Fry is sizzling hot
Toby Fry’s double clear puts him in the ribbons, while Claudia Moore confirms her HOYS qualification
TOBY FRY and Zucan (Zooey) produced the only double clear round to claim the top Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket on offer here in the pony Foxhunter second round.
Toby had been disappointed to lower a rail in the recent second round at Bicton, but he made amends here.
“As Zooey must fit in with my other rides, we’ve taken our time getting to know each other, but everything is now clicking into place. The course was quite technical with the water at number four and some tricky lines, but I’m beginning to learn how to read courses better,” said Toby, who is enjoying a successful first season with Zucan.
The pair qualified for two finals at the 2018 Blue Chip championships and the 13-yearold gelding is no stranger to
HOYS as he was a 2017 newcomer finalist for Courtney Young.
In second were the pathfinders in the four-strong first jump-off Holly Cooper, riding her alreadyqualified Valentino Supreme.
Subject to BS confirmation, it was thought third-placed Rachel Proudley (Family Affaer II) and fourth-placed Ella Quigley (Clemens 43) took the remaining tickets to Birmingham.
It proved a tough third round for the 10 that progressed to the second and final jump-off in the 60-starter Blue Chip newcomers second round, where triple clears proved impossible.
Quick-thinking Tatiane Mauree “kicked on” when Horseabout Zibu (Boo) faulted at the third from home, and a cut inside and run to the last fence saw them post the fastest time in 45.68sec of three four-faulters.
“The third round was difficult and, after turning quite short, we were just too deep to the one we had down,” reflected Tatiane.
Last year, the pair were newcomer and Foxhunter finalists and they have clinched return visits to both.
“We were still quite a new partnership at Birmingham last year, but we’re getting it together now,” concluded Tatiane.
Scotland’s Nicole LockheadAnderson claimed second place and a HOYS ticket with Sofia Cooper’s six-year-old Nightgirl Van Het Sonnishof Z, who tipped the last rail in 46.98sec.
“This was the biggest track she has taken on and it was a tough third round. She is still only a young pony and we so nearly managed a clear, but I think she is a top prospect for next year,” said Nicole, who also took third place riding Epee Nazar, who lowered the final rail in 44.96sec.
TOUGH TEST
MARK MCGOWAN again built to height in the Equithème leading pony showjumper qualifier and, in wilting heat, the 11-fence first round course proved hard going and just four of the 38 starters went through to the jump-off.
Producing a smooth double clear to win was Claudia Moore riding Elando Van De Roshoeve (Larry). With the luxury of knowing her Birmingham ticket had already been claimed at Weston Lawns where they finished second, Claudia concentrated on remaining on a zero score and finished in 45sec.
“When I walked the course, I thought it was technical with some broken lines and rollbacks making it difficult to keep in a rhythm, but Larry jumped two level rounds. In the jump-off, I didn’t want to go crazy, but we were tight back to the double and that gave me time to hold for the stride I wanted to the last,” said Claudia.
After taking fourth place at Weston Lawns, next-placed Perdita Digby and Kayleighs Star claimed their HOYS ticket here, the pair opening the jump-off and finishing clear in 48.16sec.
Frustratingly for Holly Truelove and the already qualified stallion Rexter D’or (43.87sec), the final rail fell to take third.
The last fence, a pillared oxer alongside the collecting ring, also came down for Vicki Selby and Bay Friend, but fourth should have earned them a HOYS ticket.
With three ponies entered, the already-qualified Tabitha
Kyle was one of the busiest riders in the Stable Company 138cm HOYS qualifier and she produced the only triple clear round to win riding Lisduff Royal.
“We have a really good partnership, and I know Royal is naturally quick and always jumps better being ridden forward into his fences,” said Tabitha, who was just two days away from her 11th birthday and gained an additional place in this class with sixthplaced Playboy Van De Zoetewei.
Subject to confirmation, the HOYS tickets went to the secondand third-placed riders Patrick Thurston and Charlie Atkinson riding Grey Palace and SOS The Milky Bar Kid.
INCREDIBLE FORM
IT proved a long wait, but the final HOYS 128cm qualifying class offered another three tickets to Birmingham.
Maintaining their incredible form in major competitions were clear round specialists Poppy Deakin and her Liverpool and Bolesworth grand prix winner Munsboro Plunkett (Oscar).
They once again left everything standing to produce the only triple clear to win.
This pair had already claimed their HOYS ticket courtesy of a win at South View, and trainer Paul Barker was on hand to give advice here.
“Oscar is an easy pony to ride and we have such confidence in each other. Paul talked me through our lines and I thought our third round was best — the bigger the fences, the better he jumps,” said Poppy.
Tabitha Kyle riding the already-qualified Borderhill William finished second, with
Tia Squibb celebrating her HOYS ticket riding third-placed Gorm And Ban.