Girl.
Don’t miss H&H’s special 17-page report from HOYS, on sale 15 October, ’09
